Koster BOB Proto review (Pic heavy)

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
5,944
Howdy folks. As most of you know a while back Dan Koster was looking for people to review his new prototypes psk/bob style knives...These are down and dirty knives with no scales or sheaths... I got mine on saturday I opened the package and there was on scandi, and one hollowground version. Both where basic scaleless sharpened blanks (what you would expect in this style of knife)
they both shaved out of the box but after quick stropping where hair
popping.Here's the handsome couple:
PICT0001-50.jpg


These where designed I believe to be Compact knives that someone could inexpensively acquire and throw in a survival kit or BOB they have a short Necker style blade and a full length handle

Here they are next to a locking sak for perspective
PICT0002-49.jpg


I think a nice pancake style leather or kydex sheath that could be used as either a necker sheath or a back pocket sheath would serve these knives well..as they are extremely flat and concealable. However having my doctorate in white trash macgyverness whipped up this fancy cardbopard and duct tape job for the time being.

Sexy isn;t it?
PICT0003-46.jpg


Decided to cord wrap the handle of one of them just to see how I liked it.. It improved the grip a good deal and do to the many holes in the handle was a breeze to do despite my unartistic nature

http://i550.photobucket.com/albums/ii403/rescueriley
/PICT0010-28.jpg

Just some perspective on how flat the blades are without a handle wrap or scale.. they could easily be stored between items in a small survival kit or bob
or even in a field or suirvival guide
PICT0012-22.jpg


But enough of that lets get on to some use
More to come:
 
First thing I dod was use them in equal turns to carve a fig. 4 deadfall an easy skill but one that requires precise notching.. Both knives performed admirably with no real difference between the 2
PICT0004-46.jpg


Next up was some basic fire prep (was stuck inside for this one due to sick child)
the spine of the blade is sharply angled which is great for striking a fire steel
PICT0020-14.jpg


The Spine and the jimping on the thumb ramp are also great for scraping fine tinder fuzz from bark
PICT0017-18.jpg


scraped up a good amount
PICT0019-14.jpg


which went up easily with a ferro
PICT0021-12.jpg
 
In addition Both knives made passable fuzz sticks, although the scandi grind did marginally better
PICT0024-8.jpg


I didn't baton much with them.. (they are thin although I think they'd hold up just fine) I just split up some kindling (enough to boil some water on my hobo stove)
PICT0026-8.jpg


When used to split a partial section of a stave with a little lashing you can have a formidable spear as the flat scaleless design can easily be lashed in the space of the split

PICT0013-20.jpg

PICT0015-22.jpg


Or even a very secure Gaff for fishing, or harvesting edibles from the tops of trees
PICT0016-20.jpg


more to come
 
although it is easily lashable I'd preferably use it to carve a spear which brings us to the next aspect...carving I used them both equally to carve a spoon a harpoon point for fishing and to make a hook which I lashed to to a quicky atlatl
PICT0022-10.jpg

PICT0023-8.jpg


Both knives performed admirably with know real difference in "carvability despite the variances in edge geomoetry.

All in all I think one of these would be a great addition to anyone's kit they are compact versatile, tough, and sharp..in fact both knives retained there original edge with no additional touch up at all and are still shaving sharp. I think a cord wrap is essential as the edged of the handle are highly angular and dig in to the hand over time..and if you plan on using it for game duty than perhaps even sometype of plastic dip coating..or even custom slabs.. but I think the thickness of the slabs would end up compromisng the flat packaging (ione of the best qualities of this knife) so if you are looking for a flat packable do anything psk style blade that is similar to a fallkniven wm1 but more affordable and in carbon steel..than this might be the way to go...
1 more thing I learned while doinhg this test, is that the hollow ground knife performed just as well in many areas as the scandi and held up just as well if not better...seems like there might be some merit to the often maligned Hollow grind after all
Thanks for looking, and Thanks Dan for making some great blades.
 
Awesome! I was kindof hoping for a hollow-ground version but really like the scandi I've been playing with. I'll try to finish up the scales on it tonight and post pics in the other thread. I didn't even think of trying to carve with it but I guess with it intended as a PSK that definitely fits the description!
 
nice testing! I'm going to have to try my hand at carving a spoon.
 
Good stuff Riley, I like the paces you put those through. I will have to check those out if he produces them. They also look like they'd be worthy candidate for some scales.
 
Hey guys, I know that Dan is trying to finalize the design on this knife. I know you don't all have a chance to hold one for yourself but what do you think of the design? What would you like to see different? These knives are meant to be flat, compact knives one could throw in a BOB or PSK. They will be sold with scale on them and no scales to keep them as cheap as possible. As far as I know only a scandi-grind is available but he did have a flat ground and hollow ground prototype reviewed as well.

Anyway, I am all about helping out makers who are willing to listen to what people are looking for in a production blade and am willing to do whatever I can to help Dan in his endeavor. I don't receive any personal benefit from this other than to know that my critiques and opinions went in to the final product.
 
I like them both. To add a little handle comfort, slabs help. Have you thought about a slab or a fold over slab of Kydex rivited through the handles?
A slim line one will add comfort without a lot of thickness.

jeff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top