Not a Stamp quality test but I received the 440C Blade Tech Wegner Professional Hunter Lite and the Mouse Lite today. This meant I took a break from re-flooring the entrance way and played with these knives instead.
I have likely skinned and processed 100-120 caribou over the last 20 years and have used all sorts of knives to do so. My favourite by far with aboiut a dozen caribou processed over the last few years has been Spyderco's Wegner in ATS 34. The ergos and blade shape are superb with enough point to cape and gut and enough belly to skin. The thin grip is very comfortable even when doing 5-6 caribou in one go. This knife is my reference point for excellence.
I basically compared the Wegner Lite to the C48 by cutting up stuff at home. This is what I can report.
A) Wegner Pro-Hunter Lite
1) Out of box (clam shell) sharpness is superb... maybe better than anything I have ever bought. My left arm is nearly out of hair and it virtually jumped off when hit by the Wegner. I had heard the phrase hair popping sharp before but never knew what it meant. Unfortunately I lack the skill to get it this sharp again. I can get my knives shaving sharp but not like this! Edge retention was not scientifically tested but it still scares the hair off my arm after a fair bit of light use effortlessly cutting newspapers into strips.
2) Blade Ergos: The choil is a good idea and so are the serrations on the back of the blade. the blade is slightly shorter and not as pointy as the C48.
It will be a great skinner but IMO not quite as good at caping. The difference is subtle and this is still a great blade shape for hunting. The hollow ground gives a very thin cutting profile very similar to the C48 which has proven to be excellent in use. The pear shaped hole was easy to use with perhaps a bit more friction on the thumb than the Spyderco round hole...the spring tension of the lock back also gives more resistance than the C48 liner lock but it's still easy to open.
3) Handle Ergos: For me the Blade Tech Lite falls behind here. The overall bannanna shape gives a secure grip but the FRN slabs and stainless steel spacers lead to a thick and chunky feel. (.470 vs .430 and the C48 is more rounded) The clip stands very proud from the handle and was uncomfortable for me. I actually placed it on the other side which makes pocket withdrawl and opening more awkward but is much easier on the hand. With the clip out of the way I'd rate the grip as good but not quite in the same league as the C48. The texture of the FRN was very grippy and similar to the G10. I bought it in Orange...great idea makes it harder to misplace.
4) Construction: Very good. Just the slightest hint of side to side play was easily solved by a slight tightening of the blade pivot, this did not negatively effect ease of opening. The all screw construction is a great idea. The lock up is solid with a satisfying thwack and the combination of FRN and steel slabs give a rugged feel. The clip is retained by three screws which are threaded into the steel spacers and three holes are included on both sides of the knife.
5) Conclusion: A great value. It won't replace the C48 in my heart but it will probably go hunting more. I don't like the clip design...I do like everything else. It has solved the dilemma of using and possibly losing the C48 on ugly hunts.
B) The Mouse Lite.
1) Out of box (clamshell) sharpness was good but not as good as the above.
It shaves hair but not as agressively.
2) Blade Ergos: 2 sets of serrations on the back are very useful for control and fine grips. Again this looks like a great compromise of belly and point. I wouldn't be scared of taking on a couple of caribou with this little fella. The flat grind is very nicely profiled for slicing ending with a 1/8 spine which appears pretty sturdy in a small knife like this.
3) Handle Ergos: I can crowd three fingers onto the grip but find 2.5 more practical. Comfortable and the clip is out of the way for me. .380 thick with grippy FRN that is thick enough to give fair strength. A less than 2" blade won't be a pry bar and so the handle strength seems more than sufficient for the size of knie.
4) Construction: Solid lock up, all screw construction... very good value.
5) Conclusion: The Mouse-Lite has lots of charisma. It has great ergonomics. I like it a lot and will carry it often.
I like these Lites from Blade Tech. The clamshell packaging give them a chaper look than they deserve IMO. 440C is a good steel and if the heat trip proves up to snuff these will be fine real world knives.
I have likely skinned and processed 100-120 caribou over the last 20 years and have used all sorts of knives to do so. My favourite by far with aboiut a dozen caribou processed over the last few years has been Spyderco's Wegner in ATS 34. The ergos and blade shape are superb with enough point to cape and gut and enough belly to skin. The thin grip is very comfortable even when doing 5-6 caribou in one go. This knife is my reference point for excellence.
I basically compared the Wegner Lite to the C48 by cutting up stuff at home. This is what I can report.
A) Wegner Pro-Hunter Lite
1) Out of box (clam shell) sharpness is superb... maybe better than anything I have ever bought. My left arm is nearly out of hair and it virtually jumped off when hit by the Wegner. I had heard the phrase hair popping sharp before but never knew what it meant. Unfortunately I lack the skill to get it this sharp again. I can get my knives shaving sharp but not like this! Edge retention was not scientifically tested but it still scares the hair off my arm after a fair bit of light use effortlessly cutting newspapers into strips.
2) Blade Ergos: The choil is a good idea and so are the serrations on the back of the blade. the blade is slightly shorter and not as pointy as the C48.
It will be a great skinner but IMO not quite as good at caping. The difference is subtle and this is still a great blade shape for hunting. The hollow ground gives a very thin cutting profile very similar to the C48 which has proven to be excellent in use. The pear shaped hole was easy to use with perhaps a bit more friction on the thumb than the Spyderco round hole...the spring tension of the lock back also gives more resistance than the C48 liner lock but it's still easy to open.
3) Handle Ergos: For me the Blade Tech Lite falls behind here. The overall bannanna shape gives a secure grip but the FRN slabs and stainless steel spacers lead to a thick and chunky feel. (.470 vs .430 and the C48 is more rounded) The clip stands very proud from the handle and was uncomfortable for me. I actually placed it on the other side which makes pocket withdrawl and opening more awkward but is much easier on the hand. With the clip out of the way I'd rate the grip as good but not quite in the same league as the C48. The texture of the FRN was very grippy and similar to the G10. I bought it in Orange...great idea makes it harder to misplace.
4) Construction: Very good. Just the slightest hint of side to side play was easily solved by a slight tightening of the blade pivot, this did not negatively effect ease of opening. The all screw construction is a great idea. The lock up is solid with a satisfying thwack and the combination of FRN and steel slabs give a rugged feel. The clip is retained by three screws which are threaded into the steel spacers and three holes are included on both sides of the knife.
5) Conclusion: A great value. It won't replace the C48 in my heart but it will probably go hunting more. I don't like the clip design...I do like everything else. It has solved the dilemma of using and possibly losing the C48 on ugly hunts.
B) The Mouse Lite.
1) Out of box (clamshell) sharpness was good but not as good as the above.
It shaves hair but not as agressively.
2) Blade Ergos: 2 sets of serrations on the back are very useful for control and fine grips. Again this looks like a great compromise of belly and point. I wouldn't be scared of taking on a couple of caribou with this little fella. The flat grind is very nicely profiled for slicing ending with a 1/8 spine which appears pretty sturdy in a small knife like this.
3) Handle Ergos: I can crowd three fingers onto the grip but find 2.5 more practical. Comfortable and the clip is out of the way for me. .380 thick with grippy FRN that is thick enough to give fair strength. A less than 2" blade won't be a pry bar and so the handle strength seems more than sufficient for the size of knie.
4) Construction: Solid lock up, all screw construction... very good value.
5) Conclusion: The Mouse-Lite has lots of charisma. It has great ergonomics. I like it a lot and will carry it often.
I like these Lites from Blade Tech. The clamshell packaging give them a chaper look than they deserve IMO. 440C is a good steel and if the heat trip proves up to snuff these will be fine real world knives.
