Flatlander1963
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 4,646
I have a friend here in Maine named Ron who is quite an interesting character. He's a gunsmith (former Bushmaster employee), superb knife maker although he hasn't made a knife in 15 years. Here's an example of his work when given just a picture and requested to do a reproduction:
So Ron is kind of a do it all Mainer but a guy that lives close to the edge with regard to high finances and the earth. He's always broke mostly because he'd rather work his garden and hunt and...well you get the idea, almost a old time back woods guy.
A week ago or so I'm over to check on a couple of rifles set to be re-crowned and lapped and we're talking about the fact he hit on the moose lottery this year. In the conversation, I ask him if he had a great skinning knife. He didn't...some POS thing which I find ironic since he can build a great knife.
So, I decide to give him my Ergo Hunter BO in rosewood and 420HC. I've never used it. Also, Ron is a Maine Wildlife and Fisheries point man for nuisance animals which means his truck door carries the same sticker has the game wardens and he's licensed to hunt year around. In Maine there are a lot of small plot farmers doing strawberry operations for example and the deer issues result. But in Maine you can't take care of it yourself , so MW&F permission/notification is required and in comes Ron. I say to Ron, I know youre skinning all summer long and I want a report back on this knives performance before we get to a Moose skinning this fall.
Stopped by this afternoon. Two deer in the freezer. MW&F sanctioned kills. Ron reports outstanding performance from the Ergo until the last of the second deer. Seems the tip was dulling slightly. Never the less, Ron is highly impressed with the knife design and Buck 420HC!! I was pleased to hear this as it comes close to higher grades of steel performance. I had no doubt but Im delighted to hear from first hand experience from a guy who does a lot of skinning. His old POS wasnt so bad but just not a Buck. We have a new fan!!
Thought you guys might like to hear some feedback on the Ergo in 420HC. I still have my Avid in Sandvik which be going with me on Rons moose hunt (along with a 121) in October if the wife can stand to be without my charms for a week.
So Ron is kind of a do it all Mainer but a guy that lives close to the edge with regard to high finances and the earth. He's always broke mostly because he'd rather work his garden and hunt and...well you get the idea, almost a old time back woods guy.
A week ago or so I'm over to check on a couple of rifles set to be re-crowned and lapped and we're talking about the fact he hit on the moose lottery this year. In the conversation, I ask him if he had a great skinning knife. He didn't...some POS thing which I find ironic since he can build a great knife.
So, I decide to give him my Ergo Hunter BO in rosewood and 420HC. I've never used it. Also, Ron is a Maine Wildlife and Fisheries point man for nuisance animals which means his truck door carries the same sticker has the game wardens and he's licensed to hunt year around. In Maine there are a lot of small plot farmers doing strawberry operations for example and the deer issues result. But in Maine you can't take care of it yourself , so MW&F permission/notification is required and in comes Ron. I say to Ron, I know youre skinning all summer long and I want a report back on this knives performance before we get to a Moose skinning this fall.
Stopped by this afternoon. Two deer in the freezer. MW&F sanctioned kills. Ron reports outstanding performance from the Ergo until the last of the second deer. Seems the tip was dulling slightly. Never the less, Ron is highly impressed with the knife design and Buck 420HC!! I was pleased to hear this as it comes close to higher grades of steel performance. I had no doubt but Im delighted to hear from first hand experience from a guy who does a lot of skinning. His old POS wasnt so bad but just not a Buck. We have a new fan!!
Thought you guys might like to hear some feedback on the Ergo in 420HC. I still have my Avid in Sandvik which be going with me on Rons moose hunt (along with a 121) in October if the wife can stand to be without my charms for a week.
