fiddleback forge duke vs survive gso 5.1

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francoiscaloz

Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
18
I own the 5.1 and love it but I can't stop staring at the duke. The are similar in price and specs. Does anyone own both? What your guys opinion?
 
The Duke is considerably more $$, no? The 5.1 has the superior steel and a choil, Duke has the superior styling...but you pay for it. I imagine the knives could tackle the same tasks, but they are quite different fundamentally. Oh, I wonder if you're looking at the mid-tech Duke? That comparison would make more sense, and in that case the big difference is the choil. I think the 5.1 is the better knife if you're comparing it with the mid-tech Duke....I'd rather have the Duke though if you're talking about the custom version - all fantastic knives though!
 
VanDammet said:
The Duke is considerably more $$, no? The 5.1 has the superior steel and a choil, Duke has the superior styling...but you pay for it. I imagine the knives could tackle the same tasks, but they are quite different fundamentally. Oh, I wonder if you're looking at the mid-tech Duke? That comparison would make more sense, and in that case the big difference is the choil. I think the 5.1 is the better knife if you're comparing it with the mid-tech Duke....I'd rather have the Duke though if you're talking about the custom version - all fantastic knives though!
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I should have been more specific, I was talking about the mid-tech Duke. I realize the gso has a better steel, better sheath, 90º spine, but for some reason I really like the look of the Duke and I'm still tempted to pull the trigger. Ur vote goes for the gso, txs man
 
Cool...ya, I love the look of the MT Duke as well. I think it's a more elegant/sexier design than the 5.1. I recently sold my 5.1 because my tastes evolved more into pure customs (I've got several customs I'd take over both knives, & I think I've paid from $185 - $230 for them) and away from stuff like jimping & choils & mechanical fasteners on the scales. So, I'm changing my vote to the MT Duke!...and its CPM-S35VN is no slouch - not as good as 20CV, but still a great stainless with plenty of toughness for that blade size. I've got a MT FF Camp knife & I love the thing - buy that Duke!

As an aside, I'm having my favorite custom maker build me my/his version of the FF Woodsman as I type this, which is sort of a pointier FF Duke (which you likely already know).
 
I've never handled the mid-tech Duke (or custom-version), but my style-preference is for the GSO and I really like the one I own :thumbup:

That typed, get the one you find more attractive OR get BOTH and tell us all about which one you prefer and why! :D Yes, this is the decision you have made, you will get both and report back. ;) Thank you for your service to the BF community.
 
Chiral is correct, as always, you must own both knives. You've already got the 5.1, so it's on to the Duke! I hope I'm not ruining your day by informing you of this, but once two or more BF members have advised you to purchase a particular knife, you are legally obligated to do so.
 
I have been a big fan of the Duke since the day we got them in the shop. I am not much of a fixed blade knife guy but I took one of these straight out of inventory and started using it immediately. I have beaten it senseless and been absolutely amazed at the edge retention it has.

Since it is decided you have to now get a Duke I guess the only question left is Natural Canvas or Black?

https://flic.kr/p/B8mAKR https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
 
francoiscaloz said:
That being said ur pics on instagram is what turned me on to the Duke. Black canvas
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Glad to know people actually look at those things:D In all seriousness if we can help you out in anyway just let me know!
 
I know this is an older thread, but 3v is better in what way over S35vn, rusting I guess. I've had both knives and the survive is a lesser quality knife period. That's why they were all sold off.
 
The Duke is a far superior knife. The GSO, where is it? Don’t see any anywhere. The Duke will not rust. The handle, superior. No hype, no aggravations, it cuts, it slices, it batons, it makes a fire and it looks like no other.
 
Mister Q said:
The Duke is a far superior knife. The GSO, where is it? Don’t see any anywhere. The Duke will not rust. The handle, superior. No hype, no aggravations, it cuts, it slices, it batons, it makes a fire and it looks like no other.
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Where is it?? o_O I've had my GSO-5.1 since January 2016 and have been beating on it ever since. You don't see it anywhere? Try searching the internet, maybe?



And there are MANY more such videos - the top one is mine from back in January '16, the other is Part 3 of a series doing some rough work, and there are a number of other reviews about it online, both videos and type. I just did a search and found one video of the Duke and that from whitty of USAMadeBlade, the seller who posted above. One. So I would flip that question, where is the Duke?

The 5.1 is among the most comfortable knives that I have ever handled, and for good reason.
It is also one the best ground knives I have used, with an edge thickness ~0.020" that can out slice most other production knives, including a lot of spyderco folders! :eek: What is the edge-thickness on the Duke?
I have used the wood to carve wood, butcher livestock, and even pounded it through sheet metal - this last caused no perceivable edge-damage in terms of chipping/rolling, somethin I have seen with no other knife other than my INFI Muk. Send me your Duke and we can see if it fairs as well, would be great if it did :thumbsup:

I tried to rust the CPM-3V, I even soak it in vinegar for 4 hours and only slightly darkened the bevel. I even added cold-blue to the tang, and this proved as difficult as bluing stainless steel!
But besides that, the GSO-5.1 has been available in a variety of steels including CPM-20CV and CPM154, iirc. *shrug*

Regarding the GSO, I have experienced no rust, no hype, no aggravations, and a handle superior to everything I own in this size. It cuts, slices, and batons everything from paper and animal skin to tin cans and steel roofing. And yes, it can be used to help make a fire. As to "looks like no other", I'd say that the GSO cuts a very nice figure :) I personally find the production Fiddlebacks too ugly to own, but that is just me. If you are going to get a Fiddleback, why not just spring for a Custom? They look amazing :thumbsup:

Is the GSO-5.1 "in stock"? Sadly, no, it sold out long ago and hasn't made it back into production yet. *shrug* They made a heck of a lot of them in the batch mine came from, just takes some hunting to get your hands on one. Good luck!
 
It might depend on how you plan on using it.

I don't have a Duke, but I do have a couple of 4" FF custom knives and beyond the beauty, the handle ergonomics redefine comfort.

If you're going to a fair bit of batonning and chopping (I don't) my suggestion is to get something 3V. If you're going to be out in the wilderness for more than a couple of weeks, go M390. Otherwise, for me it's FF for hand comfort. I could use mine for hours and still not want to put them down, especially the Sneaky Pete.
 
I own both a Gso 5.1 and a Duke. Both are top shelf production knives. Don't sell short the S35vn that many of the production FF use. Mr. Ankerson did an edge retention test using one of the smaller FF models and it performed better than other "superior steels".

To be honest, I am not enamored with the ergonomics of either. The bulge on the Gso I find uncomfortable and the scales on the Duke are a touch on the smallish side. Liners would really help the Duke's feel in my hand. Ergonomics are of course a very personal thing.

The Duke is both thinner behind the edge and at the spine. The 5.1 is a great all around Knife. If I could only keep one, It's a near toss up for me. I'd keep the FF just due to the fact that its ergonomics are neutral.
 
chiral.grolim said:
Where is it?? o_O I've had my GSO-5.1 since January 2016 and have been beating on it ever since. You don't see it anywhere? Try searching the internet, maybe?



And there are MANY more such videos - the top one is mine from back in January '16, the other is Part 3 of a series doing some rough work, and there are a number of other reviews about it online, both videos and type. I just did a search and found one video of the Duke and that from whitty of USAMadeBlade, the seller who posted above. One. So I would flip that question, where is the Duke?

The 5.1 is among the most comfortable knives that I have ever handled, and for good reason.
It is also one the best ground knives I have used, with an edge thickness ~0.020" that can out slice most other production knives, including a lot of spyderco folders! :eek: What is the edge-thickness on the Duke?
I have used the wood to carve wood, butcher livestock, and even pounded it through sheet metal - this last caused no perceivable edge-damage in terms of chipping/rolling, somethin I have seen with no other knife other than my INFI Muk. Send me your Duke and we can see if it fairs as well, would be great if it did :thumbsup:

I tried to rust the CPM-3V, I even soak it in vinegar for 4 hours and only slightly darkened the bevel. I even added cold-blue to the tang, and this proved as difficult as bluing stainless steel!
But besides that, the GSO-5.1 has been available in a variety of steels including CPM-20CV and CPM154, iirc. *shrug*

Regarding the GSO, I have experienced no rust, no hype, no aggravations, and a handle superior to everything I own in this size. It cuts, slices, and batons everything from paper and animal skin to tin cans and steel roofing. And yes, it can be used to help make a fire. As to "looks like no other", I'd say that the GSO cuts a very nice figure :) I personally find the production Fiddlebacks too ugly to own, but that is just me. If you are going to get a Fiddleback, why not just spring for a Custom? They look amazing :thumbsup:

Is the GSO-5.1 "in stock"? Sadly, no, it sold out long ago and hasn't made it back into production yet. *shrug* They made a heck of a lot of them in the batch mine came from, just takes some hunting to get your hands on one. Good luck!
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Thanks for sharing your video. You covered all the positive traits of the GSO 5.1 very well and also have very nice carrying options.
You also demonstrated the capabilities of the knife in the event of it being the only tool available for those purposes. I would dare to say that the GSO-5.1 is made for more "heavy duty" use than the Duke; survival being the theme of the product, it fits its purpose with gusto.

The Duke knife makes no such claims, correctly so in that it does not list surviving as one its purposes, but as to many other attributes, it is superior.
The resistance to corrosion is most notable, as it is the ability to slice in finer detail and retain sharpness, piercing ability (not stabbing) would also be superior on the Duke. I've cleaned out fish with both, the similar GSO-4.7 (borrowed) and the Duke, and the Duke was ergonomically easier on that particular task. Being around both types of water, salt and fresh, my humid to wet environment deems the Duke a superior knife, while also being capable of handling all tasks that the GSO-5.1 does. I agree with you that other steel types would extend capabilities for the knife, but we also both know that there is no perfect steel free lunch.

A minor but relevant observation can also be made from the OP, in that he already owns the GSO-5.1 and for some unknown reason, his attention keeps gravitating towards The Duke, perhaps there could be something that the OP may be missing from the GSO-5.1, unless he is a collector/user of knives.
 
I have the GSO 5.0 in 3V and tried to order the GSO 5.1 in CPM 20V in May 2016 in May of 2018 I had to give up as they didn't order steel yet. Same issue I had with the GSO 7/7 after 2 1/2 years they are no where even close to getting the Preorders out and Presale orders will take even longer. Nothing Survive does now will ever land you a Factory 1st in under 3 years unless you are friends with them or a fanboy that sees no wrong in how they lie to people. Telling people in Nov 2016 that their knife will ship in a few weeks and hiding behind the words "should ship" is a lie when 2 years past and they cling to the no date delivery for preorders as that means they don't ever have to send you a knife and any updates is a lie to string people along. Starter Orders are an investment so that means you can lose your money with them. Now how many go out there and beat their knives in the wilderness through concrete and rebar? In that case Fiddleback make the Camp Knife in 3V so do a comparison on that and yes Peters does the treat too. I have a Busse in INFI sent to me in 7 months compared to Survive 3-4 year wait and it is only getting longer. I have a Carothers HDFK in 3V and it is nicer than any Survive Knife out there and guess what you can actually get them. I can go to the Blade Shows and get on their sales here and have a better chance of getting it than dealing with Survive. At one time they did smaller batches and people got their knives in a reasonable window 8-12 months now you will be lucky if they even start in 24 months with another 2-3 years to get your order. People think oh I must own 3V to survive or enjoy the outdoors and that is not true a knife is a tool and any one of them with the right abuse will break. The move Survive made to Millet is a gimmick to give hope to frustrated people and people shouldn't get their hope up on getting anything done any faster by them. I recall the SK line was suppose to start shipping in 8 months after the announcement and over a year later not one person has gotten theirs. At some point people will stop funding a company that doesn't honor their commitment to get knives out in a reasonable time. The GSO 5.1 is the last knife on the schedule to be remade and the so called starting production soon is just a ploy to get people to send more money in. Really 2 years pass and they don't even place the order for the steel or have plans to roll out the knife in another 3 years. I urge you to get the Duke and if you want a tank of a knife get the Camp Knife by Fiddleback. Flip the question and I can order the Duke today and have it in 2 days and the same with the Camp Knife in 3V treated by Peters. Does it run for $50 more yes but if I tried to find a GSO 5.1 on the secondary market it would cost me more than the base price. Survive Knives have a great design but the business model has been ruined with missed deadlines and lies.
 
Sagemode said:
I have the GSO 5.0 in 3V and tried to order the GSO 5.1 in CPM 20V in May 2016 in May of 2018 I had to give up as they didn't order steel yet. Same issue I had with the GSO 7/7 after 2 1/2 years they are no where even close to getting the Preorders out and Presale orders will take even longer. Nothing Survive does now will ever land you a Factory 1st in under 3 years unless you are friends with them or a fanboy that sees no wrong in how they lie to people. Telling people in Nov 2016 that their knife will ship in a few weeks and hiding behind the words "should ship" is a lie when 2 years past and they cling to the no date delivery for preorders as that means they don't ever have to send you a knife and any updates is a lie to string people along. Starter Orders are an investment so that means you can lose your money with them. Now how many go out there and beat their knives in the wilderness through concrete and rebar? In that case Fiddleback make the Camp Knife in 3V so do a comparison on that and yes Peters does the treat too. I have a Busse in INFI sent to me in 7 months compared to Survive 3-4 year wait and it is only getting longer. I have a Carothers HDFK in 3V and it is nicer than any Survive Knife out there and guess what you can actually get them. I can go to the Blade Shows and get on their sales here and have a better chance of getting it than dealing with Survive. At one time they did smaller batches and people got their knives in a reasonable window 8-12 months now you will be lucky if they even start in 24 months with another 2-3 years to get your order. People think oh I must own 3V to survive or enjoy the outdoors and that is not true a knife is a tool and any one of them with the right abuse will break. The move Survive made to Millet is a gimmick to give hope to frustrated people and people shouldn't get their hope up on getting anything done any faster by them. I recall the SK line was suppose to start shipping in 8 months after the announcement and over a year later not one person has gotten theirs. At some point people will stop funding a company that doesn't honor their commitment to get knives out in a reasonable time. The GSO 5.1 is the last knife on the schedule to be remade and the so called starting production soon is just a ploy to get people to send more money in. Really 2 years pass and they don't even place the order for the steel or have plans to roll out the knife in another 3 years. I urge you to get the Duke and if you want a tank of a knife get the Camp Knife by Fiddleback. Flip the question and I can order the Duke today and have it in 2 days and the same with the Camp Knife in 3V treated by Peters. Does it run for $50 more yes but if I tried to find a GSO 5.1 on the secondary market it would cost me more than the base price. Survive Knives have a great design but the business model has been ruined with missed deadlines and lies.
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OK so the OP posted this back in 2016. I'm pretty sure he's probably made up his mind by now. Did you only revive this thread (which was already necroed once before) so you could trash S!K? Don't get me wrong, it's a scummy company that deserves to be trashed, but was there a point to this re-necro?

Also, paragraphs are your friend.
 
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