Thinking about getting a Nyala. I'm looking for a all around outdoors utility knife with an emphasis on field dressing deer. I do love my Sebenzas, so the Nyala seems like a logical choice for me, plus I've always wanted to get a fixed blade CRK. Can any Nyala owners on the forum offer some wisdom, advice or reviews? Is the 3.75" blade just right, or limiting...
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Nyala Advice
- Thread starter Evany
- Start date
I had one for a few months. It's well made. Wanted to like it. Found the handle to be too small and round for my hands, felt like holding a small diameter rope, so I replaced it. Suggest handling one before you buy.
Sheath is well made, but it takes two hands to insert the knife without slicing the sheath. Prefer Kydex for this reason.
Sheath is well made, but it takes two hands to insert the knife without slicing the sheath. Prefer Kydex for this reason.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,850
I can see how folks might find the handle skinny and I would say putting some finger prints on the knife first would be a good idea. I found the handle shape makes for a very nimble knife in the hand though. The handle is pretty neutral in shape so quite comfortable in a number grips. If you're skinning and dressing animals you will pinch the blade as well as use the handle and IMO it works well for that. I like the Nyala and it's a nice useable knife but I cary a modified skinner (scout) that has a similar blade shape far more often because of the A2 steel and hollow handle. 
:thumbup:
:thumbup:Mine sees use as a dedicated hunting knife. Field dressing, skinning, sometimes even butchering. Red deer, wild boar, roe deer. Have come to prefer it over Loveless-style drop points, the epitome of a hunting knife. It may look totally off for a hunting knife, but in use it is intuitive. As such, it is an advanced design that some just do not understand and thus disregard.
It takes some getting used to because of the thickness of the blade stock and the rather thin, almost round handle. But the thickness of the knife inspires confidence when splitting the odd pelvis and the round handle makes for utmost maneuverability. There is no way to slip on the handle or get your fingers on the blade as the handle is extremely grippy. Cleaning is easy, but be aware that the micarta handle is screwed on and not inletted, allowing grease and blood to work it's way under the scales with time. The blade shape (tip and belly) is perfect for field dressing and skinning.
Mine needed a major reprofiling when new because the grinds were really off and much too steep. But you may get lucky. It takes as keen an edge as you are capable to produce. A convex 15 to 18 degrees works perfectly for me. The new steel is easier to sharpen than S30V and holds it's edge just as long.
The sheath is Gfeller, which is equal to saying that it is quality work with quality leather. A piece of art. It is a deep carry sheath with small integral belt loops that some just don't like. But it works and is secure. You will get used to it and it will not let you down.
I'd say go ahead and get one.
It takes some getting used to because of the thickness of the blade stock and the rather thin, almost round handle. But the thickness of the knife inspires confidence when splitting the odd pelvis and the round handle makes for utmost maneuverability. There is no way to slip on the handle or get your fingers on the blade as the handle is extremely grippy. Cleaning is easy, but be aware that the micarta handle is screwed on and not inletted, allowing grease and blood to work it's way under the scales with time. The blade shape (tip and belly) is perfect for field dressing and skinning.
Mine needed a major reprofiling when new because the grinds were really off and much too steep. But you may get lucky. It takes as keen an edge as you are capable to produce. A convex 15 to 18 degrees works perfectly for me. The new steel is easier to sharpen than S30V and holds it's edge just as long.
The sheath is Gfeller, which is equal to saying that it is quality work with quality leather. A piece of art. It is a deep carry sheath with small integral belt loops that some just don't like. But it works and is secure. You will get used to it and it will not let you down.
I'd say go ahead and get one.
A quick comment on this one:
Took a close look at the PS before buying the Nyala, because I thought it might work just as well. Came to the conclusion though that it is not really suitable to or at least far inferior for hunting purposes than the Nyala:
The handle of the PS is simply uncomfortable for such use. Too flat, too cold, too short, with a prominent finger choil that really digs into the palm when working edge up. And while the blade shape lends itself well for field dressing/skinning/butchering (the shape is almost the same with a bit less belly), the heat treat on the PS is spec'd several degrees lower than that on the Nyala. Furthermore, the bead blasted blackened finish is surprisingly difficult to clean from grease and blood.
But, to each his own of course.
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2002
- Messages
- 1,235
I agree with DanG. I do not have a Nyala but I love my PS, however, it is much more geared to using for a task and putting it away. I would not want to use it for skinning a deer or carving a chain out of wood. It suits its purpose very well ....a small tactical knife that you can always have on you.
Tc
Tc
I prefer my hunting knives without much of a finger guard. The way the handle sits below the edge on the Nyala seems very ergonomic--seems like a good design for working blind when field dressing big game. Well, I'll find out in a couple of days as mine is on the way.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2005
- Messages
- 267
I gave my brother a Nyala as a gift. He used it to dress and skin an elk and a deer last year. He totally loved it and said it was the nicest knife he has ever used. He has probably dressed and skinned 100+ deer/elk/antelope in his life.