MSCantrell
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2005
- Messages
- 1,213
Got these two knives for a week in the passaround.
First impression of the 82 was this: SOLID. Hefty, like a Buck 110. Fills your hand, and comfortably.
Didn't arrive especially sharp, but a couple minutes with the Lansky fixed that. No problem catching hairs above the arm. About the only workout I was able to give the knife was some whittling; I was roughing out some handles for other knives, and the 82 was secure and quick to lop off long slices. Probably larger than ideal for whittling, but not ineffective.
I was a little concerned with the fit of the parts: the (really gorgeous) wood scales are screwed onto metal liners with big brass screws. If you tighten them enough to keep the liners fully in contact with the scales, the action is pretty stiff. If you loosen them enough for the blade to swing smoothly, you can see light when you look at the backspring. Not sure what to do with that one.
I was startled the first time I closed the 82: the backspring is quite strong, and it really snaps shut hard. Rather than having a kick to hold the blade off the spring, there's a plastic spacer that the edge rests on (and cuts into). So when you shut the knife, the edge pops down hard on the little plastic bit. Not bad, just different.
Overall, I like the knife and it gave me a feeling of quality as far as materials are concerned, but I don't think I'd buy one myself. Bigger than I need, iffy fit, and kinda expensive.
The E8 impressed me as a clever and classy design. I liked the blade shape, with the spine following the curve of the edge, a lot. I may just try to make on of my own after that pattern. And then it flips over to give you a guthook. Whichever end you use, your fingers are on the spine of the other end. Nifty. Sheath seemed kinda... puffy. Have to admit, I hardly used this knife at all. Was hoping to bag a squirrel or two that week, and it just didn't happen. Can't really give much feedback on the E8.
Mike
First impression of the 82 was this: SOLID. Hefty, like a Buck 110. Fills your hand, and comfortably.
Didn't arrive especially sharp, but a couple minutes with the Lansky fixed that. No problem catching hairs above the arm. About the only workout I was able to give the knife was some whittling; I was roughing out some handles for other knives, and the 82 was secure and quick to lop off long slices. Probably larger than ideal for whittling, but not ineffective.
I was a little concerned with the fit of the parts: the (really gorgeous) wood scales are screwed onto metal liners with big brass screws. If you tighten them enough to keep the liners fully in contact with the scales, the action is pretty stiff. If you loosen them enough for the blade to swing smoothly, you can see light when you look at the backspring. Not sure what to do with that one.
I was startled the first time I closed the 82: the backspring is quite strong, and it really snaps shut hard. Rather than having a kick to hold the blade off the spring, there's a plastic spacer that the edge rests on (and cuts into). So when you shut the knife, the edge pops down hard on the little plastic bit. Not bad, just different.
Overall, I like the knife and it gave me a feeling of quality as far as materials are concerned, but I don't think I'd buy one myself. Bigger than I need, iffy fit, and kinda expensive.
The E8 impressed me as a clever and classy design. I liked the blade shape, with the spine following the curve of the edge, a lot. I may just try to make on of my own after that pattern. And then it flips over to give you a guthook. Whichever end you use, your fingers are on the spine of the other end. Nifty. Sheath seemed kinda... puffy. Have to admit, I hardly used this knife at all. Was hoping to bag a squirrel or two that week, and it just didn't happen. Can't really give much feedback on the E8.
Mike
