- Joined
- Jun 26, 2007
- Messages
- 621
Hello all,
today I want to made a brief comparison of 3 knives: SAK Forester, Spyderco Paramilitary and GEC Trapper. They are similar in dimensions (blade length 9-10 cm, length OAL 20-21 cm), but very different in all the rest, general shape, materials, grind. My comparison will took into consideration just two angles: cutting efficiency and handle’s comfort. Nothing high-tech or science, just my impressions of use.
The contenders:
Let’s start.
First, the SAK Forester: I’ll made a stick-point and a simple notch on a very seasoned branch
Impressions: cutting efficiency is fairly good, the handle it’s really comfortable.
Score:
- Cutting efficiency: 7/10
- Handle comfort: 8,5/10
Now, the Spyderco Paramilitary
Impressions: cutting efficiency is excellent, the handle it’s really not comfortable.
Score:
- Cutting efficiency: 8,5/10
- Handle comfort: 6,5/10
Finally, the GEC Trapper
Impressions: cutting efficiency is excellent, just a hair below the Paramilitary, the handle it’s really comfortable, just a hair below the SAK Forester.
Score:
- Cutting efficiency: 8,0/10
- Handle comfort: 8,0/10
Then, I hackled some cardboards. This trial is a complete waste of time, as you may imagine, the knives in fact are exactly as before the trials on the woods and cut the cardboard as it is butter
Final score:
SAK Forester: 15,5/20
Spyderco Paramilitary: 15/20
GEC Trapper: 16/20
General notes:
Blades are different in terms of thickness, general shape, steels and grind. I found the Spyderco Paramilitary the best as a cutter, followed very strictly by the GEC Trapper. The SAK Forester is a good cutter, but not at the same level of the others two
The handle of these knives are really different, both in shape and materials. About the comfort, I may say that is a tie or so for SAK Forester and GEC Trapper. The Spyderco handle is instead fairly uncomfortable, due to his squared shape and the pocket-clip
Conclusions: my short test lacks a lot. I didn’t tried the knives for different tasks, nor on several materials or fresh woods, i.e.. Anyway I use frequently all 3 these knives, so I may share my impressions of use whit some certainness, I guess.
First, all of 3 are very good knives, well made, robust, whit a fine fit and finish level, reliable.
In terms of quality/cost ratio, the winner is doubtless the SAK Forester: it cost some 35 euros (45USD), and is really comfortable and a good cutter, to not to say about the saw, the reamer and the other tools. I like also the convenience of the one-hand opening system.
In terms of general fit and finish, cutting efficiency and handle comfort, the winner is doubtless the GEC Trapper, to not to say about the fashion of this knife which is a beauty.
About the Spyderco Paramilitary, I like the portability of this knife – it’s really light – and the convenience of the pocket clip and the one-hand opening system. Fit and finish level it’s also fine to me. The real lack is about the handle comfort, and that’s a shame, because the cutting efficiency is far better than the SAK Forester, and a hair above the GEC Trapper too.
You may carry all the 3 knives day by day whit satisfaction, but if I need to classify them thereupon the best use, I’d say: for self-defense or short tasks, go to the Spyderco Paramilitary. For a brief hiking on the woods, whit just a knife in your pocket, go to the SAK Forester. For a long trip on the woods, whit a true set of blades whit you (i.e. multitool + folder + fixed blade or axe), go to the GEC Trapper.
Ciao,
Alfredo
today I want to made a brief comparison of 3 knives: SAK Forester, Spyderco Paramilitary and GEC Trapper. They are similar in dimensions (blade length 9-10 cm, length OAL 20-21 cm), but very different in all the rest, general shape, materials, grind. My comparison will took into consideration just two angles: cutting efficiency and handle’s comfort. Nothing high-tech or science, just my impressions of use.
The contenders:
Let’s start.
First, the SAK Forester: I’ll made a stick-point and a simple notch on a very seasoned branch
Impressions: cutting efficiency is fairly good, the handle it’s really comfortable.
Score:
- Cutting efficiency: 7/10
- Handle comfort: 8,5/10
Now, the Spyderco Paramilitary
Impressions: cutting efficiency is excellent, the handle it’s really not comfortable.
Score:
- Cutting efficiency: 8,5/10
- Handle comfort: 6,5/10
Finally, the GEC Trapper
Impressions: cutting efficiency is excellent, just a hair below the Paramilitary, the handle it’s really comfortable, just a hair below the SAK Forester.
Score:
- Cutting efficiency: 8,0/10
- Handle comfort: 8,0/10
Then, I hackled some cardboards. This trial is a complete waste of time, as you may imagine, the knives in fact are exactly as before the trials on the woods and cut the cardboard as it is butter
Final score:
SAK Forester: 15,5/20
Spyderco Paramilitary: 15/20
GEC Trapper: 16/20
General notes:
Blades are different in terms of thickness, general shape, steels and grind. I found the Spyderco Paramilitary the best as a cutter, followed very strictly by the GEC Trapper. The SAK Forester is a good cutter, but not at the same level of the others two
The handle of these knives are really different, both in shape and materials. About the comfort, I may say that is a tie or so for SAK Forester and GEC Trapper. The Spyderco handle is instead fairly uncomfortable, due to his squared shape and the pocket-clip
Conclusions: my short test lacks a lot. I didn’t tried the knives for different tasks, nor on several materials or fresh woods, i.e.. Anyway I use frequently all 3 these knives, so I may share my impressions of use whit some certainness, I guess.
First, all of 3 are very good knives, well made, robust, whit a fine fit and finish level, reliable.
In terms of quality/cost ratio, the winner is doubtless the SAK Forester: it cost some 35 euros (45USD), and is really comfortable and a good cutter, to not to say about the saw, the reamer and the other tools. I like also the convenience of the one-hand opening system.
In terms of general fit and finish, cutting efficiency and handle comfort, the winner is doubtless the GEC Trapper, to not to say about the fashion of this knife which is a beauty.
About the Spyderco Paramilitary, I like the portability of this knife – it’s really light – and the convenience of the pocket clip and the one-hand opening system. Fit and finish level it’s also fine to me. The real lack is about the handle comfort, and that’s a shame, because the cutting efficiency is far better than the SAK Forester, and a hair above the GEC Trapper too.
You may carry all the 3 knives day by day whit satisfaction, but if I need to classify them thereupon the best use, I’d say: for self-defense or short tasks, go to the Spyderco Paramilitary. For a brief hiking on the woods, whit just a knife in your pocket, go to the SAK Forester. For a long trip on the woods, whit a true set of blades whit you (i.e. multitool + folder + fixed blade or axe), go to the GEC Trapper.
Ciao,
Alfredo