Koster Nessie at the base camp.

[Md 25v]

Hey guys, Its been a while since I've been around. Figured a nice mini-review would be a good way to ease back into my forum addiction. I am a biologist, specializing in herpetology. I've been in the field for the past 40 days (with only one day home per week) working on a radio telemetry study following the movements of box turtles. On Friday, one of my coworkers invited me to help with one of her telemetry projects tracking the dispersal distance of timber rattlesnakes leaving their dens. The invitation was very last minute, I only had time to grab my rucksack and canteen and the only knives I had on me were my swiss army farmer, spyderco folding saw, and my Koster Nessmuk. I knew we were staying in a cabin that was being used as a summer field house so I figured the nessie would be right at home being put to use as a camp knife. I started by battoning some seasoned oak logs that were foolishly left out in the rain without being covered by the tarp. The inside was dry enough so at least we didn't have any trouble starting the camp fire. I usually wouldn't baton scandi edge knives through seasoned hard wood, (except my Koster CPM3V bushcraft...totally freakin indestructible!!!) but it was all I had so I figured it would do. After a dozen pieces were split I used it to shave some kindling and the edge was plenty sharp after the batoning to sail through the oak. We set the fire and started cooking dinner, flank steak fajitas. I watched the guy doing the cooking try to cut the steak with a painfully dull steak knife and after a couple meat tenderizing slices I couldn't take it any more. So I wiped off my nessie and offered it to him. I know that a serrated knife would have worked better but after all the work that knife had been through, she still sliced the steak easily. After cleaning the knife, I checked the sharpness. The thin scandi edge had no chips or rolls and was still able to slice paper from my notebook, although it wouldn't shave hair until I stropped it a little with green compound. All in all, I'm very impressed with the edge holding and durability of the knife and I think it will come with me more often as an all around camp knife.

 

[Md 25v]

Oh yeah, don't wanna forget a few pics of the rattlesnakes...

Not to mention the very currious black rat snake that we came across. He started out a little nervous but only took a minute to get close enough to smell the camera.

 

[Shotgun]

That last one is a cool action pic.:thumbup: How do you like that finish on your Koster?

 

[Md 25v]

The scale finish on the blade- I love the old forged feel and authentic look, especially on a historic pattern. Not to mention it's a great rust protection on the carbon steel.
The handle is VERY comfortable over long use and didn't cause any hot spots while carving. It also gave less shock than expected while battoning.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

excellent photos and review

THANKS

 

[Rockywolf]

Thanks for sharing. Very cool snake pics. Koster makes some kick-butt knives.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

Awesome pics. I love snakes. Those timber rattlers are beautiful.