Huge Bushcraft Review Thread

halfserrated

halfserrated

Joined
May 10, 2007
Messages
983
Decided it was time I contributed a little to the W & SS forums. I did a little testing and have put together a review. For all the pictures, check here:
http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/halfserrated/?action=view&current=9fd51dbe.pbw

I tried to be as systematic as possible. I am only including pics of all the knives together and in hand in this thread. Pics of fuzzsticks and spear points for each knife are in the slideshow.

I am going to use a 10 point grading system for each knife. 1 is bad, 10 is good. I picked 5 categories.

1. Finish of the knife
2. Handle comfort
3. Fuzz stick ease
4. Spear point ease
5. Edge Retention

-Finish I based on did I feel like the knife was finished well from blade to handle.
-Handle comfort was based on hot spots after 30 minutes of use
-Fuzz stick ease was based on how hard I had to push and how much futz factor was involved in changing angles.
-Spear point ease was based on pressure and fineness of the edge
-Edge retention was based on push cutting paper after the other tests

Each knife was used for an equal amount of time. All knives were stropped to a hair popping edge prior to use. I also tested the edges with newspaper. I didn't want to have bald arms and legs, so I tested all the edges after use by attempting to push cut newspaper. I will try to elaborate as I go through each knife. I had a favorite by the end, which I will talk about at the end of my post. I am sure this will take multiple posts, so bear with me.

The Knives
1. SDS Knife ATS 34 Steel
2. MMHW Survival Spear 5160 steel
3. Muskrat Man Bushcraft L6 steel
4. Stephen Fowler Bushcraft 1084 Steel
5. Ironwolf W&SS Forum Knife O1 steel
6. Koster Bushcraft CPM3V
7. Fiddleback Bushcrafter O1 Steel
8. NWA Passaround Knife O1 steel

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I will go through all the knives and then list the best in each category.

First is the SDS knife. It has thumb filing which was great for a firesteel and for grip. Handles are black micarta.
1. Finish of the knife: 9/10
2. Handle comfort: 8/10
3. Fuzz stick ease: 7/10
4. Spear point ease: 8/10
5. Edge Retention: 9/10
Finish is great. Really like the permanent stripes. Handle comfort is 8 due to my big hands, not the knife. Had to mess with the angle quite a bit to get a good fuzz stick. Edge retention was great. Push cut the newspaper with ease.
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Next is the MMHW Survival Spear
1. Finish of the knife: 7/10
2. Handle comfort: 6/10
3. Fuzz stick ease: 9/10
4. Spear point ease: 9/10
5. Edge Retention: 10/10

Finish, come on, let's face it, Ted makes working knives, nothing fancy. Handle is OK, but no Matt Bailey on the comfort level. Fuzz sticks were easy as was the spear point. Edge retention was ridiculous, absolutely no signs of wear.
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Next is the Muskrat Man Bushcraft
1. Finish of the knife: 9/10
2. Handle comfort: 6/10
3. Fuzz stick ease: 8/10
4. Spear point ease: 10/10
5. Edge Retention: 9/10

Finish was great. Handle just didn't work for me. My hands don't fit the handle well. Fuzz sticks required a little more pressure than I expected. Spear point was too easy. Edge retention was great.
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Next is the Stephen Fowler Bushcraft Knife
1. Finish of the knife: 7/10
2. Handle comfort: 8/10
3. Fuzz stick ease: 8/10
4. Spear point ease: 8/10
5. Edge Retention: 7/10

In Stephen's defense, this is one of his early knives. The finish is not what he is putting out now, but I really like the knife. Handle is comfortable, but a little short for me. Fuzz sticks and spears with no problems. Edge retention was a little lower than expected. I had a little trouble push cutting the newspaper after all the use.
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Next is the Ironwolf W&SS Forum Knife. I know there was controversy over this one. I know some folks got screwed over this one. I picked this one up off the exchange.
1. Finish of the knife: 4/10
2. Handle comfort: 4/10
3. Fuzz stick ease: 10/10
4. Spear point ease: 10/10
5. Edge Retention: 10/10

Finish on this one was poor. The handle was extremely rough and not finished very well, making it extremely uncomfortable. After and hour sanding by hand, it is the most comfortable handled knife I own. The edge geometry and ease of use were top notch. Push cutting newspaper was no problem.
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Next is the Koster Bushcrafter
1. Finish of the knife: 8/10
2. Handle comfort: 7/10
3. Fuzz stick ease: 10/10
4. Spear point ease: 9/10
5. Edge Retention: 7/10

Finish is good on the Koster. Handle scales are a little thin for me. Fuzz sticks were ridiculously thin. Easy to make a spear. Edge retention was a little confusing for me. 3V holds an edge for a long time I know. This knife was the easiest to use while working with wood, but did poorly push cutting paper. It could be from the toothiness of the steel.
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Next is the Fiddleback Bushcrafter
1. Finish of the knife: 9/10
2. Handle comfort: 10/10
3. Fuzz stick ease: 9/10
4. Spear point ease: 9/10
5. Edge Retention: 9/10

Finish is great, as on all of Andy's knives. His handles are amazing. Flew through the fuzz sticks, spears, and push cutting with no problem.
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Last but not least is the NWA Passaround Knife
1. Finish of the knife: 10/10
2. Handle comfort: 8/10
3. Fuzz stick ease: 9/10
4. Spear point ease: 9/10
5. Edge Retention: 9/10

Finish on this one was top notch. It has extended thumb ramps, which were great. The handle was really comfortable. Fuzzies, spears, and push cutting were easy.
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Results and Overall Favorite:
Each Category
1. Finish of the knife-Goes to Nick for overall Finish. Pure handles goes to Fiddleback

2. Handle comfort-Fiddleback without a doubt. After hand sanding to my hands, the W&SS Forum knife is tied with Andy's.

3. Fuzz stick ease-Ironwolf Forum Knife tied with Koster Bushcraft

4. Spear point ease-Muskrat Man tied with Ironwolf Forum knife

5. Edge Retention-Ironwolf Forum Knife tied with MMHW Survival Spear

My overall pick from these, from the makers, is the NWA knife. Nick did a great job on these from top to bottom.

If I had to pick one knife from these to carry with me, I am going to take my reworked Ironwolf Knife. The steel is great and the handle is fit to my hand now.

I have a chopper review I will put up tomorrow.
 
You mention the handle on the Fowler as being a bit too short for your tastes, yet the handle on the NWA knife appears to be much shorter, but you don't mention that. Then you say that the NWA knife has a very comfortable handle. I guess I am not sure why you like the NWA knife handle. Is it that it is thicker than the Fowler?
 
Great review and pics bro, I was really dissapointed when it ended !!!

I can't wait for the chopper review now !!!!!
 
great stuff man...:thumbup: you have a nice selection of blades there...

that fowler used to be mine...:D that thing has made some rounds already...:o indeed stephens work has come a long way.. his newer knives are waay nice...
 
Thanks for the great review.
I am curious about the thickness and edge geometry of each knife since this would affect how they perform in different tests.
 
Good review. I have owned knives from most of these makers and they do some good work.
 
Great write up bro.

What steel is the Koster, I ask because the one I have in 3V has yet to be sharpened and still a razor.



hollowdweller said:
HS,

Photobucket is blocked at work is your MM one with the secondary bevel?
Click to expand...

Doesn't look like it has a 2ndary bevel form the pics in the slide show.
 
Great review:thumbup: I'm impressed that one of my smallest knives did so well, when compared, to some very nice larger blades.


Thanks dude
Nick:)
 
Nice collection! Thanks for breaking down each aspect for us.

The strange thing is that if I were to guess, I'd bet that the MuskratMan would be one of the most comfortable. That handle seems to beg to be grabbed, but then again, I've never held one. Maybe one size (contour) doesn't fit all...
 
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