Landi Knives.

[POCEH KOCEB]

So years ago, 2014, I helped a friend of mine from overseas to obtain a batch of knives from Mr Landi. Three different sizes, large, medium and small knives.
We got them, I sent it abroad, generally the recipients were very happy and some of them are still using those till this day...
I ended up with one of the medium sizes, The Bull Maverick, I believe was the model name.
Here is the knife:

I did like it at the time but when I tried to touch up the blade I literally killed one of my Lansky sharpening stones, the blade was so hard...
So I left the knife in the drawer and didn't touch it for years. I don't go outside as much as before, this was clearly hunting knife profile and I prefer
other type of geometry so the knife stayed there till I started cleaning my drawers and storage places and decided I have no use for it.

I have a neighbor, very good friend of mine, local LEO, that is avid hunter. I think to give him the knife but I don't remember or able to find
if this is 154CM or A2 steel... Judging by the way the steel acts with my diamonds, I think it is A2 but most of the info I can find these days pints to 154CM on his knives...

I need some help please from actual users, if any, to give me some idea what is the steel of this model, I hate to give my friend a knife without being able to tell him at least what steel it is...
Any input if this is a good knife for hunting will be greatly appreciate it, I'm totally in a dark about it even at the time I did some research and found that people like the steel and Landi's heat treatment.
Thank you in advance !

 

[LimpCroissant]

Found the document I mentioned earlier... I interviewed 11 Military Members From SF to Officers. And the (Snake Bull) was designed out of it, it is the knife in my BF Avatar. I designed the Bull Maverick a bit later, which is pictured in this thread. Let me know if you have any questions.. Thanks.


Model: Snake Bull

Measurements: OAL: 10 3/4". Cutting edge: 4 3/4". Blade length: Stock: 7/32".

Knife weighs 9.7 ounces and with sheath, 12.7 ounces.

Steel: Current batch 154CM - Heat treated, cryogenically treated, triple tempered, and tested to guaranteed Rc of 58-59 by Peters of Meadville, PA. However, steel is variable. I have has used 1095, A2, O1, and many others in the past.

Sheath: Kydex sheath with belt loop and set up for large tek lok. Nylon coming.

User Base: General including but limited to law enforcement, guides, SAR personnel, military, outdoorsmen and many others.

We have completed many surveys and have found that this (general) audience embodies many requirements for a knife. We believe that the Snake Bull comes very close to filling many of these requirements.

General results of years of interviews with this audience and the subsequent characteristics of the Snake Bull.

- Nearly all (over 90%) feel that a blade over 6 inches is completely unnecessary, and at times, a liability.

- Serrated blades were mostly undesirable, only about 35% had a serrated blade and truly preferred it. However, most admitted that if their plain blade was sharper and of a better quality, they wouldn't bother with serrated blades, and only have them because they seem to stay sharper longer

- Good heft and thickness were unanimous in the survey. Something with some weight, and strong enough to withstand being beaten “with a rock” for various things. Not recommended...

- This model should use thick stock steel, but the handle tang is skeletonized to improve knife balance. It allows the user to handle a knife that feels strong in hand but not too heavy to use for extended periods of time. A must for the user group.

- When talking with military users:

-a high amount of people (about 20%) have used their knives, in combat or (special) training, to skin or gut small animals/goats.

- At least 60% described themselves as outdoorsman, hunting, fishing, camping. Most of these soldiers realize there is no one-knife-does all and prefer to use hatchets where needed, preferring not to have some huge knife. However all seemed to be in search of that one blade that could handle most tasks.

- A groove for the index finger was a good suggestion, to limit the need for a guard/thumb ramp was seen as an advantage for 50% but the other 50% seemed to to prefer no ramp sighting the ability to grip the knife during various use cases more important than a “fighting” style blade. Grip diversification was critical. Here the users were all interested in a multitude of grips. From forward grips to reverse grips. They had also cited that a blade choil does help out during fine tasks and seemed to be a requirement.

- For this reason we had made the decision to create the ramped Snake Bull.
- Grip diversification was the reason why the handle was designed. It is one of the most versatile knife handles in existence, allowing for the user to grip the stout blade in dozens of ways. A few examples:

- The reverse grip is strengthened with the addition of a rear choil and reverse grip thumb “jimping.”
- When using the pommel area for striking the handle can be chocked up on, allowing for an inch of buffer between the hand and the contact surface.
- The handle allows for gloved use because of extra space.
- The blade choil allows for a choked up position with some room to spare
- Many other examples can be cited...


- the audience here tends to bang things with whatever is available, but usually turn to their knives first. If that doesn't work, well, they turn to less reasonable things at times. The pommel of this model (not intended to be used as a hammer) was designed with this in mind.

- Although 98% had folding knives, 95% preferred fixed blades, as they were more confident in them.

- Carrying options was the second most important aspect. All involved seem to have a couple of opinions on the subject. All gear need to be mounted in easily accessible formats. Kydex should allow for belt carry as well as the use of a multitude of options such as Blade Tech’s Tek Lok system. We are also in talks with several vendors concerning highly versatile nylon sheaths. A hole for a lanyard is an absolute must and needs to be secured with with 550 cord.

- And finally, 90% were unwilling to pay over $250, they find that $150-$250 is optimal for a good-quality knife.

Very cool to see your study and the results! I think you make a fantastic knife at a reasonable cost!

 

[Landi]

Very cool to see your study and the results! I think you make a fantastic knife at a reasonable cost!

Thanks LimpCroissant, appreciated.