You know, from the first when I looked at the HI inventory, my mind's eye selected those models most useful to my needs. These tended to be cutters and choppers, mostly choppers. I cut wood for the stove, no He Man- just enjoy the exercise and the outing with my small boys.
This division, between usefulness and you Exotics boys, is at times clear on the forum. I thought Dan Koster a little 'touched' with some of that pretty stuff he kept following. But he was not alone, there was a herd of you clamoring at the bit for such numbers as the back alley disembowler known as the Kerambit- good for any Hong Kong Bar or cutting blubber from a whale aslongside ship.
Knife people, I know, follow form and art. The usefullness criteria tends to fade to the background somewhere after owning 2o or more 'useful' blades.
Well, The Cherokee Rose is about the last blade on Earth I'd own. ( I now say that about swords...)
What the heck is this thing for if not a sand bar last stand or a muggy night in New Orleans on the docks?
Well, a forum Brother and a very very good friend had passed this blade from one to the other, so it had history. I got a friendship offer and decided to take it. It seemed to come from Heart to Heart.
But really, I'm a block headed, block figured AK Bowie guy, aren't I? ( and when in hell is the AK Bowie ever going to be offered straight edged so I can get one for the kitchen??!! ) Crude and effective, if not me, at least much of what I admire. In a glitzy world, I pass Pretty by all the time for quietly useful.
The Rose arrives. AT first I'm a little shy and perplexed by it. Yeah, it's nice and all, but....what is this thing? Bura made it post stroke and it's 19.5" long and weighs (if my scale is accurate) about 27oz. I love the balance. I can see why one with a couple less ounces might swing and point more smoothly, but this one carried real well in the hand and the weight is reassuring to a block-head like me. Besides, I took it outside in the preliminary examine and snapped off a couple 1.5' to 2.5" stumpettes on some firewood, with just a 'snik' that I found very appealing. How strong the edge is I do not know, and how far I should go is still under consideration. This Rose does not have to cut firewood for a living; but it should be able to in the, "Last Stand With Khuk In Hand" Scenerio. I'll probably do more severe testing to get an idea of edge retention. After Hollow's experiences with Rolled edges on AK bowies, this is a slight concern.
But the Rose is neat. It has sat here on my desk for a month. I've drawn in out of the sheath so much that it now slides out handily, as opposed to the stiff resistance initially in the still newesh leather. It sits by my bed every night- just in case.
It did slide out of my hands once. My fault. Unlike some, I've never really been cut by a khuk. I did have a 15" Sher AK take some skin off and draw blood, but it wasn't much. When the Rose spun I got my handls out of the way as fast as if a Rattler had struck. I wasn't hurt. But it helped bring home yet again the importance of safety.
The Rose is good camping and hiking gear. I can't think of a Cougar I could not do away with this blade. I often take khuks with me instead of a heavier handgun while hiking with my small sons in Cougar country. There are a lot of these big cats where I live, and I don't think it far fetched for one of them to snatch up a milk-fed-munk-minor who has lagged behind on the trail.
So, I've enjoyed the comraderie here with all of my khuk brotherhood friends, and the teasing I've given you about some of these blades. But I give up. I remember once the late Bob Milek (sic) got peeved at the cartridge disputes always going in gun circles and snapped, "as far as I'm concerned, the fact someone wants a certain cartridge is reason enough for its existence."
I love my Cherokee Rose. I like holding it. I'll take it hiking. And you've waited patiently for me to conclude, and will not disapoint you now.
By God, Life is Cheap out here on the Brazos.
munk
This division, between usefulness and you Exotics boys, is at times clear on the forum. I thought Dan Koster a little 'touched' with some of that pretty stuff he kept following. But he was not alone, there was a herd of you clamoring at the bit for such numbers as the back alley disembowler known as the Kerambit- good for any Hong Kong Bar or cutting blubber from a whale aslongside ship.
Knife people, I know, follow form and art. The usefullness criteria tends to fade to the background somewhere after owning 2o or more 'useful' blades.
Well, The Cherokee Rose is about the last blade on Earth I'd own. ( I now say that about swords...)
What the heck is this thing for if not a sand bar last stand or a muggy night in New Orleans on the docks?
Well, a forum Brother and a very very good friend had passed this blade from one to the other, so it had history. I got a friendship offer and decided to take it. It seemed to come from Heart to Heart.
But really, I'm a block headed, block figured AK Bowie guy, aren't I? ( and when in hell is the AK Bowie ever going to be offered straight edged so I can get one for the kitchen??!! ) Crude and effective, if not me, at least much of what I admire. In a glitzy world, I pass Pretty by all the time for quietly useful.
The Rose arrives. AT first I'm a little shy and perplexed by it. Yeah, it's nice and all, but....what is this thing? Bura made it post stroke and it's 19.5" long and weighs (if my scale is accurate) about 27oz. I love the balance. I can see why one with a couple less ounces might swing and point more smoothly, but this one carried real well in the hand and the weight is reassuring to a block-head like me. Besides, I took it outside in the preliminary examine and snapped off a couple 1.5' to 2.5" stumpettes on some firewood, with just a 'snik' that I found very appealing. How strong the edge is I do not know, and how far I should go is still under consideration. This Rose does not have to cut firewood for a living; but it should be able to in the, "Last Stand With Khuk In Hand" Scenerio. I'll probably do more severe testing to get an idea of edge retention. After Hollow's experiences with Rolled edges on AK bowies, this is a slight concern.
But the Rose is neat. It has sat here on my desk for a month. I've drawn in out of the sheath so much that it now slides out handily, as opposed to the stiff resistance initially in the still newesh leather. It sits by my bed every night- just in case.
It did slide out of my hands once. My fault. Unlike some, I've never really been cut by a khuk. I did have a 15" Sher AK take some skin off and draw blood, but it wasn't much. When the Rose spun I got my handls out of the way as fast as if a Rattler had struck. I wasn't hurt. But it helped bring home yet again the importance of safety.
The Rose is good camping and hiking gear. I can't think of a Cougar I could not do away with this blade. I often take khuks with me instead of a heavier handgun while hiking with my small sons in Cougar country. There are a lot of these big cats where I live, and I don't think it far fetched for one of them to snatch up a milk-fed-munk-minor who has lagged behind on the trail.
So, I've enjoyed the comraderie here with all of my khuk brotherhood friends, and the teasing I've given you about some of these blades. But I give up. I remember once the late Bob Milek (sic) got peeved at the cartridge disputes always going in gun circles and snapped, "as far as I'm concerned, the fact someone wants a certain cartridge is reason enough for its existence."
I love my Cherokee Rose. I like holding it. I'll take it hiking. And you've waited patiently for me to conclude, and will not disapoint you now.
By God, Life is Cheap out here on the Brazos.
munk
A Rose *is* a rose...
