Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and comments on the knife!
MajorD - Dave thanks for the warm welcome and the kind words. I am excited to be back on a forum regarding knives, I really miss the conversations we used to have in the past. I will definitely get some actions shots and post some updated pictures along the way. Part of my reasoning for going with the canvas version was that it would leave me no excuse to use it, plus as you mentioned I have been on a little natural canvas kick lately (see picture below of my last three). I looked at a handful of different models - the Bushcrafter, Patch and the EDC II were the models that really stuck out to me. I should have got the Recluse out, I've always liked the looks of that knife. Out of all those, the decision came down to the Hiking Buddy and the EDC II. I really loved both knives and tried like crazy to figure out a way to bring both home with me but I knew I was making a couple when up at Bark River. I think the EDC II will be my next purchase and then I will probably go with something a little large after that. I'm sure there are a bunch of other models that will catch my eye once I hang around here a bit more.
I really am digging the new Insider sheaths. I've tried all the various pocket sheath options and I think this is by far the best design. My new setup spent 4 days in a row in my front jeans pocket including a 440 mile car ride and I basically forgot about having a fix blade in my pocket as soon as I put it in there. That tells me it's working. With the magnet it stays put, which takes care of one of the beefs I always have with pocket sheaths.
This was just a quick photo in the hotel this weekend and I need to get a better picture of these once it stops raining but here are my last 3 that I have picked up.
Vance - dang that would make a good companion knife to the Hiking Buddy!
Eric - I really appreciate the time you and Paul spent pulling out all those knives and going over some of the different makers that I hadn't had a chance to get my hands on. It was awesome meeting you and Paul and just chatting with guys that are into the same stuff as we are. When I asked Jason about the Insider sheath I wasn't originally thinking I would carry the Hiking Buddy in it but after we got it in the sheath I fell in love. Having both carry options will be a plus, I can think of some scenarios where I'll want it to ride on the belt. I was so overwhelmed with all the options I didn't think to have you tag it either.
Trestle/Warrior108 - Jerry is correct, the tab has earth magnets in it. Essentially it's a magnetic clip - works like a charm and doesn't tear up your pants like a metal clip will over time. I can take some additional pictures of the sheath if you guys would like. Jerry that is indeed the large size. It is a great fit for the Hiking Buddy but it was
extremely tight going in the first time. It's still a snug fit but it is breaking in nicely. The sheath also have an earth magnet inside it so it grabs the knife as it is going in (or keeps it from falling out depending on how you look at it).
This sums up my weekend - Hiking Buddy, Kalahari Sportsman that I built and a Petty Z that I built.
Couple liner shots of the two I built...
Herringbone micarta, thick natural canvas, white
Claro walnut that I supplied, toxic green, thick natural canvas...
