HM, price is going to be 179.95 including the ferrocium striker rod.
Stryver, we've done extensive testing using Micarta as a drill holder and never failed to produce a coal on the fireboard. The Micarta actually slickens up after the first time using it. Just point your drill off with the knife on both ends, jab out a small hole in your fireboard next to your coal relief and have at it. As an added bonus, the large bow drill divot makes for good thumb position when used in a choke back mode for light chopping.
Added info:
We have also started numerous fires with true flint and steel (not ferrocium) using brown flint and charred cotton batting. The back strap throws good sparks on sharp flint and when the flint gets dull simply break it again by hitting it with the spine of the knife. Strike the flint with the knife tip pointed down and your thumb in the bow drill divot. The char cloth should be on top of the flint and the flint edge angled to throw sparks into the char when struck downward.
From the factory the back strap has been sanded smooth and left un-coated, a few hard strikes against flint roughens it up a bit and sparks get better the more you use it....and for those thinking the roughened back strap will hurt your hand...well you just need to see Fullers fine contouring work to appreciate it. You can hardly feel the raised back strap.
The enclosed ferrocium rod is attached with a safety ring and lanyard through the sheath and held in place with Ranger bands. No need to remove the rod's lanyard from the sheath to use the rod. The rod can be stroked with the edge of the knife's spine or the edge of the blade at the handle end. Until the ferrocium wears a bit, the cutting edge of the knife produces better showers of sparks...who cares that you're dulling the back 1/2" of the edge...do you ever use that part anyway?
The knife comes literally shaving sharp as expected from TOPs...and can be brought back to hair popping sharp with a few strokes on a Spyderco 204, pocket ceramic, or smooth field stones.
There's nothing fancy about this piece, it's designed as a working knife with an emphasis on fire-making and wilderness chores. Several writers have contacted us about reviewing the knife for various publications. As it stands now the first magazine that will get to do any reviews is Tactical Knives. I have informed editor Steve Dick to have whoever writes it up to write it as they see it. I love critical reviews.
The first 6 finished pieces are at the engravers for logos, name, and serial numbers. These will be run in lots of 50 pieces at a time with the first 50 due in about 2 months. We're not planning on running any larger quantities at this time and really cant give definite schedule dates. They will be available on first come - first served basis so don't bitch if they're not in stock.
Bottom line is we're not interested in making a living selling knives, we are interested in producing products and gear that works in the field, so anyone that wants to buy one and keep it in pristine condition without scratching it up should spend their money on a collector piece somewhere. All we ask is if you buy it then be sure to put it to work in the field.
Forget about any lifetime unlimited warranty. If there is failure due to material or workmanship we will replace it. If you use it as a damn prybar and break it...it's yours....so anyone interested in destructive testing or chopping materials like steel rebar ahould find another knife to buy. So what we're saying is if you don't like our attitude then don't buy it
and those who may review this blade in the future can quote me on that
Regards,
Jeff
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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
