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- Jan 21, 2000
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Carson Model 4: One Year of Every-Day-Carry
Some three years ago I set out to find and/or develop a knife that would optimize some aspects I wanted in an every-day-carry folder, based on my experiences with many different pocketknives over my 52 years. I decided off the bat to let tradition and looks fall where they may, and just go for performance.
One fact I had learned was that, when I want to rough cut something right now, I typically reach for a serrated blade. I have a little $5 import with a serrated blade on my workbench that has ripped through more crap than I can remember, has never been sharpened in over five years use, and still rips through stuff like rope and cardboard in a hurry. So I decided, grudgingly, to look at serrated blades. I also knew I wanted at least a partial straight edge, to split things and start fine cuts without snagging on serrations. So the knife would have to be a combo edge, which in my opinion is the ugliest blade on the planet. I wanted something small--light and thin enough to be inconspicuous in a suit or dress slacks, but rugged enough to carry in my jeans when Im headed out on a construction job site--and a blade that would hold its own when called on.
For starters I really liked Kit Carsons Model 4, and after trying and enjoying one of his large ones I contacted him about building one for me. We discussed the performance and size issues I was concerned about, and came up with an order. It would be a small Model 4 with all-carbon-fiber handle (no bolsters or liners) and Stellite 6K blade. The blade would carry the same length of serrations as Kit normally puts on his large model blades, which meant almost two inches of the three-inch clip blade would be serrated. A year ago this month I received the knife, pictured below.
The knife itself was amazing at first blush, weighing only 2 ounces. Kit hand-sawed a mortise out of the carbon fiber wall of the handle for just a sliver of titanium to be inserted as the lock, then hand-fitted lock to handle with perfect precision. The lock was rock solid, whether opened hard or with just a nudge. The action was smooth as oilwhich of course, I expected. The edge bevel was cut on one side only, as is Kits custom when grinding serrated blades. This means the straight-edge portion at the tip is cut on one side only as well, very much like a chisel grind. The blades primary profile is double hollow-ground--only the edge is one-sided.
My first real surprise was the performance of the serrations. Kit explained to me that he had worked and experimented with development of serrations for several years, and had come up with his own design. His serrations have convex-ground teeth, rather than the conventional concave scallops that form most serrated edges. The result is a much more smoothly functioning serration, which cuts even rope, hide or meat aggressively without snagging. The teeth are also stronger, since theyre thicker than the rest of the edge rather than thinner.
Performance-wise the edge was a dream. The straight portion of the edge popped hair readily, and the serrations bit and cut the rough stuff just as I had hoped. The knife was the perfect marriage of razor blade and chain saw.
Nowhow would it carry and stand up to use?
In the past year I have carried this knife almost every day. Sure, when Im hiking or hunting I carry something bigger, and if Im going to a wedding or formal meeting, I might drop a little PJ Tomes mammoth-ivory gents slipjoint in my suit pocket instead. But almost every day, its the Carson. I never notice it in my pocketit just goes away, regardless of what weight clothing I wear.
When I got the knife, the lock lined up flush with the tang of the blade along the outside edge of both. As you can see by the photo below, the alignment is still in exactly the same place as it was a year ago. Still smooth as can be, still locks up solid, regardless of the amount of pressure/speed used to open it. I didnt know that was possible on a liner lock, until Id seen this for myself. The carbon fiber handle shows no sign of wear.
From time to time, I have cut heavy sisal and poly rope, rag and plastic packing material, cardboard, and anything else Ive needed to. At times, the knife goes for several days without use. Alternatively, it may be put into service many times in a day. When Ive needed to dig weeds from the dirt around my house or cut a few composition shingles, Ive gone to other (cheaper) knives. I havent babied this one, but I do take care of it and dont use it on stuff I think might roll or indent the edge. The result is that Ive had a full year of use from the blade, have never been disappointed in its performance, and have stropped it only one time, about three months ago. As I write this, I just tried it on my arm and it popped the hair every bit as impressively as it did when I first received it. A few minutes ago I used the serrated edge to cut a length of sisal rope, and it went through briskly with about 2 1/5 strokesquick and easy as anyone could askright now. In examining the blade with a loupe, I see no imperfections--just clean edge. Stellite 6K and Kit Carsons grinds seem made for each other.
My conclusion? Have to wait a few more years for that!! For now, I cant think of a thing Id change, unless it might be the looks of that god-awful ugly combo edge. Actually, with age and appreciation, I have to admit even the look is growing on me.
-Will
Some three years ago I set out to find and/or develop a knife that would optimize some aspects I wanted in an every-day-carry folder, based on my experiences with many different pocketknives over my 52 years. I decided off the bat to let tradition and looks fall where they may, and just go for performance.
One fact I had learned was that, when I want to rough cut something right now, I typically reach for a serrated blade. I have a little $5 import with a serrated blade on my workbench that has ripped through more crap than I can remember, has never been sharpened in over five years use, and still rips through stuff like rope and cardboard in a hurry. So I decided, grudgingly, to look at serrated blades. I also knew I wanted at least a partial straight edge, to split things and start fine cuts without snagging on serrations. So the knife would have to be a combo edge, which in my opinion is the ugliest blade on the planet. I wanted something small--light and thin enough to be inconspicuous in a suit or dress slacks, but rugged enough to carry in my jeans when Im headed out on a construction job site--and a blade that would hold its own when called on.
For starters I really liked Kit Carsons Model 4, and after trying and enjoying one of his large ones I contacted him about building one for me. We discussed the performance and size issues I was concerned about, and came up with an order. It would be a small Model 4 with all-carbon-fiber handle (no bolsters or liners) and Stellite 6K blade. The blade would carry the same length of serrations as Kit normally puts on his large model blades, which meant almost two inches of the three-inch clip blade would be serrated. A year ago this month I received the knife, pictured below.
The knife itself was amazing at first blush, weighing only 2 ounces. Kit hand-sawed a mortise out of the carbon fiber wall of the handle for just a sliver of titanium to be inserted as the lock, then hand-fitted lock to handle with perfect precision. The lock was rock solid, whether opened hard or with just a nudge. The action was smooth as oilwhich of course, I expected. The edge bevel was cut on one side only, as is Kits custom when grinding serrated blades. This means the straight-edge portion at the tip is cut on one side only as well, very much like a chisel grind. The blades primary profile is double hollow-ground--only the edge is one-sided.
My first real surprise was the performance of the serrations. Kit explained to me that he had worked and experimented with development of serrations for several years, and had come up with his own design. His serrations have convex-ground teeth, rather than the conventional concave scallops that form most serrated edges. The result is a much more smoothly functioning serration, which cuts even rope, hide or meat aggressively without snagging. The teeth are also stronger, since theyre thicker than the rest of the edge rather than thinner.
Performance-wise the edge was a dream. The straight portion of the edge popped hair readily, and the serrations bit and cut the rough stuff just as I had hoped. The knife was the perfect marriage of razor blade and chain saw.
Nowhow would it carry and stand up to use?
In the past year I have carried this knife almost every day. Sure, when Im hiking or hunting I carry something bigger, and if Im going to a wedding or formal meeting, I might drop a little PJ Tomes mammoth-ivory gents slipjoint in my suit pocket instead. But almost every day, its the Carson. I never notice it in my pocketit just goes away, regardless of what weight clothing I wear.
When I got the knife, the lock lined up flush with the tang of the blade along the outside edge of both. As you can see by the photo below, the alignment is still in exactly the same place as it was a year ago. Still smooth as can be, still locks up solid, regardless of the amount of pressure/speed used to open it. I didnt know that was possible on a liner lock, until Id seen this for myself. The carbon fiber handle shows no sign of wear.
From time to time, I have cut heavy sisal and poly rope, rag and plastic packing material, cardboard, and anything else Ive needed to. At times, the knife goes for several days without use. Alternatively, it may be put into service many times in a day. When Ive needed to dig weeds from the dirt around my house or cut a few composition shingles, Ive gone to other (cheaper) knives. I havent babied this one, but I do take care of it and dont use it on stuff I think might roll or indent the edge. The result is that Ive had a full year of use from the blade, have never been disappointed in its performance, and have stropped it only one time, about three months ago. As I write this, I just tried it on my arm and it popped the hair every bit as impressively as it did when I first received it. A few minutes ago I used the serrated edge to cut a length of sisal rope, and it went through briskly with about 2 1/5 strokesquick and easy as anyone could askright now. In examining the blade with a loupe, I see no imperfections--just clean edge. Stellite 6K and Kit Carsons grinds seem made for each other.
My conclusion? Have to wait a few more years for that!! For now, I cant think of a thing Id change, unless it might be the looks of that god-awful ugly combo edge. Actually, with age and appreciation, I have to admit even the look is growing on me.
-Will
Now you got me lookin' at all my plain edged knives, and in catalogs, wondering which one I need to get with a combo edge! 
