Clash of the middle weights--TB vs HOGSJTACLE vs SFNOLE--What say you??Fill yer hand!

BOSS1

BOSS1

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Alright all, here we go...

The the top middle weight powerhouses--The Tankbuster with SpecOps, the HOGSJTACLE w/ Armorall, the SFNOLE w/ Chuddy Bear.

Its an early fall morning, the air is crisp, frost covers the ground, your pack's at the ready, your pooch wagging his tail in anticipation, or...

You see the trophy buck in your crosshairs, feel the Remington stock against your check, your finger taking up the pressure on the trigger, or...

The weather's turned, thick dark clouds menace the hill side and the rain starts to fall, wind howls, lightning crackles, thunder rolls, and the phone rings, or...

Any scenario you can think of...which would you pick and why? One, all three, something else????

What are you doing? What else are you taking? What would you put in the sheath pouches? Who else is going? What's the environment, etc etc etc. You can, pick one scenario, or discuss all three...
There's no wrong answer...just a fun chat...


Now fill yer hand, and explain why...

BOSS
 
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I'll take all three (LIKE A BOSS) because my waist is big enough that my belt is long enough to take all of them
THE TANKBUSTER IN MY LEFT HAND
THE SFNOLE IN THE RIGHT HAND
AND THE HOGSJTACLE IN MY RIGHT RIGHT HAND

Alright, in all seriousness I've never held any of these knives so I'd take them all out just to try them. That's all--just to play around and see how they cut and how they feel
 
To expand a bit, I'll throw in my $.02 worth.

In overall ratings, I'd list them as follows:

In terms of General Utility:

1. SFNO--Solid overall design/profile/Satin Finish
2. SJTAC--Trimmer design/nice pointer tip/satin finish
3. TankBuster--Nice belly, strong tip

In terms of toughness:
1. Tankbuster--no doubt
2. SJTAC--Full convex design carries quite a bit of material the full length of the blade to the tip. However, this is the HOG .22 version-- the standard version would probably drop down to #3.
3. SFNO--Solid overall design, very strong third place

So, overall, as I've posted before, if I was going into a 'this could get ugly' hard use field situation, where use might progress towards extra-hard use/abuse, the TankBuster would no doubt be the choice. 1/4 x 6 inch saber ground coated INFI, strong tip, nice belly, G10 TAC handle, skull crusher pommel. The SpecOps sheath is probably the most versatile and toughest, has a generous pouch, and would be the easiest to dry out if it got wet. I'd carry a fire starter, mini multitool, water purification tablets, small compass/whistle and folded back-up area map in the pouch. I'd have a quality folder with me, probably uncoated stainless blade,partially serrated for other tasks. I'd also expect I'd have along a larger pack with other necessities and probably have other folks at least in the area with me.

If I were planning a general camping type excusion, I'd take the SFNO. Great overall utility design/profile/size. Uncoated blade, comfy handle for use. Would work well around an established camp (near vehicles/shelter) or up/off the trail working from a backpack. Would expect I'd have additional gear either in the vehicle nearby or in the pack (clothes, boots, shelter, water, food, saw/hatchet, etc) along with me. Probably with other folks that could supplement with their gear as well. The Chuddy Bear pouch is pretty decent sized, so probably most of the same stuff as listed for the TB above and of course the same type of quality folder along as well.

The SJTAC would be my choice for day-hike or overnighters, where you might need a strong fixed blade, or maybe not. But of course nice to have along. A bit trimmer, more portable size and design, but still fully capable. Grippy textured TAC handle, pointer blade profile, full convex uncoated blade. The sheath pouch is correspondingly smaller, so it would probably contain some waterproof matches and a mini-multi-tool. On shorter trips to the woods, I always take a my versipak that carries most of short trip gear--basic shelter stuff, GPS, etc. Would have my usual folder. And these could be solo trips or in a small group, usually in decent weather.

There's obviously a lot of overlap and any one of the knives could probably serve in about any general multipurpose role, tho each has particular strengths that might make it a better choice depending the situation. In the end, they're knives, which means they're tools and a capable individual could perform with any of them. But it does make for some interesting real world use discussion.

Food for thought,
BOSS
 
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Hmm...quick trek in the woods around here?

I'd be carrying my usual beater Steel Heart Ergo, just because it is what I always use. It chops, it hacks, and it does everything well. But of course somewhere in my pack would be a smaller blade for backup. SH Meaner, or SHBA.
 
+1 for the SFNOLE!

Great size, amazing handle. I feel like I could use it all day long for just about any task with little to no fatigue at all. It just feels so right in every possible grip and situation I have put it through.

The only thing I'd add to BOSS1's list of pouch items are a couple fishing hooks and some line. BOSS1, you know whats up! :cool::thumbup:


I haven't tried the other choices but I'm sure they'd work well too. They were on my must-buy asap list, but once I wrapped my hands around the SFNOLE, my blade-buying priorities shifted to collecting all the other sizes I still don't have covered. It feels so good, I haven't felt the need or desire to pick up any other mid sized blades up to this point.


Yup, I gotta give one more +1 for the SFNOLE :p
 
I vote for the Tank Buster cause its the one I own. Although in a slightly different look. TB wsheath.jpgTBLE4a.jpgTBLE4b.jpg
 
If I had to choose a general purpose handle I'd go with the SFNO because the tac handle has a too-severe center swell for my hands. Were they significantly larger it might not be a problem. Also worth noting that the tank buster and sjtacle both have brutally thick edges and tips. I haven't owned an sfnole so I can't comment on it. anyone have mic readings on these three? something like this:
bossjackcomparisons3.jpg
 
I haven't held a SFNO but if its the last one in Boss1's first post then the handle looks like the Team Gemini handle and I think -for me at least- the tank buster handle is more comfortable.

The Tank Buster swells up and down but the Team gemini swells out

Its really a minor difference and a personal preference based on how my hand fits.3 Busse.jpg
 
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