BOSS1
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
- Messages
- 1,700
Greetings all,
Well, as with many folks on here, I have been on a quest for the perfect knife for quite some time. As I'm of the opinion there is no perfect 'everything' knife, in this case I'm talking general purpose field knives...specialty knives like fillets, skinners, etc need not apply. We're talking overall utility blades that are sort of 'jack of all trade' types. I've handled many fine knives over the past couple decades in my search. Alas, I may have finally found it, at least for now.
My considerations were/are:
1. Quality Materials that will last. INFI and micarta/G10. Check.
2. General Utility profile that can perform a multitude of tasks.
3. Good ergo's and balance a plus...this includes rounding of non-cutting edges. Some may have a use for a pointy pommel, but all things considered, if I slip off a log or down an embankment and take a tumble, I'd prefer to come out with minimal jabbing to my 'tactical' insulation (read love handles).
4. Big enough to get the job done, but not so large as to be cumbersome beyond the value it adds to the 'kit.' For me that's 6-8" range.
5. Thick/strong blade able to handle unplanned abuse if necessary. For me, for this type of knife, that equals at least 1/4" stock. I don't intend to misuse my tools, but if its me or the tool, I'm gonna make it.
6. At least decent rust resistance. It doesn't have to be 100% corrosion resistant, but you shouldn't have to set up camp within the next hour cuz you get rained on.
7. A good sheath--if it doesn't come with one, at least be compatible with a readily available quality aftermarket unit (SpecOps or similar).
8. Not so freaking expensive that I'd never carry it. I understand this is a relative/subjective term...but you won't find me in the field with a $2K damascus and mother-of-pearl custom any time soon.
I've narrowed it down to two, with one getting the slightest nod over the other. Drum roll please....
First Place: NMSFNO.
A very, very close second: TankBuster.
Both are in the right size range, quality materials, good ergos/balance, very useable blade profiles, both work with SpecOps sheaths, and are tuff 'nuff to git 'er done.
While in reality, I'd certainly feel very well equipped with either, and if I were planning a trip where extra hard use was expected, I'd take the TankBuster (its probably the tougher of the two)...there is just something a little extra special about the NMSFNO. It just has an extra nice feel to it, a balance that makes it feel like you could use it very effectively for just about any field task. It also has the meltdown treatment, which is particularly nice.
The one caveat is either of these would serve best when paired with a quality non-coated stainless bladed folder or multi-tool. A Swiss Army knife, or I like the Outdoor Edge Blaze with orange handle. If I were hunting, I'd pair it with an appropriate knife for whatever game I were after.
Now if the SFNOLE had a meltdown treatment it probably would be right in the thick of this contest...maybe even win it. And if I were going to fast-rope into Bada$$istan with nothing but a knife, I'd take a FFBM or HOGFSH. But for today, if going to the field just for sportsman-type/camp activites, I'll probably take the NMSFNO.
YMMV,
BOSS
Well, as with many folks on here, I have been on a quest for the perfect knife for quite some time. As I'm of the opinion there is no perfect 'everything' knife, in this case I'm talking general purpose field knives...specialty knives like fillets, skinners, etc need not apply. We're talking overall utility blades that are sort of 'jack of all trade' types. I've handled many fine knives over the past couple decades in my search. Alas, I may have finally found it, at least for now.
My considerations were/are:
1. Quality Materials that will last. INFI and micarta/G10. Check.
2. General Utility profile that can perform a multitude of tasks.
3. Good ergo's and balance a plus...this includes rounding of non-cutting edges. Some may have a use for a pointy pommel, but all things considered, if I slip off a log or down an embankment and take a tumble, I'd prefer to come out with minimal jabbing to my 'tactical' insulation (read love handles).
4. Big enough to get the job done, but not so large as to be cumbersome beyond the value it adds to the 'kit.' For me that's 6-8" range.
5. Thick/strong blade able to handle unplanned abuse if necessary. For me, for this type of knife, that equals at least 1/4" stock. I don't intend to misuse my tools, but if its me or the tool, I'm gonna make it.
6. At least decent rust resistance. It doesn't have to be 100% corrosion resistant, but you shouldn't have to set up camp within the next hour cuz you get rained on.
7. A good sheath--if it doesn't come with one, at least be compatible with a readily available quality aftermarket unit (SpecOps or similar).
8. Not so freaking expensive that I'd never carry it. I understand this is a relative/subjective term...but you won't find me in the field with a $2K damascus and mother-of-pearl custom any time soon.
I've narrowed it down to two, with one getting the slightest nod over the other. Drum roll please....
First Place: NMSFNO.
A very, very close second: TankBuster.
Both are in the right size range, quality materials, good ergos/balance, very useable blade profiles, both work with SpecOps sheaths, and are tuff 'nuff to git 'er done.
While in reality, I'd certainly feel very well equipped with either, and if I were planning a trip where extra hard use was expected, I'd take the TankBuster (its probably the tougher of the two)...there is just something a little extra special about the NMSFNO. It just has an extra nice feel to it, a balance that makes it feel like you could use it very effectively for just about any field task. It also has the meltdown treatment, which is particularly nice.
The one caveat is either of these would serve best when paired with a quality non-coated stainless bladed folder or multi-tool. A Swiss Army knife, or I like the Outdoor Edge Blaze with orange handle. If I were hunting, I'd pair it with an appropriate knife for whatever game I were after.
Now if the SFNOLE had a meltdown treatment it probably would be right in the thick of this contest...maybe even win it. And if I were going to fast-rope into Bada$$istan with nothing but a knife, I'd take a FFBM or HOGFSH. But for today, if going to the field just for sportsman-type/camp activites, I'll probably take the NMSFNO.
YMMV,
BOSS
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