.........from the big brown truck! Lochsa #5 is here
First impressions;
It is about the size of my large Classic Sebenza. I have both out and open in front of me. The Sebbie is the bloodwood inlaid model.
Opening the Lochsa is classic Sebenza, I wonder why?
Lockup and closing are also reminescent of the Sebbie. With lockup you get the same bank vault sound I/we have come to love on the Sebenza. They are pretty much identical in length. The Sebenza is thicker, which surprised me a bit as I assumed the Lochsa would be the thicker of the two. The Sebenza is also a tad bit heavier from the feel of it, nothing scientific as i don't have a scale to weigh them but did see somewhere that the Lochsa is listed at 4 oz. and the Classic is 4.5 oz. Blade finish is satin on the Lochsa while two-toned on the Classic. Lockup on my Classic is about 25% of the blade tang covered while the Lochsa has about 50% coverage. Even though they are identical in length the Lochsa has a slightly smaller feel to it. Usually this would not be to my liking, but in the Lochsa I can accept it and even like it! Construction/fit is superb. The blade is evenly spaced within the handle when closed. The ball detent just grabs the blade and seems to suck it closed over the final 1/4" of travel ala Sebenza. Thumb button is smaller than the Sebbie, but due to the smooth opening action is not a hindrance. It is slightly flattened on the bottom so your thumb gets a good purchase on it. S30V steel is hair popping, as I would expect it to be and the blade has just enough point to be very useful in certain applications. Shape is somewhere between the regular and the Classic blade shapes with an added sculptered thumb ramp on top. Pocket clip is mounted for tip down carry and might be a tad thin, but does feel strong enough. Time will tell on that. The pivot bolt uses a huge 5/32" hex wrench to tighten or loosen the pivot. Bronze washers are evident and I don't think I will try and take the blade out......just yet!
Speaking of lock-up, if I wasn't I am now, the blade is as tightly locked up as I belive a folder blade could be. There is ABSOLUTELY no blade play in any direction, none, nada, just like my Sebbie's! Handle feels great in my hand albeit a tad small. The sculptered handle is a thing of beauty though. The two-toned handle , with beadblast flats and satined curves is sharp to look at. The locking bar is releived on the inside with three grooves and even the non locking side has the same identical grooves, so the symmetry of it is nice. There is a black leather thong attatched which just seems to top everything off and is a perfect fit for the knife.
Knife arrived in a white box much like the Sebbie. The knife itself was inside a nicely done burgandy velvet pouch with the word Lochsa inscribed in it. There is also a card with the specifics for the knife included.
BTW, makers mark on this one is S. Cook in script just behind and parallel to the thumb button. Very nice and elegant touch.
The Lochsa really strikes me as part gentlemans folder and part workhorse. I believe it would be right at home as a Sunday go to meeting knife and also find it's way back into your pocket Monday morning for a day of hard work!
Bottom line is that this knife should be around and just as tight when I am long gone from here. Will it replace my large Classic Sebbies? No. Will it get carried and used? We'll see. Now the biggie...................am I happy and would I do it all over again? YES!!!
This is an outstanding piece of knife work and one you just have to see, hold, and even fondle
to appreciate.
Congrats on your purchase, Art. The Lochsa is a sweet looking piece!
