Breeden Pathfinder Review

[Jeff H]

I have had this knife for a while and have been finding myself using it quite a lot even though I prefer smaller knives. This one is a 5" model and is actually "large" for me. The handling characteristics are something I cannot define for you in words as I am not much of a "knife critic" or "knife expert" but I can say that it does not feel as big as it is and doesn't feel like it weighs what it does. The handle is just the right weight, such that it makes the blade hang ahead of whichever finger you happen to have in the effective guard. Not the least unwieldy and, though I did not include any "detail work" with it for the review, I have used it for much more delicate tasks and it kind of makes me mad because it upsets my whole notion that my personal all 'round blade should be 3 1/2" to 4". OK, so I am not actually mad but it still just seems wierd to me that a blade this size feels this handy to me. I find myself not noticing that it is 20% to 25% longer than most of my others.

Back to the brush removal chore - no knife is exempt from this. I have a lot to clean up and, if they're going to stay here, they're going to pitch in. The Pathfinder has REALLY pitched in - handling saplings large enough that I can barely bend them over.

Not a machete by any stretch but a decent "hacker" none-the-less:

More hacking:

Some paring/stick sharpening:

And, five minutes from bush to campfire standard!

Battoning some of the green stuff - all the way through - like butter,... OK, maybe more like Spam but it was almost effortless:

to be continued in the next post........

 

[Jeff H]

continued..........

Battoning some large seasoned Cottonwood chips to aid in starting the fire later tonight:

Battoning some seasoned Maple for kindling: (it's not that I love battoning that much, it's just that the Pathfinder seems so well-suited to it as well as other, less exciting "camp chores")

Splitting the same was obviously very easy:

Something to tote my new blade in:

Still quite capable of shaving fuzzies after about an hour and a half of "all of the above." Not only was there no chipping or rolling but the fine edge stood up well. Still slices paper but six swipes, each side, on the fine strop and it was back to gliding through so quietly it gives you the willies.

The Pathfinder is robust and has a very strong point in spite of its agility. Bryan talked me into going with 5/32" instead of 3/16" and I think it was a very wise decision. Plenty stiff but not heavy and the more acute flat grind allows me to get a better edge on it. The O1 sharpens a bit quicker than my A2 blades and the edge still holds up extremely well.

Brian's workmanship is very good and suits the nature of his knives. They have a practical "finish" and he pays attention to the important details. His blades are ground uniformly, his handles shaped symetrically, there are no gaps between handle and tang,.... I really like his work and the practical "working man's" aesthetic it imparts. The look is a lot like "casual Friday" at work - you can wear jeans but they have to be clean and without holes and no t-shirts. They have a relaxed and confident look about them and with good reason. I have a "few" more on order from Bryan if that tells you anything about their appeal to me.

Thanks for looking!

 

[RogerP]

That's an excellent review - thanks for taking the time. Looks like that knife did everything asked of it and did it well. Congrats.

Roger

 

[Redsnake1997]

Jeff...

Great review and I'll have to add a BIG "I Second" everything you said. I have the same (well not your knife... but my own Pathfinder) knife f/ Bryan. He was a pleasure to deal with and the knife was even more than I had hoped.

Just melts in your hand, great O1 blade steel, Nice Orange w/white liners for handle material and a pretty decent leather sheath. I really like the utility of this blade and handle shape.

I'll have to snap some pics of mine and post them up. :thumbup:

 

[Jeff H]

......I'll have to snap some pics of mine and post them up. :thumbup:

Hey, that would be great. Tag it on to this thread if you want - it would be cool to have multiple examples and input. Your descriptions are true to my own experience ("melts in the hand"). It seems Bryan just hits on some little things that I would not have though to change on a knife but they make a noticable difference.

Thanks!:thumbup:

 

[Jeff H]

That's an excellent review - thanks for taking the time. Looks like that knife did everything asked of it and did it well. Congrats.

Roger

Thanks, Roger. I haven't posted much here and the encouragement is greatly appreciated.

 

[sicily02]

Jeff and Redsnake1997 thanks for the kind comments on the knives that I made for the
both of you. When I was thinking of the design on how I wanted the Pathfinder to
be I was thinking on that one knife sitution where what if I had only one knife or was
down to just one knife what ever the circumstances my be. I wanted it to be able to
handle the chores of every day life that come my way and so far it has from kitchen
to camp.

Take care guys and thanks for the comments about the knives I made,

Bryan

 

[sicily02]

My husband works very hard and cares very much about the knives he makes and sells. He wants each knife to be trustworthy. He really wants each buyer to be totally satisfied with the knife they purchased. He is very thankful for all the encourgement he gets from all his bladeforum friends and so am I. Thanks everyone. Kathy Breeden

 

[sicily02]

I see my wife has been looking at the thread and chating on it too.

 

[Jeff H]

My husband works very hard and cares very much about the knives he makes and sells. He wants each knife to be trustworthy. He really wants each buyer to be totally satisfied with the knife they purchased. He is very thankful for all the encourgement he gets from all his bladeforum friends and so am I. Thanks everyone. Kathy Breeden

Kathy,
Very nice to hear from you.:thumbup: I understand that you have an interest in knives yourself and it woiuld be nice to hear your persepective on them too. Every time Bryan posts another new design, I cringe! I had sold off a bushell basket full of knives so that I only had to choose from a couple when I wanted one and Bryan is reversing my "progress!"

 

[tknife]

Nice write up and pics. I really need to get a knife from Bryan, I like all the designs.

 

[Jeff H]

Nice write up and pics. I really need to get a knife from Bryan, I like all the designs.

Thanks, tknife.
I keep seeing new ones I like and I can't keep up. That "Tyson" knife is a size that I REALLY like and use a lot but I need to sit down and write up a "knife-o-the month" plan.

I got the Pathfinder out today just to see how I got along carrying the bigger knife all day while engaged in "vigorous activity." I unloaded a trailer full of old bricks (stooped/stood 268 times picking up and chucking bricks), jumped in and out of the Jeep 18 times, on and off the lawn mower COUNTLESS times to pick stuff up, etc. and was barely aware it was there. I think my sheath worked out well to complement the Pathfinder. I don't like wearing my knife on my belt all that much but this combination worked out very nicely. I also used it to make breakfast - chopped cooked bacon like a pro and sliced croissants without making a single crumb. In the kitchen, the offset between the bottom of the handle and the edge of the blade is very handly. The 5" blade is also a bit more practical in the kitchen than some of my shorter knives.

 

[psy-ops]

Jeff H, Excellent review. I just ordered a PF. Where did you get the sheath made? If you would email me with price and address, I might order one.

Thanks

 

[Jeff H]

Jeff H, Excellent review. I just ordered a PF. Where did you get the sheath made? If you would email me with price and address, I might order one.

Thanks

I made the sheath. I do it as a hobby with a long story behind it but I have started doing sheaths for forum-members too. If you're still interested, send me a private message and we'll figure out what you want.

And, thanks for the compliment! They get thrown in on the reviews without much thought any more because I try to work out the kinks for a given pattern for others to use the ideas if they want.

 

[Breedenknifegirl]

Hi Jeff, I was planning on trying out my knife "the kat" and posting pics on here soon, but bryan has already beat me to it, because he posted a pic before he was even done making it and somebody already ordered one. So the knife he was making for me is going to that guy now, which is ok because we used my handles to make a knife for a guy whose wife's b-day is tomorrow. So he wouldn't of been able to finish it yet anyway. But the point is there is alot of competition here now. I don't think there will be much left for me to say. And they say women talk alot. I am very glad everyone is getting the knives they want in a timely manor too. Take care all, Kathy P.s Great work on those sheaths and thanks for your comments.

 

[Breedenknifegirl]

Hello again Jeff and everyone, I was so busy telling that story that i did not comment on what Jeff said. I do have an interest in knives, but not nearly as much as Bryan or all of you do. I got my first knife probably close to 20 years ago and it was a spyderco ladybug and i still have it. I keep it in the door pocket of my car. My favorite pocket knife is my benchmade. Its one of those breast cancer awareness ones. I used to have a yellow just like it that Bry got for me but i lost it. I keep this pink one in my pocket with a lanyard at all times. I can't wait to have my kat knive in the sheath on my belt. Its nice not having to open a folder all the time. And i would love to give my opinion here and there. Well thats all for now, we are going to go for a walk. Kathy

 

[Jeff H]

You're a heck of a good sport, Kathy. I look forward to your pics and comments when you finally get your "Kat" knife. Thanks for the kind words on my work - see if you can get Brian to slip your "Kat" knife in with something heading my way some time in the near future (I have a list of "want-ones") and I'll fix you up.

I wouldn't get too sure of myself as to what gender can talk more,... ask Bryan about that. I tied him up a good bit today and he didn't get much chance to get a word in.:foot:

Thanks, Kathy.

Jeff

 

[bearthedog]

Nice knives from the nicest guy in the business. Get them while you can people, before he is too busy. I heard a Breeden knife might make it to Peru soon.

Pathfinder

 

[Breedenknifegirl]

Hey Bear, You're taking a "Kat" knife right?

 

[bearthedog]

Hey Bear, You're taking a "Kat" knife right?

Looks like you got something there in your eye!