The remaining log on that slope in the ravine was my next target.
Though I'd tested both the Balance Model and the Movie when I recieved them, neither had 'cut down their tree'; a rite of passage for khuks in my collection. Even my 19" Chitlangi has felled a tree. (though a nice green one on my land)
The log was pretty big. I didn't measure it- but it may be 10" across.
The angle was horrible; a very steep slope. You had to watch your balance at all times.
Movie model flayed away. This knife has such a long working edge, that it tended to slap down and not angle into the wood. It is basically a fortified Sirupate with a upturned end. I used that end to delimb when I couldn't reach the target any other way. It worked. The material on the outside of this log, first few inches deep, was very hard. As I cut I arrived at some softer material, and things went 'faster'. I say faster, but this log took 4o minutes.
I tried the Balance. It worked nicely, but is not as robust a blade as a AK, at least mine is not. A surprising thing happened; I touched the edge of the blade and lost the skin off two fingers in two very small spots. It was very, very sharp, and I swear it was not that sharp going in. I touched the blade up myself when I got it. This event has been reported many times- the edges getting sharper in use, particulary on a new blade. I may be mistaken in this, but I think this is reported most often with Bura blades. I liked the Bura New Model better than the Balance for chopping. Mine happens also to balance.
Neither blade suffered damage. I would not use either for such serious work again, though. Defeating the log became a vendetta, and I wished for heavier tools. The Balance did do well for it's size and build. I'd consider it a camp and hiking blade. The Movie is just too long and without the broad blade and weight at the end. Be a great hog hunter, though. 20" is about as close as I want my hand as I'm sticking a hog.
The log was heavy, and laying up against the bank. I cut through all except for a small portion, couple inches. Dropped down and grabbed ahold of the end and tried to break it free. There was a crack, and the log moved, and I fell on my butt, but it was not seperated from the base. I had to go back up and wail away some more.
I was really getting tired of this log. While I worked a flock of Turkeys wandered by on the other side of the ravine and then up to my house to watch TV.
The log broke free. I pushed the end downslope, and had to lift it a couple times. I finally was able to roll it down. I told Yangdu about the Balance and Movie not being the best suited for this work, and she readily agreed to this assessment.
We cabled the wood up with Beater last night.
Carter said, "You're pretty strong for 50." Bless his heart. I hope I have not repeated this in another review, but who could blame an old duffer from wanting to hear it again?
The Balance is currently by my bedside, though the Rose is due for a tour of duty as night protector.
Two nights ago I heard some real strange sounds outside. I got up, dressed quick and ran outside with the Movie Model I grabbed from my writing desk on my way out. Nothing out in the black night at 2 AM, but the big blade felt reassuring.
munk
Though I'd tested both the Balance Model and the Movie when I recieved them, neither had 'cut down their tree'; a rite of passage for khuks in my collection. Even my 19" Chitlangi has felled a tree. (though a nice green one on my land)
The log was pretty big. I didn't measure it- but it may be 10" across.
The angle was horrible; a very steep slope. You had to watch your balance at all times.
Movie model flayed away. This knife has such a long working edge, that it tended to slap down and not angle into the wood. It is basically a fortified Sirupate with a upturned end. I used that end to delimb when I couldn't reach the target any other way. It worked. The material on the outside of this log, first few inches deep, was very hard. As I cut I arrived at some softer material, and things went 'faster'. I say faster, but this log took 4o minutes.
I tried the Balance. It worked nicely, but is not as robust a blade as a AK, at least mine is not. A surprising thing happened; I touched the edge of the blade and lost the skin off two fingers in two very small spots. It was very, very sharp, and I swear it was not that sharp going in. I touched the blade up myself when I got it. This event has been reported many times- the edges getting sharper in use, particulary on a new blade. I may be mistaken in this, but I think this is reported most often with Bura blades. I liked the Bura New Model better than the Balance for chopping. Mine happens also to balance.
Neither blade suffered damage. I would not use either for such serious work again, though. Defeating the log became a vendetta, and I wished for heavier tools. The Balance did do well for it's size and build. I'd consider it a camp and hiking blade. The Movie is just too long and without the broad blade and weight at the end. Be a great hog hunter, though. 20" is about as close as I want my hand as I'm sticking a hog.
The log was heavy, and laying up against the bank. I cut through all except for a small portion, couple inches. Dropped down and grabbed ahold of the end and tried to break it free. There was a crack, and the log moved, and I fell on my butt, but it was not seperated from the base. I had to go back up and wail away some more.
I was really getting tired of this log. While I worked a flock of Turkeys wandered by on the other side of the ravine and then up to my house to watch TV.
The log broke free. I pushed the end downslope, and had to lift it a couple times. I finally was able to roll it down. I told Yangdu about the Balance and Movie not being the best suited for this work, and she readily agreed to this assessment.
We cabled the wood up with Beater last night.
Carter said, "You're pretty strong for 50." Bless his heart. I hope I have not repeated this in another review, but who could blame an old duffer from wanting to hear it again?
The Balance is currently by my bedside, though the Rose is due for a tour of duty as night protector.
Two nights ago I heard some real strange sounds outside. I got up, dressed quick and ran outside with the Movie Model I grabbed from my writing desk on my way out. Nothing out in the black night at 2 AM, but the big blade felt reassuring.
munk
