DEVILFISH MODEL 2 First impressions

[ombrapelone]

An advice: due to my horrible english I hope the pics could speak for itself.

First some notes: the DevilFish Model 2 is the actual only available knife of the new Matt Roberts mid-tech line.
The Model 2 features a .270" thick, 7.5" long CPM3V blade, a 5.25" handle, and an overall length of 12.4". The heath treating is made by Paul Bos. Bead-blasted finish.

In hand the knife is really impressive, intimidate. You feel that for sure is a blade with fear of nothing.
The balance is exactly at where the handle finish and the blade begin.

The handle is green micarta, carved vertically and orizzontally. The grip is excellent without being scrub (abrasive, which is the right word?).

The edge is good, with an angle not so thin, maybe seeking for good edge retention on the camp chores.

Due to the correct balance and the weight of the knife, chopping is easy. Maybe I would try to thin a bit the edge in the next days, thinking the steel and the heath treating are first rate.
After the chopping session I test it as a cutting tool without touching the edge.

My skill as a cutter are minimal, but this is a job the knife could do well, thinking is not a little bushcraft or a similar slicer.

After that, some penetration tests, passed very well and without a sin on the point.

Conclusion: not really a conclusion, because this is a short test, but I can tell that the Model 2 can do any camp job with ease.
Thinking is a Matt Roberts knife, CPM-3V, 7,5" long and '270 thick, with a life warranty, I think it's fine blade and a unique deal for the price.

If you think I like the knife, thinking I have preordered all other models coming out in the next months with the DevilFish brand. Is it enough?

 

[Doug C]

Ombrapelone,
Thanks for your first impressions and pics. :thumbup:
I recently received a Devilfish Model 2 as well, though I haven't had the opportunity(or time) to have any fun with it.
I do agree with you that it looks like it should handle most all camp chores fairly easily.

Doug

 

[comoha]

Great review. Just makes me more eager to get my Model 4 Companion that I've been waiting on. I love Matt's designs on this line of knives.

 

[sixfoot7]

Thank you for the review. Your English is just fine, I could understand everything you meant. Better than some people who only speak English.

 

[ombrapelone]

Thank you Sixfoot7. I'm a bit embarassed of my poor english.

 

[LongRifle]

Emanuele, thank you very much for the great review. I really appreciate the time you invested.

I'm glad you're happy with your knife.

Thanks!

Matt

 

[mmmotorcycle]

That work is fantastic! I'm in the market for something smaller and Matt, that Model 4 looks real nice! I will shoot you a line in the next couple of months. :thumbup:

 

[orthogonal1]

How do you like the lower finger gaurd?

Looks a bit awkward.

 

[A.P.F.]

How do you like the lower finger gaurd?

Looks a bit awkward.

That's what I was thinking. It seems a bit redundant to me, although it would be a easy matter to remove it.

Thanks for the review, Ombrapelone. It looks like a great knife to have. :thumbup:

 

[t1mpani]

I have one of these as well, and can very confidently say that the lower guard is not redundant. The blade geometry is very thin down near the edge, and if you found your finger pushing hard up against it it would become uncomfortable quickly. As mine came, the right hand square edge was a little sharp, but a medium ceramic stick took care of that in about a minute. I'd try it first before deciding to grind it off.

Of course, having nearly lost the use of my hand due to tendon damage from sliding up onto the edge of a knife when I was dressing out a deer in very cold conditions, I'm admittedly biased in favor of pronounced guards.


Nice review :thumbup:

 

[Le Seb]

Great review, great pix and great knife !
Thanks to you I have one incomming as well !

 

[ombrapelone]

Thank you.

 

[fishface5]

good review - did you find that the stubby little top guard got in the way, or did you find it was useful? I know they can be ordered with or without "thumb ramp." I'm sorely tempted by this knife!

 

[ombrapelone]

For sure I is not a handicap.
Seriously:
Due to the lower guard you can't go so much advanced with your grip so is not an obstacle in any way. I can survive without but I find it a plus.
Maybe you could think to live without the lower guard but that is a very personal choice.

 

[LongRifle]

Thanks guys!

FYI, I do offer the knife guardless.

Matt