My 3.5 arrived!

[Silver Needle]

The eagle has landed! This factory second GSO 3.5 is awesome. Blade shape is perfect. Fit and finish is of course off the charts and you better believe those screws were aligned. I really think a mild to moderate case of OCD makes for an excellent craftsman. Nice work here, Guy! :thumbup:

The only thing I can see that may have given it a factory second status is it did come with a few freckles (tiny spots of light corrosion), but I had to look to find them. Do they even show up in these pictures? The logos on the blade are not the most bold, but that doesn't bother me. Come on, these materials and this care and attention to detail for $115? Yes please!

Of course I need to show an unboxing pic or two. Pleasant surprise to get a free sticker!




Shaving sharp, but we already knew that.



I found some really thin paper (thinner than some receipt paper) at work and had to borrow a little for a... um... a demomstration.



Pathetic feather stick. I'm going to blame it on my excitement... or my complete lack of skill... maybe both...



Modest tent peg.


Out of the brief time I spent doing some light work I felt zero discomfort. I was really pleased with the handle ergonomics and texture of the micarta. The sheath is made of thick, sexy kydex and makes a great, snapping click when the knife is inserted.

I would categorize myself as an extremely satisfied customer!

 

[redwood22]

Awesome needle! I picked the same color scheme (with a black sheath) I love the green micarta they use, and how they finish it. I know you have been excitedly waiting, nothing better than finally getting to use em.

 

[Standard78]

It's really hard to see any problems with their factory 2nds. The 3.5 I got talked out of was perfect in my opinion and it was marked as a 2nd.
I'm curious about what kind of knife you usually feather stick with. What kind of grind are you used to?
It took me a few tries to get used to the saber grind so I wouldn't be worried if I were you.
If you have a lot of free time, I'd suggest making a few Try Sticks. I suck at them but they'll help you learn your knife.

 

[Silver Needle]

Awesome needle! I picked the same color scheme (with a black sheath) I love the green micarta they use, and how they finish it. I know you have been excitedly waiting, nothing better than finally getting to use em.

Thanks, man! I guess I have mentioned my anticipation a few times here and there
I guess we both have great taste in colors!

It's really hard to see any problems with their factory 2nds. The 3.5 I got talked out of was perfect in my opinion and it was marked as a 2nd.
I'm curious about what kind of knife you usually feather stick with. What kind of grind are you used to?
It took me a few tries to get used to the saber grind so I wouldn't be worried if I were you.
If you have a lot of free time, I'd suggest making a few Try Sticks. I suck at them but they'll help you learn your knife.
View attachment 557007

To be honest, I don't know if I'm at the point of being able to tell the subtleties of different grinds. I have used full flat grinds such as an izula and bk16. Getting more practice is my real issue. That try stick is intimidating! I saved the image and will definitely try most of those techniques. Good advice!

 

[redwood22]

Thanks, man! I guess I have mentioned my anticipation a few times here and there
I guess we both have great taste in colors!


To be honest, I don't know if I'm at the point of being able to tell the subtleties of different grinds. I have used full flat grinds such as an izula and bk16. Getting more practice is my real issue. That try stick is intimidating! I saved the image and will definitely try most of those techniques. Good advice!

Haha you aren't the only one! I check this sub forum too often, even when I don't comment I'm reading about everyone else's excitement hoping to stave off my own. My wife asked me the other night which knife I'd use on the show "alone" I told her probably my 4.1. She replied "you don't have any big ones yet huh?"....I guess I'll have to break the news when the 5.0's start to ship....the only time the wait has helped me out....gives me time to explain all the purchases to the wifey!!

 

[Silver Needle]

I hear that. Wifey's........ definitely don't make this addiction any easier!

I'd love a big knife in an Alone situation, but realistically I'd go with the trinity of a knife sized knife (whatever that means) like the 4.1 and an ax and a saw.

 

[redwood22]

agreed, I think I said my small forest axe would be my item of choice...better against angry critters too

 

[Hard Knocks]

That green canvas looks great bud. Kicking myself for not picking up an extra 'second.'

 

[Standard78]

Thanks, man! I guess I have mentioned my anticipation a few times here and there
I guess we both have great taste in colors!


To be honest, I don't know if I'm at the point of being able to tell the subtleties of different grinds. I have used full flat grinds such as an izula and bk16. Getting more practice is my real issue. That try stick is intimidating! I saved the image and will definitely try most of those techniques. Good advice!

Here's a nice grind chart from BHK.

They explain it really well.
Try Sticks are a big pain in the butt in my opinion but they do help for sure.

 

[Standard78]

Haha you aren't the only one! I check this sub forum too often, even when I don't comment I'm reading about everyone else's excitement hoping to stave off my own. My wife asked me the other night which knife I'd use on the show "alone" I told her probably my 4.1. She replied "you don't have any big ones yet huh?"....I guess I'll have to break the news when the 5.0's start to ship....the only time the wait has helped me out....gives me time to explain all the purchases to the wifey!!

It's really hard to choose between the two. Just wait till you get that 5 in your hands! I love the 4.1 for being the perfect size but the 5 is just a beast on steroids.

 

[redwood22]

It's really hard to choose between the two. Just wait till you get that 5 in your hands! I love the 4.1 for being the perfect size but the 5 is just a beast on steroids.

I'm pretty excited to try out the 5.0, i love the 4.1 for its all-arounder appeal, but I'm sure the 5 will just be that much beefier. Everyone loves the 5.1, but I'm not a big fan of choils (always worried ill slip and be missing my pointer finger) so the 5 was the natural fit.

 

[Standard78]

I'm pretty excited to try out the 5.0, i love the 4.1 for its all-arounder appeal, but I'm sure the 5 will just be that much beefier. Everyone loves the 5.1, but I'm not a big fan of choils (always worried ill slip and be missing my pointer finger) so the 5 was the natural fit.

Great choice for sure. I'll be getting rid of the 5.1 because I'm not big on choils either plus I nicked the inside part of my knuckle on the blade. Surprisingly I haven't done that with the 10 though.

 

[VanDammet]

I also came home to find my green canvas 3.5, factory 2nd, waiting for me in the mailbox. I've ordered a total of four GSOs, but this is the first to arrive, thus my very first experience after being a fixed blade collector and fan of the company for some time now...this also happens to be my first post on Bladeforums...that's right, I was so excited, I actually decided to see what would happen if I clicked on the "register" button....I'm a cautious man. OK, well, basically I concur with everything Needle says about his, but I'll take the time to second his comment on the texture of the scales. Very pleasant surprise, they feel, I don't know, just a perfect blend of smooth and grippy...unlike any of my other micarta draped blades.

I was also pleased to find that my factory 2nd flaw is hardly noticeable, just some lighter than usual etching...but my wife commented that it looked flawless to her, and she thought my new knife was cool too (badopbop!). Alright, I've done what I came to do, I've made my very first post, and not before embarrassing myself with a stupidly childish line that should have been left out...in fact I'm still writing while I should simply go back and erase it. I hope this is the first of many poor decisions I'll make with my new friends here on BF!

 

[Riz!]

VanDammet! and Needle! Congrats on your 3.5s! Did gou guys get 3V or 20CV? Wait till you take thos little mosters into the kitchen. They are great for general purpose/paring type use. My 3-5 sees KP all the time. Its how i keep her fed between outings.

 

[Hard Knocks]

Welcome to the forum VanDammet! You described the finish of the scales just right. They're great when wet, too, and I must say I like your sense of humor, ha!

 

[VanDammet]

Thank you Riz and Hard, may I call you Hard?...my 3.5 is 3V. Given the choice, I would have preferred 20CV in this size of knife, but I ordered so late that 3V was the only steel option available. I like 20CV so much that I ordered a Starter 5.1 in the stuff, in lieu of what most people would think of as the more appropriate 3V for that size.

Anyhow, I'm very happy with this first one, esp. at $115 as Needle mentions...just an unbelievable value. Man, this is great, I'm having so much fun chatting about knives with other grown men instead of doing my job...ya know, since I'm at work right now. So great.

 

[VanDammet]

Oh and one more thing I wanted to mention about the 3.5 that arrived yesterday. In my humble opinion (I wish there was an abbreviated way to write that, but there isn't), I prefer the old 3.5 over the next gen version, and I think that's the only model I can say that about. I just think Guy got it right the first time and I don't want it any bigger/longer (stop it). I think the redesign is going to be a great knife, but a heavier one and likely less balanced one, or I should say I believe I'd prefer the balance of the old one. And again, it was $115!

 

[Hard Knocks]

Yeah it was a great price on those for sure IMHO The current 3.5 is a great knife, no question. I wanted to make sure I got one and am so glad I did. I keep threatening to pull the scales and pack it with the skeletonized tang, or maybe wrap it. Oh, and it would be fine to call me HK, Dammet!

Dave

 

[VanDammet]

Alright, "HK" it is, but I don't deserve to be cursed at just because I lack your abbreviating prowess. I'm so stupid, but back to the knives, I've got another factory 2nd coming, this one's a 5.0, along with a next gen 4.1 (with flashy red linen scales) and 5.1, both in 20CV - so excited!

 

[Silver Needle]

That green canvas looks great bud. Kicking myself for not picking up an extra 'second.'

Here comes my longest multi quote ever. Going for a personal best. Anyways, thanks! This cutie is an amalgamation of what wasn't sold out yet at the end of the run. Really, I was all set to get a 4.1, but in the time it took me to eat breakfast the 4.1 sold out and I impulsively hit buy on the 3.5. Previously I had no interest in this model and had a little regret and was super pissed I missed a 4.1. Then I read how everyone loves theirs and now I get it =)

Here's a nice grind chart from BHK.
View attachment 557036
They explain it really well.
Try Sticks are a big pain in the butt in my opinion but they do help for sure.

Standard strikes again with a useful graphic! Thanks man, great reference. Despite the indisputable facts, I just think a saber grind is the sexiest thing around.

Great choice for sure. I'll be getting rid of the 5.1 because I'm not big on choils either plus I nicked the inside part of my knuckle on the blade. Surprisingly I haven't done that with the 10 though.

There was a time in my life when I thought the ESEE 6 would be the last knife I'd ever need. I read a bunch about the different grip options and overall versatility, but once I used it awhile I realized I just didn't like having a choil. Once I saw the GSO 5 I knew my life would never be the same.

VanDammet! and Needle! Congrats on your 3.5s! Did gou guys get 3V or 20CV? Wait till you take thos little mosters into the kitchen. They are great for general purpose/paring type use. My 3-5 sees KP all the time. Its how i keep her fed between outings.

Ha! Keeping her fed, I like it. Yeah, mine is 3v. In this size I would have prefered 20cv, but I waited too long like a chump. The good thing is because it is a factory second, I won't feel bad about pushing it as far as I can and really laying the smack down on this blade.

Yeah it was a great price on those for sure IMHO The current 3.5 is a great knife, no question. I wanted to make sure I got one and am so glad I did. I keep threatening to pull the scales and pack it with the skeletonized tang, or maybe wrap it. Oh, and it would be fine to call me HK, Dammet!

I had the same thought about wrapping the blade, but then what about sheathing it? I'd be interested to see what you come up with!

VanDammet, welcome! You have some great posts so far. Stick around! Oh, and also post some pics!