Bushcraft Passaround STOP 2

bdws1975

bdws1975

Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
3,721
Hi all,

I JUST got the two bushmaster knives. Post lady left notice yesterday afternoon and I picked them up this morning.

My plan is to make use of them for some food prep in my professional kitchen and then to have some fun with them at home.

If it's ok, I will ship them Friday afternoon.

Initial impressions:

HOLY CRAP!!! I am VERY impressed with both knives and sheaths. JRE did a fantastic job on the sheaths. One is a belt loop dangler with firesteel loop and the other is a belt sheath wiht a little more shape than the first.

I can't wait to try these babies out.

Thanks Daniel!

brett
 
You're welcome - Brett - can't wait to see the review!!

Dan

:thumbup:
 
Ok, well, I had some time to spend with the bushmaster today. I took a bunch of pictures in my kitchen with slicing meats, veggies and fruits, but I have not been able to download from that camera.

However, I brought it home this afternoon and spent some time.

First, here are a few pics of the bushcraft in all it's beauty

Kosterpassaround001.jpg

Kosterpassaround002.jpg


IN THE KITCHEN

I took the KB (koster bushcraft henceforth) into my kitchen and let my chef and sous-chef play with it.

They sliced veggies, meats, toast points, cantaloupe, strawberries, and frozen tortillas.

My chef really liked the heft of the knife but complained that:

1. It wasn't long enough for most general kitchen chores.
2. The blade's wedge like shape made doing veggies and fruits difficult.

All in all, while the KB would do any job in the kitchen you throw at her, she is not suited for heavy kitchen use.
 
IN THE YARD

I came home and immediately went out to the yard.

--Chopping

I found the KB exceptional at chopping. I had a 1.5 inch semi-green tree limb that I chopped through and the KB went through with no problems. The handle was comfortable and the heft and balance of the micarta version was outstanding for the job. Here are a few pics of the process:

Pic 1 Here is the limb after a few chops

Kosterpassaround013.jpg



Pic 2 Here is a pic of the KB lodged in the limb

Kosterpassaround012.jpg


Pic3 Here is a pic of the severed limb. No problem for the KB

Kosterpassaround014.jpg
 
--Batoning

I was REALLY impressed with the ability of the KB to baton through some pretty thick pieces of wood. I didn't even really have to apply much force with the striking stick to make the KB slice through. Here are some pics:

Pic1 Here is the KB with a start on a medium piece of wood

Kosterpassaround005.jpg


Pic 2 Here is the KB after I gave it a few whacks with the baton stick.

Kosterpassaround006.jpg


Pic 3 Medium size piece of wood

Kosterpassaround007.jpg


Pic 4 the KB finishing off the medium wood piece

Kosterpassaround008.jpg


--Wood penetration

The KB was very easy to handle and was a breeze to drive into a log I had lying around. I grasped the handle in a reverse grip and drive it with medium form into the log. Both versions penetrated the log easily:

Kosterpassaround004.jpg



Kosterpassaround003.jpg


--Slicing wood

I was pretty impressed with the edge on the KB. It was still sharp after all the usage thus far. I grabbed a 1/2 inch diameter branch and did some fine slicing. I was pretty impressed with how easy the knife was to control. I am not an expert on doing such, but it was easy even for me:

Kosterpassaround010.jpg


the blade geometry on the KB is also excellent. I held the branch firm and and took a firm slice at the wood. The angle at which the blade cleanly sliced the branch was quite steep,as the blade bit hard into the wood and sliced easily through:

Kosterpassaround011.jpg
 
SHEATH

This review would not be complete without mentioning the Sheaths. JRE made both of the ones the KB's were riding in and they are fantastic. Fit, finish and security of hold were SUPERB.

Kosterpassaround015.jpg

Kosterpassaround016.jpg

Kosterpassaround017.jpg

Kosterpassaround018.jpg


As you can see, each sheath was a bit different. while one had a belt loop clip and firesteel loop, the other was a normal belt sheath but with a very elegant line and form. both were beautiful and both were VERY functional.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

I was thoroughly impressed with the KB and sheaths. The blade was magnificant in terms of fit and finish, and would be the perfect all around camp knife. While it didn't fair as well in the kitchen as a conventional chef/cook's knife, it was more than adequate to each task it encountered.

In short, these are both FANTASTIC knives.

As a side note, I did find myself preferring the micarta version for two reasons:

1. the balance and weight seemed most suited for its intended purposes
2. the handle material was more secure both in the kitchen and in the yard.
3. striking the firesteel was a heck of a lot easier with the spine jimping on the micarta version

Daniel: thanks for this opportunity. Your work is amazing and I am now in the market for a new knife...:D

Best,
Brett
 
Daniel: I hope I have fulfilled my part of the bargain....:D

Really a great set of knives. Nice job!!!
 
Great review, Brett!

Daniel, when I get some more money in, I'm gonna be calling you. I've been seeing more and more of your work and it really looks outstanding!

:thumbup:
 
Sweet!


Great review, bdws1975! :thumbup:


Can't get any better than the ole honest-to-goodness truth.


Brian - nice to see you drop by, Bro! Hopefully this knife will see production soon!

Dan


p.s. next in line is Heavy
 
ok folks,i am an idiot. I have been reviewing the bushMASTER, not the bushCRAFT!

I am so sorry for my ignorance.

brett
 
LOL!!! I didn't even notice the title of the thread....just assumed it was the Bush-Master because of the passaround....:foot:

Got me on that one. ;)
 
And I get to be after Heavy, REALLY looking forward to the opportunity. Hopefully my turn will coinside with a day off and not an 11 hour work day. I've got some nice plans for these...
 
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