Outcast questions...

O

orangish ducktape

Joined
Oct 26, 2011
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I have been pondering the outcast ever since I saw that it was discontinued for 2012. I have a few questions though...
How does the outcast compare to say a BK9 or RTAK 2? Does it chop and split as well? Does the edge chip easily?

Thanks,
-orangish ducktape
 
In the show us your dirty pics thread one guy has hard used the outcast for 2-3 yrs and its still sharp.. D2 is a great steel. So don't think it would chip..
 
chester22 said:
In the show us your dirty pics thread one guy has hard used the outcast for 2-3 yrs and its still sharp.. D2 is a great steel. So don't think it would chip..
Click to expand...

yeah that's mine...note; i don't use it everyday and not for long work periods, but it is chopping/hacking something most every week...and yep, that D2 holds a working edge (not a pointless shaving edge) a LONG time, which also makes it not-so-easy to sharpen...when it comes time i'll have a pro sharpen it or send it in to the mothership...

only one minor thing i don't like about it; the handle is thin to grip...but ideal when you're wearing work gloves...
 
The edge on mine was a bit obtuse from the factory, but it feels good in hand and has held up well.

I've got it strapped to the front of my foreman 500 for clearing branches in trails. It has seen a good bit of use and I've rarely sharpened it. No issues with how they've got the d2 heat treated in it.

I'll get a pic posted up of my well used one tomorrow.

I also concur with the fellow above, the grip is a bit thin but the shape is very nice, I actually have mine wrapped in paracord. (over the rubber handle)
 
I just got my outcast a few days ago, hit a rock already when chopping black berries and it was hard to see where it came in contact with the cutting edge. No chipping on that one.

I really like the sheath, easy to operate and will work great mounted to a pack, vest or what ever else you can think of.

The factory edge is a bit blunt, made for working, but still chops the branches fine. Ive heard that a convex edge on these is a nice mod. I like mine, I was thinking of wrapping the handle in para cord like Followthehollow mentioned since it is a bit smaller and I dont like wearing gloves.
 
I've hit rocks, 16d nails, reebar, more rocks and some intentional chopping of cinder blocks and never a chip. If you are careful and don't hit those things the edge holding is impressive, I've chopped hard and soft wood for hours and the edge would at most need a light stropping.

A convex edge grind really helps the chopping power though it takes a belt sander or lots of time and sandpaper.
 
Geez I"ve been pondering one of these since they came out... Guess I better get a move on whiel I can still find them... :D

Seems liek the might come to replace my venerable Ontario Knife Surplus Machete.
 
This is the only pic I can currently find of my Outcast.

5816725703_e1b7ac8caa_b by jpottsphotography, on Flickr

Stripping the finish and convexing the edge made a big difference in performance. The handle is a bit on the small side but is ergonomic enough that it's very comfortable and secure in use. I'd say get on while you can.
 
I was just using mine this weekend. It's a tough knife/chopper. I like the handle, some don't. One thing I see over and over is "d2 makes a crappy chopper steel" when the Outcast is mentiooned. I call BS on this as it applies to this knife. As others have shared, I've accidentally hit the ground and I know it contacted stones, no chips! IIRC, Kershaw has this d2 knife around 55-57 Rockwell hardness. Maybe that has something to do wit the toughness/edge holding. Get one if you can fine one, almost sold mine earlier this month then reconsidered it.
 
good steel good heat treat and I love the designer. but I quite disliked the blade as a whole, this was mostly due to the handle and the aesthetics. rubber handles really blow, especially when your hands start to sweat, and mine sweat a LOT, further more the traction plan was not very forgiving in terms of hand types and sizes, I think it would only be really ok for guys with quite large hands. ordinarily I can deal with a handle fitted for a larger hand than mine but in this case it was very unforgiving. lastly I didn't like the black on black of the blade. it was really unsatisfying.
overall I actually quite disliked the blade... until I took off the handles, replaces them with simple para-cord handles and took off the coating. now I love it. wish I could share pics but the links aren't showing up for some reason...
thirdtooth
 
Here you go thirdtooth.....


Thirdtooth's modified Outcast

001.jpg


I'm glad to finally see what's under the handle.
 
Wow, that can in no way be an improvement in comfort, haha! Is this temporary? I'd love to see somebody do a quality rehandle on that knife.
 
i gave some serious thought to getting one of these... i really love D2 steel. The only reason i didn't is because it's not full tang...
 
It is for all intents and purposes, full tang. It's a skeletonized tang that runs just short of the lanyard hole. Even if you snap off the section of handle that has no steel, the handle is more than long enough to still be usable. There are many examples of skeletonized, full tang knives I'm pretty sure even the Kabar Beckers are like this and there is no issue with strength or lack of strength.
 
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