H.E.S.T Passaround Review Thread

Trying figure out which RAT will be my first and threads like this really help.
 
ironmike86 said:
I wouldn't concider that large??:eek: Unless I don't understand how you are measuring? Index finger to pinky at the base?
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I don't know, I usually get the "mutant paws" designation, take the largest size I can get in every glove, and am CONSISTENTLY finding knife handles too small to use comfortably (but not my Izula, which is why it ROCKS!!! :D ).

And my hand measured index to pinky on the flat is just shy of 4" (I know 'cuz I just checked). I'd say 4" is solidly "larger than average."

Which means the H.E.S.T. should fit my paw.

Awesome! That means I have to get one. :thumbup:

Oh, wait. That means I have to BUY one .... :thumbdn:

.......

Does "can't-afford-a-Snickers-bar broke but surrounded by wondrous sharp objects" count as a success story?
 
Joben said:
It's a rainy dark day here, bad for photos, so I'm pushing those back to tommorow. I'll do some comparison shots with my Izula and Mora clipper as common reference. I wish I had an RC3 to compare it too, obviously I don't have my forum knife yet.

Here is my review, it turned out long'ish so I put keywords in bold for the aid of any attention span deficient among you. :D

This knife has several gee-whiz nifty features which distinguish it from similar knives. Lets get them out of the way first, starting with the bad news. I really don't like the bottle opener. It is exactly where I want to put my thumb for several cutting tasks. [pics to follow] It's not a horrible flaw, but I don't think such a minor function is worth the cost to ergonomics. On the other hand, I think if you took the coating off there to expose a square steel edge it might make a nice notch to strike a firesteel with. If it had two functions I'd give it a thumbs up. ;) The wire breaker notch works and has no drawbacks. It's so simple! More knives should have this! I was worried about the pry bar pommel being uncomfortable, but it really isn't a problem. I can imagine using it to pull nails or staples, or as a scraping tool. Also, having that definite hook at the pommel aids in drawing the blade. I like the handle compartment. It measures approx 0.4" by 2". I found with some disappointment that a Spark-lite would not quite fit. If this HEST were mine I would probably put in a plastic bag, a couple chlorine dioxide tablets and some emergency money.

Now on to the main features.

The overall size, feel and balance of the knife is very very good.
The size is nice, exactly 3" of cutting edge and about 8" overall. A versatile size, big enough for most tasks, but small enough to be conveniently carried. The balance point is just ahead of the first handle screw, in the exact middle of the knife.

The blade is hefty for a knife this size, about 0.18" thick at the spine, significantly thicker than the only slightly shorter bladed Izula. It is also wide about 1.25" from spine to edge at it's widest. This knife is built VERY strong. That thick wedge batons kindling size wood very efficiently. But, there is no free lunch, making a small'ish knife that chunky has some drawbacks. It makes some minor cutting tasks a little less convenient. For example, quartering an apple; even with a razor sharp blade the cuts took some pressure. Obviously this is not intended as a kitchen knife, so judge that observation's relevance for yourself.

The handle seems just a little small to me in a saber grip with my thumb on the ramp; it leaves my pinky hanging a bit (My hands are almost exactly statistical average for a man). This is not a major complaint, I'm grading on a curve here; I only mention it because I think the Izula has amazing ergonomics for it's size. The HEST's ergonomics I would describe as 'good.' For precision cutting you can choke up on the blade a LOT very comfortably, in fact that seems to be the most intuitive grip for me with my thumb far up on the spine past the jimping and bottle opener. [pics for this coming too] Reverse grip is very comfortable.

The knife makes a fine fire prep tool. I used it to carve fatwood curls, scrape dust and spark a fire with a minch metal ferro rod. It worked quite well for scraping the dust with my thumb on the wide flat of the blade, and it made nice thin curls.

It's nice to see a kydex sheath. I note with interest that this one is screwed together, most I've seen are riveted. It's got a drain hole, which is good. It's a bit of a paddle though, almost 3" wide and 4.5" long. I could see some folks wanted a smaller one, particularly if they want to EDC their HEST...and aren't strapping on web gear every morning. :p

Overall, the HEST is a very good knife with some interesting and unique features. I think I'm going to miss it when I have to send this one off to the next guy in a day or two.

p.s. ouch, it just bit me. Missed the sheath opening and stabbed my palm slightly. :rolleyes:
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Pics as promised.

In a row, left to right, Ka-Bar Short Tanto, Mora Clipper, HEST, Izula
hest1.jpg


Top down, perspective scews it a bit. The HEST is the thickest, with the Ka-Bar close behind.
hest2.jpg


The Mora and HEST are a close match in overall size.
hest4.jpg


Izula and HEST lined up at the finger choils to compare blade size.
hest3.jpg


HEST and Izula (in custom kydex) sheathed side by side.
hest11.jpg


HEST.
hest8.jpg

I'm contributing the cord lock whistle to the pass-around, and eventual owner.
 
This is why the bottle opener annoys me.
I tried a bit of whittling, I tend to push the blade through with the thumb of my weak hand, hard habit to break. Every time I did that it ended up getting pinched.
hest7.jpg


This is the grip I talked about which is comfortable and intuitive for me. Lots of control.
hest5.jpg

Oddly enough the bottle opener does NOT dig in when you do this.
hest6.jpg


These didn't come out good, but hopefully I can explain my minor complaint about the HEST grip. I don't want to make a big deal of this, but since I brought it up I'm gona make sure people understand what I'm talking about.

These next three are all in a Saber Grip, that is, fingers wrapped around, thumb on the blade spine.

HEST. See that gap between pinky and the handle? That's uncomfortable.
hest12.jpg


Short Ka-Bar. Pinky touches handle and wraps nicely.
hest13.jpg


Mora. Awesome fit.
hest14.jpg


Interstingly the gap with the HEST goes away if you switch the a hammer grip, that is, wrapping you thumb around instead of putting it on the spine.
I think the whole thing is due to some odd interaction between the geometry of my hand and the thumb ramp. (My hand is 7.4" long and 3.5" wide)
hest15.jpg


Here she is, one last time, I'll miss her.
hest10.jpg
 
I can't tell you how much I appreciate those pics. I was having a hard time choosing between the RC-3 and the H.E.S.T. Clearly, I need to go with the RC-3.

Nothing against the H.E.S.T. -- it's a very cool design -- but as I didn't realize how close it was to the Izula's blade dimensions. As I already have an Izula, I'll start with the RC-3.

Great reviews though, guys, and like I said, nothing against the H.E.S.T. It still looks like one heck of a knife to me. :thumbup:
 
cavemike said:
I don't know, I usually get the "mutant paws" designation, take the largest size I can get in every glove, and am CONSISTENTLY finding knife handles too small to use comfortably (but not my Izula, which is why it ROCKS!!! :D ).

And my hand measured index to pinky on the flat is just shy of 4" (I know 'cuz I just checked). I'd say 4" is solidly "larger than average."?
Click to expand...
Really? That's what my fingers measure. I figured that was average not large.Guess I hang out with a bunch of mutant men with huge hands?
I like the Hest because it's bigger than the Izula and legal EDC. I like the RC3 but it's not legal in my area. And I don't carve with my Hest. Just cut rope and cardboard. Same with the Izula. Both work knives.
 
Hurray, Im next in line for the HEST, I feel like I should be sending it out before I even get it (keeping with the 4 day schedule):D. Maybe its 4 days, in Vacation Town USA.:D:D:D
 
Joben, I like how you held the Izula up to the HEST, gives me a great heads up to what to expect (thought it as bigger actually!)
 
Good stuff Joben. Excellent review and pics. Can't wait to get my paws on this knife (I'm dead last on the pass-around).
 
onado2000 said:
Joben, I like how you held the Izula up to the HEST, gives me a great heads up to what to expect (thought it as bigger actually!)
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I thought it was bigger too, that comparison actually surprised me. The HEST somehow creates the impression of being bigger than it really is. I think this must be what people mean when they talk about 'little big knives.'

It will be coming your way soon, this afternoon or tommorow. :)

iggyd said:
What happened to Jetblack's lanyard?
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It's still there, and it will be forwarded with all the other stuff. I just didn't have it attached in any of my pics.
 
great pics and good example of how different knifes....and hands can be! My pinky wraps fine around the base. but I need that 'bottle opener" to get a good grip. My hand was crushed when I was hit head on by a car in Peru so my right hand has fused tendons which doesn't give me a full closed grip but I like a substantial grip and I find my pinky is big part of control in moving a knife in a hostile situation. You will find that you miss the prybar in other knifes because it provides a solid pull back and holster grab.

My primary goal was to make sure that knife would not come out of your hand when things got slippery and violent. I like the RAT DPx H•E•S•T nekkid with a paracord wrap as well. I really liked the smaller sheath that Wookie created and the washer ideas so keep em coming.

In any case the passaround is a great idea and all ideas and comments (both good and bad) are great :)
 
Joben said:
It will be coming your way soon, this afternoon or tommorow. :)
It's still there, and it will be forwarded with all the other stuff. I just didn't have it attached in any of my pics.
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Joben, do you have a tracking number?, so that I could follow delivery schedule. Thanks
 
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