D.P. Knives Wilderness Pass Around
- Thread starter tonym
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Bump!
Lets get this filled up and started!
Lets get this filled up and started!
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2008
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- 1,093
OK, guys, I have not been goofing off. The last several weeks have been a sh!tstorm of bad stuff and I am behind. If anyone has PM'd or e-mailed me and I have not replied, bear with me - I AM catching up. This is going to be short but I have to get this one the way to Rockywolf and - NO, it did NOT go out today because the mail lady went EARLY!! She was not happy with me anyway because she had to come down the drive and get out of the car and got wet. So - Monday!
When I first saw a picture of the knife, honestly, I wished I had not agreed to the pass-around. While it looked nice, it was not the kind of knife I would give a second look and I was afraid I would not be able to give it a fair shake - not really knowing how to work with certain features. Personal prejudices would have deprived me of experiencing something good. I like being wrong in that way though. Like I told Tony, "being wrong like that is like getting a present." You get something unexpected that's good - a nice surprise.
First thing I saw that I didn't like was the front of the handle. I like a handle all the way to the blade and the edge all the eay to the handle. This one didn't have either, but in handling and use, it did not prove to be an issue. It feels good in my hand, is well balanced and had a natural feel.
I don't like serrations where my thumb might be for certain tasks but these are large, shallow, well spaced, round-bottomed and comfortable. They also work better for striking a ferro-rod than the "file-tooth" serrations I have seen. The curve along the spine turned me off to the Northstar and Fox River but now I think that their handles, in combination with the curve was more what I didn't get along with. The curve in the Wilderness was not an issue. It put the point where it needed to be for fine tasks - a "must" for me.
Thin handles are great for light weight and concealability, but when you have to "muscle" a cut, they can be uncomfortable. This one, although quite slim, was actually comfortable to me. I did not cut a mess of sapplings for a shelter or sharpen tarp stakes, but if the edge is right, it's less of an issue anyway. As thin as this one is in the handle, it felt good.
The edge - I am VERY picky about geometry and have reground a lot of knives other felt were just fine. If there is too much meat just behind the edge (Scott Gossman REALLY has a handle on this and shared some very good insight with me on it, for which I am very grateful), you are going to work too hard or not use the knife. The Wilderness is flat-ground with a secondary bevel and the combination of the blade height and flat bevel makes this one a cutter. I would still do some minor work on the edge myself but my own preferences are very specific and not necessarily to everyone's taste. The bevel will make for a durable edge and, depending on your personal sharpening preferences, would be just fine as-is.
Has anyone noticed that my photos do not necessarily correspond to what I am saying? I am sticking pics in here so you don't go to sleep reading my blather. I had to get what shots I could - when I could. Hopefully thes pics give you a good idea of what this knife is about.
I used the Wilderness to make a fire. I split some sticks for kindling and made some fuzzies. I stropped it on very fine comnpound on a piece of leather a few strokes but did not "sharpen" it. My own old habits would change the edge and the "next guy" would not get a feel for Doug's work.
Batoning went well until I got this far and the knife just wouldn't go any more. Luckily, I was able to split the log with a maul and actually miss this knife. Not really! That was an existing big split that I stuck the knife in to give Tony a rise
. Sorry, Tony. It's a sickness and I have not been able to shake it.
To make up for being such a turd, I wrapped the knife in something for Tony. It may not restart his heart, but I hope he can forgive me now. I hope this looks like what you were looking for.
Overall, the Wilderness turned out to be a neat knife. The workmanship is good and attention to detail was eveident in all the right places. Everything is symetrically shaped, the faces of the blade are ground to the same point, there are no gaps between the scales and tang, everything is finsished off well and the blade is NOT overly meaty behind the edge. The knife has obviously been used but seems to have stood up well with no obvious impending failures as a result - just good ol' fashioned "character marks." While it would not have caught my eye and made me pick it up, I found that there were details about it that were executed well which made it convenient and comfortable to use.
Thanks Tony, thanks, Doug. I appreciate being part of the pass-around. I appreciate anyone's time and attention who took the time to read this as well.:thumbup:
When I first saw a picture of the knife, honestly, I wished I had not agreed to the pass-around. While it looked nice, it was not the kind of knife I would give a second look and I was afraid I would not be able to give it a fair shake - not really knowing how to work with certain features. Personal prejudices would have deprived me of experiencing something good. I like being wrong in that way though. Like I told Tony, "being wrong like that is like getting a present." You get something unexpected that's good - a nice surprise.
First thing I saw that I didn't like was the front of the handle. I like a handle all the way to the blade and the edge all the eay to the handle. This one didn't have either, but in handling and use, it did not prove to be an issue. It feels good in my hand, is well balanced and had a natural feel.
I don't like serrations where my thumb might be for certain tasks but these are large, shallow, well spaced, round-bottomed and comfortable. They also work better for striking a ferro-rod than the "file-tooth" serrations I have seen. The curve along the spine turned me off to the Northstar and Fox River but now I think that their handles, in combination with the curve was more what I didn't get along with. The curve in the Wilderness was not an issue. It put the point where it needed to be for fine tasks - a "must" for me.
Thin handles are great for light weight and concealability, but when you have to "muscle" a cut, they can be uncomfortable. This one, although quite slim, was actually comfortable to me. I did not cut a mess of sapplings for a shelter or sharpen tarp stakes, but if the edge is right, it's less of an issue anyway. As thin as this one is in the handle, it felt good.
The edge - I am VERY picky about geometry and have reground a lot of knives other felt were just fine. If there is too much meat just behind the edge (Scott Gossman REALLY has a handle on this and shared some very good insight with me on it, for which I am very grateful), you are going to work too hard or not use the knife. The Wilderness is flat-ground with a secondary bevel and the combination of the blade height and flat bevel makes this one a cutter. I would still do some minor work on the edge myself but my own preferences are very specific and not necessarily to everyone's taste. The bevel will make for a durable edge and, depending on your personal sharpening preferences, would be just fine as-is.
Has anyone noticed that my photos do not necessarily correspond to what I am saying? I am sticking pics in here so you don't go to sleep reading my blather. I had to get what shots I could - when I could. Hopefully thes pics give you a good idea of what this knife is about.
I used the Wilderness to make a fire. I split some sticks for kindling and made some fuzzies. I stropped it on very fine comnpound on a piece of leather a few strokes but did not "sharpen" it. My own old habits would change the edge and the "next guy" would not get a feel for Doug's work.
Batoning went well until I got this far and the knife just wouldn't go any more. Luckily, I was able to split the log with a maul and actually miss this knife. Not really! That was an existing big split that I stuck the knife in to give Tony a rise
. Sorry, Tony. It's a sickness and I have not been able to shake it.
To make up for being such a turd, I wrapped the knife in something for Tony. It may not restart his heart, but I hope he can forgive me now. I hope this looks like what you were looking for.
Overall, the Wilderness turned out to be a neat knife. The workmanship is good and attention to detail was eveident in all the right places. Everything is symetrically shaped, the faces of the blade are ground to the same point, there are no gaps between the scales and tang, everything is finsished off well and the blade is NOT overly meaty behind the edge. The knife has obviously been used but seems to have stood up well with no obvious impending failures as a result - just good ol' fashioned "character marks." While it would not have caught my eye and made me pick it up, I found that there were details about it that were executed well which made it convenient and comfortable to use.
Thanks Tony, thanks, Doug. I appreciate being part of the pass-around. I appreciate anyone's time and attention who took the time to read this as well.:thumbup:
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2005
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- 11,133
Nice revew Jeff. I like the batoning pic....
I am very interested to get his knife, and check it out myself.
I am very interested to get his knife, and check it out myself.
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2008
- Messages
- 9,491
Jeff, you give some of the greatest reviews I have read, thanks for taking part in this pass around.:thumbup:
Excellent pics, I really liked the batoning one Its hard to get a rise out of me by using a knife, besides we put that knife through hell allready at the W.L.C. But good try though
The sheath looks perfect, better than I could imagine:thumbup:
I appreciate you taking part in this passaround, but I wish you let me pay you for the sheath. I have witnessed your generosity in the past and it always amazes me when how often I see it here on the forums. Your a great guy bro, and it will not be forgotten.:thumbup:
Excellent pics, I really liked the batoning one
Its hard to get a rise out of me by using a knife, besides we put that knife through hell allready at the W.L.C. But good try thoughThe sheath looks perfect, better than I could imagine:thumbup:
I appreciate you taking part in this passaround, but I wish you let me pay you for the sheath. I have witnessed your generosity in the past and it always amazes me when how often I see it here on the forums. Your a great guy bro, and it will not be forgotten.:thumbup:
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2005
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- 7,499
Oh I have Jake's address. Will send it after review....probably go out Sat.
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2005
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- 7,499
Ok my turn on this passaround. I received it yesterday. Fantastic job on the sheath Jeff! You will love it Tony. I'm not too sure I like the way the handle reveals so much blade....just something I am not used to. It does NOT impair grip or functionality.
Here's what I did today for review purposes. Took it outside along with several other knives for comparison sake. A DP Companion, RC-3, and Breeden Pathfinder went along for the ride. The SAK is for size reference.
I made a fire with my little Esbit stove. I wanted to see how easy it was to light one of the fuel tablets and how long it burned. I didn't have a container sized large enough to rest over the flame, otherwise I would have boiled water to test the heat output too. Had an Olicamp mug, but it was just too small. Burned for about ten minutes and the tablet wouldn't light with a firesteel. I tried a BIC lighter and it didn't work either. Ended having to go through a few matches to get fire.
The Companion has deeper serrations and I find they strike a firesteel much better than this model. I also don't care for the handle choil-I have thick fingers and it just got in the way. It was not uncomforable or fatiguing, just don't care for it. The handle is thin, close to the same thickness as the RC-3. I like a meatier handle like the companion.
I quick carved a fuzz stick to showcase the sharpness of both of Doug's knives. It was a green stick and they both moved through it easily and effectively. I did some light chopping on a fat, dry stick and neither suffered any edge degradation. Didn't do any real tough food prep, just made a salami sandwich with some artichoke hearts, olives, and feta cheese. I am Italian after all! And so is Tony...
I will have this knife on the way to Jake asap. Overall I like the knife ( I like my Companion better!). Doug is a great maker and very easy to deal with...I will recommend him to anyone! Get one from him and you won't be disappointed.
On with the pics:
Here's what I did today for review purposes. Took it outside along with several other knives for comparison sake. A DP Companion, RC-3, and Breeden Pathfinder went along for the ride. The SAK is for size reference.
I made a fire with my little Esbit stove. I wanted to see how easy it was to light one of the fuel tablets and how long it burned. I didn't have a container sized large enough to rest over the flame, otherwise I would have boiled water to test the heat output too. Had an Olicamp mug, but it was just too small. Burned for about ten minutes and the tablet wouldn't light with a firesteel. I tried a BIC lighter and it didn't work either. Ended having to go through a few matches to get fire.
The Companion has deeper serrations and I find they strike a firesteel much better than this model. I also don't care for the handle choil-I have thick fingers and it just got in the way. It was not uncomforable or fatiguing, just don't care for it. The handle is thin, close to the same thickness as the RC-3. I like a meatier handle like the companion.
I quick carved a fuzz stick to showcase the sharpness of both of Doug's knives. It was a green stick and they both moved through it easily and effectively. I did some light chopping on a fat, dry stick and neither suffered any edge degradation. Didn't do any real tough food prep, just made a salami sandwich with some artichoke hearts, olives, and feta cheese. I am Italian after all! And so is Tony...
I will have this knife on the way to Jake asap. Overall I like the knife ( I like my Companion better!). Doug is a great maker and very easy to deal with...I will recommend him to anyone! Get one from him and you won't be disappointed.
On with the pics:
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- Dec 17, 2005
- Messages
- 7,809
Nice reviews guys. Looking forward to getting my hands on this.
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2005
- Messages
- 11,133
:thumbup:Got this Blade today. I will work with it, and have something up on friday.
Initial impression: I like the Bocote, and the handle shape is great. Reminds me of a Gossman. I wish the scales were a bit thicker, but its so light and thin, and packable, that the utility outweighs this issue.:thumbup:
Initial impression: I like the Bocote, and the handle shape is great. Reminds me of a Gossman. I wish the scales were a bit thicker, but its so light and thin, and packable, that the utility outweighs this issue.:thumbup: