- Joined
- Nov 7, 2004
- Messages
- 1,011
The Breeden knives certainly need no introduction here so I won't bother with all the details. I picked up this PSKK II from a forum member and just recently had a chance to use it on a short, slow, relaxing, week-long, 50-mile backpacking trip through the Oregon mountains (a trip badly needed after returning from Mayo Clinic in Minnesota).
Usually, I can spend a short session with a new knife on a bench sharpening stone, be it a water stone, or a Norton India stone, and I can tell a good deal about the blade material and how well it was treated in its making. The Breeden blade was consistent from one end to the other (no hard or soft spots), and a proper O1 hardness for ideal field use. It sharpened well to hair-popping, and all that was left was making a slim, light weight sheath to accommodate the very light knife on the trip.
From slicing slab bacon and onion to carving fuzz sticks and a new aspen spoon, peeling potatoes and a host of other camp chores, I couldn't be more pleased with the performance and comfort of the knife in my XL-hand. For me, personally, if I can't comfortably peel a potato (says a lot about what other tasks it can easily perform) and some basic small carving needs, I have little use for the knife on a backpacking trip. The Breeden knife fulfills my requirements very well - though I typically use a shorter blade. I think the excellent Breeden knife has found a home in my backpack.
Forgive the poor pics. I need to replace the older camera in my backpack.
We ended our hike here, at the base of Mt. Hood (sure wished I had brought my better camera for this one).
Usually, I can spend a short session with a new knife on a bench sharpening stone, be it a water stone, or a Norton India stone, and I can tell a good deal about the blade material and how well it was treated in its making. The Breeden blade was consistent from one end to the other (no hard or soft spots), and a proper O1 hardness for ideal field use. It sharpened well to hair-popping, and all that was left was making a slim, light weight sheath to accommodate the very light knife on the trip.
From slicing slab bacon and onion to carving fuzz sticks and a new aspen spoon, peeling potatoes and a host of other camp chores, I couldn't be more pleased with the performance and comfort of the knife in my XL-hand. For me, personally, if I can't comfortably peel a potato (says a lot about what other tasks it can easily perform) and some basic small carving needs, I have little use for the knife on a backpacking trip. The Breeden knife fulfills my requirements very well - though I typically use a shorter blade. I think the excellent Breeden knife has found a home in my backpack.
Forgive the poor pics. I need to replace the older camera in my backpack.
We ended our hike here, at the base of Mt. Hood (sure wished I had brought my better camera for this one).
