Questions - 7/7 and handle material

Skywalker31

Skywalker31

Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
785
I'm looking at preordering a GSO 7/7 and have a few questions. First, I'm trying to decide on the handle material. I really like the look of the "ghost jade" G10 scales, especially after seeing post #592 in this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ficial-SURVIVE!-picture-thread/page30post#592

I'm not worried about getting them dirty; G10 has always cleaned up just fine for me. What I am worried about is grip, especially when wet - how much am I giving up going with G10 instead of one of the micarta options? Opinions from anyone who's had experience with Survive's G10 and micarta both would be very welcome.

Secondly, is there any reason that I should be looking at the GSO-8 instead of the 7/7? Looking at the specs, the 7/7 appears to be just a bit lighter/shorter/thinner than the -8 in most respects, and I'm hoping that it will handle a little faster in hand and more like a general purpose knife and less like a chopper. (I recently picked up my first Busse, a Basic 8, so I'm set on thick, heavy 8" blades leaning toward the chopper side of things.)

Third, does anyone know the Rc hardness of the CPM 3V on the larger fixed blades?


And finally, am I completely crazy for wanting to put in a preorder for the 4.5 Bushcraft at the same time?
 
I love any thread on the 7/7 :D as for the scales. I have g10, linen and canvas for my 5.1. The g10 can get less grippy in wet conditions. If you intend on using it in situations that you'll be wet often go canvas. You just want good feel and still some grip when wet go for linen. To me its the perfect middle. But damn that g10 is sexy in camo. That's what I ordered my 7/7 in my 3.5 was black and red g10. I'll get linen later. :)

I would go for the 7/7 sounds like its closer to what you want. The 8 is built more for chopping just as you thought.

The 3v should be heat treated to around 60 Rc to my knowledge it hasn't changed in the new heat treat methods.

I'm totally down for the 4.5 too. Its going to be my next S! Purchase too. If I had funds now I'd already be on that list.

Hope some of this answered your questions.
 
Skywalker! December 18th is coming up fast :)

Anyways, I haven't experienced S! G10 yet, but from the discussions I've read the G10 is less grippy than the micarta, but it is still textured. The fact that orange G10 was offered for the old spec GSO 10 makes me think Guy had enough faith in the grip of his G10 for any application. I'm going to try and find some quotes on the G10, I feel like I saw some good discussion recently.
EDIT: check out post #42 from our Ellie
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-of-GSO-Colors-please?p=15331772#post15331772

As far as 7/7 vs 8, it sounds like you already have something similar to the 8, so a 7/7 would make your arsenal a little more diverse. With that said, what do you see yourself using it for the most? That might be the biggest determining factor on whether you need the longer, taller blade of the 8 or the shorter blade of the 7/7. Personally, if I was camping I'd want the 8, but if was being deployed in the middle east I'd want the 7/7. There are definitely others here who would have better opinions.

Info from the website:
"What is the Rockwell hardness of your knives?
All of our blades made with CPM steels are expertly heat treated to 58-59 Rc. Our S7 blades are expertly heat treated to 57-58Rc. All of our blades undergo multiple tempers and a cryo treatment, to maximize toughness and longevity."

Finally, no you're not crazy, needing to order at least two GSO's is perfectly normal. The only thing that would be crazy is to not order as many SURIVIVE! knives as you can handle.
 
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Now that I read this, I am starting to regret going for the 7/7 when I placed my first preorder. I have a 4.1 and very much intent to get the 5.1 when it is available. Between the 5.1 and 7/7 I don't see much of a difference. Should have gone with 8 in the first place if I had known. My next purchase might be the 8 or 10.
 
The 5.0/5.1 is the best all around multi-use camping, surviving, even fighting/tactical knife in the line up. Many like the choil go 5.1 and those who don't go 5.0. They are just big enough to to big knife stuff, small enough to do fine/bushcrafting stuff. I have filletted trout with my 5.1 numerous times. It works very well. There is a video around the subforum of me doing it.

The new 7/7 is designed as more of a fighter, the 8 as a camp knife.
 
Texas_toothpick said:
I love any thread on the 7/7 :D as for the scales. I have g10, linen and canvas for my 5.1. The g10 can get less grippy in wet conditions. If you intend on using it in situations that you'll be wet often go canvas. You just want good feel and still some grip when wet go for linen. To me its the perfect middle. But damn that g10 is sexy in camo. That's what I ordered my 7/7 in my 3.5 was black and red g10. I'll get linen later. :)

...
Click to expand...

Texas_toothpick, I hear what you're saying on the micarta, but I think I feel about the jade G10 the way you do about the camo :D
Might just go for it.

Silver Needle said:
Skywalker! December 18th is coming up fast :)

Anyways, I haven't experienced S! G10 yet, but from the discussions I've read the G10 is less grippy than the micarta, but it is still textured. The fact that orange G10 was offered for the old spec GSO 10 makes me think Guy had enough faith in the grip of his G10 for any application. I'm going to try and find some quotes on the G10, I feel like I saw some good discussion recently.
EDIT: check out post #42 from our Ellie
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-of-GSO-Colors-please?p=15331772#post15331772

As far as 7/7 vs 8, it sounds like you already have something similar to the 8, so a 7/7 would make your arsenal a little more diverse. With that said, what do you see yourself using it for the most? That might be the biggest determining factor on whether you need the longer, taller blade of the 8 or the shorter blade of the 7/7. Personally, if I was camping I'd want the 8, but if was being deployed in the middle east I'd want the 7/7. There are definitely others here who would have better opinions.

Info from the website:
"What is the Rockwell hardness of your knives?
All of our blades made with CPM steels are expertly heat treated to 58-59 Rc. Our S7 blades are expertly heat treated to 57-58Rc. All of our blades undergo multiple tempers and a cryo treatment, to maximize toughness and longevity."

Finally, no you're not crazy, needing to order at least two GSO's is perfectly normal. The only thing that would be crazy is to not order as many SURIVIVE! knives as you can handle.
Click to expand...

Ah, don't know how I missed the hardness info on their site. Looks good.

And thanks for the link on the G10! This is reassuring:

SURVIVE! Ellie said:
We intentionally avoid making the G10 super slippery. Obviously, the material doesn't have the same little pockets as the canvas handles, but we aren't setting anyone up to lose their grip. Our G10 is almost a little more grippy when wet.
Click to expand...

As far as use, I'm looking for something to have with me while kicking around the woods shooting and hunting. ~8" seems to work well for me in terms of being compact enough to carry around and still having enough reach and weight to chop ok and clear brush in a pinch. It might come camping with me, though usually when I'm backpacking I like something smaller (I have a GSO 4.1 [with canvas micarta & M390] that works really well for that).

I've gone back and looked at the GSO-8 specs and while I think I would like it I also think it's a little too close to my Busse B-8. I kind of want to try something new, and the 7/7 would give me that. Also, the 7/7 has the same sharpened edge length as the B-8, so I'd basically get to see how much 0.75" overall length, 0.040" thickness, and 0.125" in blade height really matter to me when it comes down to it. Does the loss in weight and thinner stock make it easier for me to use and carry, and is it worth losing some weight and length on the chopping capability side of things.

Riz2530 said:
The 5.0/5.1 is the best all around multi-use camping, surviving, even fighting/tactical knife in the line up. Many like the choil go 5.1 and those who don't go 5.0. They are just big enough to to big knife stuff, small enough to do fine/bushcrafting stuff. I have filletted trout with my 5.1 numerous times. It works very well. There is a video around the subforum of me doing it.

The new 7/7 is designed as more of a fighter, the 8 as a camp knife.
Click to expand...

I did look at the 5.1. My main issue is that when I get around 6" I start wondering why it doesn't swing as well in a pinch as something 8" or especially 10", and since it doesn't, why I'm carrying something for stuff that I can mostly do with a 4"-5" knife. I know a lot of people like that size, but for me personally it's just kind of where the "in between zone" falls. So I kind of ruled the 5.1 and the 6 out in my head when I started looking. The 7/7 at 7.25" is honestly maybe a little closer to in between than I like, but I do want to try something new out.

Thanks for all the helpful replies!
 
Skywalker31 said:
I've gone back and looked at the GSO-8 specs and while I think I would like it I also think it's a little too close to my Busse B-8. I kind of want to try something new, and the 7/7 would give me that. Also, the 7/7 has the same sharpened edge length as the B-8, so I'd basically get to see how much 0.75" overall length, 0.040" thickness, and 0.125" in blade height really matter to me when it comes down to it. Does the loss in weight and thinner stock make it easier for me to use and carry, and is it worth losing some weight and length on the chopping capability side of
Click to expand...

I also had a B-8 which was a beauty, but I didn't like the ergonomics of the choil so I sold it in favor of a GSO-8 hoping it will be as comfy as the 5.1.

But I bet the GSO will be twice as heavy, the B-8 surprised me by being light as a "feather"...
 
The really great thing about the GSO line is that you can dress them up with G10 on Sunday when you have to go to meeting, but you can have grippy micarta on Monday through Saturday when you are in the woods. Love the versatility.
 
McVeyMac said:
The really great thing about the GSO line is that you can dress them up with G10 on Sunday when you have to go to meeting, but you can have grippy micarta on Monday through Saturday when you are in the woods. Love the versatility.
Click to expand...

Sure sounds like Barbie doll in the men's world. Lol!
 
Just needed to comment on how excited I am for the 7/7. It my mind, it's going to be my SHTF knife. To keep it relevant to the thread, I pre-ordered mine in canvas micarta. I'm lucky because I love both the look at feel of it more than the others. I think you'll be happy regardless and can always order new handle scales.
 
Amen MvM.

Levs I got the 7/7 for my SHTF bag, and camping needs. I really excited to see its next.

I believe the Rc is 60-61.
 
Hahaha! Nice find! I was out searching on Facebook and I forgot it already put it here. Now that I found the information I already posted and forgot about, I'm going to get to work planning my own surprise party..............
 
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