Did I just make a mistake?

jmclfrsh

jmclfrsh

Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
1,379
I just bought this safe queen on an impulse purchase. I have always loved the blade shape, and, having The King, a 5, a 15 and mad respect for Ethan - I thought I'd better jump on this unused one when I came across it.

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So I went through the "Brute" thread immediately afterward and lo and behold, it sounds like this knife is not very well liked. Even by Uncle Ethan himself.

So I now have mixed feelings a bit, but I still am looking forward to receiving it. I really like the way it looks, and always have. I like the wider part near the tip, it's like nothing else I've ever seen on a knife.

What is it about them that turns people off? Is it not heavy enough at the tip to be a good chopper, or just kinda "meh" to folks? It sounds like I'd need to get it reprofiled from the onset to about 35 degrees.

I resisted buying a BK20 -and should not have, what with all the Hinderer folders I've bought over the past 5 weeks (7) and now am wondering if that would have been a better move than jumping on this.

For what I paid for it, I suppose I can resell it and still pull the trigger on a 20. I do like that blade as well.

Is The Brute not well liked universally, a show horse, and nothing more? All hat and no cattle? :eek:
 
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jmclfrsh said:
I just bought this safe queen on an impulse purchase. I have always loved the blade shape, and, having The King, a 5, a 15 and mad respect for Ethan - I thought I'd better jump on this unused one when I came across it.

View attachment 651331

So I went through the "Brute" thread immediately afterward and lo and behold, it sounds like this knife is not very well liked. Even by Uncle Ethan himself.

So I now have mixed feelings a bit, but I still am looking forward to receiving it. I really like the way it looks, and always have. I like the wider part near the tip, it's like nothing else I've ever seen on a knife.

What is it about them that turns people off? Is it not heavy enough at the tip to be a good chopper, or just kinda "meh" to folks? It sounds like I'd need to get it reprofiled from the onset to about 35 degrees.

I resisted buying a BK20 -and should not have, what with all the Hinderer folders I've bought over the past 5 weeks (7) and now am wondering if that would have been a better move than jumping on this.

For what I paid for it, I suppose I can resell it and still pull the trigger on a 20. I do like that blade as well.

Is The Brute not well liked universally, a show horse, and nothing more? All hat and no cattle? :eek:
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Personally I really like the brute, even if some folks dislike it, for me is badass , mean looking blade.
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I too, really like the Brute. Bad ass looking blade.

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The Brute works well. It just doesn't work as well as a 9, 20 or 21. The Brute's sweet spot (to me at least) seems smaller and takes some getting used to. I use mine, but not as often as I do the others. Will I get rid of mine? Nope.
 
Warrior, your photos were my inspiration to jump on it. Great job, man.

Weren't there several makers of the Brute, and this appears to have the rougher epoxy coating on it.

I was wondering if you (or someone) could tell me which one I purchased by the sheath that came with it. It is knife and sheath, no box.

As the name is rolled, not stamped, and I know The Brute is older but it doesn't have the smooth coating so I'm kind of confused.

My 9 and 5 have the smooth coating, the 15 has the rough epoxy and I know it's of more recent manufacture...therein my confusion as to which one this really is.

Thanks

John
 
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Hey jmclfrsh.....

It is not a bad knife but, it punches well below it's weight class..... The blade design is from Mike Stewart and it has grand curve and aesthetics but it just does not perform as well as a 4,10,20 or 21..... A shame, as it sure do look pretty..... Think spectacular looking chick with the brains of a gnat......

Should be a keeper as they are reasonably rare, I think........


Ethan
 
Ethan,

Thank you for the clarity, that really clears things up.

I've always admired the way you carry yourself, your interaction with us, and your design skills - but you are a fine orator as well. A lot of info was conveyed here in a very succinct way. Nice!

Lord knows I've bought knives solely for looks before, and never actually cut anything with them, but have plenty that do.
I suppose this one might fall into that category, although I might send it to someone for a reprofiling.

Luckily my current BKT knives in hand are all very adept at their jobs, and will continue to remain so. And now I'm on a quest for the 20 I should have purchased when I first saw one.

Lastly, I'm discovering my girlfriend is resembling the female you describe. Maybe it's time to work on an exit strategy for that situation as well, but that's a different story for another time.

That unit was acquired on the basis of appearance also, before I knew what was truly under the hood. :)
 
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Ethan Becker said:
Think spectacular looking chick with the brains of a gnat......

Ethan
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And what's wrong with that???

Not everyone I meet would be my very first choice for a Trivial Pursuit Contest or the Friend I would call if I were on Who Wants to be a Millionaire!

Back to the Brute: Knives, like cars, motorcycles, guns, art ... and women I suppose, do not have to be the very best at everything (or anything) in order to be attractive, sought after and cherished.

If you fall out of love with your Brute, give me a call as I have no problem with love on the rebound.
 
SALTY said:
And what's wrong with that???

Not everyone I meet would be my very first choice for a Trivial Pursuit Contest or the Friend I would call if I were on Who Wants to be a Millionaire!

Back to the Brute: Knives, like cars, motorcycles, guns, art ... and women I suppose, do not have to be the very best at everything (or anything) in order to be attractive, sought after and cherished.

If you fall out of love with your Brute, give me a call as I have no problem with love on the rebound.
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All of the above, great answer Salty!
After 21 years of marriage to a brainiac, there's been plenty of times I wished she was dingy and would just answer "okay honey hehe" instead of things becoming an interrogation...

I've never been fascinated with the brute. I guess the price vs performance would be the biggest factor. If I found one on the cheap, maybe...
 
^^ Brian probably agrees...unless he just got rid of her. And that is why she misses him.

Hey, if the Brute does not live up to the King, at least I'll have one bad-a** watermelon knife!
 
The Brute will not out chop the niner. But, it does do okay though.

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Ethan Becker said:
Hey NC....

I really did LOL..... Still chuckling.....

E
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Hah, I saved that pic about a year ago and finally had a chance to use it....worth it!

Hey jmclfrsh...you made no mistake. You get a chance to play with a well sought after blade. If it's not for you, recovering the funds shouldnt be too difficult.

The mistake IMO is not snagging a Bundok. They're still reasonably priced at the moment so the sooner the better. In the future they may run well over the price of the Brute.
 
I agree, no mistake. I have no intention of ever using my NIB BK1, but it is still one of my favorite.

I was so afraid of missing out on the BK20 that I bought 3 sets and still feel like I might grab another if prices remain reasonable. The Bundok is a helluva a blade.
 
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