Koyote Knives - Modified Leuku Bushcrafter - Initial Impressions.

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
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KoyoteKnife001.jpg



Blade Length: 4.184
Edge Length: 4.164
Blade Thickness: 0.125
Blade Width at Ricossa: 1.237

KoyoteKnife005.jpg


Handle Length: 4.480
Handle Height: 0.975
Handle Thickness: 0.940

Steel Material: 1080
Handle Material: Tiger Maple - Soaked in Linseed and finished with Briwax

KoyoteKnife002.jpg


Fit and Finish:

I remember a few years ago when I had a passaround of Christof's knifes. It was a knife that I really did not consider my speed - although the design surprised me with its usefulness. I have watched his knives progress with interest - and when I saw his new 'Scandivex' grinds (a wider convex edge that nearly makes the knife like a scandi) I wanted one of those.

Luckily - I had something he wanted (no not my blazing good looks - although I think he is secretly envious there too) but some of the match cases I have made. I made two of them for him and traded for a knife. It took me about 6 months to make the match cases and about that long for him to make my knife (we both TOTALLY agreed it was a 'when you get to it' type of thing).

So after a time I had a knife in hand. The fit and finish is great. There are no gaps around the blade or the pins. The scales are contoured well, the blade is 'as heat treated' but cleaned up with scotch bright and looks nice. The makers mark is clean and matches the style of the knife. The handle material was well picked - well mated - and left with a matte finish that not only feels like it would never slip - but with the linseed oil - is basically impervious.

The only nit pics is a ever so slight mismatch of plunge lines at the ricasso and a few taps of the belt at the top of the spin of the blade (likely happened when putting the grind on) - but really these are nit picks.

KoyoteKnife003.jpg


In the Hand:

It is a very comfortable knife in the hand. The slabs are thick and the hold is neutral and comfortable in a multitude of holds. The blade is wide and to choke up on it is easily. The handle is a great length - just long enough to be comfortable - with no extra to get in the way.

Although I generally like my handles to be contoured at the ricasso - these are so rounded as to be comfortable and easy to use. Generally it is a very comfortable knife that I don't think could ever get a hot spot.

KoyoteKnife004.jpg


Shop Test:

I have not had a lot of time to use this (as I did not trade for a sheath and will make my own) but I made some feather sticks, stripped some branches off hard wood, and beat it up a bit.

I was REALLY impressed with the grind, edge retention, and sharpness of the knife out of the box. I didn't even bother to strop it as I could tell it was properly sharpened and stropped from the maker and I took it to work.

Nice curls, nice deep cuts, and nice fine work. The tip is strong and things are nice.

The edge is interesting - although it does not bite as deep as my Scandi's - it does bite deep. I think this is a GREAT compromise between scandi wood cutting ability and convex edge retention. I really like this grind.

KoyoteKnife006.jpg




I know this is really cursory but I wanted to get some pics out there and get a basic first day review.

TF
 
Thats one beautiful knife.

That edge on it looks awesome and super sharp!! I'm sure its a great bushcraft knife.
 
. I didn't even bother to strop it as I could tell it was properly sharpened and stropped from the maker and I took it to work.
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:eek::eek::eek: That doesn't happen often! Nice knife T!
 
KGD,

Essentially it never happens. I took it out - looked at the edge - felt it - and thought - "This will work".

I just ran it over some 1000 grit - to 2000 grit to three types of compound and finished it on leather. It is even sharper - but wasn't needed. Instead of popping hair it wipes it away. I really am liking this knife.

TF
 
I like the belly to tip geometry alot, that wide profile leuku is rockin. I've had my Koyote Leuku for probably close to 6 months now and use it for everything from food prep in the kitchen to battoning to skinning rabbits and whistlepigs. I have yet to sharpen the edge, that 15N20's retention and Koyote's heat treat/edge profile are outstanding. She's still shaving sharp!
 
Koyote,

I have not really had a chance to put it through its paces. Give me a week or so to test usefulness and geometry.

TF
 
Talfuchre said:


[B]Luckily[/B] - I had something he wanted (no not my blazing good looks - although I think he is secretly envious there too) but some of the match cases I have made. I made two of them for him and traded for a knife.

TF[/QUOTE]

Luckily you must have worked that deal while Koyote was high!:eek:

:p

Great looking knife Christof:thumbup:

TF, I knew you would like that grind. Now don't ruin it by over sharpening it you freak! :p
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that's is a great looking knife... :thumbup: nice work Christof.. i bet that thing is super sharp..:eek:
 
Nice. I think Pitdog ended up with the Koyote that I had a chance to use. They are awesome knives.

Congrats TF! Great work Koyote! :thumbup: to both of ya.
 
I notice that both the Koyote and what appears to be a Fiddleback Forge knife in the last pic have the middle pin in the handle offset from center, toward the blade.

Out of curiosity, is this something you specifically request on your custom knives? And if so, may I ask why?

I'm constantly gathering info on bushcraft knives as I search for one that might be my ideal.

Thanks
 
Mz9393,

That is a new design. Some seriously studdly person designed it and limp wristed Andy made it for me.


Okay - I am kidding. I designed a knife called the 'Arete' It is in Andy's line up now. Check out his forum for more details.

TF
 
mz9393 said:
I notice that both the Koyote and what appears to be a Fiddleback Forge knife in the last pic have the middle pin in the handle offset from center, toward the blade.

Out of curiosity, is this something you specifically request on your custom knives? And if so, may I ask why?

I'm constantly gathering info on bushcraft knives as I search for one that might be my ideal.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Talfuchre said:
Mz9393,

That is a new design. Some seriously studdly person designed it and limp wristed Andy made it for me.

Okay - I am kidding. I designed a knife called the 'Arete' It is in Andy's line up now. Check out his forum for more details.

TF
Click to expand...


:rolleyes:
TF, I know you are a college professor, so Let me translate Mz's question so you can understand it.

WHY DID YOU HAVE THE 2 PINS PLACED CLOSER TO THE BLADE? ?

IS THEIR ANY REASON FOR THAT OR DID IT JUST LOOK COOL TO YOU ?
 
Tony,

Your momma.

TF.




p.s. The pins were put there because the bullseye tube was too far back from the first tube and looked goofy. I didn't put it in because it looked cool as much as it looked right... or more right.... or righter....
 
I do that pin spacing style about... oh, two thirds of the time. It's a nice and solid setup, and with any sort of contoured profile I think it looks better than trying to exactly center and space 3 pins equidistant.
 
Talfuchre said:
Tony,

Your momma.

TF.

:D




p.s. The pins were put there because the bullseye tube was too far back from the first tube and looked goofy. I didn't put it in because it looked cool as much as it looked right... or more right.... or righter....
Click to expand...

Thank you:thumbup:
 
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