Brian Jones
Moderator
- Joined
- Jan 17, 1999
- Messages
- 7,560
This is short, but it'll give you an idea -- more soon:
As many of you know, I just got back from Idaho, filming Volume 11 of the Woodsmaster Series with Ron and Karen Hood. We brought the Brute and the Tac-Tool along for testing. My main blade for the trip was the Brute. Both Ron and I were *extremely* impressed with the performance of the knives.
Right at the beginning, I started using it really hard. I figured if it couldn't handle it, it was cheap enough to replace or not worry. Then I continued using it hard, for another reason. It laughed at the punishment, asking for more, and I knew I would never need to replace it -- it could take anything I threw at it.
In snowy, wet, hypothermic conditions, I chopped wood for shelters and fire, split logs with it, dug post holes in the dirt, hammered on it with wood batons, pounded the pommel with a rock to sink it into wood, used it as a draw knife, dug up plants to use, soaked it in several very cold river crossings (36 deg F temps). The coating held up very very well (a few minor battle scars, proudly worn). I never cleaned it, and only stropped it to see how it would hold its own. It never failed me. It stayed nice and sharp -- edge holding was great!
As Ron has mentioned, the only thing we found that could be improved was on the handles -- they are VERY comfortable, and become tackier when wet. That part was great. The slabs are hollow, however, and need to be filled with silicone, to prevent them from filling and running water down your arms and the blade.
This one is a winner all the way. You won't be disappointed!
Best,
Brian.
As many of you know, I just got back from Idaho, filming Volume 11 of the Woodsmaster Series with Ron and Karen Hood. We brought the Brute and the Tac-Tool along for testing. My main blade for the trip was the Brute. Both Ron and I were *extremely* impressed with the performance of the knives.
Right at the beginning, I started using it really hard. I figured if it couldn't handle it, it was cheap enough to replace or not worry. Then I continued using it hard, for another reason. It laughed at the punishment, asking for more, and I knew I would never need to replace it -- it could take anything I threw at it.
In snowy, wet, hypothermic conditions, I chopped wood for shelters and fire, split logs with it, dug post holes in the dirt, hammered on it with wood batons, pounded the pommel with a rock to sink it into wood, used it as a draw knife, dug up plants to use, soaked it in several very cold river crossings (36 deg F temps). The coating held up very very well (a few minor battle scars, proudly worn). I never cleaned it, and only stropped it to see how it would hold its own. It never failed me. It stayed nice and sharp -- edge holding was great!
As Ron has mentioned, the only thing we found that could be improved was on the handles -- they are VERY comfortable, and become tackier when wet. That part was great. The slabs are hollow, however, and need to be filled with silicone, to prevent them from filling and running water down your arms and the blade.
This one is a winner all the way. You won't be disappointed!
Best,
Brian.
