Fehrman Last Chance vs First Strike

I own a Last chance and a Final Judgment.

I carry a smaller fixed blade with the FJ simply because it is too big for delicate tasks.
Fehrman sells a combo kit that includes the First Strike and Thru-Hiker, for just that reason.

The LC on the other hand, can handle large and small tasks very well.
Yes, the blade is wide, which makes the length look shorter than it really is.

If your current fixed blade is close to the LC, and you are happy with that length, I would suggest the LC.

As far as the double choils go on Fehrmans, you either like them or you don’t. I think they are very useful, especially in longer blades where they assist in snap cuts. I like them, and I like the handle on the LC just as it is.
 
Hey Snipes... you have come to the right place. But keep in mind, that what works for one hand doesn't work for another's.

I have a last chance and love it. It is a stout little devil that will take anything you can throw at it. See my review here... http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=726122&highlight=fehrman+first+chance

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The last chance was so impressive that I pulled the trigger on two more of Mr. Fehman's models. On Thursday, I received the 'Shadow Scout' and the 'First Strike'. With the patience of a 3 year-old I took them out back immediately to see how they would compare to the 'Last Chance'.

Have no fear, I will be posting a full review on both... but it wouldn't be fair at this point since I've only mildly abused them as compared to my last chance review.

Most interesting to me, was how the Shadow Scout in 3/16ths would hold up to the beating I gave the Last Chance with it's 1/4" stock since it is less than half that thickness. I can only assume the First Strike would be very similar in performance to the Last Chance, being basically the same knife with a longer blade. That thought didn't prevent me from beating it however, but my testing is also incomplete at this point.

My personal favorite of the 3 Fehrman's I own is the Shadow Scout at this point. The ergo's are absurdely perfect, and it feels like a sixth finger (but longer sharper and pointier) :). I batonned the Scout through about 20 mesquite logs (25% harder than hickory, and knotty and twisting). Each log gets batonned 4 times. So, about 80 baton's through very hard wood. No edge damage... still shaved arm hair. Not even a challenge for the CPM-3V. Like I said, I'll provide a more complete report later, when I've tested (beaten) it more.

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The First Strike has been tested by chopping some cedar yesterday. It's 7.5" blade is not ideal for chopping but certainly will do so. After chopping one large cedar and several smaller ones, I discovered that this was really no challenge for the knife... but I had fun anyway. Here's a teaser pic for ya... (betcha can't guess what happens to that tree) :D

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If I were going to choose which one of the 3 to carry on a daily basis the Shadow Scout wins hands down. It is a much lighter overall package, but the strength of the 3V all but makes the thinner stock irrelevant as compared to it's bigger brothers. One caveat... the handle on the scout is mid sized. A fella with large mitts will likely find it to be a bit small.

No matter which one you decide, It probably won't be your last one. Fehrman does the CPM3V heat treatment very well, which is CRITICAL with that steel. My recommendation is to buy both, and sell the one you like the least...
 
Awesome info., but not sure about this one:

"Most interesting to me, was how the Shadow Scout in 3/16ths would hold up to the beating I gave the Last Chance with it's 1/4" stock since it is less than half that thickness."

Isn't there just 1/16" difference between the thicknesses? Significant, yes, but not less than half.
 
John Frankl said:
Awesome info., but not sure about this one:

"Most interesting to me, was how the Shadow Scout in 3/16ths would hold up to the beating I gave the Last Chance with it's 1/4" stock since it is less than half that thickness."

Isn't there just 1/16" difference between the thicknesses? Significant, yes, but not less than half.
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Ahhh... using 'old' math you are correct. I am using the 'new' math that is endorsed by the congressional budget office. It is much easier, since you start with the answer and do whatever you can to make it correct. ;)

1/4" = .25

3/16 = .1875

Seriously, beer makes my math bad (beer goggles???):confused:. In real-life terms, there is quite a difference between the thickness of the two knives.

Note the difference...

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snipes1027 said:
I would rather have the greater thickness of the FS or LC. I looked at the the shadow scout and ruled it out because it is thinner than any other model.
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Amazingly, CPM3V has roughly twice the "wear resistance" and "toughness" than A2 according to the following chart from crucible. Anyone who has used A2 will attest that is is fine blade steel. It is difficult to believe that the 3V is so much more advanced... but the more I beat my Fehrman's, the more confidence I have in it.


cpm3vcompgraph.gif


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I'm not at all doubting the performance of 3v, 3v is the only reason I ran across Fehrman in the first place. I just would not prefer the shadow scout for combat use. First Fehrman describes it as a great utility blade. It also has a slightly different blade shape than the LC and FS. Its sweep is more gradual and its handle is not the combat style used on the LC and FS which from the pictures at least it looks like I would prefer. Granted, this slight differences have little meaning until I hold and use the knives myself, but they are enough to prevent me from buying one to do just that. :)
 
kdstrick,
Looking forward to your Shadow Scout review. Keep up the Fehrman reviews. Being a Fehrman enthusiast I love reading your reviews.
 
Great thread, thought I'd add my 2 cents. I had contacted Kylie about another knife that I knew he had owned, to get his input on it. Once I told him that the barkie Gameskeeper was my current "best fitting knife", and that our hands were similarly sized, he steered me toward the Fehrman Peacekeeper and Shadowscout. (Thanks Kylie!)

I have since picked up a peacekeeper and while I found the handle a bit smallish, you really do get used to it rather quickly. I still prefer the BRKT gameskeeper or Tusk for everyday whittleing and around the house stuff, but the peacekeeper is my EDC when I want more than a folder. (kydex sheath)

I also got a First Strike. Man its a really big and heavy knife, and imho it is just too much even for a tactical knife. Its a great play knife, chopper, campsite knife, but it is no machete. It is intimidating however, and if I knew I was going to a knife fight, its probably the one I would take, lol. (leather sheath)

No one has mention the Cold Fury, which is THE knife in Fehrman's "Tactical Series". It is definitely on my "one of these days" list. I keep looking for one to show up on the forums pre-owned, but so far no luck. Which reminds me, about the only way most of us are going to get to "hold one" is if a friend owns one, or we buy it. Seems like most Fehrman's sell quickly and hold their value well, so I know I could flip any Fehrman that wasn't my cup of tea with reasonable financial loss. Try it, you'll probably like it.

I think the Cold Fury, the Last Chance, and Shadow Scout would all make great "tactical" or "deployment" knives. Being that I haven't handled the CF yet, I would probably go with a Last Chance, and would seriously consider having the first finger pommel removed as Kylie has done. Fehrman's leather sheaths are beastly but well worth the extra $10, but would have a custom kydex made for serious tactical, rather than the stock one.

On the other hand, if cost was an issue, I would be perfectly happy with a JG Ranger or OKC RD-6 or Afghan in the field as well.
 
kdstrick has posted a definitive test on the ferhman shadow scout 15 may in the testing section. after seeing what was achived with the 3/16 stock i ca'nt see why a person desires a heavier knife. if there is a person around that can break the scout prying on wood i would like to see this individual. he would have to drawf the heavyweights on the full contact fighting sports.
 
Totally agreed.

NOW, what we have to do is convince Eric Fehrman that both steel performance and knife user education have improved to the point where many are not looking for 1/4" thick stock!!!

My dream knife---one of them at least---would be a Fehrman with similar dimensions to the Busse Bushwhacker Battle Mistress. I think a Fehrman in 3/16" thick stock with a 2" wide by 10" long blade, and a biggish handle would be both awesome and a great seller.
 
As previously suggested to me in this thread, if you call him up and ask him, I have no doubt that he would make you one.
 
Out of the two you listed, I would get the Last Chance, unless you plan on doing a bit of chopping and shelter building, etc., and would need the larger knife for that.

I don't own any Fehrmans, being a Busse guy, but have heard nothing but good things about them. Either one will serve you very well.
 
John Frankl said:
I never got the feeling that they took custom orders, but it is worth a try.
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As a rule we don't do custom orders with a couple rare exceptions...

1. Your "custom" request is a very small deviation. Like omitting the Fire Bow Divot from a Peace Maker. We might consider making some thinner or thicker models if there was enough interest (6 to 12 people).

2. Your "custom" order looks like something that "fits" our style and we would want to add to our lineup and... its something I can't resist having for myself!


Best Regards,
Eric Fehrman
 
thanks eric for the feedback ,i realize you are a very busy guy with a minimun of time away from production. other than a fillet knife your production line satisifies me completely.
 
WoW! Thank you, Eric.

Let's get 6-12 people to commit, right now!

I am in for one in satin. I humbly request 10" x 2" wide blade, no recurve. I like the basic outline of the Final Judgement (which is why I ordered one last week:), only wider.

As I intimated above, your commitment to quality and 3V's outstanding performance make a 3/16" chopper an awesome offering.

With high hopes...
 
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Fehrman said:
As a rule we don't do custom orders with a couple rare exceptions...

1. Your "custom" request is a very small deviation. Like omitting the Fire Bow Divot from a Peace Maker. We might consider making some thinner or thicker models if there was enough interest (6 to 12 people).

2. Your "custom" order looks like something that "fits" our style and we would want to add to our lineup and... its something I can't resist having for myself!


Best Regards,
Eric Fehrman
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, perhaps a Kylie H. styled version of the "Shadow Chance" or "Last Shadow"? (with a little of my input as well?)

Length and blade width same as shadow scout. Blade height same as Last Chance. Smooth Linen handle, Last chance handle profile with no first finger ...

Pretty big deviation from standard though. Maybe one day!
 
Eric,

Why not just build 10 knives? Serial number them 1-10 for uniqueness/collector value. The ones that don't go immediately could be sold off off your site. I am still hankering for a cutting competition dimensions: 2" x 10". Call it something like the Competitor or the Competition.

Best,

John
 
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