Hess Knife works

B

BigRob

Joined
Feb 18, 2014
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163
I won this gem at a wild game dinner last night. There isn't much on them around so I figured I'd give them some love. They had 4 to choose from and I picked this one because I love my Gladstone Marbles Ive had for years. For the money they are amazing. Just need a Bark River and a Rapid Rivery knife works to complete my goal of having at least one from each UP maker.
 
Let us know how it works for you! Everything I've seen says that they're absolutely great values and we'll made. I think they deserve much more attention than they get!
 
Blades are by Great Eastern Cutlery, one of the best regarded traditional knife makers today. Nice snag.
 
I have two Hess knives and use them for skinning/butchering deer. Awesome knives; the fit and finish on the handle is amazing for the price. The 1095 steel is a dream to sharpen.
 
I have the Outdoorsman in 52-100. It takes a damn fine edge and keeps it very well. I have used it to butcher deer and hogs. I would love to have more of them.
 
I have a Hess Hunter (3 3/8" blade high carbon 1095 steel) stacked leather and a Hess Outdoorsman. Very satisfied with both of them.
The Outdoorsman (4.75″ clip point blade, 52-100 steel, .210″ thick, full tang) has been used in wild boar hunting (skinning and cutting the meat). Very very sharp and very effective tool. It has been used also as a general utility camping tool. Excellent cooperation with the makers. Nice firm.
 
I'll bring this one back from the dead.

I just received my first Hess last week, and I can't stop fondling it. I never thought I'd be a stick tang and slipjoint guy, but between Hess and GEC, they are making some seriously cool stuff.

I wish Hess would make a 5-6" Marbles Ideal style knife. I don't love the price on the BRKT canoe. ;)
 
Wilted Kilt said:
I'll bring this one back from the dead.

I just received my first Hess last week, and I can't stop fondling it. I never thought I'd be a stick tang and slipjoint guy, but between Hess and GEC, they are making some seriously cool stuff.

I wish Hess would make a 5-6" Marbles Ideal style knife. I don't love the price on the BRKT canoe. ;)
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How are you liking the 1095 on your fixed blade? I've wanted a GEC made fixed for a while but I wasn't aware that Hess was GEC made.
 
Glad to see this thread revived. I think Hess knives are one of the best deals out there, their handles are amazing. I don't like 1095 on folders (I have several GEC slip joints); but I don't mind them on fixed blades as it is easier to keep rust away since there is no moving parts. The steel is a dream to sharpen compared to super steels, and I can gut and butcher a deer without re-sharpening.
 
155440 said:
How are you liking the 1095 on your fixed blade? I've wanted a GEC made fixed for a while but I wasn't aware that Hess was GEC made.
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I've got likes and dislikes. I'll start with the dislikes... With food prep, it's more difficult to care for than I anticipated. I got a little black spot on the spine after letting it sit (not in it's sheath), I must've missed it with the CLP oil I was using. Granted, it polished right off with a couple strops, but now I'm paranoid. Hopefully once a deeper patina develops it'll be a little less easy to rust. I'll probably try ren wax too, since I wanted to buy that for my shotgun anyway.

Additional note- I'm in southern New Jersey, and it's been so humid I want to jump in a lake to dry the eff off, so that probably plays a part too.

Now to the likes. I love the patina it is getting. It makes it look worn instead of used. Stainless blades get scratches and dings, but carbon gets dark and antique looking, 1095 especially. The blade strops sooo stinking nicely. I'd been using the BRKT green compound on a homemade strop, and it sharpens easily with a few long, smooth strops. It came laser sharp the first 2/3 of the blade, but only somewhat sharp to the tip. It was effortless to sharpen the last 3rd. Also, I really like the thinner stock with a convex grind.

I considered a GEC fixed blade too, but the price and convex grind just forced me to go Hess.
 
Wilted Kilt said:
I've got likes and dislikes. I'll start with the dislikes... With food prep, it's more difficult to care for than I anticipated. I got a little black spot on the spine after letting it sit (not in it's sheath), I must've missed it with the CLP oil I was using. Granted, it polished right off with a couple strops, but now I'm paranoid. Hopefully once a deeper patina develops it'll be a little less easy to rust. I'll probably try ren wax too, since I wanted to buy that for my shotgun anyway.

Additional note- I'm in southern New Jersey, and it's been so humid I want to jump in a lake to dry the eff off, so that probably plays a part too.

Now to the likes. I love the patina it is getting. It makes it look worn instead of used. Stainless blades get scratches and dings, but carbon gets dark and antique looking, 1095 especially. The blade strops sooo stinking nicely. I'd been using the BRKT green compound on a homemade strop, and it sharpens easily with a few long, smooth strops. It came laser sharp the first 2/3 of the blade, but only somewhat sharp to the tip. It was effortless to sharpen the last 3rd. Also, I really like the thinner stock with a convex grind.

I considered a GEC fixed blade too, but the price and convex grind just forced me to go Hess.
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I'm also in southern New Jersey, and have been fighting the humidity as well. We lost power last week due to a hail/thunderstorm and I spent a good while making sure every knife got a nice coat of oil.

You really are selling the knives to me. I have several folders in 1095 that have that nice dark smokey patina, and I can only day dream how some of these Hess knives would look with that finish.
 
155440 said:
I'm also in southern New Jersey, and have been fighting the humidity as well. We lost power last week due to a hail/thunderstorm and I spent a good while making sure every knife got a nice coat of oil.

You really are selling the knives to me. I have several folders in 1095 that have that nice dark smokey patina, and I can only day dream how some of these Hess knives would look with that finish.
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Hah, where in South Jersey?

I've got a Tiburon/stag crown, the blade shape was really attractive to me and the crown was uncommonly symmetrical, which I prefer. The finish isn't fit and finish is good, but not at full custom level.

If you see the pattern you want in a handle material you like, I'd recommend getting one. A hand made USA knife for 100 bones is just silly value. I plan to get a bird/trout and frontiersman eventually, though I don't think they make the big bowie anymore.
 
Wilted Kilt said:
Hah, where in South Jersey?

I've got a Tiburon/stag crown, the blade shape was really attractive to me and the crown was uncommonly symmetrical, which I prefer. The finish isn't fit and finish is good, but not at full custom level.

If you see the pattern you want in a handle material you like, I'd recommend getting one. A hand made USA knife for 100 bones is just silly value. I plan to get a bird/trout and frontiersman eventually, though I don't think they make the big bowie anymore.
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I was looking at the steel pommel bird and trouts, and I'm in Haddonfield (Near Cherry Hill, which is in Camden County). If I got one, I think I would get a kydex sheath made for it and carry it in the front pocket of my jeans. There are too many soccer moms where I am to open carry a fixed blade.
 
Ah, okay. I used to take music lessons in Haddonfield as a kid. Normally I'd say "guitar lessons", but since this is the internet and I can remain anonymous, I'll fess up- it was the flute.

Best wishes on your purchase. Hess or GEC, I'm sure you'll be pleased!
 
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