A couple of things have sprung to mind since I posted;
1] I may have underestimated the steel at 440A, 12C27 or 425. These here do indeed have a strong similarity to the Metolius, and I've seen those in 154CM. That's a steel I really like, very similar indeed to ATS 34. I wouldn't gamble on it being that but still something to note. If I were to gamble my money would be on it being 9Cr18Mov, and I think that's a step up from what I originally suspected. Yay.
2] Despite the antipathy Grylls gets here on the basis of his entertainment show it is extremely desirable to me that he would do something like this. I don't believe in altruism so it isn't desirable to me in the sense that I applaud him, but for something else. Unlike Ray there's no bore like a knife bore Mears, Grylls is a lot more in touch with up and coming folks. I suspect those that are into the Mears stuff are middle aged or elderly gentlemen people that on the whole watch him for academic interest on the history channel, or that have had the time to accrue more money than sense so sit on a waiting list for a knife like his, at a ludicrous price, and buy Bahcos off his site at twice the price one can get them at other places. Whereas Mears seems quite insular, makes his money from TV and his courses and and all that and buggers of home [and good luck to him] Grylls has a very good position to get down to earth with common folks. Note
this thread with him out with the scouts. In short, I think it is fantastic that someone at the figurehead end of the scouting movement, that gets out and interacts with scouts, should be encouraging knives and knife related stuff. For such a person to flat out endorse a product I think is a huge blessing whether that person be Grylls or anyone else in that role.
3] BTW, am I the only one that feels a Bic lighter is more useful than a firesteel?
No, Zippo, Ronson, Clipper, Bic, I'd reach for any of these before I had to dig a spark rod out of the first aid kit.
:thumbup:
