- Joined
- Nov 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,331
Ed Schempp is a really good guy. He's been kind enough to let me hang out and talk to him a few times at BLADE shows. He showed me his bush knife prototype a few years ago. I remembered liking the feel, but not remembering the balance.
I saw what became the Spyderco Rock Salt at a very attractive price, a few days ago on New Graham. All of the Salt line are made with the H-1 nonrusting steel, and I thought a rustproof steel might be good to try on an outdoor knife. I also thought it would be interesting to see how effective a smaller KLO could be at outdoor tasks.
After I ordered the RS, I looked at a few reviews. Several mentioned how very light the RS was, and that it was more of a combat knife than outdoor knife. After receiving the RS today, I am inclined to agree. I was surprised at how light the box was. I also saw that several comments about large FB Spyderco boxes being damaged were on the money.
The Rock Salt is balanced like a fighter, not a chopper. The balance is right on the top of the guard, which would be sufficient for thrusting. The grip angle is also almost ideal for thrusting. The blade is only 1/8"/3mm thick. When looked at from the side without reference, the RS looks massive. Here it is next to one of my Spyderco Natives.
The size envelope becomes clearer when compared to my Greco bowie:
When you look at the spines, it's even more clear.
Next to my WWII, the Rock Salt looks almost petite.
From the side, it still doesn't look that much smaller, but look at the spines. The WWII lacks the weight-dropping spine swedge of the RS, and is about 3x as thick.
So: the Spyderco Rock Salt. Unlike many of the HI products, which I describe as hard-use outdoor tools that can be used as weapons, the RS is a weapon that can be used for lighter outdoor tasks. It's rustproof, ergonomic, has a tightly fitting multiposition sheath, and well balanced. Its handle can be "choked up" for slicing work with the wide, thin blade. I haven't had a chance to give it a workout, but the Rock Salt does shave hair, and the couple of snap cuts I gave to my bushes outside show it should do a fine job on light brush.
I wouldn't want to try to chop anything heavy with the Rock Salt, but it should be a fine companion on day hikes, and be an excellent choice for those who want to carry a full-sized fighting knife.
I saw what became the Spyderco Rock Salt at a very attractive price, a few days ago on New Graham. All of the Salt line are made with the H-1 nonrusting steel, and I thought a rustproof steel might be good to try on an outdoor knife. I also thought it would be interesting to see how effective a smaller KLO could be at outdoor tasks.
After I ordered the RS, I looked at a few reviews. Several mentioned how very light the RS was, and that it was more of a combat knife than outdoor knife. After receiving the RS today, I am inclined to agree. I was surprised at how light the box was. I also saw that several comments about large FB Spyderco boxes being damaged were on the money.
The Rock Salt is balanced like a fighter, not a chopper. The balance is right on the top of the guard, which would be sufficient for thrusting. The grip angle is also almost ideal for thrusting. The blade is only 1/8"/3mm thick. When looked at from the side without reference, the RS looks massive. Here it is next to one of my Spyderco Natives.
The size envelope becomes clearer when compared to my Greco bowie:
When you look at the spines, it's even more clear.
Next to my WWII, the Rock Salt looks almost petite.
From the side, it still doesn't look that much smaller, but look at the spines. The WWII lacks the weight-dropping spine swedge of the RS, and is about 3x as thick.
So: the Spyderco Rock Salt. Unlike many of the HI products, which I describe as hard-use outdoor tools that can be used as weapons, the RS is a weapon that can be used for lighter outdoor tasks. It's rustproof, ergonomic, has a tightly fitting multiposition sheath, and well balanced. Its handle can be "choked up" for slicing work with the wide, thin blade. I haven't had a chance to give it a workout, but the Rock Salt does shave hair, and the couple of snap cuts I gave to my bushes outside show it should do a fine job on light brush.
I wouldn't want to try to chop anything heavy with the Rock Salt, but it should be a fine companion on day hikes, and be an excellent choice for those who want to carry a full-sized fighting knife.
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