A fine pair of backcountry tools

Sylvrfalcn

Sylvrfalcn

Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
3,930
Got my villager Pen Knife today, and it's everything I'd hoped for and more. A fine example of Bura's consistently excellent work, coupled with Dan'l Koster's beautiful design. Bonus, it's a villager. I absolutely love the satin finished blade and the unfinished wood handle (which will soon receive many coats of Tung oil).

Just chopped up a two by four with it, then sliced up some cardboard and leather. Impressively capable little khuk, and weighing in at only 11 ounces, you could tote it all day and it'd never be a burden. Sound like I'm a fan of the Pen Knife? You bet. If you ain't got one, whatcha waiting for? Until I handled this one, I'd forgotten how much I missed my old one, but that old
Afghan vet is in excellent hands with Kismet.

Paired up with my KPH/Sarge knife, I couldn't want for a better set of woods tools. They've inspired me to go get my butt outdoors and char some flesh over a fire somewhere. Yee haw :D

Sarge
 
I agree. The Pen knife rocks.

I also agree villagers with the satin blade rock. I have a Ganga Ram Villager that is a favorite that I am anxiously awaiting Heber to get the sheath done on. I can't wait to get it back in the woods again for trail clearing
 
I got a villager pen knife a few weeks ago. Mine is the lightest offered so far at 10oz. (At least that I've seen in the DOTD).

Does it seem like the handles on the Pen knives are getting smaller compared to pics of older ones? Maybe just the village horn models?

The one on mine fills up my medium size hand. I had to file down the point on the top the butt-cap where it dug into my hand during heavy chopping, so now the butt-cap looks like an inverted teardrop. Put some solder in the hole I created and sanded it smooth.
 
I agree...the Pen/Sarge make a great woods combo when heavier camp work is anticipated.

I need to make a piggyback sheath for mine. I think I'll add a tube on each side of it...one for a Swedish firestarter and the other for a light.
 
Nasty?

Think through that piggyback sheath idea. The ones I've had or dealt with are really cumbersome, or concentrate the blade weight excessively at one spot on your gear.

You are a bigger guy than I am, but distributing the edged tools might be a more comfortable way to go.
 
Kismet said:
but distributing the edged tools might be a more comfortable way to go.
Click to expand...

More comfortable, and more practical IMHO. Khuk on the ruck, sheath knife on the belt, folder in the pocket. If you get separated from one, still got the other two as backup. Reminds me of something mom said about not "putting all your eggs in one basket".

Sarge
 
You're right of course...but it'd still be neat as a "comfortable camping kit" as opposed to my usual belt knife, pocket folder and neck kit.

It's really the pairing of the Pen and Sarge that I was complimenting...

Besides, where would I put my ball peen hammer? ;)
 
Sarge, I had forgotten just how fun your writing style is. It's good to have you home.
I agree, the PK paired up with the KPH is a combo that is hard to argue with. A YCS/GRS/WWII in the truck for any heavy cutting, PK at the campsite for firestarting duty etc, the KPH on my hip right next to my leatherman and I can do just about anything. Really, anything. Chop wood, build a shelter, process game, fix my truck, pull splinters, cut my breakfast steak...endless tasks to be done:) The more I think about it, the more i love my KPH/Sarge.

All of my groomsmen are getting biltons or JKMs as gifts. They'll also be wearing them during the wedding;) I MIGHT just have to get me a new KPH to wear with my tux. i was thinking a Kerambit, but I think a noble little KPH will do just fine:) In antler, of course;)

jake
 
That beautiful, intelligent, charming woman STILL gonna marry you?

A saint, that's what she is, a saint.

(Is she aware of your medication regime?)




Nothing like arming your wedding party, you can always turn them into a posse and ride after the bad guys. Kiss your bride good-bye, leap up on the horse, and tell her "a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, Darlin'. I'll be back after we corral these hombres."
 
Re: knives at weddings
A couple of young NCOs in my squadron decided they were going to get married, so I broke out my Sunday best and headed on up to Dallas to attend. They had it at the Arboretum, in an outdoor gazebo surrounded by all sorts of beautiful flowers and other plant life. Instead of a minister, the ceremony was to be performed by a district judge, who showed up looking suitably somber and dapper.
Well now, here's where it gets good. The groom had taken it upon himself to tie the rings to their satin pillow with a bit of silk ribbon. Seems the 4 yr old ring bearer couldn't be counted on to take three steps without the rings clattering to the ground. At the critical point in the ceremony, Tim, the groom, absolutely could not get the knot untied and was starting to panic a bit. Not Stephanie, the bride, she knew just what to do, turning toward the seated assemblage, she yells "SARGE, knife please". Putting on my most innocent smile, I produced a razor sharp Sgian Dubh from my sock, and passed it on up so things could get back on track.
The judge looked a bit mortified, I was mortified that a judge was mortified, and meanwhile my commander, also in attendance, is receiving a vicious elbowing in the ribs from his wife to get him to stop laughing. It was a precious moment. ;)

Sarge
 
Kismet said:
That beautiful, intelligent, charming woman STILL gonna marry you?

A saint, that's what she is, a saint.

(Is she aware of your medication regime?)




Nothing like arming your wedding party, you can always turn them into a posse and ride after the bad guys. Kiss your bride good-bye, leap up on the horse, and tell her "a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, Darlin'. I'll be back after we corral these hombres."
Click to expand...

LOL, it's gonna make for a fun wedding. Besides, you don't know my family, although i'm sure you can make a reasonable guess as to what could produce some one of my *errhmm* pedigree;). I've got a mother that wants to rip the thoat out of my step-mother (well if I can call someone 9 years older me "step-mom"). I have a father and an uncle that have had a business fallout and haven't spoken in 7 or 8 years, both have tempers. Two aunts that i'm already taking bets on. Ya know, like that movie style Thai boxing with the glass wrapped hands;) Then there is the whole can of worms of my in-laws inviting their very Baptist church (non-drinkers) to this very Irish wedding (McCormick and Kelley) where I might be half sloshed before I even say "I do". I love all of these men in my wedding like the brothers I never had. The knives aren't for trouble. They're for defense;) Actually, I wanted to be different. Everyone gives out mugs, or SAKS, or shot glasses. I want to give them something that they can use everyday.
Look for pics and a post on an interesting story shortly after october 15th:)

Jake
btw, she is a Saint. She works as a school psychologist, is the most even tempered woman that I have ever met, and totally understands my khukri sickness. She says she's just grown to love my insanity as much as my dimples, or my laugh, or the way I wake myself up when I snore.

edit to add: Sarge, I hope you never run out of stories:)
 
Jake?

You will NOT be "half-sloshed" at your wedding. Weddings is for brides. Brides do not need unpleasant memories of grooms. Let the rest of them fall into chaos; you be the perfect, I'll-love-you-forever-how-did-I-get-so-lucky groom. Trust me on this, it will be of enormous benefit for the rest of your life.

Womens remember stuff. All kinda stuff: anniversaries of the first time you brought flowers, the time your socks didn't match and you were so cute about it; the rainstorm you took off your jacket and covered her (already soaking wet) hair.... It is part of their DNA.

Men forget about the time they got stabbed once the cut heals. We're not that bright.

I could not be happier for you. Sounds like you got a winner.



Be well and safe.
 
Thank you, Kis:) It really means a lot. Honest and truly, it does.
I promise I won't be half sloshed or fully sloshed. I'll take one 1.5oz shot to calm my nerves...oh i guess i better not breath in Rev. Les' face. i've already cleared this with the future Mrs. Put in front of people to sell 'em somethin'...ice water in my veins. Put me in a social situation, my teeth chatter i get so nervous. She understands this.

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, Sarge. Please forgive an excited young fella.

Jake
 
Dude, git 'r done. :thumbup: Congrats on getting married, there's no greater treasure a man can have than the love of a good woman.

Sarge
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
Dude, git 'r done. :thumbup: Congrats on getting married, there's no greater treasure a man can have than the love of a good woman.

Sarge
Click to expand...

I can vouch for the truth in that! I need to get my wife to help me find one. :rolleyes: ;)
 
Svashtar said:
I can vouch for the truth in that! I need to get my wife to help me find one. :rolleyes: ;)
Click to expand...

Easy...it's the only one she doesn't want you to meet.
 
Some time ago, I posted that when I tested these two blades, I didn't see much difference in chopping depth on 1/4" ply.
I hadn't sharpened the Pen villager when I compared them. I have sharpened the 11oz. Pen Villager and checked it again. It chopped deeper than the 12"AK by Bura, but the effect was different. The AK is a thicker blade and cuts a chunk out. The Pen cuts a somewhat deeper slice into the wood.
Both should work well for camping.
The handle on my Pen is more comfortable than those on my other 12" khukuris.
 
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