This is a repost from BCUSA, so the guys names I mention in it might not make any sense to ya. Except for Iz, I'm pretty sure he's got his own forum here. With that said, let's get to it. To see info about the knife modified by field expedient check out this thread at BCUSA. http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php/98188-cold-steel-true-flight-thower-mod-(hollow-handle-amp-sawback)
And no, I'm not a shill for, FE. He's just one of my buds and does neat work. He isn't a vendor or anything like that, just does it for the fun of it.
Upon receiving the hollow handle knife made/modified by fellow board member, field expedient, I decided to do a shootout between 3 knives.
The Randall 18, Boker Apparo and Field's knife.
Before testing I stropped all 3 knives to hair popping sharp. I also wrapped all the handles with tarred bankline, they are all just too small diameter without it, adds a little meat to wrap your hands around.
I've been using the 18 for a few years now so I know it's ins and outs, have also put the Apparo through some serious use, was happy to get my hands on a knife built by a friend and see how they all stack up with one another.
First lets check out the sheaths. Randall Made Knives are known for coming with some of the best leather sheaths you can get your hands on, pretty much flawless. Field's sheath is very high quality too, it's not perfect but you can see some damn good craftsmanship in it, not to mention made out of good leather. The Apparo sheath, it's a different story, it's very thin and flimsy. I would go as far as calling it dangerous, if you slipped a fell you might receive a knife through the leg. I have my suspicions that it's made from cat leather.
Next we will see how the joints on the knives are put together. Randall has pretty much perfected silver soldering, this 18 isn't the finest example of their craftsmen skills but it's still very nice. Field opted to have the blade welded to the guard, doesn't look great, but it won't break(keep in mind this is his first hollow handle, prototype of sorts, everything gets better with time). The Apparo I believe is screwed together(correct me if I'm wrong) and is very strong. None of these knives joints will give before the blades do, guaranteed. Note: I've talked endlessly with field, Iz and numerous other people about joining blades to hilts to hollow handles. My opinion is that silver soldering along with epoxy is the best route, I think others use epoxy and pins to hold it all together, which seems to work as well.
Alright, enough talk, lets get to the testing. This is a dense green tree that had fallen over from a storm and just so happens to be blocking the path to my favorite bushcrafting spot, so chopping was first on the list. The Apparo chopped the best, due to the heft of the blade I imagine. Next best was fields knife, it chopped well for it's weight. Last but not so least was the Randall, it chopped very well for its size and weight. Overall the Apparo dominated this test.
After chopping I moved to what I consider one of the most important tasks a knife can do, carving. Afterall, cutting and carving are what knives are designed to do. The Randall and Field's knife were the best carvers, the Randall slightly better but both very good. The Apparo is a big beefy knife, with a very thick grind. Even when I get the edge just as sharp as the other knives, it just doesn't carve as well. It can still do the tasks, just not as easily or effiecently. Thinner grinds are simply better for carving.
Here is a pic of another problem with thicker ground knives. Baton them into the wood for the initial cut on a notch and it can split the wood, thinner knives won't do this. When this happens you just gotta start over.
Cont...
And no, I'm not a shill for, FE. He's just one of my buds and does neat work. He isn't a vendor or anything like that, just does it for the fun of it.
Upon receiving the hollow handle knife made/modified by fellow board member, field expedient, I decided to do a shootout between 3 knives.
The Randall 18, Boker Apparo and Field's knife.
Before testing I stropped all 3 knives to hair popping sharp. I also wrapped all the handles with tarred bankline, they are all just too small diameter without it, adds a little meat to wrap your hands around.
I've been using the 18 for a few years now so I know it's ins and outs, have also put the Apparo through some serious use, was happy to get my hands on a knife built by a friend and see how they all stack up with one another.
First lets check out the sheaths. Randall Made Knives are known for coming with some of the best leather sheaths you can get your hands on, pretty much flawless. Field's sheath is very high quality too, it's not perfect but you can see some damn good craftsmanship in it, not to mention made out of good leather. The Apparo sheath, it's a different story, it's very thin and flimsy. I would go as far as calling it dangerous, if you slipped a fell you might receive a knife through the leg. I have my suspicions that it's made from cat leather.
Next we will see how the joints on the knives are put together. Randall has pretty much perfected silver soldering, this 18 isn't the finest example of their craftsmen skills but it's still very nice. Field opted to have the blade welded to the guard, doesn't look great, but it won't break(keep in mind this is his first hollow handle, prototype of sorts, everything gets better with time). The Apparo I believe is screwed together(correct me if I'm wrong) and is very strong. None of these knives joints will give before the blades do, guaranteed. Note: I've talked endlessly with field, Iz and numerous other people about joining blades to hilts to hollow handles. My opinion is that silver soldering along with epoxy is the best route, I think others use epoxy and pins to hold it all together, which seems to work as well.
Alright, enough talk, lets get to the testing. This is a dense green tree that had fallen over from a storm and just so happens to be blocking the path to my favorite bushcrafting spot, so chopping was first on the list. The Apparo chopped the best, due to the heft of the blade I imagine. Next best was fields knife, it chopped well for it's weight. Last but not so least was the Randall, it chopped very well for its size and weight. Overall the Apparo dominated this test.
After chopping I moved to what I consider one of the most important tasks a knife can do, carving. Afterall, cutting and carving are what knives are designed to do. The Randall and Field's knife were the best carvers, the Randall slightly better but both very good. The Apparo is a big beefy knife, with a very thick grind. Even when I get the edge just as sharp as the other knives, it just doesn't carve as well. It can still do the tasks, just not as easily or effiecently. Thinner grinds are simply better for carving.
Here is a pic of another problem with thicker ground knives. Baton them into the wood for the initial cut on a notch and it can split the wood, thinner knives won't do this. When this happens you just gotta start over.
Cont...
If you need help deciphering just say so.
