- Joined
- Jan 8, 2005
- Messages
- 597
Great Knive.
There's plenty of pictures on the net, and some good ones on this forum already, I just wanted to share a few observations about my new Al Mar Shrike. 3.5 inch flat ground VG-10 blade, micarta handle, linerlock.
Micarta: boy, its nice to go back to smooth, wonderful micarta after all that G-10. Just feels great in the hand, a little heavy, dense, smooth - but not too smooth. Its like Techo-Ivory.
Flat ground: I'm never getting a hollow grind again. Flat just cuts better, in my experience. This thing comes from the factory with a really sharp blade, according to some pork, apples, and the hair on my limbs. I stropped it just a little, for the hell of it really. Probably didn't even need it. Very even and well done grind. Kershaw uses VG-10 in their Shuns, other than that I have no experience with that steel. My Shuns have performed very well, I'll have to see how it holds up in this knive over time.
Its not so big: the reviews I read left me expecting a larger knife, especially with the specs given as a 4 inch blade on a lot of sites. But its really 3.5. Its half way between a large tactical and a "gentleman's folder." But the tapered handle just begs to be held with the pinkie wrapped around the very end of the handle and then the "reach" of the knife, from the "top" of the index finger knucke to blade tip, actually matches my BM Skirmish. So its a lot of knife in a little package. And despite no finger notches, it feels quite secure were one to thust with it, due to that taper.
QUALITY: in all caps on purpose. I read, in this forum I think, that these knives are assembled first, then given final detailing. I think that must be true. The micarta perfectly blends to the steel, there's no scale mismatch to frame, no quality control problems at all. Its a little Porsche of a knife. Very impressive built quality. Liner lock clicks into place very nicely, with plenty of room for wear. There's nylon or teflon washers. I do have to report that you can wiggle the blade from side to side a little, but no more than most folders (except my Skirmish, I have to say - that thing is solid as a rock).
A great all around knife - elegant, well built, cuts like a dream, feels wonderful in the hand.
Ok, not the shortest review after all.. I'll try harder next time! :yawn:
There's plenty of pictures on the net, and some good ones on this forum already, I just wanted to share a few observations about my new Al Mar Shrike. 3.5 inch flat ground VG-10 blade, micarta handle, linerlock.
Micarta: boy, its nice to go back to smooth, wonderful micarta after all that G-10. Just feels great in the hand, a little heavy, dense, smooth - but not too smooth. Its like Techo-Ivory.
Flat ground: I'm never getting a hollow grind again. Flat just cuts better, in my experience. This thing comes from the factory with a really sharp blade, according to some pork, apples, and the hair on my limbs. I stropped it just a little, for the hell of it really. Probably didn't even need it. Very even and well done grind. Kershaw uses VG-10 in their Shuns, other than that I have no experience with that steel. My Shuns have performed very well, I'll have to see how it holds up in this knive over time.
Its not so big: the reviews I read left me expecting a larger knife, especially with the specs given as a 4 inch blade on a lot of sites. But its really 3.5. Its half way between a large tactical and a "gentleman's folder." But the tapered handle just begs to be held with the pinkie wrapped around the very end of the handle and then the "reach" of the knife, from the "top" of the index finger knucke to blade tip, actually matches my BM Skirmish. So its a lot of knife in a little package. And despite no finger notches, it feels quite secure were one to thust with it, due to that taper.
QUALITY: in all caps on purpose. I read, in this forum I think, that these knives are assembled first, then given final detailing. I think that must be true. The micarta perfectly blends to the steel, there's no scale mismatch to frame, no quality control problems at all. Its a little Porsche of a knife. Very impressive built quality. Liner lock clicks into place very nicely, with plenty of room for wear. There's nylon or teflon washers. I do have to report that you can wiggle the blade from side to side a little, but no more than most folders (except my Skirmish, I have to say - that thing is solid as a rock).
A great all around knife - elegant, well built, cuts like a dream, feels wonderful in the hand.
Ok, not the shortest review after all.. I'll try harder next time! :yawn:
