I ordered this knife solely because it reportedly was made of Bohler N690 steel. The dealer advertised it as such, but has since dropped any mention of the steel from it's description, save the Rc rating - which is in agreement with N690. They were made of 12C27 - a more pedestrian metal. I wanted bragging rights. A.B.'s site states they now use N690 - and, in an email responded to by Mr. Bernard, I found that they may start labelling their blades soon to relieve the confusion. He described a difference between the two metals - which I noted on my 'Wild Dog' - it looked identical in the polished areas and finely ground areas to my Boker Savannah, a known N690 steel knife. I was hopeful. Then, I put on some stronger reading glasses - got out a magnifier - and pulled my drafting lamp close to the desk top - and inspected this new knife.
To be blunt, this is my finest fitted and finished fixed blade knife (Sorry, CRK Nyala!). The stabilized spalted maple is gorgeous - three dimensional - and hopefully, very stable, as it is a perfect fit. You just have to see - and fondle this knife and sheath combo. It's ~.155" blade spine becomes a tapered tang by the handle's end. It is 'just right' in my medium+ hands, with my forefinger in the blade's choil. While not as 'safe' as a finger guard, it beats a lot of 'skinner' designs where the handle abruptly ends on the blade's start. It will see some use here - maybe not as a 'skinner' - but as a handsomely toted 'woods walking', aka 'bushcraft-lite' knife. It's cape buffalo sheath is handsome and secure. It's a lot of quality for a fair price. Proudly made in South Africa. Oddly similar in size to another South African's design - my small plain Sebenza (S35VN) - proudly made in the US!
The knives are shown on a freshly skinned 17 yr old Italian leather sofa's skin. No, I used my BM 755 - and a boxcutter - for fear of running into staples, zippers, etc (I didn't!). I intend to make some pocket knife sheaths/pouches. I should have enough 'skin' for a while. That sofa was worn out - and sagged. It's twin wasn't so bad, so it was recycled via the thrift store. Great intentions - we'll see how long this takes. Sadly, there are no Tandy Leather stores around here any more... Oops, I digress...
Nice knife, whatever the steel is. BTW, that is all of the writing on the blade!
Stainz
To be blunt, this is my finest fitted and finished fixed blade knife (Sorry, CRK Nyala!). The stabilized spalted maple is gorgeous - three dimensional - and hopefully, very stable, as it is a perfect fit. You just have to see - and fondle this knife and sheath combo. It's ~.155" blade spine becomes a tapered tang by the handle's end. It is 'just right' in my medium+ hands, with my forefinger in the blade's choil. While not as 'safe' as a finger guard, it beats a lot of 'skinner' designs where the handle abruptly ends on the blade's start. It will see some use here - maybe not as a 'skinner' - but as a handsomely toted 'woods walking', aka 'bushcraft-lite' knife. It's cape buffalo sheath is handsome and secure. It's a lot of quality for a fair price. Proudly made in South Africa. Oddly similar in size to another South African's design - my small plain Sebenza (S35VN) - proudly made in the US!
The knives are shown on a freshly skinned 17 yr old Italian leather sofa's skin. No, I used my BM 755 - and a boxcutter - for fear of running into staples, zippers, etc (I didn't!). I intend to make some pocket knife sheaths/pouches. I should have enough 'skin' for a while. That sofa was worn out - and sagged. It's twin wasn't so bad, so it was recycled via the thrift store. Great intentions - we'll see how long this takes. Sadly, there are no Tandy Leather stores around here any more... Oops, I digress...
Nice knife, whatever the steel is. BTW, that is all of the writing on the blade!
Stainz