I just got in the mail today an ENTREK USA Elk camping/woods/bush knife. Since there's not many reviews on ENTREK knives, I'd thought I'd share with this forum my initial observations. Just a quick side note, Quietbear on Youtube does an outstanding review and test on ENTREK knives, which compelled me to order my first.
My decision to order the ENTREK Elk was based on the need to replace my beloved Cold Steel Recon Scout Carbon V which got stolen from my luggage when I went to Australia. I sought to replace it, but I will never ever buy a Taiwanese or Chinese made knife. I received one (a cheap Coleman pocket tool) as a present some years back. It gave me nothing but grief until I threw it away after the handle broke and bought a Gerber Multi-tool, made in USA, that is still my companion after many years of use and abuse. In my observations, buying quality products are well worth their price and the saving of your time and aggravation.
I also simply couldn't afford the made in Japan. Cold Steel Recon Scout in San-Mai as a replacement. I've carried and used Spydercos and Al Mars, both usually made in Japan I think, with great success. I think Japanese blades and steel are top notch, stay sharp and have never had one fail on me.
Getting back to the ENTREK Elk, I needed a knife that was under $200.00 USD, one that would require minimal maintenance, I had to diligently keep my Recon Scout constantly oiled and stored properly - which at times is a bit difficult to do in the woods. This knife would be my main outdoor companion (other than my Malamute) along with my Swiss Army Tinkerer model.
Initially I wanted to get an Bison, but my supplier was out and wasn't going to get anymore in for a few weeks. He had a tanto styled Eagle and a Falcon in stock, but I'm simply old fashioned and prefer bowie-type, rounded clip style blades. He told me he had an ENTREK Elk on hand and offered me a good deal I couldn't refuse.
Here is a picture of the ENTREK ELK:
The Elk has a 6 7/8" long 1/4 thick sand blasted blade making it very robust and heavy duty. Overall length is 11 7/8". It is made from 440C Stainless Steel for a combination of toughness, edge holding and corrosion resistance. The blade is heat treated to 57-58 RC. According to my postal scale, it weighs in at 15.25 oz. The handle is made from black micarta canvas and has a full tang hilt (something I prefer in a knife that will be getting hard use). It comes with a form-fitted kydex sheath.
My initial impression of the knife was that I likened it to a sharpened crow bar. I don't say this in the negative, as it profiles slightly smaller than the Recon Scout, yet weighs 4 oz more. What this means is that while this knife may be classified as mid-sized, it has the ability to chop like a full-sized super bowie - just without the reach, but easier to carry and use. I also like the fact that I could use it as a hammer/mallet if needed to pound in tent stakes or easily use it to break bones of animals during field dressing without worrying about damaging the blade.
When I first grasped the Elk in my hand, it felt like a solid tool that I could depend on when the chips are down - or if the blade became dull I could easily use it as a medieval bludgeon . I had a similar feeling when in the 1980's I first held a Cold Steel original tanto. I still have that knife to this day, but it's in my collection and has never been used. I bought it originally for self defense carry in my teenage years, but as the saying goes, never bring a knife to a gun fight - so when I could obtain a CCW, I decided to carry a stainless steel Colt officers model with a medium sized folder back-up.
What struck me most was just how sharp the blade was in the Elk. It not only shaved my arm hair, but I had to be careful not to fillet the first layer of skin on my arm. Other than my Al Mar, Gerber and Buck knives, it's rare for for me to experience a knife come this sharp from the factory. The micarta handle grips well, although it is a tad long for my medium sized hands, it still allows various positioning options. Lastly, despite its weightiness, the knife has superb balance. A strong person could easily use it for self defense if necessary - just be aware that they'd sacrifice speed for massive cutting/slicing power.
The only negative I have with the Entrek Elk is it's finish (yes, I know its petty, but I'm a perfectionist when it comes to spending my money and appreciating a fine blade). Although the sand blasting on the blade is well done, there are medium grinding marks on the top of the blade and some along the hilt. I would like to see more uniform finishing, but in its defense this is not a knife to be put inside a glass case, looked at and ogled - and it would raise its cost due to increased manufacturing time. Ultimately, this is a knife designed and built to be used.
In my opinion, if you need a reliable field knife that you could bet your life on, look no further than an ENTREK knife. I was so impressed with the ELK that I've decided to order an ENTREK SILHOUETTE, as I've never owned a knife with a sub-hilt before and am fascinated with its double-edged bowie patterned blade design.
I'm going hiking and/or hunting soon and will be using The Elk in the field for possibly building a game blind-shelter, field dressing large game and basic everyday camp/backwoods use. If I could use one word to describe this knife, it would be "indestructible". Bye all, and thanks for reading.
My decision to order the ENTREK Elk was based on the need to replace my beloved Cold Steel Recon Scout Carbon V which got stolen from my luggage when I went to Australia. I sought to replace it, but I will never ever buy a Taiwanese or Chinese made knife. I received one (a cheap Coleman pocket tool) as a present some years back. It gave me nothing but grief until I threw it away after the handle broke and bought a Gerber Multi-tool, made in USA, that is still my companion after many years of use and abuse. In my observations, buying quality products are well worth their price and the saving of your time and aggravation.
I also simply couldn't afford the made in Japan. Cold Steel Recon Scout in San-Mai as a replacement. I've carried and used Spydercos and Al Mars, both usually made in Japan I think, with great success. I think Japanese blades and steel are top notch, stay sharp and have never had one fail on me.
Getting back to the ENTREK Elk, I needed a knife that was under $200.00 USD, one that would require minimal maintenance, I had to diligently keep my Recon Scout constantly oiled and stored properly - which at times is a bit difficult to do in the woods. This knife would be my main outdoor companion (other than my Malamute) along with my Swiss Army Tinkerer model.
Initially I wanted to get an Bison, but my supplier was out and wasn't going to get anymore in for a few weeks. He had a tanto styled Eagle and a Falcon in stock, but I'm simply old fashioned and prefer bowie-type, rounded clip style blades. He told me he had an ENTREK Elk on hand and offered me a good deal I couldn't refuse.
Here is a picture of the ENTREK ELK:
The Elk has a 6 7/8" long 1/4 thick sand blasted blade making it very robust and heavy duty. Overall length is 11 7/8". It is made from 440C Stainless Steel for a combination of toughness, edge holding and corrosion resistance. The blade is heat treated to 57-58 RC. According to my postal scale, it weighs in at 15.25 oz. The handle is made from black micarta canvas and has a full tang hilt (something I prefer in a knife that will be getting hard use). It comes with a form-fitted kydex sheath.
My initial impression of the knife was that I likened it to a sharpened crow bar. I don't say this in the negative, as it profiles slightly smaller than the Recon Scout, yet weighs 4 oz more. What this means is that while this knife may be classified as mid-sized, it has the ability to chop like a full-sized super bowie - just without the reach, but easier to carry and use. I also like the fact that I could use it as a hammer/mallet if needed to pound in tent stakes or easily use it to break bones of animals during field dressing without worrying about damaging the blade.
When I first grasped the Elk in my hand, it felt like a solid tool that I could depend on when the chips are down - or if the blade became dull I could easily use it as a medieval bludgeon . I had a similar feeling when in the 1980's I first held a Cold Steel original tanto. I still have that knife to this day, but it's in my collection and has never been used. I bought it originally for self defense carry in my teenage years, but as the saying goes, never bring a knife to a gun fight - so when I could obtain a CCW, I decided to carry a stainless steel Colt officers model with a medium sized folder back-up.
What struck me most was just how sharp the blade was in the Elk. It not only shaved my arm hair, but I had to be careful not to fillet the first layer of skin on my arm. Other than my Al Mar, Gerber and Buck knives, it's rare for for me to experience a knife come this sharp from the factory. The micarta handle grips well, although it is a tad long for my medium sized hands, it still allows various positioning options. Lastly, despite its weightiness, the knife has superb balance. A strong person could easily use it for self defense if necessary - just be aware that they'd sacrifice speed for massive cutting/slicing power.
The only negative I have with the Entrek Elk is it's finish (yes, I know its petty, but I'm a perfectionist when it comes to spending my money and appreciating a fine blade). Although the sand blasting on the blade is well done, there are medium grinding marks on the top of the blade and some along the hilt. I would like to see more uniform finishing, but in its defense this is not a knife to be put inside a glass case, looked at and ogled - and it would raise its cost due to increased manufacturing time. Ultimately, this is a knife designed and built to be used.
In my opinion, if you need a reliable field knife that you could bet your life on, look no further than an ENTREK knife. I was so impressed with the ELK that I've decided to order an ENTREK SILHOUETTE, as I've never owned a knife with a sub-hilt before and am fascinated with its double-edged bowie patterned blade design.
I'm going hiking and/or hunting soon and will be using The Elk in the field for possibly building a game blind-shelter, field dressing large game and basic everyday camp/backwoods use. If I could use one word to describe this knife, it would be "indestructible". Bye all, and thanks for reading.
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What do you think of the Buffalo? I'm deciding between The Elk and Buffalo.Sorry to revive an old thread but I'm curious.