Just got SH-E and compared it to SH II

[Cobalt]

Just received the SH-E today in the mail and am comparing it to my old straight handled SH II's. The handle design is definitely more ergonomic and slightly longer. The diamond micarta handles are also much more secure and I like them a whole lot more than the ones on my straight handles. The sheath is a big improvement also IMO. The blade came as sharp as my straight handles but is significantly smaller in the width. It is nearly 1/4 inch or more less in width. Thickness appears to be the same. I really like it. Excellent in every way. I like the krinkle finish which seems much better than my old finish which I have finished removing recently.

Great knife.

As for preference, until now I have always liked straight handled knives. The handle on the new SH-E is not severe enough to qualify it as a chopper only, so I like it. The old SH II's appear to be heavier since there is so much more blade.

The new SH-E feels lighter and faster due to the balance (CG) being further back on the knife.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Is there any significant loss in cutting ability becuase of the narrower blade which given the same stock thickness results in a thicker primary grind? How about in regards to chopping, as the shift in CG will effect in negatively as well.

-Cliff

 

[Cobalt]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Cliff Stamp:
Is there any significant loss in cutting ability becuase of the narrower blade which given the same stock thickness results in a thicker primary grind? How about in regards to chopping, as the shift in CG will effect in negatively as well.

-Cliff</font>

Cliff, I just got the knife today, but the older SH II's feel much more blade heavy and would seem to chop better but this may be outweighed by the better handle shape. The blade on the new one is also considerable shorter, by 1/4 to 3/8 inch and the handle is probably that much longer than the old one. I'll have to try them both out side by side to see, but I have a feeling that it will be too close too tell. The new handle feels so much better in the hand that it may outweigh the larger size of the old one. That diamond micarta feels great. Hey Jerry how about replacing my old slabs with the new ones.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Cobalt:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">the older SH II's feel much more blade heavy and would seem to chop better but this may be outweighed by the better handle shape.</font>

Yes, this was exactly along the lines I was thinking. Anyone have the two BM versions and care to comment as well?

-Cliff

 

[Will York]

Cliff--

I agree exactly with Cobalt's comparison of the SH's. I have both BM's also, and the BM-E is a direct extension of the SH-E--just extra blade length, of the same dimension and profile as the SH-E.

There was a big difference between the taper of the old straight BM and the straight SH, on the other hand. I think the heavier-bladed straight BM has better blade speed and balance for chopping than the BM-E, although the added comfort of the BM-E handle and the ability to back up on the handle and achieve greater grip-to-blade angle makes it more comfortable to use than the straight BM. For this reason, the two BM's are close in performance over the long haul, in my opinion. In terms of how long it takes to chop through 2" sapplings, for example--although the straight seems to get more power behind it via blade weight, the "E" is better controlled and takes less effort. You might take a chop or two more with the "E" to do the same work, but the comfort and ease with which you work makes up for it, IMO. Also, contact with the rear talon on the "E" during chopping is less punishing--I've found no tendency to blister with the "E" model.

-w

 

[Cobalt]

If I could find my old bullet proof vest that I used for testing how the knives penetrate, I would see how well the new SH-E penetrates, but I have a feeling that it will penetrate better due to the slightly steeper profile.

 

[HJK]

Thanks for the details. I didn't appreciate that there was so much difference in the blades. For me, it makes my old SH II that much more valuable and irreplacable. I like the heft and choping ability, and the handle was just fine for me. Mind you, I do like the finishes on the E's. Dammit, I knew I should have bought two of each.

 

[Lane Dexter]

This thread is really interesting. But I'm afraid it's headed in an expensive direction. I have the straight handled SHII and am happy with it --- or I was, until Andre duMouchel told me it had about doubled in value, and I should get a less valuable E model for my "beater" knife. Now, how can I be happy while using and abusing it?

Now, how do I explain to the Little Woman (who is very womanly but NOT little, and takes money MUCH more seriously than I do) that I bought a SHII because I wanted one big tough indestructible field knife -- but now I have to put it on the shelf and buy another SH???

BTW, my SHII has the smooth black coating, but so far no scratches. I see only faint scuffs from some chopping and splitting firewood.

Any ideas?

[This message has been edited by Lane Dexter (edited 05-20-2001).]

 

[HJK]

Don't tell her

 

[Cobalt]

HJK, Lane, the new ones are really nice. Get one, you won't regret it.

 

[Lane Dexter]

Oh, thanks for the GREAT advice.

I'm afraid my Little Woman, is as Seth Thomas (welcome, Seth!) described in another thread, the Chief Family Financial Officer. Not much gets by her. Of course, I'm sure that "Seth Thomas" has a much better sense of timing than I do...

Now, I'll have to start working on a secret cash stash....

I was surprised to hear the new crinkle finish sticks to the materials being cut LESS than the older smooth finish. I'd have expected the reverse to be true. I guess it's the combination of a "slick" material and less surface actually in contact (even though there is more total surface area).

As Mr. Spock would say, "Fascinating."


[This message has been edited by Lane Dexter (edited 05-20-2001).]