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Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Gerber Prodigy or Buck Tops Short knighthawk?
- Thread starter collecter
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- Joined
- Aug 4, 2009
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The Gerber Prodigy is in that category of knives that was superbly designed, but poorly executed. The overmolded handle is comfortable, the exposed tang allows for safe pounding, and the swedged drop point blade would make for a great utility and survival knife. BUT...
A problem common with Gerber, the steel quality is horrendous. Normal use of my Prodigy results in major chips and fracture lines, and the knife is so sawtoothed by the wear on the poor steel that I've deemed the knife unuseable. At this point I don't know where it even is, probably in the darkest corner of my gear closet. I can't in good conscience recommend it.
There are a couple other knives with the big bellied, swedged design that are quality.
The Cold Steel SRK,
The Benchmade CSK,
The Fallkniven A1 and S1
Chris Reeve Green Beret
Kabar Warthog, Becker BK7 and BK10
There are probably more out there but these are better options with reputable steels and manufacturing quality that are of a similar design.
A problem common with Gerber, the steel quality is horrendous. Normal use of my Prodigy results in major chips and fracture lines, and the knife is so sawtoothed by the wear on the poor steel that I've deemed the knife unuseable. At this point I don't know where it even is, probably in the darkest corner of my gear closet. I can't in good conscience recommend it.
There are a couple other knives with the big bellied, swedged design that are quality.
The Cold Steel SRK,
The Benchmade CSK,
The Fallkniven A1 and S1
Chris Reeve Green Beret
Kabar Warthog, Becker BK7 and BK10
There are probably more out there but these are better options with reputable steels and manufacturing quality that are of a similar design.
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Messages
- 4,837
I'm a big fan of the Cold Steel Master Hunter.
But between the two you asked about, I'd go for the TOPS Buck Night Hawk. I had a full sized version and it was a really nice knife, just a little too big.
But between the two you asked about, I'd go for the TOPS Buck Night Hawk. I had a full sized version and it was a really nice knife, just a little too big.
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2009
- Messages
- 3,198
I have the full sized version as well, and I really like it. It is a helluva camp knife, and it performs extremely well for everything I have used it for to date. It is a bit large, but it doesn't seem that way due to the swedges and the longer, thinner shape of the blade. It is a great work and utility knife, but not much of an outright slicer. On the other hand, with that 1/4" spine, you would really have to work hard to damage that sucker no matter what you are using to do.
On a personal note, my own experience with Gerber would lead me to purchase ANY other knife brand than Gerber.
Robert
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2011
- Messages
- 1,486
My 650 Nighthawk was the first serious knife I bought and I love it. Great handle ergos, great steel, looks cool as hell. Then a couple of weeks ago I stumbled on a great deal on an as new 655 Short Nighthawk and grabbed it. It arrived today, and while I'm also not a fan of serrated blades, it's a winner for me. However I will also mention the Fallkniven S1 (and F1 for that matter) if the serrations are not a necessity. The S1 and short Nighthawk are almost identical in length and both great knives.
Thanks for the replies and suggestions.
I have or have owned all the knives you suggested and I still have the srk.
I guess I'll stay clear of the gerber. The serrations would bug me anyway!
So, I think I might try the short night hawk.
I remember reading a thread here were someone rebrand led a night hawk and remember it was beautifully done. That knife has been in my head for a while and some day I might try to do that.
I have or have owned all the knives you suggested and I still have the srk.
I guess I'll stay clear of the gerber. The serrations would bug me anyway!
So, I think I might try the short night hawk.
I remember reading a thread here were someone rebrand led a night hawk and remember it was beautifully done. That knife has been in my head for a while and some day I might try to do that.
I've only used the gerber, being fairly modest, it worked ok, I don't use it though. Skinned a deer with it last year and dug the hell out of the serrations, i've never had an issue like that with any other knife.
I would be interested in one of the new master hunters from CS. I have a CV version they did and it is still a favorite blade, handle is getting bad (6 years old) but its one of those knives I can't get rid of.
I would be interested in one of the new master hunters from CS. I have a CV version they did and it is still a favorite blade, handle is getting bad (6 years old) but its one of those knives I can't get rid of.
I love my Gerber... it's not too heavy, the sheath is functional, and the grip is comfortable. I have used mine to do up to medium difficult tasks including chopping through 3cinder deer pelvis 's without the edge rolling or chipping. This knife gets a thumbs up from me, and I do recommended it a lot. A great deal for the price for, which I think is around 40 bucks.
wow, I wish i had yours...
Seeing your Enfield reminded me of home and then I noticed the Tim Hortons cup Eh!
I didn't buy either of those knives and instead I bought a Lapin Puukko. The blade is thicker than a Mora and it has a larger dia, pommel. The sheath is well made and it's secure. I love it! What was I thinking looking at those tacticool knives?
Yeah, tried to hide it, but I was sure someone would spot it.
that was a much better decision then the prodigy, I could never seem to find a happy medium with it. A classic scandi of almost any type is so multi use, its perfect.
Its a hard balance for sure, I'm not sure how long you have been into knives, but it took me many years to find one that was too my liking.
You have made a solid start, thats for sure.