I would like to start off by saying hello, as I am a new member to this forum. I have used this site plenty of times to do research and I thank you all for the info shared. Now down to it, I am stuck between two knives. The first being Fehrman Last Chance and the other being Knife Research Enki. Now I am going to be using such a knife for out in the woods type of activities so this knife will see some use. I am curious as far as which one you all would pick and why. I thank you for your replies.
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Fehrman or Knife Research
- Thread starter Augie84'
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 2,206
If you were looking for a chopper I'd say go with the Fehrman, however as a medium sized fixed blade I'd say go with the knife research, here's why:
Steel: Vanadis-4 extra is inbetween M4 and 3V as far as toughness and edge holding goes, so you better edge holding but not quite as tough (though more than enough for a blade this size). Also 60hrc vs 57-59 for fehrman (seems a bit soft for a medium fixed blade, though it will be easier to sharpen)
Blade: Fehrman as a FFG +1, but is .25 thick -1 (definitely over kill for a 5.5" blade, will be more of a weight and cutting ability nuisance), KR .19" thick, still a bit overkill but a little better +1, but saber grind, the flat part can bind sometimes -1
Handles: Very subjective, personally I find handles that are more general/don't have finger grooves allows more types of grip when you're using it (for example, chopping you'll want to be more of a back grip, for detail work your hand will be more forward).
I don't think you could go wrong with either, although for the price, I personally would go full custom, pick the steel, grind, thickness, length and handle you want exactly, maybe take some parts from each that you really like and add your own personal taste mixed in.
Steel: Vanadis-4 extra is inbetween M4 and 3V as far as toughness and edge holding goes, so you better edge holding but not quite as tough (though more than enough for a blade this size). Also 60hrc vs 57-59 for fehrman (seems a bit soft for a medium fixed blade, though it will be easier to sharpen)
Blade: Fehrman as a FFG +1, but is .25 thick -1 (definitely over kill for a 5.5" blade, will be more of a weight and cutting ability nuisance), KR .19" thick, still a bit overkill but a little better +1, but saber grind, the flat part can bind sometimes -1
Handles: Very subjective, personally I find handles that are more general/don't have finger grooves allows more types of grip when you're using it (for example, chopping you'll want to be more of a back grip, for detail work your hand will be more forward).
I don't think you could go wrong with either, although for the price, I personally would go full custom, pick the steel, grind, thickness, length and handle you want exactly, maybe take some parts from each that you really like and add your own personal taste mixed in.
RamZar
Gold Member
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- Mar 3, 2013
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- 11,630
Both the Fehrman Last Chance and KR Enki are great choices. Enki is about $85 less. Michaelm466 did a great analysis. Both are great.
You may also want to consider the Bark River Bravo 1.5 with a 5.8" blade that's 0.217" thick. Lot of choices for handle material. Steel choices: A2, 3V and S35VN (with or without ramp).
You may also want to consider the Bark River Bravo 1.5 with a 5.8" blade that's 0.217" thick. Lot of choices for handle material. Steel choices: A2, 3V and S35VN (with or without ramp).
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2007
- Messages
- 1,964
I'd go with LC from Fehrman. Excellent do it all knife. The handle is very comfortable. It allowes you to grip the knife in many ways. The knife is hefty enough you can even do light chopping with it. Yet with full flat grind the edge is thin enough for cutting. 3V from Fehrman is excellent. It's tough as hell and stays sharp for a loooong time. Even after long use bringing it back to hair popping sharpness takes nothing more than couple of passes on white rods of the triangle or some stropping. I had many knives from Fehrman and fit and finish on all of them was amazing.