Brian Andrews/Joezilla Terrasaur!!!

j williams

j williams

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
11,135
Awhile back Jake caught the Scandi bug. I never really liked the Scandi blades. For many years I always stayed with tool steels(A2 and O1 mostly), in flat grinds with convex edges, or full convex grinds(a great combo, that has served me well). Well when I saw pics of the BHK Boat Tail Scandi, I saw something I really liked in the design. Nice Micarta, 1095, and a plain utility look. The blade is a straight back design. I recieved one, and love it so much I bought another. :o Really helped me develop an appriciation for the Scandi grinds. Now, I have owned a couple Koster Bushcrafters, but they just didnt do it for me. I know now, that it is the spearpoint profile I dont like, and the "prison shank" feel they seem to have for me. No offense to Dan, or anyone who loves that knife. Dan is a great guy, and makes a helluva nice product..That WSS necker? I mean c'mon....That thing is SICK! Use what you like, and what works for you. Not the "in" thing at the time. Use the hell out of what you have.

Ok, onward....Well after the BHK, I decided to look into a few makers I knew have a good following for their bush blades. Rod Garcia (Skookum) and Brian Andrews. I got on Rods list, and im still a long ways out, which is fine, im a patient guy. I then started looking at Brian Andrews stuff. I know of a few guys I really trust and value their opinions that love his work. I immediately loved the Terrasaur Joezilla designed. So a few emails later, I had an order in. Originally for A2, but changed to O1 before it was all said and done.

After a wait, it arrived yesterday. Actually, right before I left for Knob Knoster State Park, which was perfect. I loaded up, and headed to the trailhead only to find it was closed due to unexploded ordinence, and potential lead contamination found on the site. So, I didnt get any dirt time. Well...the rains moved in, and I have some things goin on that kept me home today, but I still just had to get out and use the blade a bit. So, im sorry for the non "outdoors" pics.

Here we go. (If your still with me)


Maker- Brian Andrews, designed by Joe Flowers
Steel- 5/32 O1
Dimensions- 4in blade, 8.75 OAL
Grind- Scandi, 12.5 degrees
Handle- Black Canvas Micarta of course

I really love the design of this one. Simple, and useful. I can really see the Skookum influence in it. The blade has a slight drop point to it, which I love. Now let me tell ya, I really looked at this one when it got here. I could hardly put it down yesterday. Its been on my hip since I got it. I tried to find any flaw....Anything. Their is no gaps anywhere in the mating of the scales to tang. No sanding scars in the Micarta, no uneven grind, no grind marks in the steel, no bad etching of logos.... no nothing. I immediately thought of Ray Laconico. Ive owned several from him, and they are perfect. Like Robot perfect. This is no different. For as new of a Maker Brian is, he really has this down to a science.
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Here is the knife, unused. Sheath is by Scott Gossman. Aesthetically, its gorgeous. Has a great look to it. I put some orange paracord on it to aid in drawing the knife, and for visibility.

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Look at this grind. Flawless. Man is this thing sharp. Wipes hair away with ease. 12.5 degrees on both sides. :thumbup:

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many more pics to come.......
 
Here it is next to the Boat Tail for size reference, and so Spooky can get an idea of the BHKs size.

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Scale comparison between the 2. The contours of the Terrasaurs handle are well done.

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In hand shots. The contours feel great, and the knife feels solid in hand. Fits me like a glove. The balance is right on. Right over the first pin on mine, to the front of the swell.

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This thing eats wood. Bites well, and you can get some very fat ribbon like curls very easily.

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For a newb to the Scandis, im really impressed at the ease of notching wood. Its just natural. The Terrasaur did a great job on this task.

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A piece of scrapwood I drilled. Tip intact, and another task easily performed by the Terrasaur.

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The spine is squared very nicely. Strikes a mean shower from my LMF rod. First attempt, I had fire.

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Next, Im gonna split this ancient piece of Osage I dug out of my wifes grandfathers woodpile.

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hahaha....not gonna split that wood. Its hard as hell! It might split it, but Ill never know. :D

In conclusion, I really love this knife from my initial use and impressions of it. Joe and Brian really nailed this one. Joes experiences in the dirt, and Brians craftsmanship are a combo not to be messed with. I can see it becoming my goto blade. Its a joy to use. A really really good carver.

Thanks for making this one for me Brian. I could not be more satisfied with it.

Hope you enjoyed the review, and look for more of this knife in the future!
 
I was waiting for your second post before I posted.

Great write up! The Terrasaur looks perfect to me - when I have money again it's at the top of my 'must get' list.

Can I ask why you changed from A2 to O1?
 
Thanks guys.....I had originally wanted A2, beacause on my previous convex grid blades, it was a go to steel for me. However, I noticed most of the guys had O1 blades from Brian, and loved the performance of the steel with the Scandi grind, so I switched....I love O1 too, so it wasnt a hard decision.
 
Great pics and review man! So glad you liked that one. Joe and Brian make a pretty great team, that was a sweet blade. Brian's scandi grinds are top-notch too. And thanks for the comparison pic, that really gives me a much better idea of what size the BHK is.
 
Speaking of the Skookum and the waiting list, I just got an interesting one Wed from Rod Garcia.

Excuse the crappy pic also need to wash the sheath dye off the handle:o

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SpookyPistolero said:
Great pics and review man! So glad you liked that one. Joe and Brian make a pretty great team, that was a sweet blade. Brian's scandi grinds are top-notch too. And thanks for the comparison pic, that really gives me a much better idea of what size the BHK is.
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Thanks Will. :thumbup:

Yeah, the BHK is pretty thin in the handle in comparison. Works for me, but I know thats an important feature for you.
 
Interesting......It is the "bushtool", correct? Are these changes you had Rod do, or did he change the design a bit?
 
All of these knives look great. I really need to get on the Scandi band wagon. I might just start with a Mora and go from there.
 
great stuff Jake... awesome pics... i really like the Terrasaur design... :) especially Brian's version.. i may have to get back on his list once i can free up some $$$...
 
othello32 said:
All of these knives look great. I really need to get on the Scandi band wagon. I might just start with a Mora and go from there.
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Yeah, thats a good idea. Im thinking of doing up a Kydex rig like yours for shits and gigs for this one. :thumbup:

hollowdweller said:
Have no idea. I just told him w/o the butt cap.
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:thumbup: Thanks for the pic though. Its interesting, and a nice looking knife for sure.
 
The Terrasaur is an awesome looking blade. Looks like it eats up the wood, too. :thumbup:
 
mtnfolk mike said:
great stuff Jake... awesome pics... i really like the Terrasaur design... :) especially Brian's version.. i may have to get back on his list once i can free up some $$$...
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Thanks man. :thumbup: Youd love it. From handling your Terrasaur from Fiddleback, I can tell ya that it wouldnt be redundant to own them both. They are similar, but each has its own feel to it. It would be cool to get some side by side impressions of them...

TheGame said:
The Terrasaur is an awesome looking blade. Looks like it eats up the wood, too. :thumbup:
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Thanks bro :thumbup:

hollowdweller said:
I think that Terrasaur is a nice looking blade:thumbup: Want to handle one sometime!
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I thought you had one of these.....Man you would dig it HD. :thumbup:
 
Great write up J. I recently got more interested in Scandi's as well, it started with the Spydie Bushcrafter actually. But the Terrasaur has really been calling me. I love the whole design of it. Joe and Brian (and Andy too) have really come up with something great.
 
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