- Joined
- Sep 19, 2001
- Messages
- 8,968
Well, with my Golok seeming closer to the 44 than the 50 on the advertised 6 point Rc spread, figured I'd get another big knife to throw in the truck. Taking the paper off of the blade, buddy of mine said 'that's not a wire, that's a cable' Truly, there was not much finesse on the grinder for this one. Better than the Golok, as they did grind something akin to an edge at the 'tip', which is completely round due to profile and sharpened false edge. Both edges are ~25 degrees per side, and there is no other beveling anywhere on the steel, it's 4mm thick at the spine and behind the edge. Edge bevel is as wide as the stock is thick, and fairly even. Took the file to it just to break the wire, will sharpen later.
I like the heft, feels good for the 3" shorter blade. I can feel the weight about 7" from the blade/handle juncture when swinging, which is an inch further out than the tip of my RD6, so it should chop so much better once I get an edge on it. I'm really not keen on a 5-8" blade outside of the kitchen. Wondering what to do with the 4" false edge, I could make it much thinner for finer cutting, and choke up on the blade if I don't make the primary edge too sharp. But then I end up with a really sharp edge where I need to put my hand for a draw knife type hold, and I've left the primary edge unsuitable for that use anyway. Also don't want to shift around the balance too much by grinding a big relief.
Rust hasn't been a problem for the Golok, I just sand off any corrosion without care for the finish. But not having plain metal contacting the wooden handle is a good thing, and is a benefit to the black coating on the Para. There is a problem with the handle-loose rivet. One shot with a hammer and puch will fix that, though. Otherwise it's a useful shape and size, without any discomfort on hard impacts against some seasoned oak that laughs at all my efforts that don't involve 2 cycle oil. Will try to get some work on 2X4s once I drop the edge to about 20 per side. Though I doubt I'll beat those 5 second times from those competition cutters.
I'm tempted to use this, the Golok, and a Tramontina long handle cane knife together. But I've already literally ripped part of the edge on another cane knife, so I might skip it.
Anyone else interested in the Paratrooper, or any Martindale, should have a look around Cliff's site for an in depth review.
I like the heft, feels good for the 3" shorter blade. I can feel the weight about 7" from the blade/handle juncture when swinging, which is an inch further out than the tip of my RD6, so it should chop so much better once I get an edge on it. I'm really not keen on a 5-8" blade outside of the kitchen. Wondering what to do with the 4" false edge, I could make it much thinner for finer cutting, and choke up on the blade if I don't make the primary edge too sharp. But then I end up with a really sharp edge where I need to put my hand for a draw knife type hold, and I've left the primary edge unsuitable for that use anyway. Also don't want to shift around the balance too much by grinding a big relief.
Rust hasn't been a problem for the Golok, I just sand off any corrosion without care for the finish. But not having plain metal contacting the wooden handle is a good thing, and is a benefit to the black coating on the Para. There is a problem with the handle-loose rivet. One shot with a hammer and puch will fix that, though. Otherwise it's a useful shape and size, without any discomfort on hard impacts against some seasoned oak that laughs at all my efforts that don't involve 2 cycle oil. Will try to get some work on 2X4s once I drop the edge to about 20 per side. Though I doubt I'll beat those 5 second times from those competition cutters.
I'm tempted to use this, the Golok, and a Tramontina long handle cane knife together. But I've already literally ripped part of the edge on another cane knife, so I might skip it.
Anyone else interested in the Paratrooper, or any Martindale, should have a look around Cliff's site for an in depth review.
This was about 3 years ago, now 2 inch branches on some leftover (ok, a lot of leftovers, this was a big tree) sound like I'm banging a tank when I hit them.