Bushcraft..... My initial impressions.....

[teacher]

Bushcraft..... My initial impressions

These are my initial impressions from the time I got the box out of my mail box.

Shipping

1. USPS / right on time.
2. Upon opening box it was evident everything was well packed.
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Knife

1. Bushmaster Production Run / Mid Tech
a. Carbon 3V steel
b. Thumbramp Grooves
c. Stryker Tip
d. Scandi Grind
e. Flats as Forged finish
f. Natural Canvas Micarta Scales / bead blast finish

I was impressed with the knife visually when I unwrapped it. The "as forged flats" are a nice contrast with the grind.. IMO

The knife was hair popping sharp and all grind lines are 100% semetrical side to side on the blade. In other words they could be a mirrow image.
To me this is important on a knife.. visually... and this one is right on the money.

Slices paper held by one corner smoothly.

*** The only change I would recommend... and this is to a large degree, personal preference .....
........is a bit more cutout where the index finger rests when doing a push cut.

With the swell in the grip being where it is my hand has the tendency to go forward slightly if I am not paying close attention. This puts my index finger very close to the "business side" of the blade.

No cuts yet on my finger..... we shall see in the future though........

All in all ....... A GREAT KNIFE.............. IMO ... :thumbup:
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Tactical Option Sheath / Kydex w/ fire steel loop / Fire Steel included

Sheath is well made. Knife fits like a glove. Firesteel is a perfect fit in the loop. I got both the TEKLOK and the IWB TEKLOK......... they interchange nicely and both work well.. depending on your preference..
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Leather Seaath # 2

Well made. The knife fits well and despite what I first thought when I saw it.... the firesteel is a perfect fit in the loop.
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That is it for now, more when I have a chance to really use it some.

This is a great knife ... :thumbup:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Daniel Koster]

Thanks for the great reeview, Chuck!!!


:thumbup:

Dan

 

[teacher]

Thanks for the great reeview, Chuck!!!


:thumbup:

Dan

You are most welcome Dan.

I have been out "cutting things" this afternoon and plan on doing a bunch more over the next few days. I am loosley keeping a talley of what all & how much of it has been cut and am just gonna see what it takes to dull it to the point I can't get clean cuts.

I'll add more to the above in a couple of days. :thumbup:

 

[WA Martin]

*** The only change I would recommend... and this is to a large degree, personal preference .....
........is a bit more cutout where the index finger rests when doing a push cut.

With the swell in the grip being where it is my hand has the tendency to go forward slightly if I am not paying close attention. This puts my index finger very close to the "business side" of the blade.

That too is my only complaint although I think it has more to do with the size of my hands than anything else. When held normally, my index finger is right out there on the blade.

I knew (kick, kick) I should have done my hand measurements and submitted them with the order but as this was a mid-tech production I don't know if Dan could have done very much about that.

I personally would be much benefited by having the handle another inch longer.

Still a great knife though. Just will have to be very careful when using it.

 

[teacher]

I personally would be much benefited by having the handle another inch longer.

Still a great knife though. Just will have to be very careful when using it.

That is a very good point. I had thought about that too but was trying to come up with something that would "fix".. for me anyway... the knife as is. I am gonna grind out a bit more in that area I think... just a bit though....

Actually, your idea is much better though. The knife feels great in the hand as is, the only issue is the one mentioned.

Handle 1 inch longer....[1/2 inch might even do it] .... AND, move the swell back the same distance the handle is lengthened..... BINGO, our problem solved.

Any more of you guys out there have this issue ?


:thumbup:

:thumbup:

**** PLEASE NOTE .........

This observation is not a criticism of this knife.

The knife feels great in the hand as is......

......the observation IMO, is only a suggestion for a slight modification to address the "problem" mentioned..... "suggestion", being the operative word.

:thumbup:

:thumbup:

 

[Daniel Koster]

I'm ok with criticism...always have been, guys. :thumbup:




Since this one was "design by committee"...I'll pass the buck along.



Seriously....if anybody wants one longer/bigger/whatever...I am more than happy to do variants (custom orders). Just let me know!

Thanks!

Dan

 

[hollowdweller]

Hi Y'all

Like I said previously Dan sent me one with the handle all glued up but with the handle uncontoured. Just cut to the profile of the tang, and I shaped it myself:thumbup:

I've got several Bushcraft blades in the past and IMO if you have the tools and time you are WAY better off to actually shape the handle to YOUR hand:thumbup:

Also you can take a little off at a time, go outside cut stuff handle the knife and shape it to where it handles right for YOU.

A maker can somewhat follow your directions but really you shaping it to fit your hand is the best thing short of actually going to the maker and doing it there.

Just my 2 cents

 

[teacher]

:thumbup:

**** PLEASE NOTE .........

This observation is not a criticism of this knife.

The knife feels great in the hand as is......

......the observation IMO, is only a suggestion for a slight modification to address the "problem" mentioned..... "suggestion", being the operative word.

:thumbup:

:thumbup:

I'm ok with criticism...always have been, guys. :thumbup:

Since this one was "design by committee"...I'll pass the buck along.

Hey brother... as noted above...
...........this is in no way, form or fashion.... criticism.

No way to even know this, as far as I can tell.... untill it was held by many, many different hands.

Just an observation... what you do with it ,,,, if anything... is totally up to you.

IT IS A GREAT KNIFE ... first and foremost. :thumbup:

 

[Daniel Koster]

Thanks, guys. :thumbup:


I will still be offering this blade in skeletonized form - perfect for anyone interested in doing their own handle.

HD - what size glove do you wear?

 

[teacher]

Hi Y'all
Like I said previously Dan sent me one with the handle all glued up but with the handle uncontoured. Just cut to the profile of the tang, and I shaped it myself:thumbup:

I've got several Bushcraft blades in the past and IMO if you have the tools and time you are WAY better off to actually shape the handle to YOUR hand:thumbup:

Also you can take a little off at a time, go outside cut stuff handle the knife and shape it to where it handles right for YOU.

A maker can somewhat follow your directions but really you shaping it to fit your hand is the best thing short of actually going to the maker and doing it there.

Just my 2 cents

Well... Mr. "hollowdweller"..........

What you say makes perfect sense......... :thumbup:

Just so happens I had missed your posts on the subject and had no idea that was an option to do that.......

Thanks for bringing it back up. I have gone back and done a search and found the posts you have made on the subject. At first glance ... I can tell you have covered it in detail.

I am gonna go back now..... and read them ALL .....in detail........ :thumbup:

Thankx again.......

Oh Dan..... we need to talk before I get my next one........

 

[hollowdweller]

Well... Mr. "hollowdweller"..........

What you say makes perfect sense......... :thumbup:

Just so happens I had missed your posts on the subject and had no idea that was an option to do that.......

Thanks for bringing it back up. I have gone back and done a search and found the posts you have made on the subject. At first glance ... I can tell you have covered it in detail.

Teacher? Thanks.

Dan? Size glove? They come in actual sizes?

 

[Daniel Koster]

LOL...


what size is your hand? Looks to be similar to mine in width. Would you consider it S, M, L, XL?

 

[hollowdweller]

Dan,

I don't know. I always just pick them up and try them on I'll have to check.

In that first pic? The one where I am holding the bushcraft with my fingers partially over it?

That crease in my palm below the knife? That would be where the back of the handle would go on my palm and it is 3 and 3/4

Across my fingers at the knuckles is just shy of 3 and 1/2

 

[teacher]

Dan,

I don't know. I always just pick them up and try them on I'll have to check.

In that first pic? The one where I am holding the bushcraft with my fingers partially over it?

That crease in my palm below the knife? That would be where the back of the handle would go on my palm and it is 3 and 3/4

Across my fingers at the knuckles is just shy of 3 and 1/2

Hmmmm.....

Mine is shade over 4 1/8 at the "palm crease".

Right at 3 7/8 "across the fingers at the knuckles".

I wear XL gloves.

 

[hollowdweller]

Hmmmm.....

Mine is shade over 4 1/8 at the "palm crease".

Right at 3 7/8 "across the fingers at the knuckles".

I wear XL gloves.

Well then I totally understand what you are saying about the handle:thumbup:

If you had a drill press with a sanding drum you might be able to grind that curve right there at the pommel back a little and give yourself some more room.

 

[teacher]

Well then I totally understand what you are saying about the handle:thumbup:

If you had a drill press with a sanding drum you might be able to grind that curve right there at the pommel back a little and give yourself some more room.

Yep .... :thumbup:

I have access to a 2" grinder in addition to a DP w/ sanding drum. I am gonna "play with" this Bushy a bit ..... going real slow and taking a tiny bit at a time off... [cause you can always take more... but you can't add it back... ...]........ and see what I can come up with....... :thumbup:

I have another one coming .. and I am gonna get it with the thicker scales and form the handle myself, like you suggested and did.

Thank you for all the info hollowdweller...... :thumbup:

 

[hollowdweller]

If you look at that one pic of the skookum and KB together with the part that your fingers wrap around facing each other you can see the handles aren't that much different in length. Just that knob on the KB kinda makes the grip area shorter.

With a sanding drum you could probably take that back a little. The knob wouldn't project as far once you were done but I think it would still look good and you could get you maybe even up to a quarter inch more?

 

[SpookyPistolero]

The length of the handle wasn't too far off for me, but I found it to be too thin for my hand. Much thicker slabs, and maybe a taller handle, would have helped a lot (if there is to be a future change).

 

[Daniel Koster]

yes - I agree. Overall I'm very pleased with the knife.

But I do think a larger sized version is needed.


Eyes peeled gentlemen...

 

[teacher]

yes - I agree. Overall I'm very pleased with the knife.

But I do think a larger sized version is needed.


Eyes peeled gentlemen...

Count me in.... no question........:thumbup:

I'll keep my "eyes peeled" also... but in case I were to miss it... "consider yourself notified"..... lol .......