Well, I guess it's been a couple of weeks now and I'm still loving this knife. But here is a running update for those of you with nothing better to do than read this stuff.
So, without fail, this knife is living in my pocket every single day, and the ole Benchmade 520 is but a distant memory. The lighter weight is very nice, but the dropped edge/angled handle is what makes this knife kick ass for what I need a knife to do. It is better by design. Obviously designed and built by a man who uses a knife every day.
The hemp wrap is getting VERY comfortable. The resin has been worn down and the hemp is a little bit furry. Doesn't look much different, but it feels nicer. I've used the knife with greasy gross hands, and I've gotten a fair amount of Snoseal on it from making another sheath for it. The wrap has proven to be plenty durable, but if I crash my bike again on my way to or from work, I may have a differing perception, but hopefully that day never comes
Again.
The turk's head at the front of the handle is a really unobtrusive way of effectively keeping my finger off the edge.
I took Will's brilliant idea of a swivelling clip, and made a new sheath which is custom made for my pockets
. It must be said, however, that I did this only because I wanted to and it had nothing to do with Will's leatherworking skills- which are well developed- the sheath he made is very well crafted and will last a lifetime.
The EDK is better at peeling apples than almost any knife I've used, and I've had steak a few times since I got it and it slices through it nicely. The blade is also a great shape for spreading peanut butter or cream cheese. Cutting up veggies is no problem due to the gentle sweep of the blade's edge profile and the dropped handle.
It used to be I'd use the tiny little pen blade in my Wostenholm split back to cut zip ties, (don't want to leave any sharp edges on a person's bicycle!) but the tip on the EDK is really fine and does a way better job since I have more leverage and control. Breaking down cardboard is fairly standard fare, and this knife has admirably kept a keen enough edge for a longer duration, with easier resharpening, than the 154CM Benchmade I've been using for about a year.
I've gone on a couple of little hikes with my daughter, and I've used the EDK to kill a couple of cougars and a bear or two... hehe, just kidding. But I did chop it through some scotch broom with a baton, and clean some black berry tendrils and salmonberry stalks which were encroaching on the trail since the snow which weighed them down onto the trail a few weeks ago.
So, the 1084 is pretty stained by now with use, and it's looking well used from that perspective. I've been using only a fine Spyderco rod and bench stone to keep the edge maintained, even after heavy cardboard breakdown sessions. 'Hair popping' would be the most accurate descriptor in our current vernacular to convey the effect the business end of the knife is capable off. A couple of days ago, I realized I missed a tiny spot on my neck rushing through a shave, and the EDK took care of them hars after a few passes on the stone.
I don't usually bother maintaining that high degree of sharpness, but it's nice to know that it's possible to get it quick when I need it.
This knife is really just so excellent. I am very happy with it. And Will's emails, checking in on my 'adopted knife', are very cute
. That's a guy who cares about what he does:thumbup:
Lorien says that hemp is rot resistant, since I agreed to use it as a material then I agree to warrant my work. I really don't think of it as a sale when someone gets one of my knives, I'm letting them adopt them for a fee.
(wish we had the emote with little hearts all over it) I was really worried when I saw that this thread had popped up with you being the most current poster. I was 
) as I was making it.
