Primal/tactical SERE knife and after-training report

[1066vik]

thanks for posting the review - nice to hear the knife performed as good or better than it looks!

 

[Rockywolf]

I'd be proud to own a knife like this one.

 

[Will_Power]

'rough forged finish' or 'hammer marks' for the most part.

Will_Power - Forge finish is the term I use. It's the texture left from the scale during the process of forging it to shape. After forging, I soak it in vinegar overnight, which eats the scale off. After rinsing it down, it looks like this. A good forge finish shows the smith's skill with the hammer and will not have a lot of blatant hammer marks.

You would not believe the number of people who walk up to my table at the gun show and eaither say, "Where'd you get all them old blades?" or "Is that D'mascus?" The worst was one fellow who walked up, looked at them and stated, "D'mascus!" I explained that it was forge finished and what that meant. He then said, "Ah, fake D'mascus!" I showed considerable restraint.

I do satin finished blades, but it's been a long time since I've made one. I really like the forge finish for its aesthetics, durability, and ease of maintenance.

Thanks, fellas. I was pretty curious.

 

[garnto]

As someone going in aircrew(assuming I pass the class 3 physical) I am very jealous that he got to go during the winter, and of the awesome knife you made him. I'll be at SERE training sometime around July this year.

 

[coaldigger]

Storm Crow...that is one awsome knife ! Question....why a stick tang? Wouldn't a full tang be more solid & reliable ? Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting your knife design down. I like it, just asking ?

 

[Storm Crow]

Thanks, guys!

Garnto - Give me 110 degree heat over 45 degree cold any day (and yes, I know it was a lot colder where he was at!).

Coaldigger - It's not a stick tang. It *is* a variety of hidden tang, which stick tangs are as well. Hidden tangs of any variety have gotten a bad rap largely because of cheap knives made by unscrupulous companies that shave 1/1000th of a cent off of their materials cost (which is the smallest expense, at least on custom knives) by making a tang stout enough to hold the handle to the blade while sitting on the table at the flea market - and that's all. Well-made stick tangs that are stout are great for most use and will only fail under the worst kinds of abuse. Once again, if they are well-made. There have been far more knives down through the history of steel made with hidden tangs, most with stick tangs, than any other kind of construction. If it didn't work, it wouldn't have been done. And we're talking battle blades in amongst those.

This particular hidden tang is around 1/4" thick, and is just a bit narrower than the full width of the handle (just small enough that the wrap brings it up to a comfortable thickness for the hand). It's about like having a small rollerhead prybar in your hand, with a cordwrap over the top. Try bending or breaking one of those and you'll see why I have no qualms about the strength.

So that's reason 1: It's strong.

Reason 2: It's light. A lot of full tangs have extra holes drilled in them to lighten them up. This one is light enough and balances well without any holes except the one at the butt end where the wrap anchors.

Reason 3: It's easier (for me at least) to get a comfortable handle out of a hidden tang, whether it's a cord wrap or a wooden handle, than it is with a full tang. Handle comfort is one of the areas I focus on. I doubt I ever have mother of pearl or gold engraving on one of my knives, but I will by-doggies try to have a comfortable handle on all of 'em.

 

[tknife]

That thing is just plain cool. I love the raw, old school look of it. Great work!