D-2 Custom from SURSUM Knifeworks

[Mistwalker]

This knife is one of the knives I brought home with me from the blade show. It is actually only on loan to me from one of my mentors, John Hutcheson, of SURSUM Knife Works...also of RMJ Tactical. He loaned it to me for my studies in handle ergonomics and blade geometries in prep for one of my own personal projects. I was never expected to review it but the more I mess with it the more I like it and the more I want to show it off....so here goes.

It has an over-all length of 9 7/8 inches and a blade length of 5.25 inches. John has a love for D-2 steel so that is what this one is made of. It has a nearly flat ground blade. The handle scales are tan canvas micarta with some nice mosaic pins, and it has a brass guard. Not all of John's knives have guards but he knows how my tastes run.

This thing feels really good in my hand.

The tapered tang is a really nice touch.

It has a very nice edge and handles well.

It also has great balance.

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[Mistwalker]

I really like that John soldered the guard.

I also like his leather work a lot.

I really like the retention strap on this one too and the way it wraps the handle. Even if it get unsnapped by briers and vines the knife won't easily fall out of the sheath.

I took it with me on a short hike through the woods with a friend this evening to work with it a little more. I'm slowly but surely getting better at my left handed fuzz sticks.

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[Mistwalker]

It really does have a nice edge. After a quick push-cut through a small hardwood branch I decided to turn it into a trap trigger. The flat grind of the knife cuts great and it really does handle very well.

Since I nearly tripped over an old piece of fatwood...looking up at a noisy pileated woodpecker rather than watching where I was going...I decided I'd try a little fire craft.

The more I work with it the more I like it. I think it is going to get another work out in the kitchen soon when I make a pan of chicken and dressing.


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[texastonydobbs]

Great Review....

 

[Mistwalker]

Great Review....

Thanks Tony. I figured since I'd had it out doing a little more with today it that was more relative to this section I'd start a more complete review of the knife here.

 

[omniviking]

nice review, nice knife

 

[Mistwalker]

Thankyou, glad you liked the review.

The knife is really sweet!

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[mcjhrobinson]

i like the belly on that bad boy!! nice review mist! and thank you

 

[Mistwalker]

i like the belly on that bad boy!! nice review mist! and thank you

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it.

Yeah, me too but it still has a great point, this thing is really sweet! I hope John doesn't mind that I'm getting it dirty...he's the one who said "take it and use it"...and it's not like he doesn't know me.

 

[DennisStrickland]

great pics as always thanks dennis.

 

[OldPhysics]

That's a really excellent solder job. I suspect the gap must be very small, regular, and smooth. I don't think most people know how difficult it is to do even a decent solder on a long piece like that, let alone what I see in your picture.

Classic blade design, if I bit smaller than I thought at first. Of course, that just makes carry easier. I also like that point, which I imagine is very useful.

Fine knife, great review.:thumbup:

 

[Rockywolf]

Nice looking knife. Looking forward to more to the review.

 

[Tostig]

I agree, good looking knife there. The handle seems to be a perfect fit for work. The mosaics stand out to me too , interesting color of micarta too. Solid looking sheath.

Thanks for the pics.

Tostig

 

[Ken C.]

Knife reviews belong in Knife Reviews & Testing regardless of the application in which you're testing it in.

 

[Mistwalker]

I got the chance to check out a few more of John's knives today. Some of these are fifteen years old...I spent a lot of time experiencing blade envy.

This one is an 18 inch trail knife with a 12 inch Wharncliffe blade made of 3/8 D-2. It has a taper ground tang tapered at the same angle as the blade grind.

This is an matching hatchet/hawk to go with it made of 1/2 S-7, and yes it is very sharp.

A hunting knife he made for his oldest son some years back.

I like this fillet knife a lot!

 

[Mistwalker]

This is a custom tactical he made for a friend.

I really like this Damascus camp knife with raised monogram.

I also really like this little one he calls the Butter Knife!

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[d762nato]

Man he makes some nice stuff, :thumbup: That Damascus camp knife is really sweet.

 

[Mistwalker]

Man he makes some nice stuff, :thumbup: That Damascus camp knife is really sweet.

Yeah, John makes some really sweet knives!! He has a clip point bowie I fell in love with at Blade too.

Ryan made the Damascus billet that camp knife is made out of and the picture really doesn't do it justice. The lines are beautiful, Johns grind is fantastic and the raised monogram just blows me away.

 

[Tostig]

That Wharncliff knife is freaking awesome ! What a blade That is something I'd love to try out.


Tostig

 

[Mistwalker]

That Wharncliff knife is freaking awesome ! What a blade That is something I'd love to try out.


Tostig

The Wharncliffe is absolutely fantastic, and handles reeeeally well too! But I've just been smitten by John's work in general. His attention to details is awesome, and I love his leather work!