Professional Soldier or Nyala - which one?

Toyz

Toyz

Joined
Nov 2, 2006
Messages
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I am torn between these two as my next purchase. I read most of the posts about both.

I'm looking for a little advice -they both seem like great knives.

I want a utility knife - use while hiking, around the yard, etc. when a folder just won't do. I'd prefer one I could put in my pocket while around the house - I do not want to belt carry it all the time.

I like the size and kydex sheath of the PS - might be more pocket friendly, but the Nyala looks like it might be better for larger hands.

This knife will supplement my Umnumzaan edc.

Help - thoughts?
 
The Nyala is going to be much more comfortable, the professional soldier is slim and easy to carry. It's really up to you. I own a PS not a Nyala, it's nice, but doesn't suite me.
 

Nyala wins hands down, Professional Soldier can't even come close.

Nyala is way more comfortable to use, The leather sheath blows the kydex away.

You can where it on your belt or put in in your front pocket in the sheath and it fits great.

The handle grip is second to none & it comes ready to shave

It by far is the best value CRK offers for $235.00

My goal is to have 6 of them for steak knives, once I win the loto
 
Nyala trumps the PS imho. (sold my PS and kept the more versatile Nyala).
Incidently, my Nyala is one of the sharpest knives I've ever owned.
Also, PS kydex sheath was marginal. Nyala leather sheath is top quality.
 
I too think the Nyala would be better pick better the two. I keep meaning to pick up both, but I keep buying Sebenzas (I have a sickness, LOL). The Nyala looks like it would be very comfortable in the hand for working with.
 
Here is the link to my Professional Soldier Review with my thoughts on it.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=664883&highlight=professional+soldier+review

I like the Nyala, but dont have one yet. Its not on my Must Have list right now, though I am sure I will end up with one at some point.

I EDC the PS often and it fits/with sheath in my right front pocket very nicely. Its rare when you can carry a fixed blade and not have it be bulky.

Everyone has made some good points, but for me, the PS wins !!!. I just feel the PS is more of an EDC than the Nyala, unless you live in the country/mountains and carrying a fixed blade does not draw attention. If thats the case, I want a OPR Shadow IV or Mountaineer II instead.
 
Thanks for the input - now you can see my dilemma. This knife will work in concert with my umnumzaan. I like the weight and size of the PS for pocket carry, but the Nyala looks so much more comfortable and the specs are closer to the Hinderer FXM I had which was somewhat of a pocketful but a real good size. I'd really like to try out the S35V also.

I do live in a rural area, but am regularly back in civilization in just a 10-15 minute drive.

I may have to get both and just sell the one that doesn't quite work for me. I hate doing that because I end up wanting to keep both of them.
 
Just a follow up - the Nyala arrived via UPS man yesterday afternoon.

No doubt a great knife, and the right choice for me. Shaving sharp out of the box, and the leather sheath will develop a nice patina after a while.

I think the Professional Soldier may be a bit too small for what I was looking for. I'd still like to handle one - I may continue to lurk in the for sale forum and see if I can snag one.

Thanks for all the photos and comparisons. It helped that I owned a Large Sebenza, and a few BF members posted comparison pics next to a Sebbie.

I think with the combo of the Umnumzaan and the Nyala I can tackle most situations.
 
The Nyala is a great knife, the fixed blade Sebenza I have been wanting from CRK, ever since I got my first Sebenza. The Professional Soldier looks like a great knife, but I don't like those types of handles. If it came in a full handle version, I would get one. I haven't gotten a chance to use my Nyala that much, but it feels great in the hand, and seems just as versatile as my custom "bushcraft style" blades.
 
Silenthunterstudios - You must be very close to me - because I am also at the Mason-Dixon line off I-83.

I had the chance to play a little with it last night - I cut some old leather belt and made some fuzz sticks. Handles leather and wood like nobodys business.

It really does feel great in the hand, and I really like the grip that the canvas micarta adds. It feels like even with wet or bloody hands (skinning) that your grip will not deteriorate. I also like the jimping and the heft / thickness of the steel.

Even though for a fixed blade it is on the small side - you feel like you can accomplish tasks meant for larger fixed blades. It also rides well in the pocket.
 
Northeast Carroll (Manchester) at the Balto / Carroll line and the PA line.

Close enough for Government work!
 
Toyz said:
Northeast Carroll (Manchester) at the Balto / Carroll line and the PA line.

Close enough for Government work!
Click to expand...

Yep, that's about as near as I am ;), on the other side :D. I go through there every Saturday after work, sometimes up to Hanover. I've been told that there used to be a knife shop in Manchester, on 30.
 
There used to be.

The True Value in Hampstead on 30 sells a few knives still - SAK, Buck, etc.

For most of my knives I make my way out to see Sean at Edgeworks in Frederick - he's got a lot to look at. He just recently became a Chris Reeve dealer - I bought my Umnum from him.
 
Toyz said:
There used to be.

The True Value in Hampstead on 30 sells a few knives still - SAK, Buck, etc.

For most of my knives I make my way out to see Sean at Edgeworks in Frederick - he's got a lot to look at. He just recently became a Chris Reeve dealer - I bought my Umnum from him.
Click to expand...

I've been to the True Value in Hampstead several times just to look at knives. Last time I was there, they'd switched over to the Frost junk altogether, still had a few Chinese made Schrade at the counter, and a few opened SAKs in the case with the BB gun ammo.

As for Edgeworks, I've been trading with Sean for a couple years, and even buying here and there. He's got some nice Sebenzas in right now, and a Pacific I've been eyeing up. Got my Nyala there, cause someone bought the Umnumzaan he had, that I wanted to get ;). I went on Memorial Day, then a couple days after my birthday in July. I foresee a trip coming up sometime soon :cool:. He's pretty knowledgeable about his stock, not a knife snob, and has a knowledgeable staff.
 
I've got a couple of Nyalas', one from Blade this year and one from a shop I frequent. I don't own a PS YET!, so I can't speak to its' ergos or performance, but the Nyala is a different story. It fits my larger hand exceptionally well, and after dyeing the sheath (to avoid natural soiling and discoloration due to its' raw condition ) I also added a leather drop-loop to get the rig down at belt level instead of riding up in the ribcage. The blade has lots of 'belly' and sweeps up enough to tackle any task I've thrown at it. The sheathed knife also rides well in the front or back pocket. Overall, a GREAT little piece that will do most anything!
 
RABII said:
I've got a couple of Nyalas', one from Blade this year and one from a shop I frequent. I don't own a PS YET!, so I can't speak to its' ergos or performance, but the Nyala is a different story. It fits my larger hand exceptionally well, and after dyeing the sheath (to avoid natural soiling and discoloration due to its' raw condition ) I also added a leather drop-loop to get the rig down at belt level instead of riding up in the ribcage. The blade has lots of 'belly' and sweeps up enough to tackle any task I've thrown at it. The sheathed knife also rides well in the front or back pocket. Overall, a GREAT little piece that will do most anything!
Click to expand...

I see on the CRK website where they say the sheath is water resistant, so I assume they put some sort of conditioner on it. I am looking forward to the sheath developing a natural patina from use, but I can see where it would look real nice with a dye job - I wouldn't mind seeing pics.

The Nyala just fills so many of my needs.
 
I prefer kydex to leather. There is no contest in my view.

Having said that, the Profesional Soilder is great to carry and is light; however, it is a bit difficult to grip tightly because of the lack of scales.

I hope to try a Nayla soon. :)
 
I recommend checking out the edged weapons museum in Intercourse, PA.

The leather sheath for the Nyala is exceptional in quality. It's made by Gfeller Casemaker, which is a company that makes field gear for geoscientists, surveyers, and other outdoor professional occupations.

The knife is incredible. perfect for the pocket or belt without being intimidating in public when on the belt.

I have not owned or handled a PS, but being on active duty as a Marine for the last 29 years, the PS could possibly be replaced by a quality folder. The Nyala, on the other hand, is a bit more robust to fill the role as a very capable fixed blade. Just keep in mind that the Nyala is not a replacement for a Kabar or a CRK Green Beret.

I would take the Nyala to combat, and wear it on my belt as a EDC. A fixed blade with a 7" bladed would be my primary.

I cannot say enough about how nice the CRK Nyala is for general field work, or even in the kitchen.
 
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