BOSS1
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
- Messages
- 1,700
Greetings all,
Well, it took a bit, but I finally got my hands on a genuine Sandown Forge blade by MRW.
The specs:
KANELL Series Knife, #013
LOA: 11"
Blade: CM154 SS 5 3/4"L x 1.5W x 5/32 Thick w/ hand-rubbed finish.
Handle: Blue G10
Add'l Details: Stainless steel tubing pins. 303 Stainless bolster and stainless Steel Butt Plate.
Tooled Leather Sheath and Owner's Certificate included.
Overall, I'll say I've handled my share of blades--from Busse, Reeve, Matsuda, Dozier, Fallkniven, Emerson, as well as most of the general production knives, Benchmade, Spyderco, etc. as well as some other customs.
I've gotta say, this is one fine knife. It has enough character to show that is a handmade blade rather than a 'crank 'em out by the thousands' factory job.
It feels good in the hand, secure without being unwieldy. The grip has scupting in the right places and the finger groove gives piece of mind if you need to apply a pressure to it.
At first I was like 5/32"? That's a little less common, but after receiving this knife, it feels right--nicely-balanced, confidence inspiring without feeling like its part of the sharpened-pry-bar-club. I really like the blade profile on this particular model--it's a darn near ideal camp/general purpose knife.
I'm obviously not a professional shutterbug and the photos don't really do this fine blade justice. They don't really show the scupting of the G10 scales or some of the small, finer touches.
Druthers: Is there anything I'd change? Well, MRW built this knife without any spec's of my own, meaning I didn't commission it. I am sure he'd probably be willing to accommodate my minor preferences if I ordered it from the beginning. What might those be (and again, these are just a couple minor personal preferences)?
1. I'd have him incorporate a lanyard at the rear (tho I can probably run one through the rear tube in the current handle in a pinch).
2. The sheath is beautiful, but I'll probably have MRW whip me up one with a snap loop for a little added security at some point for when a little more vigorous activity is a possibility. An empty sheath sucks.
The heft of this knife is really nice. Down the line, I could see myself ordering a 'heavy duty' version with 1/4 steel and go for the Cryo treatment. It's probably overkill and would change the balance a bit, but it would be neat to compare.
I originally got to experience MRW's handy work with a Trailmaster he re-handled for me, shown shown next to the Kanell. It was a 'funshow' special--an old Carbon V/USA Trailmaster that had seen better days. It had the 'character' to prove it. And the Kraton handle was not what you'd call 'confidence' inspiring. So I sent it off to MRW and he attached the G10 handle per my description and gave the blade a light blast to clean it up. It's my current user 'chopper.'
I think with the two of these, I've got most any outdoor heavy-duty knife chores covered.
In summation, think MRW is putting out some really fine blades at very reasonable prices. He's happy to take on special projects and incorporate your ideas. And I really like supporting a craftsman that honors the sacrifices of men who went into harm's way. There's a pride of ownership there that's tough to describe. The included Certificate is a nice touch as well.
Take a look at Sandown Forge, I think you'll be pleased.:thumbup:
BOSS
Well, it took a bit, but I finally got my hands on a genuine Sandown Forge blade by MRW.
The specs:
KANELL Series Knife, #013
LOA: 11"
Blade: CM154 SS 5 3/4"L x 1.5W x 5/32 Thick w/ hand-rubbed finish.
Handle: Blue G10
Add'l Details: Stainless steel tubing pins. 303 Stainless bolster and stainless Steel Butt Plate.
Tooled Leather Sheath and Owner's Certificate included.
Overall, I'll say I've handled my share of blades--from Busse, Reeve, Matsuda, Dozier, Fallkniven, Emerson, as well as most of the general production knives, Benchmade, Spyderco, etc. as well as some other customs.
I've gotta say, this is one fine knife. It has enough character to show that is a handmade blade rather than a 'crank 'em out by the thousands' factory job.
It feels good in the hand, secure without being unwieldy. The grip has scupting in the right places and the finger groove gives piece of mind if you need to apply a pressure to it.
At first I was like 5/32"? That's a little less common, but after receiving this knife, it feels right--nicely-balanced, confidence inspiring without feeling like its part of the sharpened-pry-bar-club. I really like the blade profile on this particular model--it's a darn near ideal camp/general purpose knife.
I'm obviously not a professional shutterbug and the photos don't really do this fine blade justice. They don't really show the scupting of the G10 scales or some of the small, finer touches.
Druthers: Is there anything I'd change? Well, MRW built this knife without any spec's of my own, meaning I didn't commission it. I am sure he'd probably be willing to accommodate my minor preferences if I ordered it from the beginning. What might those be (and again, these are just a couple minor personal preferences)?
1. I'd have him incorporate a lanyard at the rear (tho I can probably run one through the rear tube in the current handle in a pinch).
2. The sheath is beautiful, but I'll probably have MRW whip me up one with a snap loop for a little added security at some point for when a little more vigorous activity is a possibility. An empty sheath sucks.
The heft of this knife is really nice. Down the line, I could see myself ordering a 'heavy duty' version with 1/4 steel and go for the Cryo treatment. It's probably overkill and would change the balance a bit, but it would be neat to compare.
I originally got to experience MRW's handy work with a Trailmaster he re-handled for me, shown shown next to the Kanell. It was a 'funshow' special--an old Carbon V/USA Trailmaster that had seen better days. It had the 'character' to prove it. And the Kraton handle was not what you'd call 'confidence' inspiring. So I sent it off to MRW and he attached the G10 handle per my description and gave the blade a light blast to clean it up. It's my current user 'chopper.'
I think with the two of these, I've got most any outdoor heavy-duty knife chores covered.
In summation, think MRW is putting out some really fine blades at very reasonable prices. He's happy to take on special projects and incorporate your ideas. And I really like supporting a craftsman that honors the sacrifices of men who went into harm's way. There's a pride of ownership there that's tough to describe. The included Certificate is a nice touch as well.
Take a look at Sandown Forge, I think you'll be pleased.:thumbup:
BOSS