ADV Butcher as EDC - Experiences? Pictures?

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
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I've been spoiling myself a bit lately, and I'm looking at stepping it up a bit and getting into the higher-cost EDC game for the first time since I carried a CF-inlaid sebbie a couple years back.

The ADV Butcher pushes a lot of my buttons - framelock bearing flipper with a large-ish blade in a straight edge. I've heard bad things about the attitude and practices of the maker, but that's not of as much concern to me as it is to some. I'm more about the knife.

How does it hold up for EDC use? Who is carrying one of these for general use, as I would? I'd also love to see how they hold up aesthetically, so if please feel welcome to post loads of pictures.
 
I got one of his Gen 2 models last year as a Christmas gift to myself. Shortly after I got this one, he came out with his current model with the flat grind, lockbar insert, thumb stud, etc. This knife has been in my EDC rotation since then, typically riding in my pocket for a week or two (at least) at a time and has done all the usual EDC chores. I have not babied it, but have not done any really down and dirty work with it either. It has held up beautifully aesthetically with the only real wear on the clip. And that is very minor. Andre knows how to put a ridiculous edge on a knife and the S35vn wharnie is amazing and just cuts and cuts. The flipping action is very good, but not quite as good as my Reates. Even with the lack of lockbar insert, there is no stick either. Overall, one of my favorite knives to carry and use. My only complaint about the knife is the edge bevel not being even from tip to heel, but it doesn't affect the performance so it doesn't bother me that much. As for Andre himself, I have heard all the stories and have only had limited dealings with him, but he answered my FB messages promptly and pleasantly. Seems like a good guy to me.
If the knife appeals to you, I would highly recommend it as a very functional and enjoyable user. Here's some quick pics of my Butcher:




 
craytab said:
This is his Hall of Shame thread here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1331040-Bad-Problems-with-ADV-(Andre-de-Villiers)
Click to expand...

As I stated in the original post, I'm disinterested in the character of the maker as long as the product is sound.

To those who have used theirs, how does the edge retention seem to compare to other S35vn knives? Is it softer (like Chris Reeve knives) or harder (like Spyderco runs theirs)?

I suppose that, given varying edge geometry, the best measure would be how easily it strops/sharpens.
 
Comeuppance said:
As I stated in the original post, I'm disinterested in the character of the maker as long as the product is sound.

To those who have used theirs, how does the edge retention seem to compare to other S35vn knives? Is it softer (like Chris Reeve knives) or harder (like Spyderco runs theirs)?

I suppose that, given varying edge geometry, the best measure would be how easily it strops/sharpens.
Click to expand...

Don't think of it as a problem with his character, think instead in terms of the potential difficulty you could experience if something goes wrong with your knife, like it did with my Butcher.
 
I had a Mini Butcher for a while and, while the knife was very well put together, the jimping was way, way overdone (there's even jimping on the clip). It was especially aggressive on the spine of the handle, which was annoying for two reasons: (1) you'd encounter it with your finger every time you flipped the knife open, and (2) it was totally unnecessary, because given the design of the knife your thumb would never really rest there while holding the knife.

Other than the jimping, I did not have many other major complaints.

So, as long as you don't mind aggressive jimping, I think you'll probably be happy with the knife. Mine came with a great edge that I touched up on a Sharpmaker (ultra fine rods), but I didn't really own or use the knife long enough to test the longevity of the edge and compare it with other steels/makers.

Pictures: http://imgur.com/a/0Onnn#5kCok4v
 
I had one I took in trade for about a month.

I felt the knife was very very well put together and very cool. Edge was awesome, action was awesome. Look up was pretty good. The size blade shape was not for me but I thought it was cool and impressive.
 
Edge retention is good. Better than a Sebenza I used to have and on par with current Reate and ZT offerings.
 
I, like brancron had a mini butcher for a spell. I too found the jimping excessive and I thought the knife had a lot of sharp edges.

FWIW, mine didn't flip that well either. Sold it promptly.
 
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