This is just a quicky review of my recent order from Sportsman's Guide. I'm not going to count how many times I can throw a knifes at a tree before it breaks. I'm not going to cut a roomfull of cardboard, or even slash at hanging food (inside joke for anyone who's seen the CS DVD). These are simply some first-impression notes that might be helpful to anyone considering the same products.
I gotta yell "SCORE!" at the first item. It's the 6" Camillus CUDA Close Quarters Combat Knife ($30). First off, this is one sharp puppy, shaving-sharp right from the package. Second, this feels like a much more expensive knife. The blade is thick and heavy with a full tang. The handle is thick heavy-duty green micarta. The top edge of the knife is not sharpened, but could be with a belt sander and a little time. The sheath is mid-weight green nylon with leg-tie grommets, belt loop, small pocket, and plastic insert.
Unfortunately the 6" model seems to be sold out, but if the 4" is anything like the larger knife, it's one heck of a deal. Worth $30? Absolutely! Worth twice that? You bet.
Next knife, not such a score. It's the Camillus(R) Timberline(R) Pilot Survival Knife ($30). I've always been intrigued by the unique design of the Timbrline Specwar, so I ordered this knife to satiate my curiosity. First impression, this feels like a very cheap knife. The handle is lightweight hard plastic, and the weight of the knife indicates there's not much of a tang. The ergonomics are not what I expected; I think the real Specwar is quite a bit larger. There's a gap along where the blade and handle meet, proving the tang is only half the width of the exposed blade. The knife is advertised as 440C - good steel or not, it's incredibly dull. I wrote to S.G. regarding the lack of markings on the knife. They confirmed that the knife was made by Camillus, and I learned on the Camillus Forum that the markings were skipped to keep the cost down on a closeout product. The sheath is also a cost-cutter, a simple sewn pouch with a plastic insert, belt loop, and snap.
I've seen a visually-identical Timberline knife advertised as "Aviator" for $170. I sincerely hope this is not the same knife. Is it worth $30? Probably. Is it worth $60? Probably not. Worth $100? No way.
Third knife, the Camillus Barlow Knife ($15). First impression, this is too large for a "pocket" knife. Overall it's mechanically well-built with good action, strong backspring, no rubbing, and no side-to-side blade play. Cosmetically, the Delrin (a.k.a. "plastic") handles aren't quite even with the edge of the liners, and there's a spot on the bolster where it appears the knife-finisher buffed through the plating to the under-metal. Still, it would make a decent $15 carry knife, if your pocket has room.
Forth and final knife, the "Used M7 Bayonet with Scabbard" ($14). First impression, the bayonet I received doesn't appear to be used at all. Both edges of the blade are very sharp, the olive-drab blade coating has only light wear from sliding in and out of the scabbard, and the handle and butt are unmarred. The blade is unmarked, so I have no idea who made this bayonet. The handles are checked hard plastic attached with flathead screws. There are gaps at each end of the handle where it doesn't quite fill the space allotted. The spring-loaded rifle attachments operate easily, like new. Some paint is rubbed off of the muzzle ring/crosspiece, probably from storage. Worth $14? You bet, especially in the condition that mine arrived. Knifesource is advertising unused M7 bayonets for $24, without a scabbard.
Seperate notes on M7 scabbard: The slight wear/use could easily be from years of storage; it does not appear to be field-used. The scabbard itself is plastic with steel 'chape' and top, and a nylon belt loop with snap and belt clip. The scabbard also has a nylon lace leg-tie. The only marking is "USM8AI" and "PWH" on the throat. Condition: the nylon top seems worn, the steel has some rust, the brass snaps are completely green, and the plastic portion has some minor scuffing.
Note about myself: I am not a military buff or bayonet collector, although I do have a few in my accumulation. Please forgive me for whatever jargon I grossly misused.
Any questions/comments are welcome. You can view the knives at www.sportsmansguide.com .
Best Wishes,
Bob
I gotta yell "SCORE!" at the first item. It's the 6" Camillus CUDA Close Quarters Combat Knife ($30). First off, this is one sharp puppy, shaving-sharp right from the package. Second, this feels like a much more expensive knife. The blade is thick and heavy with a full tang. The handle is thick heavy-duty green micarta. The top edge of the knife is not sharpened, but could be with a belt sander and a little time. The sheath is mid-weight green nylon with leg-tie grommets, belt loop, small pocket, and plastic insert.
Unfortunately the 6" model seems to be sold out, but if the 4" is anything like the larger knife, it's one heck of a deal. Worth $30? Absolutely! Worth twice that? You bet.
Next knife, not such a score. It's the Camillus(R) Timberline(R) Pilot Survival Knife ($30). I've always been intrigued by the unique design of the Timbrline Specwar, so I ordered this knife to satiate my curiosity. First impression, this feels like a very cheap knife. The handle is lightweight hard plastic, and the weight of the knife indicates there's not much of a tang. The ergonomics are not what I expected; I think the real Specwar is quite a bit larger. There's a gap along where the blade and handle meet, proving the tang is only half the width of the exposed blade. The knife is advertised as 440C - good steel or not, it's incredibly dull. I wrote to S.G. regarding the lack of markings on the knife. They confirmed that the knife was made by Camillus, and I learned on the Camillus Forum that the markings were skipped to keep the cost down on a closeout product. The sheath is also a cost-cutter, a simple sewn pouch with a plastic insert, belt loop, and snap.
I've seen a visually-identical Timberline knife advertised as "Aviator" for $170. I sincerely hope this is not the same knife. Is it worth $30? Probably. Is it worth $60? Probably not. Worth $100? No way.
Third knife, the Camillus Barlow Knife ($15). First impression, this is too large for a "pocket" knife. Overall it's mechanically well-built with good action, strong backspring, no rubbing, and no side-to-side blade play. Cosmetically, the Delrin (a.k.a. "plastic") handles aren't quite even with the edge of the liners, and there's a spot on the bolster where it appears the knife-finisher buffed through the plating to the under-metal. Still, it would make a decent $15 carry knife, if your pocket has room.
Forth and final knife, the "Used M7 Bayonet with Scabbard" ($14). First impression, the bayonet I received doesn't appear to be used at all. Both edges of the blade are very sharp, the olive-drab blade coating has only light wear from sliding in and out of the scabbard, and the handle and butt are unmarred. The blade is unmarked, so I have no idea who made this bayonet. The handles are checked hard plastic attached with flathead screws. There are gaps at each end of the handle where it doesn't quite fill the space allotted. The spring-loaded rifle attachments operate easily, like new. Some paint is rubbed off of the muzzle ring/crosspiece, probably from storage. Worth $14? You bet, especially in the condition that mine arrived. Knifesource is advertising unused M7 bayonets for $24, without a scabbard.
Seperate notes on M7 scabbard: The slight wear/use could easily be from years of storage; it does not appear to be field-used. The scabbard itself is plastic with steel 'chape' and top, and a nylon belt loop with snap and belt clip. The scabbard also has a nylon lace leg-tie. The only marking is "USM8AI" and "PWH" on the throat. Condition: the nylon top seems worn, the steel has some rust, the brass snaps are completely green, and the plastic portion has some minor scuffing.
Note about myself: I am not a military buff or bayonet collector, although I do have a few in my accumulation. Please forgive me for whatever jargon I grossly misused.
Any questions/comments are welcome. You can view the knives at www.sportsmansguide.com .
Best Wishes,
Bob
(just jabbing atcha), is on sale for a very low price.