Patch and/vs Hiking Buddy; What Next?

[Mistwalker]

The Monarch may be a good option. A bit larger than the HB and Patch, but still smaller than the Kephart.

 

[Onedog]

Hmmmm.... I'd enjoy seeing those in person someday, just to get what they're "about," but their look just doesn't appeal to me, and would be a little much for those around me. People who have them sure do seem to love them, though!

Given my (attempted!) focus, I also don't want to duplicate patterns if possible, so, an Esquire writ larger doesn't actually appeal to me the way the Idea of an entirely different pattern does, if that makes sense?

~ P.

I totally get that. However, I would say that, despite the fact that the Monarch is basically a large Esquire, it's definitely a different knife. while the contours are the same both the handle and the blade are higher. Also, the Monarch handle offers a full hand grip like the HB and Patch. It definitely preforms differently then the Esquire in my opinion. Unfortunately, I don't have either the Monarch or the Asp with me so Unfortunately I can't provide pictures. I would also add that the Monarch can be comfortably carried in an ISP sheath but, as you said, it can be a little intimidating when drawn for those who aren't used to knives. I'm not really sure about an Asp in an ISP but I think it would be possible.
As far as grind and blade thickness in relation to the Handyman go, I would say it's really a matter of preference. In knives up to 4" I generally prefer 1/8" stock. In EDC blades at 3.5" and below 3/32" works for me depending on the tasks. Anything in the 5" and above range I prefer 5/32". I have a Handyman in all 3 stocks. I recently got rid of the 3/32" scandi one I had but that was more due to the handle material. However, the one that I carry and use the most is in 1/8" scandi. Personally, I usually prefer scandi grinds. Especially in 4" and below. However, in that 5" and above I go convex.
The grind/stock thickness debate seems to have been going on for a long time. To me what it really seems to come down to is personal preference. I like scandi grinds because that's what I'm used to. For me maintaining a scandi grind is easier simply because I've been doing it longer. Both grinds work great on most tasks and both have weakness in different situations. I don't think there's really is a doit all grind just as I don't think there is a doit all knife.

Hopefully that helps a little.

 

[traumkommode]

pertinux, I have a Surls Patch Knife on the way, should be here today. It's same-ish dimensions as the Esquire, slightly longer handle, but pretty different contours. Here's an old sales thread with a side-by-side shot, so you can see them together, as I don't own an Esquire (yet?): http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...yman-Hiking-Buddy-Esquire-and-W-A-Surls-Patch

When I have the Surls in hand, I'll give you a write-up.

 

[Onedog]

pertinux, I have a Surls Patch Knife on the way, should be here today. It's same-ish dimensions as the Esquire, slightly longer handle, but pretty different contours. Here's an old sales thread with a side-by-side shot, so you can see them together, as I don't own an Esquire (yet?): http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...yman-Hiking-Buddy-Esquire-and-W-A-Surls-Patch

When I have the Surls in hand, I'll give you a write-up.

Allen certainly makes some great small knives. His Patch is definitely a great example. I also really like the Palmer and Pocket Puukko and carry them often.
Now I wish I brought one of them with me. [emoji3]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Warrior108]

..

..

Here's a sheath review with a decent side by side pic with a Surls Palmer, Surls Patch, Esquire and Runt. As for a "What's next" item, I'd recommend the Big Palmer over the Palmer just because it seems to be more comfortable to more people in general.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1414395-Mini-Review-of-ESQ-1-Vertical-Belt-Carry-Sheath-for-Esquire-Palmer

 

[pertinux]

The Monarch may be a good option. A bit larger than the HB and Patch, but still smaller than the Kephart.

I totally get that. However, I would say that, despite the fact that the Monarch is basically a large Esquire, it's definitely a different knife. while the contours are the same both the handle and the blade are higher. Also, the Monarch handle offers a full hand grip like the HB and Patch.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I don't like how the Monarch looks.

I still hope to see one in real life sometime, just to see for myself how it 'works' in hand.

As far as grind and blade thickness in relation to the Handyman go, I would say it's really a matter of preference....

Hopefully that helps a little.

Sure does! Thanks.

pertinux, I have a Surls Patch Knife on the way, should be here today. It's same-ish dimensions as the Esquire, slightly longer handle, but pretty different contours. Here's an old sales thread with a side-by-side shot, so you can see them together, as I don't own an Esquire (yet?): http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...yman-Hiking-Buddy-Esquire-and-W-A-Surls-Patch

When I have the Surls in hand, I'll give you a write-up.

Thank you for the link, and I look forward to reading your impressions. :thumbup:

Here's a sheath review with a decent side by side pic with a Surls Palmer, Surls Patch, Esquire and Runt. As for a "What's next" item, I'd recommend the Big Palmer over the Palmer just because it seems to be more comfortable to more people in general.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1414395-Mini-Review-of-ESQ-1-Vertical-Belt-Carry-Sheath-for-Esquire-Palmer

Good stuff. Comparison pictures really do help....

Next, continued: I can adapt to most any knife, as proven by my decade(s) of successful knife use before discovering good 'uns. The most important niche for a next knife, and for all of these together, is morale.

But how grand, to have access to fine, hard-workable cutlery that makes me smile at the thought (let alone every view), then cuts the hell out of whatever I have in mind, right where and how I live my life.

With that in mind, I'd like a Sylverfalcen, Just Because. The idea happies me, so I'm going with that instinct. The Sylverfalcen also happens to get me a more central point in the Esquire-to-Patch size range, but with the previously-mentioned, all-important swashbuckle. [I'd still appreciate any/more pictures of Sylverfalcens, especially with other knives.]

I would also like a Gaucho, for a bigger, probably-kitchen-oriented knife (but so much more!). Once I have those two known Wants in the mix, I'll be better able to gauge whether or not a Handyman still beckons, or something else, or...?

[Stubby Mux.

]


Speaking of Gauchos:

Mistwalker, your first picture here is already way helpful, but could you please post a picture of your Gaucho and Esquire together, or point me to where you already have? Mebbe the Hiking Buddy as well? (No hurry.)

Thx!

~ P.

 

[Mistwalker]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I don't like how the Monarch looks.

I still hope to see one in real life sometime, just to see for myself how it 'works' in hand.

~ P.

It could be that I am just more drawn to the Monarch due to having larger hands. I see it as just a larger version of the Esquire, or rather I see the Esquire as a smaller version of the Monarch which came first

Speaking of Gauchos:


Mistwalker, your first picture here is already way helpful, but could you please post a picture of your Gaucho and Esquire together, or point me to where you already have? Mebbe the Hiking Buddy as well? (No hurry.)

Thx!

~ P.

I haven't yet, but if no-one beats me to it I will post this pic later tonight. I don't have a Hiking Buddy on hand, but I have a Handyman which is close in size to the HB

 

[Mistwalker]

Speaking of Gauchos:


Mistwalker, your first picture here is already way helpful, but could you please post a picture of your Gaucho and Esquire together, or point me to where you already have? Mebbe the Hiking Buddy as well? (No hurry.)

Thx!

~ P.

Here is the Gaucho, Handyman, and Esquire. This may explain why I am looking for a Monarch in similar configuration. The Esquire makes a great gentleman's edc, and I love that aspect of it, but I sometimes go to places where there is a reasonable expectation of needing to not be a gentleman...

.

 

[LastRodeo]

What size glove do you wear (if you don't mind me asking)?

 

[Mistwalker]

What size glove do you wear (if you don't mind me asking)?

I wear size large leather work gloves, but I like tight gloves and they fit snugly.

 

[pertinux]

Here is the Gaucho, Handyman, and Esquire.

Perfect! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, including the in-hand shots.

I've printed out the picture to scale, and now have a very useful visual reference:

~ P.

 

[Mistwalker]

Perfect! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, including the in-hand shots.

I've printed out the picture to scale, and now have a very useful visual reference:

~ P.

No problem, glad I could help. It's really hard to tell a lot about a particular model from just the Friday pics, so we all try to help each other sort them out.

 

[Onedog]

Perfect! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, including the in-hand shots.

I've printed out the picture to scale, and now have a very useful visual reference:



~ P.

Every time I see the photo of the osage Esquire I do a quick double take. That photo of the printed out photo with the blue Esquire just blew my mind a little. It's been a long day.

 

[Mistwalker]

Perfect! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, including the in-hand shots.

I've printed out the picture to scale, and now have a very useful visual reference:

~ P.

This might help to put the Handyman into a context for you. I forgot I had these two shots

Every time I see the photo of the osage Esquire I do a quick double take. That photo of the printed out photo with the blue Esquire just blew my mind a little. It's been a long day.

Seem familiar?

 

[traumkommode]

Well, after some handling and limited use of the Surls Patch knife, I have thoughts.

First, when I opened it, my hand didn't understand it. And after holding it for a little while, I realized that I had been trying to understand it with four fingers, and it is definitely meant to be understood with three:

with these grips being its overhand preference:

Note the reach on the saber grip, because the knife really wants you to grip back away from the edge of the handle. So I guess in that regard it acts like a longer knife.

Pertinux, you write:

The Hiking Buddy's more central tip makes more sense to my eye and brain than the Patch's, even if it does not seem to affect me o'ermuch in actual use.

...and I have to agree regarding this knife, and muse on other knives I've handled. This is very akin to the Kershaw Skyline (if'n yer into that sort of thing). Here is a shot of the angle of the blade in hand. Note that the point is over the "2" key, and my being wants it to be over the "Q" key:

Reverse draw cut is exceptional, and results in a real 4 finger grip

And here are some comparison shots with a GEC #66 frame, for reference. Interesting to note that, when I grip the GEC, even with a slightly smaller frame, because of the lack of contours, that knife gives me a comfortable four finger grip. The patch does not.

Blade angle comparison:

Handle contours:

I think that I just don't prefer any swells, width-or-height-wise. So I'm left wondering if I should take the plunge and grind (get it, plunge grind? ) the handle down to a uniform thickness. Or try again...

I also think that my hand might want a Bushboot, and if that Bushboot that gets posted in today's Fiddleback Friday thread has 3/32" blade stock, I might have to jump on it, if for no other reason than to try and satisfy my blade-angle-overhand-grip persnickets and meticulets.

As a side note, I cut an apple with the patch yesterday, and I am surprised by A2's resistance to patina. I'm also revealing the fact that this is my first A2 knife. C'est la vie.

Edit - Well, now it's a Lonestar to try.

 

[pertinux]

Every time I see the photo of the osage Esquire I do a quick double take. That photo of the printed out photo with the blue Esquire just blew my mind a little. It's been a long day.

You're welcome?

No problem, glad I could help. It's really hard to tell a lot about a particular model from just the Friday pics, so we all try to help each other sort them out.

Well, Thanks. The pictures of the Handyman and Hiking Buddy are helpful as well.


Traumkommode, Wow, and Thank You. :thumbup: I appreciate all your impressions and pictures, but shall quote only what I am responding to:

Pertinux, you write:

The Hiking Buddy's more central tip makes more sense to my eye and brain than the Patch's, even if it does not seem to affect me o'ermuch in actual use.

...and I have to agree regarding this knife, and muse on other knives I've handled. This is very akin to the Kershaw Skyline (if'n yer into that sort of thing). Here is a shot of the angle of the blade in hand. Note that the point is over the "2" key, and my being wants it to be over the "Q" key:

An interesting visual way to carry across the, er, point.

And here are some comparison shots with a GEC #66 frame, for reference. Interesting to note that, when I grip the GEC, even with a slightly smaller frame, because of the lack of contours, that knife gives me a comfortable four finger grip. The patch does not.

Blade angle comparison:

Holy Smokes-- I had no idea the Surls Patch knife was quite that small! Since the #66 is a known quantity to me, your pictures here help me understand its size much more than straightforward measurements.

I think that I just don't prefer any swells, width-or-height-wise. So I'm left wondering if I should take the plunge and grind (get it, plunge grind? ) the handle down to a uniform thickness. Or try again...

O, heavens, I would not recommend grinding down the handle. But it is your knife now. And would have to be from here on out!

... I'm very, very new to this myself, but my brief (if enthusiastic!) experience with the few I have, NBrackett's Hiking Buddy, and my other fixed blades leads me to encourage you to not write off "swells" out of hand. In hand. [Dang, I think you're contagious!] The Surls Patch knife, as designed, evidently doesn't fit your hand, but that's not to say there won't be another pattern that astonishes you with its contours. Or, maybe not! I like that you've highlighted the blade angle(s), as that can of course make a difference in a given knife's feel and presentation as well.

Also, not to quibble, but the #66 itself is a very subtle serpentine frame, with some built in 'swell' (or maybe just 'swoosh') along its length. While essentially the same size as a #68, #66's curves make a very pleasing difference to me in use, even if not on the scale (har) of the fixed blade handle with the Patch's proportions.

I entirely understand what you mean about the Surls' Patches grip in your hand, however, in a way I would not have before. My Esquire has a similar 'tweener' feel in certain grips (the 3-or-4 finger thing), although not to the degree you are encountering.

I also think that my hand might want a Bushboot, and if that Bushboot that gets posted in today's Fiddleback Friday thread has 3/32" blade stock, I might have to jump on it, if for no other reason than to try and satisfy my blade-angle-overhand-grip persnickets and meticulets.

Aha! A student of the finer distinctions of knife-handling terminology, I see. :thumbup:

As a side note, I cut an apple with the patch yesterday, and I am surprised by A2's resistance to patina. I'm also revealing the fact that this is my first A2 knife. C'est la vie.

Well... it's more resistant than something like O1 or 1095 for sure, but:

I was sitting down to write about my Patch knife here or there, I forget where now, and instead of asking whether I was right in thinking A2 could develop a patina before guessing out loud that it could, I smeared the backside of my Patch's blade with yellow mustard to see what would happen. And then returned to my keyboard and became re-engrossed in reading about and looking at pretty pretty Fiddlebacks and... forgot about the mustard thing.

The blade cleaned up right well, and this knife is a User, but I ended up with more weird patina from the little exercise than I was looking to confirm.

[For knife blades, I do prefer steel that takes on patina to stainless varieties.]

Edit - Well, now it's a Lonestar to try.

Yes, I saw that! That handle looks like it could go either way, comfort-wise. Please let us know what you discover once you have it hand, especially in light of your particular persnickets and meticulets .

~ P.

 

[traumkommode]

O, heavens, I would not recommend grinding down the handle. But it is your knife now. And would have to be from here on out!

... I'm very, very new to this myself, but my brief (if enthusiastic!) experience with the few I have, NBrackett's Hiking Buddy, and my other fixed blades leads me to encourage you to not write off "swells" out of hand. In hand. [Dang, I think you're contagious!] The Surls Patch knife, as designed, evidently doesn't fit your hand, but that's not to say there won't be another pattern that astonishes you with its contours. Or, maybe not! I like that you've highlighted the blade angle(s), as that can of course make a difference in a given knife's feel and presentation as well.

Also, not to quibble, but the #66 itself is a very subtle serpentine frame, with some built in 'swell' (or maybe just 'swoosh') along its length. While essentially the same size as a #68, #66's curves make a very pleasing difference to me in use, even if not on the scale (har) of the fixed blade handle with the Patch's proportions.

I entirely understand what you mean about the Surls' Patches grip in your hand, however, in a way I would not have before. My Esquire has a similar 'tweener' feel in certain grips (the 3-or-4 finger thing), although not to the degree you are encountering.




Well... it's more resistant than something like O1 or 1095 for sure...

...The blade cleaned up right well, and this knife is a User, but I ended up with more weird patina from the little exercise than I was looking to confirm.

[For knife blades, I do prefer steel that takes on patina to stainless varieties.]

Paradoxically, all this punishment is encouraging more of the behavior, rather than discouraging it...

We'll see about the handle. I like the size of the knife for it's intended purpose, but I've listed it to see if anyone else wants it. If not, I'll probably act against your better judgement, and see if my 1x30 can get a handle grip on this handle...

You're correct about the 66, and I do like swell center slip joints, but something about this is different. Maybe the topside nature of those swells, and their devoidness of thickside swells, is just... swell?

Does the Esquire feel too small? It looks like it's not trying to force nearly as much space between the index finger and the middle/ring duo in the saber grip.

Your patina looks good, btw. It complements nicely the spalting.

 

[pertinux]

Paradoxically, all this punishment is encouraging more of the behavior, rather than discouraging it...

We'll see about the handle. I like the size of the knife for its intended purpose, but I've listed it to see if anyone else wants it. If not, I'll probably act against your better judgment, and see if my 1x30 can get a handle grip on this handle...

If you do tackle it, I wish you good success-- for true. I know I would just mess it up, proclaim once again that I suck, and deeply regret not leaving the knife as-created. Not necessarily in that order.

You're correct about the 66, and I do like swell center slip joints, but something about this is different. Maybe the topside nature of those swells, and their devoidness of thickside swells, is just... swell?

It's really difficult to determine, all told. Interestingly, one of the things that draws me to fixed blades is their straightforwardness, the thing itself, begging for use. Every folding knife is inherently compromised, in the design adaptations necessary for the folding.

Perhaps you should try a fixed blade such as this, with none of those pesky handle contours to worry about:

Does the Esquire feel too small? It looks like it's not trying to force nearly as much space between the index finger and the middle/ring duo in the saber grip.

The Esquire feels small-- I'm conscious of the spacing on the handle, and lack thereof, in a full-on four-finger grip-- but not Too small.

My Adventures with Basswood® continue to illuminate: the Esquire is more comfortable in actual use than when I flip it in my hand this way and that, all thinky. "Where should my pinky go?" becomes ... piles of shavings, and "Oh, that's where my pinky wants to be. Okay."

The Stubby Muk is a more straightforward go, because the three-finger thing (free fringer fing?) works so well out-of-the-gate.

It's a weehunk for sure:

I can squernk all four fingers on...

...but three is automatic, my pinky tucks in as if it has something to hold on to, and we're off:

The more I look at this Stubby Muk and its angles in my hand, the more hopeful I am for you with your Lone Star. Here's hoping. [Hopefully, everyone has found or will find a knife that feels as comfortable in use as my Patch is, in my hands.]

Your patina looks good, btw. It complements nicely the spalting.

Well, thanks. I hope it's battleship gray by this time next year, with a host of memories made.

~ P.

 

[VANCE]

im thinking a Hiking Buddy of any sorts

 

[traumkommode]

Perhaps you should try a fixed blade such as this, with none of those pesky handle contours to worry about...

...The more I look at this Stubby Muk and its angles in my hand, the more hopeful I am for you with your Lone Star. Here's hoping. [Hopefully, everyone has found or will find a knife that feels as comfortable in use as my Patch is, in my hands.]

~ P.

I traded that Surls patch for this Surls Inlander, and while I can't give a full review until next week after I'm off work (I had to dash home quick on an errand, tear open the mail, quickie-fondle the knife, and then dash back), it is absolutely perfect in hand.

im thinking a Hiking Buddy of any sorts

Those all look good.