I definitely recommend Siguy's wrap/tape suggestion.
The orange paint seems to reduce grip from the black plastic. I know it aids visibility, but I wish it wasn't there, like the Gerber's. Sweaty hands make me feel iffy on some swings, which is coming up with the summer, when I happen to be less inclined towards it.. sometimes.
I currently have it wrapped in yellow gaffers tape, which has increased retention a bit (mostly, it seems, from the ridges of the tape, rather than the surface itself), but I'm still looking to try some tennis tape. Someone mentioned bike handle-bar tape on another thread, and that sounds good, too. If that's too slick, I'll try hockey/grip tape, but I think that will chew up my hand a bit. Like I said, my hands can get pretty sweaty on a hot day with a lot of use.
Mine didn't came very sharp in the slightest, but it sharpened very easily, I suppose due to the grind & steel. I put it on an extra-coarse 11" diamond stone, but that seemed like too much, so switched over to 400/800?/1000grit sandpaper on a mousepad, then stroppped on the back of an old leather belt. Result seems to be somewhat scandi/convex like in profile. Easily as sharp as many of my knives.
People here are much better at sharpening than I am; I'm sort of just trying to learn how to free-hand from the tidbits I pickup here. So better you listen to them, like I do (err.. try), in regards to sharpening, for the best results. Just reporting what worked for me.
Tholiver made a good point about the Gerber sheath; cover is not as nice as custom, but you get a backup tool out of it.
Stock sheath takes up a lot of extra space, although you can cut it down (I have not, mostly since it matches so well with the Fiskars Brush Axe
, but probably should); no other investment necessary, and minimal work.
Another option is to have the sheath custom made; I think Sharpshooter had a head-cover that caught my eye, which allowed you to use the hammer-poll while the edge is sheathed.
Could do a lanyard; I like the idea of them, but they always feel awkward to me in use.
Handle is hollow, so you could possibly put some lightweight items in there. Although I never liked the idea of things hanging off a chopper/impact tool, I haven't had a problem with the jute twine & cotton balls in there. Just sort'a got tucked in, when I had no other place to put'em, and they've been there since (hasn't gotten wet yet tho).
Maybe some gauze or something incase of an accident. Or the classic Rambo hollow-handle survival kit
Most of all, enjoy your new tool!
