Last knives of 2016

S

spycycle

Joined
Dec 15, 2014
Messages
176
By the time December '16 came around, I was really itchin' for a new pocket sized fixed blade knife. While Lon Humphrey and Bark River got most of my attention, it was Arno Bernard who eventually won out. Not even a day later, I spotted a Queen trapper in ATS-34 on the exchange that I just had to have. Perhaps it was my stir-craziness while recovering from an elbow injury, but either way I was going to close out 2016 with a couple pretty special knives! When I went home for the holidays, the trapper was the only knife I brought with me. It rode faithfully in my pocket and was super handy for opening presents, slicing cheese, and all the other super tough things a knife should do around Christmas ;).

The Arno Bernard didn't get carried much because of the sheath's somewhat ungainly belt loop. I had planned to pocket carry this knife, and was unaware of the loop when I purchased it. As I surfed various knife sites for an adequate second sheath for this blade (which I hated to replace, as the factory sheath is made of awesome water buffalo leather), it occurred to me that if I just popped the rivets of the belt loop and I would end up with exactly what I wanted (with only a couple extra speed holes). All of a sudden I had exactly the knife I was looking for!

...And that brings us to today, with 10"+ of snow on the ground - a perfect opportunity for a walk around the neighborhood. But what knives might I bring with me on such an urban "adventure"? Well, the Arno and the Queen, of course! So here are my last two knives of 2016, photographed in the great wilderness of Portland, OR.

yBp5g7I.jpg


Thanks for reading, y'all, and a belated happy new year!
 
Nice fixed and folder to close out the year spycycle. I lived in Portland, OR in the early 80's and 10 inches is A LOT of snow. Enjoy it!
 
I like that little fixed blade you have there, I will have to look into Arno Bernard. I have been eyeballing some of the Bark Rivers myself, hope to pull the trigger on one soon enough.

I am just to south of you in Salem, we got a rather pathetic 2"... My wife and I were rather disappointed. Snow is rare enough for us here that when it arrives, we want it to actually SNOW! So despite all the trouble caused by snow up there in Portland, we are still a bit envious of you. Hopefully you can find some enjoyment in it.
 
Very nice knives. :thumbup: How do you like the Arno Bernard aside for the sheath modification. I have looked at them several times but never owned one. Curious as to your thoughts to it's fit and finish, slicing ability and such. It is a very good looking knife.
We just melted out of 6 inches of snow here in Western N.C. we got Friday night and Saturday morning.
 
Steve - yeah it is! I'm from the Bay Area in CA, so any amount of snow is fun for me!

Padruig - definitely check them out. This one is the Galago from the Bush Baby series. I almost pulled the trigger on a Bark River Li'l Carver (and still might), but I was afraid the blade thickness would be too much for regular around-the-house type EDC use. Fingers crossed for some snow for you down south; we certainly have enough up here to share!

Randy - I quite like the knife. Don't get me wrong: the sheath was great with the belt loop, just not how I wanted to carry it. Materials and construction are solid. This knife has warthog tusk handle scales that feel phenomenal in hand. That finger choil helps the knife fit like a much larger blade. I haven't had a chance to use the knife a whole heck of a lot, but it's a wicked paper slicer. Hollow ground from fairly thin stock should make for a real slicey edge geometry.
 
I should also mention that the Arno Bernard came SUPER sharp. Overall fit and finish is quite nice, although the tang is a bit proud of the handle scales. This is by no means an issue to me, but I was frankly expecting a little higher quality in the F&F department. The tapered tang is really really good looking and helps keep the weight down. Satin finish on the blade is impeccable, and almost a two-tone satin on the upper flats. I'd definitely recommend checking one out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top