CQB1

John Hollister

John Hollister

Joined
Feb 3, 1999
Messages
3,180
Anyone have a CQB1 yet?

I picked mine up last week. I have to say I'm pretty impressed.

The blade geometry is great. I love the bayonet style blade, but would like a sharpened top edge.

The sheath is awesome. The Tek-lok is a great system, IWB belt loop is functional. It even comes with a Sentry Marine Tuf-cloth!

My one real complaint is the grip. The micarta scales are a great start, but it feels blocky . . . unfinished. There are serrations in the tang, but their below the level of the scales and are all but useless. The micarta scales are left fairly slick (not polished, just not rough) and the lack of a guard can (and already has) cause a slight "hand-slipping-on-to-the-blade" problem. Contouring and roughing of the scales would go a long way on this knife.

Just my opinion.

John Hollister

View
 
Even with the finger groove(s), there is a bit of problem with your hand slipping?! I would have thought, just by looking, that the index finger groove would work pretty well to prevent this. I had sort-of planned, or had toyed with the idea, of getting the smaller version that I have heard rumors of, but maybe I won't now.

I'm wondering about the serrations on the tang, too. My BM 710 has serrations like that (level with, or below the level of, the scales). I assume that is supposed to be that way?

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iktomi
 
I think the answer would be a more rounded/less blocky grip and roughing up the the scales a tad. I hope they change this.

I don't really get the whole serrations level or below the scale level. I guess if you had a really fat hand, it might work out.

Overall I like the knife. The grip shape can be changed.

John
 
Mr Hollister,
Glad you like your CQB-1! Let me see if I can adress some of your questions/concerns...

The handle is in fact 3-D contoured, rounded around the edges and tapered front to back with a swell in the middle. Canvas micrata wa chosen for the handle material by the designer, Bob Terzuola, because of its deserved reputation as a GREAT gripping surface, even when wet. The canvas micarta is blasted with ceramic beads when the blade is finished, leaving what we, CAMILLUS and Bob T., feel is a good gripping surface, without being to rough. Keep in mind that this knife is designed to be carried, and in alot of cases, carried concealed close to the body. Super rough handles can be abrasive when the knife is carried inside the waistband with the hadle next to the skin.
The 'grippy grooves'[Phil Gibb's term]are designed flush with the scales on purpose. They are below the suface of the handles so as not to catch on, or intefere with anything, unless the handle is grasped in a firm grip. Then the 'meat' of your hand/fingers presses down past the scales, egaging the 'grippy grooves' and providing traction as needed. Once again, the flush grooves don't abraid the skin when carried close to the body.
The scales are tapered, providing a palm swell, but still realtively flat for cancealment.

If you want a more aggressive texture, and a more rounded handle, feel free to modify. That is another thing about Canvas Micarta, it is relativley easy to work with. But please carry and use the knife for awhile first, and make sure you want to change anything. We have shipped ALOT of these knives, and have heard glowing responses about the handle/scales. I carry one nearly every day, IWB, and have not felt the need to change a thing.

Thanks for being a customer!


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Stay Sharp!
Will Fennell
Camillus Cutlery


 
Mr. Fennell,

Again, great design. Love the knife, it's a keeper.

I understand you reasoning, however it still feels blocky and slick. At the least I'll re-contour the grip a tad to make it less blocky. You have a good point about the texture of the scales, but I'm not looking to carry it so much IWB. I am concerned about my hand sliding up the blade, it happened once already (no injury). The bayonet style blade lends itself to stabbing over slashing (although it's a fair slasher in it's own right) and the blocky feel, slick scales and lack of a guard may cause some users problems.

Keep up the great products

John Hollister
 
Hang on, this isn't the Spyderco forum!!
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I'm considering getting a CQB1 as my first fixed blade. I'm a huge fan of Mr T's stuff and think this one is no exception.
My only Camillus to date has been a Cyber knife which has left me underwhelmed due to some rust pitting on the unused yet WD40 sprayed blade. Is this a problem marring the CQB1??
 
Ferret

Since I started this mess, let me say that I don't consider it to be a "problem". Just in need of tweeking. As I've stated here a couple of times, they did a great job on the CQB1.

John Hollister

P.S. Loved you in the commercials
smile.gif
 
I took delivery of my CQB1 less than a fortnight ago and I love it. So far it hasn't done anything nastier than shred some timber and prepare a couple of stews and I hope it never has to.

The blocky grip seems to suit my hand well, the shape looked a bit too square at first but it feels very natural. The inset grooves do work even when wet. I personally find micarta to be sticky enough when wet though some people don't.

The lack of a guard could be a problem, I like a guard but it would make a mess of the lines of the knife, its ease of carry and concealability. So far the forefinger groove has done the job but I haven't tried stabbing anything tougher than a turnip
smile.gif


Do I have any criticisms? Only one. The exposed grooves are a bit sharp to the touch. Past experience tells me those will hurt if there's a lot of work to be done.

All in all, a great knife.

Roger
 
OK, I've been carrying the CQB1 around using the IWB option and I'm in love. Great knife guys. While I still think the grip is a tad blocky, you get used to it.

I thought that concealing a knife this large was going to be tough, but using the IWB strap, it all but disappears under an ugly Hawaiian shirt or light vest.

The sheath is not to be believed. It's by far the most versatile sheath I've seen on a production knife.

You owe it to yourselves to check this one out.

John Hollister
 
Has the CQB2 been released yet? The shorter bladed version? It is more my size, and I have considered buying it.

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iktomi
 
John,
Glad you like the sheath system! I carry a CQB1 'IWB' alot, and couldn't agree with you more. I never thought a fighter that large could conceal soooo easily and comfortably.

Rockspyder,
As mentioned in previous threads, the CQB2 is not due to even be unvieled until BLADESHOW, in June. This knife will be even more concealable. I will keep everyone up to date as info can be released.


Thanks for the interest....


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Stay Sharp!
Will Fennell
Camillus Cutlery


 
Today I joined the CQB Club!!
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I loves it and look forward to many hours fooling with all the sheath gubbins. Very much like the weight of the knife and the feel of the handle (certainly wouldn't want the handle to be any smaller). Winner!!
 
Will & Co.,
For those of us who must remain tied to our oars & cannot frolic amongst the steel at the Blade show... What is the blade length of the CQB2? Just a little taste of the specs? Please?

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Runs With Scissors
AKTI# A000107
 
Rugger,
We have been changing around the CQB2 quite a bit, tweaking its deminsions to fit its role as a back-up, concealable, fixed blade. Blade lenght will remain at 3.9". Its gonna be cool, I can't wait myself
biggrin.gif


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Stay Sharp!
Will Fennell
Camillus Cutlery
www.camillusknives.com
 
The CQB1 is a great knife. I don't have anything bad to say about it, except: I do not like the sheat. It is a great sheat if you want to carry the knife concealed, but when I carry it in my belt it "rides" too high. It is almost impossible to carry the knife in your belt if you carry a backpack. Do any of you have an solution to this problem.
 
Will,
Thanx for the info- it'll be worth the wait.
rgds,
Mike

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Runs With Scissors
AKTI# A000107
 
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