Koster Survivor - large pic heavy

[JC in SC]

At the same time I was playing around with my Fiddlebacks, I took this beast out as well. If you're interested in specs, they can be found here. Before any actual testing, here are a few "in-hand" shots showing the various grip options with the massive handle.

Finger in the ring.

Close chopping grip.

Max reach chopping grip.

First up, I tried splitting the piece of oak that I had squared up while batoning with the Fiddlebacks. I'm sure a seasoned pro could split this piece in one swing, but this being my first real use of this blade, I didn't have the cajones for that My full swing resulted in the blade lodged ~1.5" into the Oak.

Four more whacks, without dislodging the blade, split the piece in two.

Since I was in a batoning mood, I figured I'd scrounge up a piece of Oak befitting the size of this blade. Here is a pic showing my hand and the width/length of the blade as a reference.

Another shot for reference.

The thickness of the blade made quick work of the Oak.

Being a full 1/4" thick at the spine made batoning almost like driving a wedge. This shot shows that once you drove the blade in full-width, the log was virtually split. The split is within ~4" of the end of the log.

To be continued...

 

[chewbacca]

Nice pictures, that is a fine looking blade. Where is the balance point?

 

[Bige610]

do you ever have trouble with oak. my dad gave me a bunch of seasond oak and its dam hard. it gave my fiskars hatchet a lot of trouble.

 

[pitdog]

Awesome knife, that's what I call a proper handle.....I look forward to future updates !!!

 

[JC in SC]

At that point, a few light whacks finished the job.

This bad boy was just begging to do some chopping, so why not chop the Oak I'd just split?

I didn't keep track of the number of chops, nor did I clock myself, but approximately two minutes later, I was done.

As you'd expect, still shaving sharp when done.

Control for finer tasks with a blade this size can be somewhat challenging, but I did manage another pitiful fuzz stick.

I think additional practice and perhaps better wood selection would help here, but I was pleased regardless.

Needless to say, this blade is awesome. It should definitely be paired with a smaller, bushcraft style blade for finer tasks; however, I think these activities demonstrate that in a pinch, this blade is capable of handling virtually anything. Throughout testing, I noticed no hot spots nor did I develop any blisters. I'm looking forward to taking this beast camping some time soon.

 

[resinguy]

Great stuff, thanks. :thumbup:

Can't wait for mine.

 

[tonym]

Man you've been busy! Great stuff bro!

That Koster Survivor looks like it would be alot of fun to beat up on! Congrats on an excellent knife.

Oak is PIA to fuzz, good job!

 

[Rockywolf]

Heck of a knife! How does the ring feel when shaving wood? Does it pinch at all?

 

[JC in SC]

Great stuff, thanks. :thumbup:

Can't wait for mine.

I know waiting is tough, but you're in for a real treat once it arrives!

Man you've been busy! Great stuff bro!

That Koster Survivor looks like it would be alot of fun to beat up on! Congrats on an excellent knife.

Oak is PIA to fuzz, good job!

Thanks Tony. Yesterday was the first day I've had to get out and play with sharp pointy things since our little girl was born, so I tried to make the most of it. It was a lot of fun to beat on this one and the Fiddlebacks. Unfortunately, Oak is almost all that I have on my property, so I'll have to scout for better materials next time I'm at my folks' place.

Heck of a knife! How does the ring feel when shaving wood? Does it pinch at all?

It is barely visible in the last photo, but Dan chamfers the ring, inside and out. It is actually quite comfortable in use, despite gripping on bare metal.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Great photos

thanks for posting

 

[JTC3495]

I gotta get me one of these.

 

[Maqua]

I gotta get me one of these.

+1....That is one awesome blade. :thumbup:

 

[valcas1]

Love this blade! The ring doesn't pinch at all on mine. I still have to get a sheath for mine.

Good luck with it.

 

[JC in SC]

I still have to get a sheath for mine.

Me too

I think I'm going to try to make one out of Kydex.

 

[Infi-del]

Throughout testing, I noticed no hot spots nor did I develop any blisters. I'm looking forward to taking this beast camping some time soon.

Was the finger ring comfortable both with your finger inside it and below it during chopping and other chores? I see that you said no hotspots or blisters but I was wondering about comfort overall? Are the edge inside and outside of the ring chamfered or beveled or are they square?

 

[JC in SC]

Was the finger ring comfortable both with your finger inside it and below it during chopping and other chores? I see that you said no hotspots or blisters but I was wondering about comfort overall? Are the edge inside and outside of the ring chamfered or beveled or are they square?

In a word, yes.

It is barely visible in the last photo, but Dan chamfers the ring, inside and out. It is actually quite comfortable in use, despite gripping on bare metal.

I didn't specifically mention grip comfort adjacent to the ring, but yes it is comfortable as well. The geometry where the ring joins the main body of the handle provides a nice cradle for the index finger. Also, I didn't try chopping with my finger in the ring as I am virtually certain it wouldn't be comfortable. Besides, using the handle provides more leverage.