1-Piece Line; Pros and Cons

[Lenny]

I've long admired the CRK 1-Piece Line, but never actually got around to buying one. Thought my fixed blade craving was fixed when I bought my Busse Steel Heart. But, there are some things a Steel Heart just can't do. Then I bought a Dozier Pro Guide Knife, but that is merely a superior slicing machine, falling short on the heavier duty tasks one would ask of an all around outdoors knife.
After reading several glowing reviews of the Sable IV, I got to thinking again; dangerous I know. Seems like the Sable is just about the perfect field/survival knife.
What do the other knives in the 1-piece line excel at? To look at it, one wouldn't think the Sable would excel at anything other than food prep.
So, all you 1-piece owners, tell me what your knife excels at, and where it falls short.
Thanks,
Lenny

 

[BoyNhisDog]

Yeah, it’s not to shabby at food prep.

The knife is built to take what you dish out to it in the outdoors. It is really not a kitchen knife but will do that if you ask it to.

What the Sable IV excels at is cutting. Most thick spine fixed blades don’t do that as well as the Sable. The Sable as the entire one piece line is heat treated to with stand the forces of chopping into wood that might chip out harder blades and that is what happens to some Falkkniven owners. The steel chips out big time on some folks. A2 will take the abuse and it, unlike some other steels is easy to sharpen in the field.

The rounded spine is good for push cutting through something tough. The thick spine will pry wood out without breaking the blade. A good friend of mine tried a test on his Sable IV that I would never do but it illustrates the robust toughness of this blade. He hammered it into a tree and used it as a step. It flexed under his 190 lbs but no damage was done.

I don’t know what it falls short on. No one knife is perfect for everything. That’s why I carry a Sebbie in my pocket too.



It's a reliable piece. See the thread on this page: This Blade is Sharp

It shows how well this thick spined , tough blade will slice wood, green or seasoned.

This is an excellent field blade.

 

[martin j]

I think CRK says in their literature some where the Sable is the least popular, now it recently appears the most popular!
I think CRK fix blades are excellent balance between fine cutting tool and sturdy field knife. You don't have the chopping power/ blade forward weight of Busse, however you can baton a CRK thru good size wood and still keep a sharp, sharp edge. Unless I need to chop alot, I prefer CRK size 5.5", even 4" will do all non-chopping camp chores well.
Handle is plus or minus depending on what you prefer, it is very grippy n all environemtns, however it can get very hot to the touch in hotter sunny climates.
martin

 

[BoyNhisDog]

Here is the answer to hot or cold climates.

Just a thin section of inner tube. No more worries. It makes an awesome grip. Easily replaceable unlike any other rubber handled knife out there.

I don't know what the most popular one piece is but I use a knife in the outdoors quite a bit and find the Sable to be a very good design. It may not have all the interesting grind patterns that some of the others have but it is very practical. I like a good sharp durable tip and a high grind. That is what the Sable is. I'm sure the other one piecers are fantastic too but this one says outdoor adventure to me.

 

[Booger]

Although I don't own a Sable I do have a Mountaineer II that I wouldn't go to the woods without.I use this knife regurlarly on camping trips and it handles everything I throw at it.From cooking chores to wood gathering(light chopping).Matched with a small camp axe from Gerber I can do anything I need to do.I don't have any complaints with mine at all.You can't go wrong with any of the One-Piece line.Oh yeah.Don't forget the costumer service,it is as good as any of their products.

 

[Junkyard]

BoyNhisDog,
What type of cord did you use for the lanyard, and where can I get some? That is a nice change from the standard black or green 550 cord.

thanks,

Jason

 

[Junkyard]

BTW,
Great Idea with the inner tube. I'm gonna have to steal your idea and use it

Jason

 

[BoyNhisDog]

Originally posted by Junkyard
BoyNhisDog,
What type of cord did you use for the lanyard, and where can I get some? That is a nice change from the standard black or green 550 cord.

thanks,

Jason

Sorry I missed this earlier. I found this nylon cord in an outdoor shop some years ago. If you look in some outdoor shops, they have some very interesting patterns. Just choose the size you want and experiment. Remember to melt the ends so it won't unravel. I use an old woodburner tool. If you know your exact length, they will melt/cut it in the store.

 

[Junkyard]

Thanks

Jason