- Joined
- Jan 29, 2016
- Messages
- 2
Hello, I am new to the forum here. I will do a brief introduction here and on another post a little more in depth. I am Jackson Wiggs and I am all all around outdoorsman. I hunt, fish, shoot, backpack, sail, and everything in between. I earned my Eagle Scout in 2012. I am a certified NRA Instructor for Pistol, Shotgun, and Muzzle-loading. I am also the 2016 National Rifle Association Youth Ambassador for the Boy Scouts of America representing the 2.5 million youth at several industry venues. Now tasked with writing reviews, here is my first product review and thanks for DPX gear for giving me the opportunity to test such a fine product.
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I must admit here, that in my scouting and outdoor carrier that I tended to buy the $10 specials on knives in the outdoor section of Walmart. It was out of the question to spend more that $50 on a knife that I would just use in the woods that would get cut, scratched, and even rusty. I never truly understood what I was messing out when it came to a quality blade. In a search for a knife that would satisfy my needs which were to have great build quality, a razor edge, great price point, and have multiple uses. When it comes to my backpacking expeditions the most important thing is weight, where can you shed it or what one item could replace two. Well I found something that may suit my taste the DPX Gear H.E.S.T.
Hostile Environment Survival Tool
The knife is built like a tank with a full tang measuring .19 (5mm) made of high carbon 1905 steel. DPX used steel that has a 57-58 Rockwell hardness. The coating provided is a thick black textured powder coat which makes the steel very easy to handle without slipping even when wet. Then look at the blade you notice how thick the spine is compared to other fixed blade knives on the market which gives strength to the edge. The strength is vital when splitting fuel for fires as it keeps the knife from binding and bending. When the time calls it even can withstand the abuse of repeated hits when splitting larger pieces.
There are plenty of lashing points on the knife from the 3 drilled holes, the bottle opener, and the wire cutter. The blade it features a unique bottle opener on top, little dangerous for how sharp this edge came from the factory, but it offers great tie down point if fashioning it to a stick to create a spear if the time ever came. Towards the bottom youll see another slot, DPX claims it is a wire breaker however I had not had the opportunity to test it without angering some local farmers. However, Bear Claw Chris Lappe from The Blade Forums proved with some effort it can be done. As the name suggest, it is a survival tool integrated with tools you may never need, but when the time comes to use it youll sure be glad you have it. Jutting out the end of the handle is a multipurpose spike. Angle the blade up (use caution, I always installed the sheath) and now you have yourself a handy pry bar. It also serves as a pinky protector, glass break, and a blunt weapon. This is the base level H.E.S.T. knife that comes with green canvas micarta however they still provide comfortable grip with enough texture to retain restraint of the knife. If the scales are not for you, the two brass post screws come out to reveal a skeletonized handle perfect for a paracord wrapping.
I found the knife to large and heavy to use as a neck knife, but to each his own. However the compartment is perfect to store a peice of flint or any other survival tools that may come in handy. That little washer that DPX gives you, it fits the screws perfectly so you always have a tool to open up to retrieve your items.
Now moving onto the accessories that come with knife, DPX gives you a high quality Kydex sheath. The knife clicks perfectly into place and has enough retention hold it in while bouncing up and down. However, DPX gives you the ability to adjust the retention with two post screws. DPX gives you versatility when it comes to mounting. It comes out the box with about a foot-long piece of paracord and a cinch that can be used to make belt loops or attaching it to a backpack. Then they go even further and added a kydex backed metal clip that can be mounted in several directions. You wont see this amount of detail from other manufactures.
Lets look back at my original request for a quality knife. It must be built strong which comes from the thick handle and the full tang construction. It must have a razor blade which the H.E.S.T is definitely not lacking passing all the paper test and my dads personal favorite, Can I shave my arm hair off which it did in one clean pass. Everyone is concerned with price. Am I getting enough knife for my money? The thing about the DPX H.E.S.T. is your not just buying a knife. You get the holster and all the hardware included. A custom Kydex sheath can range anywhere from $30-$50 on top of what the knife cost. So once you deduct the price of the sheath you end up with a very reasonable priced knife that doesnt lack in terms of quality. This is a product that will not fail in times of need, its the perfect tool to carry wither for EDC or backup.
Pros
Extremely ridged construction.
Thick spine allows for batoning to split wood.
One of the sharpest edges from a knife directly out of the box.
Extremely durable and quality finished powder coat job that has yet to wear away.
The multiple tie-down spots leave infinite possibilities for using and storing the blade.
One of the nicest Kydex sheaths that is all ready included
Cons
From my experience, I couldnt find a way to mount the knife parallel with the belt.
The knife being carbon steel, the fine edge will rust if not cared for.
I wish the scales were more flush fitted.
Slightly heavy for ultralight gearheads.
The final complaint I have with the sheath is that it mounts the knife 50/50 which means the belt sits in the middle of the knife. To me I wish it had a slightly dropped down design to lower the handle on your waist.
Features
MSRP: $123.75
Durable black powder coating
1095 carbon steel with Rockwell Hardness of 57-58
Pry bar
Multiple lashing points
Wire breaker
Bottle Opener
Thumb control serrations
Green canvas scales with micro storage cell
Kydex sheath with multiple mounting brackets
MADE IN AMERICA
Thanks for reading and definitely go check out their great selection of other knives. Soon to come is an update on the longevity and overall thoughts on the knife.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I must admit here, that in my scouting and outdoor carrier that I tended to buy the $10 specials on knives in the outdoor section of Walmart. It was out of the question to spend more that $50 on a knife that I would just use in the woods that would get cut, scratched, and even rusty. I never truly understood what I was messing out when it came to a quality blade. In a search for a knife that would satisfy my needs which were to have great build quality, a razor edge, great price point, and have multiple uses. When it comes to my backpacking expeditions the most important thing is weight, where can you shed it or what one item could replace two. Well I found something that may suit my taste the DPX Gear H.E.S.T.
Hostile Environment Survival Tool
The knife is built like a tank with a full tang measuring .19 (5mm) made of high carbon 1905 steel. DPX used steel that has a 57-58 Rockwell hardness. The coating provided is a thick black textured powder coat which makes the steel very easy to handle without slipping even when wet. Then look at the blade you notice how thick the spine is compared to other fixed blade knives on the market which gives strength to the edge. The strength is vital when splitting fuel for fires as it keeps the knife from binding and bending. When the time calls it even can withstand the abuse of repeated hits when splitting larger pieces.
There are plenty of lashing points on the knife from the 3 drilled holes, the bottle opener, and the wire cutter. The blade it features a unique bottle opener on top, little dangerous for how sharp this edge came from the factory, but it offers great tie down point if fashioning it to a stick to create a spear if the time ever came. Towards the bottom youll see another slot, DPX claims it is a wire breaker however I had not had the opportunity to test it without angering some local farmers. However, Bear Claw Chris Lappe from The Blade Forums proved with some effort it can be done. As the name suggest, it is a survival tool integrated with tools you may never need, but when the time comes to use it youll sure be glad you have it. Jutting out the end of the handle is a multipurpose spike. Angle the blade up (use caution, I always installed the sheath) and now you have yourself a handy pry bar. It also serves as a pinky protector, glass break, and a blunt weapon. This is the base level H.E.S.T. knife that comes with green canvas micarta however they still provide comfortable grip with enough texture to retain restraint of the knife. If the scales are not for you, the two brass post screws come out to reveal a skeletonized handle perfect for a paracord wrapping.
I found the knife to large and heavy to use as a neck knife, but to each his own. However the compartment is perfect to store a peice of flint or any other survival tools that may come in handy. That little washer that DPX gives you, it fits the screws perfectly so you always have a tool to open up to retrieve your items.
Now moving onto the accessories that come with knife, DPX gives you a high quality Kydex sheath. The knife clicks perfectly into place and has enough retention hold it in while bouncing up and down. However, DPX gives you the ability to adjust the retention with two post screws. DPX gives you versatility when it comes to mounting. It comes out the box with about a foot-long piece of paracord and a cinch that can be used to make belt loops or attaching it to a backpack. Then they go even further and added a kydex backed metal clip that can be mounted in several directions. You wont see this amount of detail from other manufactures.
Lets look back at my original request for a quality knife. It must be built strong which comes from the thick handle and the full tang construction. It must have a razor blade which the H.E.S.T is definitely not lacking passing all the paper test and my dads personal favorite, Can I shave my arm hair off which it did in one clean pass. Everyone is concerned with price. Am I getting enough knife for my money? The thing about the DPX H.E.S.T. is your not just buying a knife. You get the holster and all the hardware included. A custom Kydex sheath can range anywhere from $30-$50 on top of what the knife cost. So once you deduct the price of the sheath you end up with a very reasonable priced knife that doesnt lack in terms of quality. This is a product that will not fail in times of need, its the perfect tool to carry wither for EDC or backup.
Pros
Extremely ridged construction.
Thick spine allows for batoning to split wood.
One of the sharpest edges from a knife directly out of the box.
Extremely durable and quality finished powder coat job that has yet to wear away.
The multiple tie-down spots leave infinite possibilities for using and storing the blade.
One of the nicest Kydex sheaths that is all ready included
Cons
From my experience, I couldnt find a way to mount the knife parallel with the belt.
The knife being carbon steel, the fine edge will rust if not cared for.
I wish the scales were more flush fitted.
Slightly heavy for ultralight gearheads.
The final complaint I have with the sheath is that it mounts the knife 50/50 which means the belt sits in the middle of the knife. To me I wish it had a slightly dropped down design to lower the handle on your waist.
Features
MSRP: $123.75
Durable black powder coating
1095 carbon steel with Rockwell Hardness of 57-58
Pry bar
Multiple lashing points
Wire breaker
Bottle Opener
Thumb control serrations
Green canvas scales with micro storage cell
Kydex sheath with multiple mounting brackets
MADE IN AMERICA
Thanks for reading and definitely go check out their great selection of other knives. Soon to come is an update on the longevity and overall thoughts on the knife.
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