- Joined
- May 25, 2011
- Messages
- 854
Bryan Breeden Pathfinder (and more) review
Pathfinder
1/8 inch 01
OAL 9 & 9/16 inches
Blade 5 & 1/16 inches
Orange G10
Hollow pins
Leather sheath
Pathfinder 2
1/8 inch 01
OAL 8 & 7/8 inches
Blade 4 & ½ inches
Black micarta
Hollow pins
Leather sheath
Kephart
1/8 inch 01
OAL 9 inches
Blade 4 & ¾ inches
Cocobolo handles
Stainless pins
Leather sheath
I love photography; its a serious passion of mine and I spend a rather large amount of time engaged in learning the skills necessary. I mostly concentrate on portraiture and landscapes, but the one constant is my effort to capture the character of the subject. I want my shots to speak to the viewer. I want the viewer to see more than just a picture captured; I want them to feel something on a deep emotional basis.
The best advertisements do that: they pull you in so you feel as though you are the subject and the advertised product is a necessary addition for the completion of our emotionally based fantasy.
If I was hired to shoot a promotion for a knife say a whittling knife Id want to capture the character of the knife. Id do so by using props say a wooden porch, an old rocking chair and a small stand nearby. On the stand would be the knife, a few wood shavings, the partially carved object and perhaps a tin coffee mug with steam rising above. Id shoot at an angle and Id focus on the knife; letting the other props fade out of focus slightly. If I could find the right location, Id shoot with natural lighting only and Id try to include some of the view outwards, so the potential customer has some help in placing themselves (emotionally) in the picture presented.
If I did my job correctly, the would-be consumer sees himself sitting in an old comfortable rocking chair, taking sips from a steaming mug of coffee, while idly carving some doo-dad between relaxing and taking in the beauty of a waning summers day.
Bryans knives are tools. Theyre made to be used over a lifetime (and more) and theyre made to excel at the intended job (slicing and cutting).
With Bryans knives, Id paint an entirely different scenario if hired to shoot a promotion. There would be mud and grime, gunk and blood. Id want the knife itself to be dirty from hard use. There would be no attempt to demonstrate a relaxed scene; Bryans knives are entirely about getting the job done, no matter how horrible the conditions are. And that is the character I would try to convey.
Bryan is country. Now dont take that as a slight because (IMO) its a compliment and a testimony to the fact that Bryan is a good guy who talks the talk and walks the walk. He doesnt just make knives because he can. He makes knives because he knows firsthand what jobs a knife needs to do and how to get those jobs done.
Thats why Bryan asks questions when someone approaches him for a new knife. He wants to know what youll use the knife for that way he can make you a knife that works perfectly for the assigned tasks.
I like that. A lot.
Nowadays it is more common for the seller to just push the sale, without giving a tinkers damn whether that product actually fits the customers need.
When I first contacted Bryan, my interest was in two of his knives: the Pathfinder 2 and his version of the Kephart. I had seen a review on each and loved the looks of both knives.
However it didnt take long a couple of hours searching the Internet for information before I had decided to order those two knives and Bryans original Pathfinder. I wasnt really drawn to it (like I was to the other two) and I wasnt sure that Id even like it, but I ended up ordering it anyway. (Who the heck wants bright orange handles?)
Its funny how reality often butts heads with our perceptions.
Yeah, I loved the two knives I had originally decided to order: theyre hard working tools of the first order and Id order them again (in a heartbeat). But the knife that I wasnt sure about, the knife that I thought I probably wouldnt like .. well that is far and away my favorite (boy am I glad I ordered it).
All 3 knives came razor sharp. And I mean RAZOR SHARP. Bryans really got it down when it comes to getting a sharp edge. They dont just slice paper cleanly they UNZIP paper with just the slightest of sounds. Its almost as though theyre melting the paper.
I havent used the Pathfinder 2 or the Kephart all that much. Frankly thats only because I cant tear myself away from the original Pathfinder. It simply excels at everything Ive thrown its way: carving wood, shaving fine curls, dicing vegetables and cutting meat.
The blade shape reminds me of a cross between a Nessmuk , a Canadian Belt knife and a Kephart sure it looks a little bit odd at first, but the shape seems to lend itself to slicing in a way that really has to be experienced to be believed.
Heck, Ive even learned to love the orange handles (they really stand out).
All 3 knives feature comfortable handles. The original Pathfinders handles are a bit thinner than my Pathfinder 2s handles, but that doesnt seem to affect handling at all.
I dont normally spend much time talking about sheaths. As long as they do the job and arent made like cheap crap, Im usually happy with them. But it wouldnt be fair to Bryan if I didnt point out the fact that he makes excellent sheaths. It seems that he uses a thicker grade of leather and the sheath grips each knife just perfectly. At any rate, Bryan makes great sheaths too.
The Bottom line
If youre in the market for a great knife that will last you for generations of use get in touch with Bryan. His prices are great, his service is great and he makes a great knife (and sheath).
I dont feel comfortable giving out Bryans phone number but you can usually find Bryan on the WSS forum (here @ Bladeforums). He goes by the username of Sicily02.
Give him a shout. Youll be glad you did.
Pathfinder
1/8 inch 01
OAL 9 & 9/16 inches
Blade 5 & 1/16 inches
Orange G10
Hollow pins
Leather sheath
Pathfinder 2
1/8 inch 01
OAL 8 & 7/8 inches
Blade 4 & ½ inches
Black micarta
Hollow pins
Leather sheath
Kephart
1/8 inch 01
OAL 9 inches
Blade 4 & ¾ inches
Cocobolo handles
Stainless pins
Leather sheath
I love photography; its a serious passion of mine and I spend a rather large amount of time engaged in learning the skills necessary. I mostly concentrate on portraiture and landscapes, but the one constant is my effort to capture the character of the subject. I want my shots to speak to the viewer. I want the viewer to see more than just a picture captured; I want them to feel something on a deep emotional basis.
The best advertisements do that: they pull you in so you feel as though you are the subject and the advertised product is a necessary addition for the completion of our emotionally based fantasy.
If I was hired to shoot a promotion for a knife say a whittling knife Id want to capture the character of the knife. Id do so by using props say a wooden porch, an old rocking chair and a small stand nearby. On the stand would be the knife, a few wood shavings, the partially carved object and perhaps a tin coffee mug with steam rising above. Id shoot at an angle and Id focus on the knife; letting the other props fade out of focus slightly. If I could find the right location, Id shoot with natural lighting only and Id try to include some of the view outwards, so the potential customer has some help in placing themselves (emotionally) in the picture presented.
If I did my job correctly, the would-be consumer sees himself sitting in an old comfortable rocking chair, taking sips from a steaming mug of coffee, while idly carving some doo-dad between relaxing and taking in the beauty of a waning summers day.
Bryans knives are tools. Theyre made to be used over a lifetime (and more) and theyre made to excel at the intended job (slicing and cutting).
With Bryans knives, Id paint an entirely different scenario if hired to shoot a promotion. There would be mud and grime, gunk and blood. Id want the knife itself to be dirty from hard use. There would be no attempt to demonstrate a relaxed scene; Bryans knives are entirely about getting the job done, no matter how horrible the conditions are. And that is the character I would try to convey.
Bryan is country. Now dont take that as a slight because (IMO) its a compliment and a testimony to the fact that Bryan is a good guy who talks the talk and walks the walk. He doesnt just make knives because he can. He makes knives because he knows firsthand what jobs a knife needs to do and how to get those jobs done.
Thats why Bryan asks questions when someone approaches him for a new knife. He wants to know what youll use the knife for that way he can make you a knife that works perfectly for the assigned tasks.
I like that. A lot.
Nowadays it is more common for the seller to just push the sale, without giving a tinkers damn whether that product actually fits the customers need.
When I first contacted Bryan, my interest was in two of his knives: the Pathfinder 2 and his version of the Kephart. I had seen a review on each and loved the looks of both knives.
However it didnt take long a couple of hours searching the Internet for information before I had decided to order those two knives and Bryans original Pathfinder. I wasnt really drawn to it (like I was to the other two) and I wasnt sure that Id even like it, but I ended up ordering it anyway. (Who the heck wants bright orange handles?)
Its funny how reality often butts heads with our perceptions.
Yeah, I loved the two knives I had originally decided to order: theyre hard working tools of the first order and Id order them again (in a heartbeat). But the knife that I wasnt sure about, the knife that I thought I probably wouldnt like .. well that is far and away my favorite (boy am I glad I ordered it).
All 3 knives came razor sharp. And I mean RAZOR SHARP. Bryans really got it down when it comes to getting a sharp edge. They dont just slice paper cleanly they UNZIP paper with just the slightest of sounds. Its almost as though theyre melting the paper.
I havent used the Pathfinder 2 or the Kephart all that much. Frankly thats only because I cant tear myself away from the original Pathfinder. It simply excels at everything Ive thrown its way: carving wood, shaving fine curls, dicing vegetables and cutting meat.
The blade shape reminds me of a cross between a Nessmuk , a Canadian Belt knife and a Kephart sure it looks a little bit odd at first, but the shape seems to lend itself to slicing in a way that really has to be experienced to be believed.
Heck, Ive even learned to love the orange handles (they really stand out).
All 3 knives feature comfortable handles. The original Pathfinders handles are a bit thinner than my Pathfinder 2s handles, but that doesnt seem to affect handling at all.
I dont normally spend much time talking about sheaths. As long as they do the job and arent made like cheap crap, Im usually happy with them. But it wouldnt be fair to Bryan if I didnt point out the fact that he makes excellent sheaths. It seems that he uses a thicker grade of leather and the sheath grips each knife just perfectly. At any rate, Bryan makes great sheaths too.
The Bottom line
If youre in the market for a great knife that will last you for generations of use get in touch with Bryan. His prices are great, his service is great and he makes a great knife (and sheath).
I dont feel comfortable giving out Bryans phone number but you can usually find Bryan on the WSS forum (here @ Bladeforums). He goes by the username of Sicily02.
Give him a shout. Youll be glad you did.
