Pohl Force H3 Alpha 2 First Impressions

[Toyz]

I just got this in a few days ago - and wanted to post a few "first impressions".

I signed up for the pass around on this knife, but backed out as I had too much going on in my personal life to spend any time with it.

After watching the posts and the reviews from the pass around, I decided to give this one a try.

First, let me say that I have big hands and I LOVE big folders. This one fits the bill. It is actually surprisingly big - the pictures do not do this one justice. I showed it to a few guys at work and lets just say the common response was "Holy S#!t".

The lock-up is very, very solid. No blade play in any direction. The grips are great, and there are many positions offered with the way they are cut.

I'm not too crazy about the powder coated blade - it is shiny and somewhat reflective. It looks durable - I cut some cardboard with it and it left no evidence on the blade at all.

Very sharp out of the box, and fit and finish is very good.

I'm going to have fun with this one, and will post a review once I have the chance to get it to do some real work.

It's a little cold here this weekend (zero with the windchill) so it might be a few weeks before I post the review.

It is pictured below with my Surefire 6P LED, Strider SMF, CRK Umnumzaan, and CS American Lawman. It is definately the William "Refrigerator" Perry of knives.

 

[PropThePolecat]

Congrats on your new knife! Good idea picturing it with the SF 6P. Gives a much better impression of size than placing it next to other big knives.

 

[Toyz]

I'll try to put some every day items in the pics when I get the chance to do a review (coins, pens, etc).

The 6P is a pretty big flashlight, and it is dwarfed by the Pohl.

 

[bladebertt]

Where did you find one for sale?

 

[Dagon]

I have the similar Alpha One and it is my most beastly folder. It's also very capable.

 

[strongondefense1911]

I like that Alpha 2 but that strider is awesome. Ive been looking for that exact knife for a while. Maybe ill get an Alpha 2 also.

 

[Toyz]

I believe there is only one distributor - youwantit2.com

Thats where I got mine.

I have a Strider SmF as is shown in the pic, and this Pohl is beastly next to it. The thickness is unbelievable.

 

[strongondefense1911]

Did you get the Strider off BF?

 

[DerekH]

I got one for Christmas myself, and I agree, it is deceptively big, and pictures just really don't do it justice. I was very surprised with the size of it when it got here.

 

[Toyz]

Did you get the Strider off BF?

I bought the Strider new - I am an impatient man and when I get my sights on something I have to have it.

I bought an SnG in 2009 - loved the knife but it was too small for me. Sold it about 6 months later. Ever since then I put a SmF on the list, and I really liked the looks of the gunner grips and digicam blade so I pulled the trigger in Dec 2010.

The SmF is a big knife, but honestly nothing like the Pohl Force.

I am very happy with the Pohl Force so far - and if some hard use doesn't shake it, I might look for the little brother in D2 to add to the collection.

 

[Toyz]

I got one for Christmas myself, and I agree, it is deceptively big, and pictures just really don't do it justice. I was very surprised with the size of it when it got here.

I have been carrying mine in the pocket with the clip - and I find that it rides along just fine.

I am used to carrying 8 ounce knives - so the weight is not a problem.

What have your experiences been? Are you carrying yours?

 

[DerekH]

Well here I am just now seeing that I needed to reply. Heck, might as well.

I have been carrying it every day for the last year (ever since I got it really) and I have to say I love it. It still gives me that "HOLY CRAP" feeling when I bust it out, and still looks much the same as when I first got it. I used it to do some batoning of some small wood a few (several) times over the last year, and it has held up fine with no problems. Now I am not beating on it like I would my BK2, but it has handled everything I have needed it to very nicely. The handle is odd. It takes a little getting used to, but there are so many different grips available on it that generally there is a position that is comfortable no matter what the task. The coating seems to be a little scuffed where it has been batoned through stuff, but otherwise everything looks much the same.

I unscrewed and removed the window breaker because it kept catching on things.

All that being said, every now and then I have half a mind to find another folder that is slightly smaller, but I never actually get around to it. I also carry a Leatherman Skeletool CX that I use for most stuff around the sheeple, but for the bigger stuff, especially with the Scouts, the Alpha Two is my go to blade.

I recently was sick and spent a good deal of time stropping it, and then the next day got the urge to see how this thing would handle whittling a human hair. It performed as well if not better than any other knife I own. For being 440C, Dietmer got the heat treat right on this. It holds up well, has passed every test I have put it through, and is still going strong with minimal maintenance and only occasional sharpening. Probably a bit big for some people, but at the end of the day, I like having a giant knife on me that I can do most tasks with.

Are you still using yours regularly?

Here are the two I carry daily:

 

[Toyz]

DerekH - thanks for bumping this - I forgot I posted it.

I don't edc mine - but I use it quite often when outdoors - whether hiking or doing yard work - I have a few acres and there is always some thing to hack or trim. I recently used it to cut off all the branches from last years Xmas tree that has been sitting in my "yard waste" pile so I could burn them in the fire pit - handled it with no issues whatsoever.

The coating on the blade is very durable - I've carved / hacked thru some tough stuff and the residue just wipes off. The coating shows little to no sign of wear.

I also removed the glass breaker - it always seemed to be in the way. I'm not worried about breaking a window if need be with a monster knife the size of the Pohl. I think I could easily use this as an impact tool while closed and break a window.

I also find the 440C very good - this thing gets scary sharp, and seems to hold an edge for quite a while.

I was worried that the lock would eventually develop play - but I haven't found that to be the case yet.

Again - I love the size and multiple grip positions this thing offers. It is truly a beast of a knife.

I'm not sure how the change in blade material to D2 compares to the original 440C - wouldn't mind hearing from anyone that has put the D2 through it's paces.