Just got my new D'Eskabar

loonybin

loonybin

Joined
May 18, 1999
Messages
1,708
I'm liking this thing! Stonewashed D2 instead of carbon steel appeals to me, but I will definitely have to do something to protect it, since it came with some surface spot rust on the spine, and I have rather acidic fingerprints (time to wrap the handle!). It's hair-shaving sharp, but I think I'm still going to put my own edge on it (or at least take this angle to a finer grit). I see a clip in the near future to carry this on my belt.

If I decide to go with add-on handles instead of the paracord, which ones should I look at?
 
Yes, KABAR make a great little set. You get a black set and an orange set together. There's also TKC G10s as well. I've got both the KABAR and the TKC handles. Both are awesome..

The ESEE Izula micarta will work but the inner cut out on the Izula is slightly different to the D'Eskabar (one is narrower. Which one? Can't remember) so it might not be a great fit. I'd just go the KABAR offerings. Cheap and very effective..

ETA: if you have acidic hands then the 550 wrap might actually be the best as it will cover the tang completely whereas the other manufactured sets don't. But then, you can't remove the wrap unless you undo it. So maybe it won't be the best option. Glad I could be of a non-confusing service :D
 
I love the G10 handles that "theknifeconnection" makes. Really a step up from the zytel handles.
 
The G10 handles from TKC really are impressive! However, they cost as much as the knife, so I may have to wait a bit to get them.
 
With some minor sanding of the insert, the ESSE micarta handles are awesome.

This is an old pic. But it's still relevant.

 
D2 is pretty close to stainless. I believe it qualifies as stainless in Europe with 12% Chromium so I would not worry too much. The rust on the spine was likely left over steel particles from the manufacturing process that rusted and left spots and not the knife itself. But I could be wrong.

I have a 24 and love it. Have tried both the izula and kabar handles and prefer the ka-bar. They cover the whole handle. The izula scales don't and leave a big hot spot on the end of the handle. I have never oiled or worried about the knife and I live in Houston (think humid) with no rust issues. My 1095 will rust if not oiled in this climate.

Enjoy the knife. I love the responsive, crisp feel of D2. If you decide you want a better kydex sheath Azwelke makes a good one. I wear my 24 as a neck knife.
 
Spameater12003 said:
D2 is pretty close to stainless. I believe it qualifies as stainless in Europe with 12% Chromium so I would not worry too much. The rust on the spine was likely left over steel particles from the manufacturing process that rusted and left spots and not the knife itself. But I could be wrong.
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My 51 Morpho I had never had an issue, but it had a smooth crowned spine instead of a rough cut one with areas for rust to set in. My HK 14715 never experienced an issue with the edge either. I took some Blue Wonder Gun Cleaner on some 0000 steel wool and it is gone now. I wiped the entire thing with Marine Tuf-Cloth afterwards, so I'm not too worried now.

I have a 24 and love it. Have tried both the izula and kabar handles and prefer the ka-bar. They cover the whole handle. The izula scales don't and leave a big hot spot on the end of the handle. I have never oiled or worried about the knife and I live in Houston (think humid) with no rust issues. My 1095 will rust if not oiled in this climate.

Enjoy the knife. I love the responsive, crisp feel of D2. If you decide you want a better kydex sheath Azwelke makes a good one. I wear my 24 as a neck knife.
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D2 is one of my favorite steels! I like the toothy feel of it, even when it's polished.

I will have to stick with a paracord wrap for now, so my biggest question is what style of wrap to use? The one in the Knifecenter video is easy to do, but isn't all that impressive in the hand. I like the samauri-style wrap to give the grip some body, but finishing around the lanyard/finger hole is proving to be a frustrating proposition.

Eventually, I would like to DLC this thing, along with some pocket clips and some other blades I have.
 
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my D2 Eskabar has never rusted, despite tons of steak, blood, salt, and kitchen chemicals, and exposure to elements.

nice.
 
I had mine out one night at the beach cutting limes.
Forgot about it and someone put it back in the stock sheath. When I found it in the morning there were plenty of surface rust spots. Made for a great patina. The rust came right off and the patina has since worn away. So, yeah...it can rust with neglect but I'd say lime juice and avocado might be more on the extreme than the norm. If it had at least been wiped I'm sure there'd have been nothing because it's seem plenty of limes.
 
Well, I got my handle wrapped, so I'll get a photo tomorrow to show. If y'all know of some good wrap methods, I'll be up for trying them!
 
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