A week with the Arclite

[SilverFoxKnows]

Last week my postal carrier brought a big puffy envelope containing one plain edge Arclite. My initial impression was a positive one. Light, flat and sharp. Even grind lines, good retention and no sharp edges on the handle. A heck of a value for $20. It promptly went on a carabiner with my car/house keys and recieved a lanyard via a round black shoe lace.

Now that it's been with me all week I can offer a few more observations. It carries so well I find myself checking to make sure it's still there. It's only an ounce lighter than my trapper but it might as well be a feather hanging from my beltloop. Even took it to the office on accident. Just slipped it into my pocket and forgot about it. If it wasn't for the lanyard I don't think I'd feel it in pocket AT ALL. It really is that thin and light.

But for being so thin it offers a good grip. The cutouts didn't look like they would do much but it stays put in the hand. I don't know how well it will stay put when wet, time will tell.

The sheath is a good deal better than the Zytel jobs of the CRKTs I looked at. Very secure hold but it comes free with a good tug. I don't have to fight to get it out (or back in). Putting it back is a two handed proposition, though. Very flat, even sheathed the whole thing is only 7mm thick.

All my cutting has thus far been light duty. Packing straps on the printer paper, apples, various bags/packages. But it's done all of those effortlessly. It remains to be seen how long the 420HC holds an edge but I have faith in Camillus. Not too worried about chipping the blade, I know the RC rating isn't THAT high and I'm not trying to chop with it. Also not worried about rust. I've gotten so used to carbon steel slip-joints, it's kinda refreshing having a blade that I can just wipe and forget.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried a neck knife yet. It was twenty dollars well spent.

Frank

 

[mete]

agrussell's D2 version is for me a better choice, that will certainly hold an edge. At $50 it's still a good value. I was happy that the handle was comfortable even for my large hand. And you can carry it neck,belt ,pocket.I will be checking out mine seriously now.

 

[Roadrunner]

I have A.G.'s D2 version; my only complaint is the sheath. It isn't retentive enough, I've had the knife come out of the sheath with neck carry. I haven't used it enough to really put edge holding to the test, due to the sheath problem. I'll have to find an aftermarket one I guess. Nice review too. I've also found that the cutouts do a lot more for retention than one would expect. Darrel Ralph is a genius for design; I have three knives designed by him and they all feel great in the hand.

 

[mete]

Roadrunner, the kydex sheath locks on the front of the handle. You might try to heat that area with a propane torch and pinch it tight with clamp or vise grips till it cools.

 

[Roadrunner]

I did try that actually, with a heat gun. It didn't turn out too well . I'll post some pics later.