Got my Western 71

[sunnyd]

..The heck with the slippers, just let me have my Peterson with a full load of good burley, and a glass of Evan Williams black label.

That man knows how to relax..

 

[DSP]

Okay, so it isn't a cool custom or even a high end production piece, but I had one and missed it once it was gone so I finally found one for only a few dollars more that the first one I bought out of a pawn shop. It arrived today. Just something to share.

The Western 71 is a later, stainless steel version of the old Seabee L71. To me it fits into the classic camp knife catagory. It feels good in the hand and is really quite light in either the hand or on the belt.

I'll attempt my first direct image posting that I scanned in.

Here are two shots of my L71's. The one on the left is the one marked SEABEE and L71, this one didn't go to war, and is a thru-tang; the one on the right is the war blade, with no marks except WESTERN and the famous Patent Number and exposed tang. Both are blued, the war blade has a steel pommel and guard, and this Navy Exchange Special has an aluminum pommel and guard. I have a Western 71 like yours, mint, and the sheath when compared to the SEABEE's robust leatherworks simply sucks. BTW, I got my SEABEE L71 from the Navy Exchange for $6.00 brand new in 1985 and it has served me well all these years in my war with big and small gamefish. I've almost worn the bluing off. My war blade L71 has about 97% of the blue, but no sheath.

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

Wow, good looking classics! Thanks for showing them. I'm glad to hear the '85 version has been giving great service all these years. The 71 style is just a classic outdoor knife. I agree though, that the sheath, while better than some, could be a bit more robust. I'm a sucker for a thick, sturdy sheath. But this one does fit the lightness of the knife and isn't too thin so I don't complain too much. At least I won't once I tack down the keeper strap so it quites sliding when I'm trying to unsnap it.

I llike the robust, steel pommel on the wartime L71. You could so some pounding with that if need be. The pommel on the 71s always brings to mind the image of an old style woodsman cutting his tarp/tent pegs with the knife, then using the pommel to tap the pegs into the ground.

I'm off today so I may have to slip the 71 on my belt and stuff one of my pipes and go sit under a tree for a while before it gets too hot here. I think it's only supposed to hit 100 today instead of 101. Did I mention I miss the northwoods?

 

[waynorth]

It's rainy and cold here today in the northwoods Amos, (60 degrees to you, 15 to us) although I see some brightness forming in the southeast. Enjoy your time off!

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

It's rainy and cold here today in the northwoods Amos, (60 degrees to you, 15 to us) although I see some brightness forming in the southeast. Enjoy your time off!

<Sniff> Such beautiful weather you're having. Sigh.

I did manage to finally win a serrated sheepsfoot Yello-Jacket Camillus congress, with box and papers, on the bay a little earlier. I better get off the computer and go for a drive with a pipe and some A/C. The gas might be cheaper than sitting at home. I also put in a bid on a pipe like I have because I've been looking for another one. Mind you, I'm talking under $20 in each case, but that still adds up. Oh yeah, I also better go a direction where there aren't any gun stores or anyone selling knives.

Shhh, don't tell anyone, I said I was going to clear out and rearrange my little computer room/hiding place. Ahh, there's always later. Besides, I might need to pick up some manila rope for some cutting tests. Uh-oh, that store has CV Cases for sale. It's a conspiracy I tell you! Or a message from the Knife Gods!