-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Pen Knife question
- Thread starter charger02
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2002
- Messages
- 3,930
I'm a big fan of the Pen Knife, I especially treasure my 15" Villager version. The 12 inchers are good for hunters/hikers as a substitute for a light belt axe, but they lack the size and weight to really do much chopping, and their handles tend to run a bit on the short side. The 15" version corrects both problems, longer handle that fits my hand comfortably, and noticeably increased capability due to increase in length and weight.
If you're looking for a serious chopper, this ain't it. However, if you're wanting a khuk that's light enough to carry comfortably, while providing good capability and versatility, you'd be hard pressed to find one better than the 15" Pen Knife. One of the "secrets" to it's performance, is that it's wide blade tends to be thinner than it's heavier cousins, with a far more gradual taper from spine to edge. Makes it cut/slice well, and "bite" the light springy stuff like tree limbs and saplings, where a heavy chopper like an Ang Khola just makes 'em bounce around like you're beating 'em with a blunt object.
Sarge
If you're looking for a serious chopper, this ain't it. However, if you're wanting a khuk that's light enough to carry comfortably, while providing good capability and versatility, you'd be hard pressed to find one better than the 15" Pen Knife. One of the "secrets" to it's performance, is that it's wide blade tends to be thinner than it's heavier cousins, with a far more gradual taper from spine to edge. Makes it cut/slice well, and "bite" the light springy stuff like tree limbs and saplings, where a heavy chopper like an Ang Khola just makes 'em bounce around like you're beating 'em with a blunt object.
Sarge
The Pen has always been a very popular choice among many forumites for camp chores and backpacking. It is said to chop more than it's diminitive size would indicate, but they say that about almost all other HI blades too!
If you really want a chopper I'd get something heavier, but it may be just what you are looking for.
Half the fun is in the choosing. If you are intrigued by the Pen there is probably a very good reason.
munk
If you really want a chopper I'd get something heavier, but it may be just what you are looking for.
Half the fun is in the choosing. If you are intrigued by the Pen there is probably a very good reason.
munk
I just got a 15" Pen and I definately like it. I haven't done too much chopping with it yet, just some pine saplings, but it definately has a good bite to it. And as Sarge said, it's pretty good at the thinner stuff too.
My advice? Get a Pen. And an AK. And a BAS. And... well, you get the idea.
But yes, if you get a Pen for light-medium chopping you certainly won't be disapointed.
My advice? Get a Pen. And an AK. And a BAS. And... well, you get the idea.
But yes, if you get a Pen for light-medium chopping you certainly won't be disapointed.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2006
- Messages
- 994
I am liking my 12" Pen more and more. I agree that it is a great hiking, camping hatchet, knife, tool. I also think that it handles exceptionally well. HI stuff seems to just have uncanny balance and handling characteristics, with each model having its own feel. Although small, the handle fits my girlish 3.75 inch palm almost too precisely. So far, no problems. It transistions real fine to escrima drills. Its a natural knife. It does a lot of stuff well.:thumbup: :thumbup:
- Joined
- May 28, 2003
- Messages
- 1,815
I agree. Kudos to its designer, Dan Koster Who really understands blade geometry. Not many knifemakers do it as well as him. I have a 12" under the seat of both of my vehicles. I'm waiting for a 15" to turn up.
One of the unsung abilities of this knife as a camping tool is its ability to dig latrines in a pinch. I'll bet Dan didn't think if that one when he was sitting at the drawing board.
Who really understands blade geometry. Not many knifemakers do it as well as him. I have a 12" under the seat of both of my vehicles. I'm waiting for a 15" to turn up. One of the unsung abilities of this knife as a camping tool is its ability to dig latrines in a pinch. I'll bet Dan didn't think if that one when he was sitting at the drawing board.
