Nim vs. Operator vs. S1

dogboye

dogboye

Gold Member
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Nov 23, 1999
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OK, I've pretty much decided that I'm going to fulfill my backpacking knife with one of these, as they seem to fit my requirements best:

4" to 5" blade
not too thick
full tang
decent steel (well, better than decent)

Anyone have favorites, or opinions on any of these?
 
Hmmmm.... over 30 views, and no opinions. Guess I posted the wrong place.
 
I have the SERE Operator. I think it's a great backpacking knife because it's so light. You can just toss it in you knapsack and hardly know it's there.
 
Thanks Nathan. That is exactly why I'm considering the Operator.
 
My choice for all around backpacking would be the Fallkniven F1 in VG10, or the SRK Howling Rat in SR101. Both offer great steel, versatile blade shape, durable, sharp grinds, and light weight.

IMO the BM140 and Operator are biased to defensive use, both are lightweight and tough but the blade designs are less general purpose than the two mentioned above.

Of your three, my pick would be the S1.
 
Originally posted by xsrdx
My choice for all around backpacking would be the Fallkniven F1 in VG10, or the SRK Howling Rat in SR101. Both offer great steel, versatile blade shape, durable, sharp grinds, and light weight.

IMO the BM140 and Operator are biased to defensive use, both are lightweight and tough but the blade designs are less general purpose than the two mentioned above.

Of your three, my pick would be the S1.
Click to expand...

The F1 is too short, and the SRK doesn't have the exposed butt of all the rest, which is a requirement. But thanks, because I hadn't even thought of the SRK series.
 
Xsrdx,
IMO the BM140 and Operator are biased to defensive use, both are lightweight and tough but the blade designs are less general purpose than the two mentioned above.
Click to expand...
Indeed, excellent point!
The closest to BM Nimravus design, however way more suitable for general utility is GERBER Yari. Why? Because it has 0,5 mm thicker than Nimravus blade (at the spine) but thinner edge and more acute main grind, in another words it is better cutter.

Generally I wouldn’t stick with full tang construction as any mandatory item, mostly because I always tend to support my outdoors/camping knife with reasonable axe or hatchet for hard tasks. The weight is pretty critical item when backpacking so I would tend to sacrifice part of knife strength in aid of weight reduction. IMO general utility knife should be maximally efficient cutter as well. At this background SPYDERCO Bill Moran Featherweight looks just right for me, or their Fred Perrin if someone like a bit longer blades.

Well, if full tang is mandatory anyway I would tend to choose between Fallkniven F1, S1 or GERBER Yari. S1 provides great abuse resistance, when tested in laboratory conditions it had broken at 160-kg side load. Just think do you really need so strong knife? Remember that the additional weight is the cost of additional strength...
 
The Gerber Yari could be an option, one that I had not included. But carrying a hatchet or axe is not really an option; too much weight for no additional needed capability. Or just take something like a Gerber Back Paxe (the shortest one), losing weight, but also versatility. IMO.

Thing is, I know that a knife in the 4 to 5 inch range is what I use the most, because it is what I have used the most before. But my good Vanguard (BG42) got liberated by my significant other, leaving me the 420HC version, which just isn't good enough anymore. Full tang is mandatory for this knife. Preferably protruding.

I am surprised that the noticeably thicker Yari is still a better slicer than the Nimravus. Is this because of poorer sharpening of the Nimravus at the factory?

Unfornately from what I've seen, the Yari's sheath seems to be quite poorly thought out, to the point of almost needing an aftermarket sheath to make it a good carryable knife. Although, considering the knife usage that I'm thinking of would have it tossed in the top lid of the pack for most of the time, that might not be a problem. I'll definitely have to take a look at the Yari some more. Is it still in production?
 
I hace a camillus cqb1 that I like very much! Maybe that is another option you could consider.:)
 
If factory sheath's are a concern, the only weak point IMO of the Nimravus is the substandard sheath provided.
 
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