- Joined
- Nov 27, 2004
- Messages
- 3,124
OK, so I pretty much made it for six months. That's not bad, right?
For those who aren't familiar with my personal challenge, click on the link in my signature.
After six months, I have decided to call this challenge to an end, for a few reasons.
First and foremost, I feel that I have now learned what I needed to learn from this experiment / challenge. It was intended to be an educational experience, and I have definitely come away with a few lessons.
Beyond that, I have bumped into a few situations where it made sense to make exceptions to my three knife rule, and the challenge is really only valid if I refrain from doing that.
So, what did I learn?
First, a review of the participating sharp things:
A Delta 5 kit knife (5" blade, hollow ground, AUS-8 steel) done up by Yours Truly with extensively modified and contoured G-10 handles, in a survival sheath.
A Leatherman Wave, carried either in its own sheath or - when I'm out in the woods - in the pouch on my Delta 5 sheath.
A scandi-ground EDC knife based on a Cobbler's blade blank from Ragweed forge, in a wet-formed leather sheath.
General Impressions and Lessons Learned:
Conclusions:
I am going to use what I have learned to put together a new trio - or rather, a 'quatro'. The first task will be to get a new primary fixed blade for W&SS tasks. I can picture it in my head - 5" blade, drop point, flat ground, square spine, full tang with synthetic handles and slightly less pronounced handle contours. Oh, and a lanyard loop! I'm going to keep the Wave - can't mess with a classic. I'll be keeping my little EDC as well. The real question is what to add in the way of a chopper. My BK-9 is a good candidate, and it has done a great job in the past. Perhaps I will strip it and add new handles to match my new fixed blade. The alternative is to get a decent axe for basic chopping. Thoughts, opinions?
Finally, let me heartily recommend 'trio challenges' or similar minimalist exercises. They really allow you to develop an appreciation for your everyday working tools, and they give you a sense of what knife features are best suited to your W&SS needs and lifestyle. There's no need to go for six months or a year - even a one- or two-month challenge (ideally straddling a change in seasons) could provide you with some interesting insights.
That's about it. I promise I'll stop posting pictures of these three knives now!
All the best,
- Mike
For those who aren't familiar with my personal challenge, click on the link in my signature.
After six months, I have decided to call this challenge to an end, for a few reasons.
First and foremost, I feel that I have now learned what I needed to learn from this experiment / challenge. It was intended to be an educational experience, and I have definitely come away with a few lessons.
Beyond that, I have bumped into a few situations where it made sense to make exceptions to my three knife rule, and the challenge is really only valid if I refrain from doing that.
So, what did I learn?
First, a review of the participating sharp things:
A Delta 5 kit knife (5" blade, hollow ground, AUS-8 steel) done up by Yours Truly with extensively modified and contoured G-10 handles, in a survival sheath.
A Leatherman Wave, carried either in its own sheath or - when I'm out in the woods - in the pouch on my Delta 5 sheath.
A scandi-ground EDC knife based on a Cobbler's blade blank from Ragweed forge, in a wet-formed leather sheath.
General Impressions and Lessons Learned:
- If you're going to spend any serious time in the woods, your trio needs a chopper! Nessmuk was right! On many outings, I was able to use my Delta 5 for most cutting tasks. But there were a few occasions - particularly when clearing trails - when this just wasn't practical.
- The hollow grind is not ideal for outdoors work, though it can get by just fine. It is easy to sharpen, and - at least on my Delta 5 - it holds a terrific edge. But I would prefer a flat grind for food prep and woodworking.
- There are a number of advantages that come with using synthetic handle materials like G-10. It is durable, easy to clean, and not subject to contraction and expansion under temperature or humidity variations. The one down side of this material is that it can get slippery when it is sanded smooth. Next time I want to make a knife with synthetic handles, I will either opt for Micarta or will ease up on the sanding of the G-10.
- The aforementioned attributes of synthetic handles also apply to synthetic sheaths. I really enjoy hiking in inclement weather and cross-country (off-trail) snowshoeing. I would regularly return from an outing with my Delta 5 and sheath covered in snow, pine sap, and bits of bark. After a quick soak in warm water and a decent scrub, they were both good as new. I couldn't ask for better durability in a working knife / sheath pair.
- A small, thin, scandi-ground fixed blade makes an absolutely ideal EDC knife. Seriously, I will never go back to an EDC folder. It is convenient (I keep it in my front pocket or on my belt at all times), unobtrusive, and perfect for everyday tasks. I have used this little knife for most food prep, eating, and camp chores for the last six months, and I will keep doing so in the future. It really feels like 'my knife' now. The edge is easy to touch up every few days on my water stones, or - if necessary - with a ceramic stone in the field. The scandi grind makes it perfect for wood work, and the thin profile makes it a great slicer for food prep. As an added bonus, the knife cost around $20 all-told to make, so I am not worried about really using it.
- The Leatherman Wave makes a great backup tool, and, if push came to shove, I could definitely drop the other two knives and get by with just this. However, since I had two dedicated knives in my 'trio', I did not find myself using the blades on the Wave - at all. The pliers, saw, file, screwdriver bits, and other odds and ends were very useful. I would love to have a similar multitool with an additional file or precision ruler (or, better yet, a socket for replaceable ferro rods!) in place of the serrated blade.
Conclusions:
I am going to use what I have learned to put together a new trio - or rather, a 'quatro'. The first task will be to get a new primary fixed blade for W&SS tasks. I can picture it in my head - 5" blade, drop point, flat ground, square spine, full tang with synthetic handles and slightly less pronounced handle contours. Oh, and a lanyard loop! I'm going to keep the Wave - can't mess with a classic. I'll be keeping my little EDC as well. The real question is what to add in the way of a chopper. My BK-9 is a good candidate, and it has done a great job in the past. Perhaps I will strip it and add new handles to match my new fixed blade. The alternative is to get a decent axe for basic chopping. Thoughts, opinions?
Finally, let me heartily recommend 'trio challenges' or similar minimalist exercises. They really allow you to develop an appreciation for your everyday working tools, and they give you a sense of what knife features are best suited to your W&SS needs and lifestyle. There's no need to go for six months or a year - even a one- or two-month challenge (ideally straddling a change in seasons) could provide you with some interesting insights.
That's about it. I promise I'll stop posting pictures of these three knives now!
All the best,
- Mike
If I didn't have one, I would seriously look at something from Himalayan Imports - many good reports. Anyway, just my 2cents. Yours will undoubtedly vary. 
though i have A LOT of knives, i generally use a select few............until i get a new one..