- Joined
- Mar 7, 2006
- Messages
- 2,171
I almost added this to the "didn't now my Case was so bad" thread. But, it's about more than just the steel, though the steel is a big part of it. Really, this is more of just looking back impressions after carrying a Russlock for a while.
This one: (Pic orginally from auction sometime back)
It's a 6.5 Bone Stag, 2006, with Tru Sharp blades. I've carried it on and off since I got it. Lately, I've been carrying and using it quite a bit again. I dislike cutting tape and sticky stickem stuff with any of my good blades as it always leaves gunk on the blade. It seems that about the time I get the gunk cleaned off this one, I end up cutting something gunky again. Sheesh.
This is the best of three Russlocks I have and I think the prettiest. The other two are Autumn bone handled. Besides the Bone Stag looking best, it has the smoothest action, best liner lock positioning, and was the sharpest out of the box. None were dull, but this one shaved neatly right from the box. Smooth and easy is how I would describe deploying this knife. Once again, I'm getting spoiled to convenient, one-hand opening. Only this time it is the guise of a good looking, more traditional knife instead of a black steel and synthetic scary knife.
First a comment about the blade steel. I understand current Case stainless knives are of 420HC. While I've had mixed dealings with 420HC, I've been quite fortunate with the Case produced blades in this steel. This knife is no exception, except to perhaps be a little impressive. As I mentioned before, the knive was quite shaving sharp out of the box. So, I never sharpened it. I still haven't sharpened it. It doesn't shave anymore, but it still slices paper edges into confetti, slides through heavy leather, and cuts pretty darn good on 1/2 inch manila rope. Threads, cordage, most anything simply separates with a pass of the blade. Cuts are clean. I probably have been carrying and using this knife on and off over the last several months or so. Fruit and veggies, paper, cordage and thread have been the most cut things with it. A fair bit of cardboard has been severed.
The other day I was in the garage and there were some large cardboard cartons some office furniture had come in. I did some stab and cuts in the corrugated, then decided to try it as a redneck tactical. Thrust and long cuts were easy. Then I flipped the knife into a reverse grip which felt very natural and secure. I then did some thrusts, several rapid ones in a row. I also did some cross cuts coming from the side or from low to high. I also included some thrusts and cuts from this hand position. I gotta say I would not like to be playing fisticuffs with a guy with a Russlock held ice pick style. After that bit of excercise the knife is still sharp and cutting well. I have yet to sharpen it or feel the need to.
The knife handles well, is very convinient to open and close, has good spring action, and came with and is keeping an excellent factory edge. It carries very well, opening lever down, in the pockets of my uniform dress slacks, something that any work EDC must do! It is tight and well made. All that in a nice looking, traditional package I paid less than forty bucks for is a very nice thing indeed.
While this isn't intended to be an indepth, torture test, I figured some folks wouldn't mind hearing how a knife is doing after some carry and use. Even if no one cares, I still want to give the knife and Case their due. This is well made and finished carry it, use it, feel/look good doing it knife at a good price.
This one: (Pic orginally from auction sometime back)
It's a 6.5 Bone Stag, 2006, with Tru Sharp blades. I've carried it on and off since I got it. Lately, I've been carrying and using it quite a bit again. I dislike cutting tape and sticky stickem stuff with any of my good blades as it always leaves gunk on the blade. It seems that about the time I get the gunk cleaned off this one, I end up cutting something gunky again. Sheesh.
This is the best of three Russlocks I have and I think the prettiest. The other two are Autumn bone handled. Besides the Bone Stag looking best, it has the smoothest action, best liner lock positioning, and was the sharpest out of the box. None were dull, but this one shaved neatly right from the box. Smooth and easy is how I would describe deploying this knife. Once again, I'm getting spoiled to convenient, one-hand opening. Only this time it is the guise of a good looking, more traditional knife instead of a black steel and synthetic scary knife.
First a comment about the blade steel. I understand current Case stainless knives are of 420HC. While I've had mixed dealings with 420HC, I've been quite fortunate with the Case produced blades in this steel. This knife is no exception, except to perhaps be a little impressive. As I mentioned before, the knive was quite shaving sharp out of the box. So, I never sharpened it. I still haven't sharpened it. It doesn't shave anymore, but it still slices paper edges into confetti, slides through heavy leather, and cuts pretty darn good on 1/2 inch manila rope. Threads, cordage, most anything simply separates with a pass of the blade. Cuts are clean. I probably have been carrying and using this knife on and off over the last several months or so. Fruit and veggies, paper, cordage and thread have been the most cut things with it. A fair bit of cardboard has been severed.
The other day I was in the garage and there were some large cardboard cartons some office furniture had come in. I did some stab and cuts in the corrugated, then decided to try it as a redneck tactical. Thrust and long cuts were easy. Then I flipped the knife into a reverse grip which felt very natural and secure. I then did some thrusts, several rapid ones in a row. I also did some cross cuts coming from the side or from low to high. I also included some thrusts and cuts from this hand position. I gotta say I would not like to be playing fisticuffs with a guy with a Russlock held ice pick style. After that bit of excercise the knife is still sharp and cutting well. I have yet to sharpen it or feel the need to.
The knife handles well, is very convinient to open and close, has good spring action, and came with and is keeping an excellent factory edge. It carries very well, opening lever down, in the pockets of my uniform dress slacks, something that any work EDC must do! It is tight and well made. All that in a nice looking, traditional package I paid less than forty bucks for is a very nice thing indeed.
While this isn't intended to be an indepth, torture test, I figured some folks wouldn't mind hearing how a knife is doing after some carry and use. Even if no one cares, I still want to give the knife and Case their due. This is well made and finished carry it, use it, feel/look good doing it knife at a good price.