One Year, Three Knives - Looking Back

Excellent experiment and Kudos to you for lasting 6 months! I wouldn't have lasted a week.....

Do you have a folding saw? I think a folding saw is a great tool and worth its weight in gold for outdoor use.
 
Great review...

As far as Choppers(something I know a lot about)

Decide what you need to chop first--then look for a Chopper.

I have a BK-9(great knife)...You could do a lot with that!!!

Again--thanks for the review
 
Congrats on making it for 6 months! I've got a similar plan once my new custom is in, though that could be 6 months.

For my chopper I'm considering a GB SFA, which I currently own. But my experience with an axe is very limited, and I've been luck to not hurt myself a few times when wielding it ignorantly. My Silky Saw does a great job... but I'm not sure if it will replace a chopper or not.

Looking forward to seeing you new blade!
 
Well done write up.
What didn't you like about the hollow grind?

BTW, nice work on the handles :)
 
Ebbtide said:
Well done write up.
What didn't you like about the hollow grind?

BTW, nice work on the handles :)
Click to expand...

Thanks! There was nothing wrong with the hollow grind. It's just that when I compare it with other grinds - flat and scandi in particular - it doesn't offer any distinct advantages. It sharpens nicely and makes for a great slicer, but I think that a flat grind may be more useful for everyday tasks.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Great experiment. I'm trying to narrow my trio down too. For me, a GB mini is really all that's necessary as far as a chopper is concerned but I don't hike in the mountains in the winter. If I did I might consider a 3/4 axe. I think your bk9 should do most anything you would need for 3-season duty. As far as the saw idea that some guys mention, I like saws and they're really useful but if you have a chopper I find that they really aren't necessary.
 
Thanks for sharing your insights Mentor :thumbup: :thumbup: Kudos to you for sticking it out and really learning what works for you.
 
So, how's this for eerie:

For six months, I used that Delta 5 for all sorts of things, from food prep to trail-blazing. The edge held up admirably.

The other day, I decided that my trio challenge was over, and I started this thread to relate my experiences.

Last night, I used my Delta 5 (force of habit!) to cut up a trout. I cut through a few bones - nothing I hadn't done before.

- and that little task caused the edge of my knife to chip! Aargh! Six months of perfect service, but when I pull the plug on my challenge, the knife takes a dive!

Check it out - just towards the tip. It's actually rather deep. I'm going to have to re-profile the entire edge.

IMG_2903.jpg


Anyway, I'm taking this as additional incentive to get a new belt knife. But lesson learned: If you decide to terminate a challenge, don't tell your knives! They might get jealous and retaliate.

All the best,

- Mike
 
I am doing a 3 month 3 knife challenge. My Salt swiss tool and sebenza for me, because I was afraid of leaving my knives in my flat since I am far from home (at home theyare in a safe). We do hiking trails etc and go on site visits. So will see after 3 months what I have learned. However. I still want a fix blade for when I go hiking. A local maker preverably but about 3-4 icnh range.
 
Great post, thanks for the information! I'm heading over to Ragnar right now...
 
Hey Mentor - that is a pretty tiny nick. I'd just put a micro-bevel at the tip using a more obtuse angle and that will pull it out in no time at all. Then as you pregressively sharpen the knife you'll get it all back to the same angle. You can do this in 15 min and have a great working point - as it already looks like a nice pointy point, or you can work it for an hour and a half for no real performance benefit but piece of mind that you have a constant bevel. Why do I think you are going to go for the latter???? :)
 
Don't sweat that nick.
Use your knife and stuff happens.
No biggie, KGD's fix will be fine :D

Thanx for the quick answer too.
 
Really Great Thread....

A well thought out experiment, not just a thought experiment, but an experiential experiment, which definitely can weed out the wishful thinking.

I identify with your experience concerning too much contour in the handle. I have a Spyderco Hossom Woodlander, and just from playing with it, I knew the curves were too much, I masked them with grip tape. It is an interesting continuum, where sometimes that which looks good, is no good. BTW - That Delta 5 looks nice. Just last night, I was playing with a friend's drop point, and I found it to be too round, I could tell that my hand would fatigue if I had to use it for any period of time.

Also, I know that there are a bunch of thoughts, theories, opinions, 'facts' and other statistics out there concerning the double bit vs the axe vs the big knife. I am not going to hijack this thread, but if you are interested, I am going to start a new thread.

Marion
 
I like your train of thought here and will also suggest a 'Hawk for your chopper. I have both the BK-1 and BK-9 as large choppers, but am searching for a lightweight trail hawk to supplement. My next lightest ax is an Estwing and it ends up getting left behind most of the time. I like having something I can also hammer with and the trail hawk would fill that need. Also, consider a lightweight folding saw such as a Bahco. They are extremely handy as well.

So said, you have made me think about my setup and changes I could consider.
Currently, I carry a VIC OHT, a Becker Necker, one of the following custom belt knives: Lee Boot or Lee Camp, and then one of the following three: BK-7, BK-9, BK-1 and a Vic Swisstool. So I tend to have a Quint normally not including an ax or saw. So paring it down to just three would be "tough" for me!

Good luck!
 
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