Questions about BM, Camillus, and Kershaw fixed blades (pls read)

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YoungCutter

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Sep 17, 2001
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Ok, normally i'd break these up, but I wanted to condense things, so thing of this as really 4 topics in one:

1. Benchmade Nimravus (Model 140) in M2 - is it so long that M2's brittleness is a potential issue?

2. Kershaw Echo - anyone have this blade, waddya think? I checked this out at my knife dealer, seemed real nice, especially for the price.

3. Camillus Darrel Ralph ARCLITE - looks like a pretty good, inexpensive neck knife, impressions?

4. Camillus Bob Terzoula(sp?) CQB-1 - this looks like one heck of a sweet fixed blade fighter/utility knife, waddya guys think? (BTW, are both sides sharpened?)

Any help would be appreciated...
 
Can only comment on the Arclite 420HC version.

Not very happy with it. The knife doesn't go in to the sheath with a reassuring snap. You sort of push it in until you think the knife is sitting deep enough or is wedged in tight enough. (someone please tell me this is not how it is supposed to be!) Also, the blade edge rubs a little against the sheath when being drawn. This can be controlled with a careful draw, but you're not likely to do it every time. Steel seems a little less than ideal after some cutting tests (opening envelopes, boxes, a bit of whittling). Blunts a little prematurely for my taste. Personally, I think I might prefer the D2 version available from AG Russell. I believe that the edge would last long enough for my taste.
 
1. Benchmade Nimravus (Model 140) in M2 - is it so long that M2's brittleness is a potential issue?

-Since when is M2 brittle? Its advantage is in its toughness. Excellent all-around knife. I've abused an ATS-34 Nimravus for a few years now (it's one of my "beaters"), and if it ever gives up the ghost, a 140HS will take its place.

2. Kershaw Echo - anyone have this blade, waddya think? I checked this out at my knife dealer, seemed real nice, especially for the price.

-Handled one. Love the design, great blade shape. Passed because of the cheap steel, but if they made it in 440V or something, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

3. Camillus Darrel Ralph ARCLITE - looks like a pretty good, inexpensive neck knife, impressions?

-Got one in D2 from AG Russell. Took a little work to get right. The sheath was too tight, and the knife had sharp edges all around the handle-nothing a hairdryer and a Dremel tool couldn't fix. Very slick little knife. Mine is off getting a chrome/boron carbide treatment, and then I'm going to cord wrap or maybe Plasti-Dip the handles. I love ArcLites:)

4. Camillus Bob Terzoula(sp?) CQB-1 - this looks like one heck of a sweet fixed blade fighter/utility knife, waddya guys think? (BTW, are both sides sharpened?)

-They're single edge. Looks great, but I haven't handled or used one.
 
YoungCutter,

I have 2 of the Camillus Cuda CQB-1 knives (and I'm keepin 'em both), and they are an AWESOME "fighter". The grip feels great (canvas micarta), and the balance is excellent. In fact, I like the CQB-1 so much, that I have it's "little brother" (the CQB-2) on the way to me from a trade.:).
 
Originally posted by YoungCutter


1. Benchmade Nimravus (Model 140) in M2 - is it so long that M2's brittleness is a potential issue?
Click to expand...

Benchmade's M-2 possesses no brittleness at any length. It is one of the best blade steels available on a production knife if corrosion is not a big problem.

3. Camillus Darrel Ralph ARCLITE - looks like a pretty good, inexpensive neck knife, impressions?
Click to expand...

I love these things. It thrills me that I can get such a great design in a production knife for $20. I wrap some paracord around the handle and I feel like I have got a great knife. The 420HC model doesn't hold an edge all that well, but Buck has built a legacy on knives with 420HC steel. It is highly corrosion resistant, takes a fine edge, and is easy to sharpen. Good qualities for backpacking emergency backup knife that will get very sweaty (around my neck anyway) and may need to be sharpened on a flat river rock.

I also bought two of the D-2 versions, which make me even more excited. A great design in great steel for $40! Hooo-hooo! I'll put an even nicer handle on these, and maybe get some high quality kydex for them. It will be fun, and I will have great knives for like $75.

I love these things.
 
Funny, I thought I had read somewhere that because M2 was so hard, it had brittleness issues in longer lengths...

the CQB-1 sure sounds sweet, maybe if I can ever come up with a justification for a fixed blade fighter i'll get one...

also I'm gonna check out some of those ARCLITEs, hell, at $20 I gotta try one.
 
I have the arclite & the Echo - both very nice for the money.

The Echo wins for best edge out of box - mine was very sharp. The Arclite wins for ease of carry & sheath (i guess those go together). The sheath on the Echo is abyssmal - but Eric (Normark) made me an excellent sheath for the Echo, so now I would favor it for overall package.

Can't really lose for either. Arclite makes a nice neck/utility knife, the echo makes a great camp/hunting knife.

Sam
 
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