Are the Hossom fixed blades about to be discontinued?

jill jackson

jill jackson

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Sep 5, 2006
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I noticed drastic price reductions on these at more than one dealer, in the last week or so. That could mean they are about to be cut from the line?:confused:
 
I can tell you as a fellow who works in a knife store that we personally have reduced the price in order to simply move the product. The Hossom line isn't exactly cheap, and there's a lot of competition in the "big nasty chopper" sector of the market right now.
 
Don't know, but wouldn't be surprised if any or all of them were dropped come November. They've already had the average production lifespan for a collaboration model and, as already noted, are rather expensive and face a lot of competition in the fixed blade market. Heck, even Spyderco has added a couple new knives that seem to compete directly with them, at least to someone not really into large fixed blades.

Paul
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I had the same thoght so got a dayhiker at the new low price. Already had the woodlander but had my eye on the other for a while.
 
I've been looking at them for a long time and have been wanting a chopper to play with for a while too. The low prices now make it impossible to resist. I ordered the big Forester today.
 
With the prices being only a few dollars between each model, which blade length is the most useful for basic camping/hiking/outdoors. It would also be used at home if someone ever were to break in during the times I'm not camping/hiking/outdoors. What would you recommend? Also, are these Hossom blades highly recommended for around $100 price point? Or are there better fixed blade knives out there for around the same price?
 
Prices are down? Might get a Forester for fun.

SangYuP:

I have a Woodlander and Foranger.

The thing to remember about these knives is that the handles are pretty long in comparison to most fixed blades in the class.

I'd probably go with a Woodlander as the maximum size I'd feel comfortable with for hiking, but that is on the edge of what I'd carry.

With the long handle, the Woodlander can make a decent chopper considering the blade length.

As to how these Hossom models compare to other knives in the class, I can only compare to what I own. I have few "outdoor" fixed blades, but I would give the line a "good enough". I'd like a pointier tip, so that affects my judgement.

For self defense in a home - either use a gun or something with reach, like a short ballbat or length of 3/4 schedule 80 steel pipe since distance is your friend.
 
orthogonal1 said:
Prices are down? Might get a Forester for fun.

SangYuP:

I have a Woodlander and Foranger.

The thing to remember about these knives is that the handles are pretty long in comparison to most fixed blades in the class.

I'd probably go with a Woodlander as the maximum size I'd feel comfortable with for hiking, but that is on the edge of what I'd carry.

With the long handle, the Woodlander can make a decent chopper considering the blade length.

As to how these Hossom models compare to other knives in the class, I can only compare to what I own. I have few "outdoor" fixed blades, but I would give the line a "good enough". I'd like a pointier tip, so that affects my judgement.

For self defense in a home - either use a gun or something with reach, like a short ballbat or length of 3/4 schedule 80 steel pipe since distance is your friend.
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Orthogonal1, thanks for the information. I would be using this for not only cutting/chopping wood, but it would serve as an all arounder during camping, hiking, etc. Is this knife better used for chopping wood only since the handles are longer? Also I've read that the blade is pretty thick so is it too cumbersome for other smaller more delicate tasks? I'm interested in this knife because I like how it looks and the price has come down a lot. I was actually looking at the woodlander since the dayhiker seems a little short. There are so many different knives that I want right now. I was looking at the orange Millie but since the hossom blades came down in price so much I figured I would get one for camping and hiking or do you think the millie would be a better fit?
 
I've held off buying any of these after reading from a few sources that the edge is quite thick. Even with the new discount on the Hossoms you can get a Becker and swap in the upgraded micarta slabs for the same or less money.
 
Wow I didnt know the forester was so cheap. I am def gonna pick one up now. I always liked the blade but there are so many other choppers out there I overlooked it. I want to give one a try.
 
SangYuP said:
With the prices being only a few dollars between each model, which blade length is the most useful for basic camping/hiking/outdoors. It would also be used at home if someone ever were to break in during the times I'm not camping/hiking/outdoors. What would you recommend? Also, are these Hossom blades highly recommended for around $100 price point? Or are there better fixed blade knives out there for around the same price?
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I think Jerry Hossom himself felt that the Woodlander (~6" blade) was the best all round blade of them all. That is why I bought it, and it seems a very useful size. I got a Dayhiker since then, and its a very nice blade for most chores besides chopping.

The handles on the 3 largest blades are big and beefy, the Dayhiker is a little slimmer (in case you have big/small hands.)

So I guess if you want one blade that does it all, go with the Woodlander, if you are fine carrying two fixed blades, maybe the Dayhiker and one of the two largest?

Edit: You have to be comfortable sharpening on a strop, the edge is a convex recurve.

Edit: For home defense, get a shotgun (if legal where you are) or something longer than a knife, like a baseball bat.
 
monsterdog said:
I think Jerry Hossom himself felt that the Woodlander (~6" blade) was the best all round blade of them all. That is why I bought it, and it seems a very useful size. I got a Dayhiker since then, and its a very nice blade for most chores besides chopping.

The handles on the 3 largest blades are big and beefy, the Dayhiker is a little slimmer (in case you have big/small hands.)

So I guess if you want one blade that does it all, go with the Woodlander, if you are fine carrying two fixed blades, maybe the Dayhiker and one of the two largest?

Edit: You have to be comfortable sharpening on a strop, the edge is a convex recurve.

Edit: For home defense, get a shotgun (if legal where you are) or something longer than a knife, like a baseball bat.
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Yeah, I'm looking at the woodlander if I go with a Hossom knife. Do you find that the woodlander is pretty universal in use? Can it cut/chop food while camping and also serve as a wood chopper if needed? I'm assuming more geared towards chopping wood than cutting food? I am looking for an all around use knife. I would like it to be able to do a little bit of everything. Obviously, I don't intend to use it to peel an apple or anything like. It's just anything that might come up during camping, I would like to use the knife for it. Someone else mentioned getting a gun/shotgun, but my wife won't allow me to have a gun in the house. Until I can get her to change her mind, I'll settle for a knife...plus it's another excuse to get another knife. At least I can justify it to her. I don't go camping that often, but I figured since the knife dropped in price so much, I'll buy one for camping when I do go and it'll double as a home defense knife. I would sleep with the woodlander near my reach when I went to bed for easy access. It might not be as good as a gun, but a 6" knife is no joke either. Or I might just forget the fixed blade for now and get a millie in s90v steel but it's double the $$$.
 
SangYuP said:
Yeah, I'm looking at the woodlander if I go with a Hossom knife. Do you find that the woodlander is pretty universal in use? Can it cut/chop food while camping and also serve as a wood chopper if needed? I'm assuming more geared towards chopping wood than cutting food? I am looking for an all around use knife. I would like it to be able to do a little bit of everything. Obviously, I don't intend to use it to peel an apple or anything like. It's just anything that might come up during camping, I would like to use the knife for it. Someone else mentioned getting a gun/shotgun, but my wife won't allow me to have a gun in the house. Until I can get her to change her mind, I'll settle for a knife...plus it's another excuse to get another knife. At least I can justify it to her. I don't go camping that often, but I figured since the knife dropped in price so much, I'll buy one for camping when I do go and it'll double as a home defense knife. I would sleep with the woodlander near my reach when I went to bed for easy access. It might not be as good as a gun, but a 6" knife is no joke either. Or I might just forget the fixed blade for now and get a millie in s90v steel but it's double the $$$.
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I never went camping with this knife, but yeah it will chop better than peel an apple, It would be good for butchering larger things. I would bring a small folding knife for the really intricate tasks (like cleaning a small fish or peeling an apple.)

Take your wife to a shooting range and teach her to use a youth shotgun and a handgun. Bring a picture of her boss to stick on the target. Soon she will be begging you to get a gun. If that doesn't work, I would still keep a baseball bat next to the bed, rather than a knife.
 
The price reductions are matched by a reduction in quality, if the three samples I received today are any indication. I'm REALLY happy with all my Spyderco knives, both fixed and folders, except for this cheaper run. Compared to the Forager I have had for a couple of years, the quality is chalk and cheese. Today I received a Woodlander, Forager and Dayhiker. The blades have more belt grinder marks visible, the holes under the thumb jimping have burrs, instead of being radiused like the earlier ones, two of the sheaths have G-clips (Techlok was standard earlier), and the kydex sheaths are made from a cheaper looking grade of kydex. The general appearance and feel of the knives is of cheaper knives. Packaging is different too.

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is... On the positive side, I'm sure they cut just as well... ;)

On the other hand, my second Manix 2 was in the parcel, and is as perfect as the first :D
 
They was already packed in a pretty cheap, see through flimsy red box. How much cheaper is the new packaging?
I figured they was just clearing them out not cutting the quality!
 
I just got a forester 1 out of 2 left at a website. For 120. Thats like 75% off. Great blade, easily goes through 1 1/2" limbs. I would like the set but don't have the cash now.
 
Don't know about the others but the Forester I received last week has the teklok, radiused Spyderco hole and excellent fit and finish. It came in the now standard red and black Spyderco "slider" box. It's been a real big-knife week. I traded into a like-new BK5 at the gunshow this weekend. Went from zero "biggies" to a Fisk design BK and a Hossom.
 
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