Nyala Application?

[gwlee]

A few months ago, I was looking for a small, well made, stainless, general purpose fixed blade and picked up a Nyala. I saw it as a possible replacement for both my Fallkkniven F1 and RAT RC-4 knives.

So far, I have handled it a bit, but haven't used it for anything except cutting up a few vegetables in the kitchen, which it does reasonably well for a 3/16" knife. It's well made. Some features of the knife/sheath system I like, some I don't.

I haven't seen a substantial review of this knife, and I am wondering what people think of it now that it has been out for a few months. Where does it fit in the spectrum of fixed blade knives? What is its primary purpose? What market (s) is CRK targeting?

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I picked it up because it was the fixed blade Sebenza I've been waiting for since I got my first Sebbie. You've got a perfect opportunity to do a review! Most of my fixed blades are custom bushcraft type blades, or small neck knife utility types.

 

[gwlee]

You've got a perfect opportunity to do a review! Most of my fixed blades are custom bushcraft type blades, or small neck knife utility types.

I haven't used the knife, so I can only provide my first impressions and list what I like and don't like about it. My opinions often change after using a knife for a while.

I use a knife for food prep/utility while camping/backpacking, hiking, hunting, and fishing in wilderness areas where firewood isn't available or fires are prohibited except in an emergency. I also spend a fair amount of time around salt water. So far (~40 years), a 3", 3 oz folder has proven entirely adequate for my needs, but I needed an excuse to buy another knife.

Likes compared to FI & RC-4:

1. Stainless steel (so is FI)
2. Slightly longer handle (4 3/4") than others
3. Good leather sheath, but leather is not my favorite sheath material for food prep knives.
4. Handle material seems more durable than F1
5. No choil (so is F1)
6. Finely detailed fit and finish, but others are entirely adequate
7. Uncoated blade (so is F1)
8. Non-"Tactical" appearance (so is FI)

Don't like so much:

1. Not a big fan of hollow ground blades
2. Prefer Kydex sheaths where food prep is concerned
3. Suspect (don't know) that RC-4 might take more abuse, but don't intend to abuse any knife unless absolutely necessary, so not an issue for me.

Changes I'd like to see to the Nyala for my use:

1. Flat grind (like the RC-4)
2. In-the-waist-band,Kydex sheath with a belt/waist-band clip (Don't wear a belt, carry a knife in a pack, but it's a useful feature for occasional, casual, short term carry) If I keep the Nyala, I will probably have a sheath made to my specifications.

 

[Toyz]

I have been carrying / using one for about 2-3 weeks now and I think it is a great all around moderately sized utility knife. It's the perfect size for hiking.

I carry it in my pocket and let the long stock lanyard hang out to help with the retrieval. The sheath does have positives and negatives.

I showed it to a friend at work who does a lot of hunting (esp bird hunting) and he is saving up for one. He says it looked to be a great skinner.

I use mine to open packages, cut down bees nests, trim vines from trees, cut open bags of dog food, etc.

 

[gwlee]

I have been carrying / using one for about 2-3 weeks now and I think it is a great all around moderately sized utility knife. It's the perfect size for hiking.

I carry it in my pocket and let the long stock lanyard hang out to help with the retrieval. The sheath does have positives and negatives.

I showed it to a friend at work who does a lot of hunting (esp bird hunting) and he is saving up for one. He says it looked to be a great skinner.

I use mine to open packages, cut down bees nests, trim vines from trees, cut open bags of dog food, etc.

I also bought the Nyala would make an good "all around moderately sized utility knife" or, as CRK says, "prove useful in a multitude of applications."

CRK also says the Nyala is a "modern version of a classic skinner." From looking at the blade shape (belly), it does look like it would be useful for skinning, but Ralph's Smoke House does all my skinning these days.

I have also seen the Nyala advertised as a hunting/fishing knife. To me, the blade is thicker than I would prefer for a pure hunting or skinning knife of this length and much too thick for a pure fishing knife, but I thought it would work OK because the hollow grind should mitigate the thickness to some extent.

Other features of the knife, such as the pointed pommel, seem to be borrowed from the tactical/survival genre.

 

[archieblue]

I think 3/16" is a little thick for this knife. I've had mine for a few days and it is a nice knife... but I'd prefer the same stock as the Sebenza. I think it's to appease this whole "overbuilt" BS craze. I will definitely use the knife and I think it will be fine... maybe it will compliment a smaller folder well? The problem is that when I carry a knife, I only carry one. I have not really ever come across a situation where I would appreciate stock as thick as this. I will keep it because I really like the long handle. I think my ESEE RC-3 will prove to be a better performer though...with a shorter than I like handle.

 

[gwlee]

I think 3/16" is a little thick for this knife. I've had mine for a few days and it is a nice knife... but I'd prefer the same stock as the Sebenza. I think it's to appease this whole "overbuilt" BS craze. I will definitely use the knife and I think it will be fine... maybe it will compliment a smaller folder well? The problem is that when I carry a knife, I only carry one. I have not really ever come across a situation where I would appreciate stock as thick as this. I will keep it because I really like the long handle. I think my ESEE RC-3 will prove to be a better performer though...with a shorter than I like handle.

I like the Nyala too, but I prefer a flat grind for slicing, so it's not a perfect match for me, but close as any, so far.

The 3/16" stock and pointed pommel seem to be a nod to the tactical/survival market, but I can't see these folks buying into the hollow grind.

 

[guns_and_labs]

I guess it's a fit for hard use hunting or maybe extreme fishing. Dunno what it really does.

I picked one up intending to try the somewhat exotic steel and shape for hunting, skinning and fishing, but -- as mentioned above -- it really is a bit thick for that. It's clearly extremely well-made, but as I handle it, I'm not thrilled with the balance or fit for lengthy skinning sessions.

Personally, I'll stick with my Dozier or my puukkos for field tasks, and probably flip the Nyala when I get around to it.

 

[JNewell]

The Nyala is only three thousandths of an inch (0.003") thicker than the 4" Mountaineer and Shadow blades. It shouldn't handle any differently, and I think going any thinner would be a problem for a fixed blade that's intended for practical use.

I think 3/16" is a little thick for this knife. I've had mine for a few days and it is a nice knife... but I'd prefer the same stock as the Sebenza. I think it's to appease this whole "overbuilt" BS craze. I will definitely use the knife and I think it will be fine... maybe it will compliment a smaller folder well? The problem is that when I carry a knife, I only carry one. I have not really ever come across a situation where I would appreciate stock as thick as this. I will keep it because I really like the long handle. I think my ESEE RC-3 will prove to be a better performer though...with a shorter than I like handle.

 

[gwlee]

The Nyala is only three thousandths of an inch (0.003") thicker than the 4" Mountaineer and Shadow blades. It shouldn't handle any differently, and I think going any thinner would be a problem for a fixed blade that's intended for practical use.

Where the Mountaineer and Shadow blades hollow ground?

 

[JNewell]

Where the Mountaineer and Shadow blades hollow ground?

I know that the Mountaineer was, and I'm pretty sure the Shadow was as well. The 4" Mountaineer had a particularly high hollow grind, darned near up to the spine.

 

[ipm]

I have a professional soldier. It’s also a fixed blade sebenza stand-in. Its stock is thinner, it cuts well, has a kydex sheath, is very light for hiking, etc, etc.

Compared to my F1 and PXL, I find Rowen products to be OK but not as good. The fit and finish on the F1 is excellent and it is better than the Izula and the RC5 I have. The PXL is amazing.

For me, the professional soldier is easier to hold and use than an Izula, even with a cord-wrap handle on the latter. However, the RC5 splits wood like no other knife I have.

The F1 is not flat ground, and I am thinking of having mine re-profiled to full or 3/4 flat ground to see how it would go.

Also, a Bravo 1 is good from what I hear/read. I am kind of itching to try it: its almost a sebenza stand-in too.The outdoors people seem to love this thing and they like the F1 too.

I don't see much in the outdoors forums on Reeve's knives but this is likely just a coincidence.

 

[chadridv]

I just borrowed my friends nyala and am really looking forward to carrying/using it for a bit. I really really like it so far. Without getting into a formal review or anything i will share 1 quick story. This might actually be difficult to explain, but if you're familiar at all with eating avocados it shouldn't be too hard to follow.

Tonight I went to cut open an avocado with the nyala. Normally i cut vertically/length wise making my first cut straight down overhead, until reaching the pit and stopping. I then simply rotate the avocado till it splits evenly in half, with the exception of the pit still stuck in one of the sides.

I nearly took a finger off tonight when, with almost zero force i hit the pit and chopped straight through it like a light saber. It was absolutely not my intention to cut through the pit. It was a perfectly clean cut, with absolutely no effort.

Point being, that thing is ridiculously sharp. It already bit me once when my friend first got it. I have to remind myself to be a little bit extra careful around it

 

[gwlee]

The F1 is not flat ground, and I am thinking of having mine re-profiled to full or 3/4 flat ground to see how it would go.

My F1 has a flat grind that starts at the spine and continues to within a 1/4 inch of the edge. The last 1/4 inch or so is convex. Out of the box, it's a much better slicer than my Nyala.

 

[RABII]

I picked-up a Nyala at Blade this year after handling both it and the Pro. Soldier. The Nyala, if I'm not mistaken, is billed as more of a utility/hunter. So, I keep that in mind when deciding how I want to use it. There are two things I don't care for; one, the forward part of the Nyalas' handle is smaller and rounded, which makes it more difficult to grip tightly (at least with my hand size) when sweat or other fluids are applied. Two, the sheath is well made but the slits in the back of the leather for belt attachment don't work as well as a dangling belt loop would. I also went ahead and stained my sheath with the color of my choice before dirt and natural soiling did it for me.
Otherwise, the Nyala is a great little knife. Most of the time I just slip it into my front or back pocket to have available for any task that comes along. As for whether I really 'needed' it? Of course not! I have (like most of you) a ridiculous amount of cutlery, any piece of which, would cover an array of needs. I bought this knife because I liked its' looks. I knew, however, there was a good chance I'd never use it, like so many others that have been purchased over the years. But so what? we have plenty of things lying about that we don't use, but probably very few things that we hold as dear as our knives. It's a man thing. With women, it's shoes and bags (at least for my wife), with me, it's my guns and my knives!