- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
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I picked up a Condor Rodan knife this weekend (I had been lusting after one ever since I first saw the pattern) as a good general outdoors/kitchen knife. Today a package arrived with a TOPS Shango. For those of you who don't know, both of these models are designs from our very own Joe Flowers (Joezilla), who is rapidly creeping up on my "designers to watch" list.
The Rodan features a full flat grind with a steep mirror-polished convex edge, a bomb-proof polypropylene handle with lanyard hole, and a heany-duty leather sheath. The blade is 1095 carbon steel. At $40 MSRP (I've found it just above the $20 mark online) it's a real heavyweight for its price-range. The blade was JUST shy of shaving sharp out of the box, which was quickly remedied with a few strokes on a DMT Diafold followed by ceramics. While I don't have pictures right now, I've been using it the past few days for EVERYTHING in the kitchen, and I can tell you that it slices like a dream!
With the low cost, one expects some small detractors--while the convex bevel of the blade is even on both sides the primary grind is a bit higher on one side than the other. So far I've noticed no downside to this, and it seems purely cosmetic. Also the sheath started off a little on the loose side due to the leather bowing outward at the throat, but that quickly solved itself as I carried it around--the leather doing what it does best and stretching/molding itself to the knife. Retention is quite good now.
The Shango is a nifty little 440C skeletonized necker number with a bit of a twist--a fire steel striker ground onto the pommel region. It comes with a well-made kydex sheath (with a cool carabiner attachment), beaded chain and a few other goodies: a Lansky pocket sharpener, and a TOPS mag/ferrocerium fire starter and whistle. The flared tip of the knife makes for a reinforced point, and there's a nice inset for the fingers so the hand won't slide forward under slippery conditions. Shaving sharp out of the box, too! However, while the edge was sharp, the scraper blade will need a little touch up to throw a spark well. It wouldn't even reliably spark one of my LMF rods. Again, a small touch up and I'll let you know how it goes. This will be an ongoing review, so stay tuned for more once I sharpen the notch. There'll also be some fun in the kitchen!
Without further ado, lets get to some pictures.
Using the Rodan to open the Shango's package!
Shango packaging.
Shango plus goodies!
Close-up of the engraving. Interesting that while it's a stainless blade, it has a grey powder coating. Makes for a nice subdued look.
Size comparison. Quite a big one!
A few super quick fuzzies.
All in all, some pretty sweet blades. I'm pretty picky about my blades, and these ones seem like a lot of blade for the money! Two thumbs up!
The Rodan features a full flat grind with a steep mirror-polished convex edge, a bomb-proof polypropylene handle with lanyard hole, and a heany-duty leather sheath. The blade is 1095 carbon steel. At $40 MSRP (I've found it just above the $20 mark online) it's a real heavyweight for its price-range. The blade was JUST shy of shaving sharp out of the box, which was quickly remedied with a few strokes on a DMT Diafold followed by ceramics. While I don't have pictures right now, I've been using it the past few days for EVERYTHING in the kitchen, and I can tell you that it slices like a dream!
With the low cost, one expects some small detractors--while the convex bevel of the blade is even on both sides the primary grind is a bit higher on one side than the other. So far I've noticed no downside to this, and it seems purely cosmetic. Also the sheath started off a little on the loose side due to the leather bowing outward at the throat, but that quickly solved itself as I carried it around--the leather doing what it does best and stretching/molding itself to the knife. Retention is quite good now.
The Shango is a nifty little 440C skeletonized necker number with a bit of a twist--a fire steel striker ground onto the pommel region. It comes with a well-made kydex sheath (with a cool carabiner attachment), beaded chain and a few other goodies: a Lansky pocket sharpener, and a TOPS mag/ferrocerium fire starter and whistle. The flared tip of the knife makes for a reinforced point, and there's a nice inset for the fingers so the hand won't slide forward under slippery conditions. Shaving sharp out of the box, too! However, while the edge was sharp, the scraper blade will need a little touch up to throw a spark well. It wouldn't even reliably spark one of my LMF rods. Again, a small touch up and I'll let you know how it goes. This will be an ongoing review, so stay tuned for more once I sharpen the notch. There'll also be some fun in the kitchen!
Without further ado, lets get to some pictures.
Using the Rodan to open the Shango's package!
Shango packaging.
Shango plus goodies!
Close-up of the engraving. Interesting that while it's a stainless blade, it has a grey powder coating. Makes for a nice subdued look.
Size comparison. Quite a big one!
A few super quick fuzzies.
All in all, some pretty sweet blades. I'm pretty picky about my blades, and these ones seem like a lot of blade for the money! Two thumbs up!
i'll be putting up some pics and a review in the next few days...
