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- Nov 25, 1999
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<center><font size=4>BENCHMADE Model 145 Nimrawus Cub in M-2 tool steel</font></center>
<center><small>Patr 1 of 2</small></center>
I know that some men do not rely on any kind of locking device claiming that the strongest and the most reliable folder is... a full tang fixed blade. This could be the main reason of some kind of small fixed blade's renaissance what we can observe recently as parallel to obsessive searching for more and more and even more strong and reliable locking devices.
Why no? The small knife with about 80-95 mm long fixed blade and about 180-200 mm overall length could be pretty sensible alternative for tactical folder. It is far stronger and more reliable than each kind of folder. It is faster and easier to use, especially in high stress situation. It requires less maintenance. It has better blade to handle ratio because the handle does not need to accommodate the blade. Generally it is more comfortably to handle for the same reason.
Probably I could found some advantages more but this would be only one side of coin. Does small fixed blade have disadvantages in comparison to tactical folder with suitable blade length? The first and foremost disadvantage (for me at least) is some kind of sensation what I usually caused in urban environment drawing fixed blade for peaceful purposes (pack opening for ex.). Wow, you probably are frequently visiting folk parties - this is the least what I listened in this situation. I do not know what exactly was mentioned as folk party: discotheque or maybe football match? I'm never visiting one or another... Another disadvantage like difficulty to conceal fixed blade is not essential for me. I'm medium sized man without noticeable fat reserves in waist area, so far. For many years I'm daily going armed with Glock 19 handgun, formerly it was Browning HP - small fixed blade knife doesn't take much more place than the spare magazine.
Does small fixed blade have some disadvantages more? Maybe, but I have no idea what it should be this moment.
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064135&Sequence=0&res=high" target="_blank"><IMG align=right SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064136&Sequence=0&res=high" border="2"></a>Well, you can not go wrong with BNCHMADE Model 145 Nimravus Cub if small fixed blade for urban concealed carry is required. Here (right) it is in company of some other my benchmades. Being highly satisfied with performance of my full sized Nimravus (in ATS-34) for outdoors use I have chose smaller knife with M-2 tool-steel blade simply to make some comparison.
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064137&Sequence=0&res=high" target="_blank"><IMG align=left SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064138&Sequence=0&res=high" border="2"></a>The blade is shaped somewhere between drop point and tanto without pronounced secondary point. The false edge on the ½ of blade length improves knife balance and makes the blade more penetrative but doesn't reach the point making it stronger. The point placed directly on the thrusting line provides powerful thrusting without any undesirable side effects. After some training it is easy to hit required area on the target with full power thrust. Although catalogued blade length is 93 mm the blade is really slightly shorter than for ex. Pinnacle's blade catalogued as 92 mm long. As I specified previously my Nimravus Cub has M2 high-speed tool steel blade hardened to 60-62 HRC. BT2 coating makes this blade non-glare and far more corrosion resistant comparing with non-coated blades. This is not the least advantage when the knife is carried in concealment closely to body. Poland is not particularly hot country but there is no surprise to have temperatures up to 28-30° C in summer here. So the surface between knife and user's body could be pretty wet of sweet in such day.
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064141&Sequence=0&res=high" target="_blank"><IMG align=right SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064142&Sequence=0&res=high" border="2"></a>I was very curious how the things stand with M-2 steel sharpening? My faithful DMT Diamond Whetstones coped with this task with flying colors. Subjectively M-2 at 60-62 HRC is not harder to sharpen than ATS-34 at about 60 HRC. Maybe burr removing could cause somewhat more difficulties but the difference is not essential. At the same time burr removing is noticeably easier than sharpening CPM 440V at 55-57 HRC. I think the steel hardness is less important to make sharpening easier or harder than wear resistance.
I also have had no problems sharpening (rather resharpening) my M-2 blade with SPYDERCO Sharpmaker or SPYDERCO Bench Stones.
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064139&Sequence=0&res=high" target="_blank"><IMG align=right SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064140&Sequence=0&res=high" border="2"></a>Since the handle doesn't have to accommodate the blade it is also shorter than Pinnacle's one - it's a very minimum to provide a sure and comfortable grip in medium sized hand. For larger hand this handle could be a bit too small. Nicely shaped forefinger grove and checkered thumb ramp provide a very positive grip and accurate blade indexing. I would have nothing against if the grove's surface would be checkered also. Textured G-10 scales are fitting my hand very comfortably. A whole knife design appears as very simple but well thought out. "What a severe knife" said my friend who makes replicas of ancient edged weapons when he saw my Nimravus Cub first time. He changed his opinion immediately taking it into his hand!
<center><small>to be continued...</small></center>
[This message has been edited by Sergiusz Mitin (edited 12-09-2000).]
<center><small>Patr 1 of 2</small></center>
I know that some men do not rely on any kind of locking device claiming that the strongest and the most reliable folder is... a full tang fixed blade. This could be the main reason of some kind of small fixed blade's renaissance what we can observe recently as parallel to obsessive searching for more and more and even more strong and reliable locking devices.
Why no? The small knife with about 80-95 mm long fixed blade and about 180-200 mm overall length could be pretty sensible alternative for tactical folder. It is far stronger and more reliable than each kind of folder. It is faster and easier to use, especially in high stress situation. It requires less maintenance. It has better blade to handle ratio because the handle does not need to accommodate the blade. Generally it is more comfortably to handle for the same reason.
Probably I could found some advantages more but this would be only one side of coin. Does small fixed blade have disadvantages in comparison to tactical folder with suitable blade length? The first and foremost disadvantage (for me at least) is some kind of sensation what I usually caused in urban environment drawing fixed blade for peaceful purposes (pack opening for ex.). Wow, you probably are frequently visiting folk parties - this is the least what I listened in this situation. I do not know what exactly was mentioned as folk party: discotheque or maybe football match? I'm never visiting one or another... Another disadvantage like difficulty to conceal fixed blade is not essential for me. I'm medium sized man without noticeable fat reserves in waist area, so far. For many years I'm daily going armed with Glock 19 handgun, formerly it was Browning HP - small fixed blade knife doesn't take much more place than the spare magazine.
Does small fixed blade have some disadvantages more? Maybe, but I have no idea what it should be this moment.
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064135&Sequence=0&res=high" target="_blank"><IMG align=right SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064136&Sequence=0&res=high" border="2"></a>Well, you can not go wrong with BNCHMADE Model 145 Nimravus Cub if small fixed blade for urban concealed carry is required. Here (right) it is in company of some other my benchmades. Being highly satisfied with performance of my full sized Nimravus (in ATS-34) for outdoors use I have chose smaller knife with M-2 tool-steel blade simply to make some comparison.
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064137&Sequence=0&res=high" target="_blank"><IMG align=left SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064138&Sequence=0&res=high" border="2"></a>The blade is shaped somewhere between drop point and tanto without pronounced secondary point. The false edge on the ½ of blade length improves knife balance and makes the blade more penetrative but doesn't reach the point making it stronger. The point placed directly on the thrusting line provides powerful thrusting without any undesirable side effects. After some training it is easy to hit required area on the target with full power thrust. Although catalogued blade length is 93 mm the blade is really slightly shorter than for ex. Pinnacle's blade catalogued as 92 mm long. As I specified previously my Nimravus Cub has M2 high-speed tool steel blade hardened to 60-62 HRC. BT2 coating makes this blade non-glare and far more corrosion resistant comparing with non-coated blades. This is not the least advantage when the knife is carried in concealment closely to body. Poland is not particularly hot country but there is no surprise to have temperatures up to 28-30° C in summer here. So the surface between knife and user's body could be pretty wet of sweet in such day.
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064141&Sequence=0&res=high" target="_blank"><IMG align=right SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064142&Sequence=0&res=high" border="2"></a>I was very curious how the things stand with M-2 steel sharpening? My faithful DMT Diamond Whetstones coped with this task with flying colors. Subjectively M-2 at 60-62 HRC is not harder to sharpen than ATS-34 at about 60 HRC. Maybe burr removing could cause somewhat more difficulties but the difference is not essential. At the same time burr removing is noticeably easier than sharpening CPM 440V at 55-57 HRC. I think the steel hardness is less important to make sharpening easier or harder than wear resistance.
I also have had no problems sharpening (rather resharpening) my M-2 blade with SPYDERCO Sharpmaker or SPYDERCO Bench Stones.
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064139&Sequence=0&res=high" target="_blank"><IMG align=right SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=4652677&p=35064140&Sequence=0&res=high" border="2"></a>Since the handle doesn't have to accommodate the blade it is also shorter than Pinnacle's one - it's a very minimum to provide a sure and comfortable grip in medium sized hand. For larger hand this handle could be a bit too small. Nicely shaped forefinger grove and checkered thumb ramp provide a very positive grip and accurate blade indexing. I would have nothing against if the grove's surface would be checkered also. Textured G-10 scales are fitting my hand very comfortably. A whole knife design appears as very simple but well thought out. "What a severe knife" said my friend who makes replicas of ancient edged weapons when he saw my Nimravus Cub first time. He changed his opinion immediately taking it into his hand!
<center><small>to be continued...</small></center>
[This message has been edited by Sergiusz Mitin (edited 12-09-2000).]
