- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
- Messages
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No arguments here either - it's a gorgeous massive chunk of INFI.
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Secret KZ Test Photos Revealed!
- Thread starter Horn Dog
- Start date
No arguments here either - it's a gorgeous massive chunk of INFI.
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2005
- Messages
- 2,984
Great review Vic...:thumbup:
Unfortunately being in the UK I got mine a few weeks after you guys at Blade got the chance....so my in use photo's and review will have to wait a while longer...
However there are a few full size trees that came down in the making of this...so no expense was spared...
I did some comparison pic's as well with the NMFBM, FBM, the C.S. Khukri, my Hossum Combat/Machete and a Gransfors Small Forest Axe....focusing on "weight" and "performance"....and some aspects on "carrying" these and what is comfortable....
Arising from this I have started making a "shoulder rig" for the KZ...it is nearly finished and should be by the time my time is up...plus with all the photo's it will take a day or so to do the write up...a shoulder holster akin to those for the long barrel S&W N frame revolvers though will vastly improve this as a easy way to support the weight...:thumbup:
On the sharpness front mine arrived "very sharp"....but the width of the convex grind was a bit thick/obtuse for my preference...I guess they had to do this incase some decided that "concrete" blocks were on the "testing agenda"....
Thanks to your "mentoring" I managed to do a job on the thinning process I am very happy with....your tip about using a magic marker to determine where metal was being removed really works well...without going into a review here are some pics of what I mean...
Using these marks and being able to see their removal on the belt sander enabled me to keep a good "even sided" effect...once they were wiped off I just added new ones...keeping the blade cool with emersing it in water in between repeated strokes...got to say this technique is really helpful on these bigger blades....I also practised first to get the movement right on the difficult khukri shape using an old polishing belt which removed no stock...before going to the lower more effective belts....
Personally I found the grips a bit abrasive when using it over extended periods... I am much more of a fan of the fuller hand shaped linen micarta grips which are full and smooth like on my NMFBM...the G10 grips just don't feel as comfortable or tactile for me....so I smoothed down the ridges a little using a triangle sander...
Not removing the pattern....just smoothing off some of the harsher edges...once brushed off and cleaned up you cannot tell the difference to look at but it does make the grip a lot more comfortable for extended chopping...it would have no effect on fitting the knife to a pre-shaped kydex sheath...I was going to order one of these from David but the weight of the khukri indicated straight off that I would need something more substantial than just belt carry...it would be fine on webbing with a shoulder harness or on my molle flak vest...but for civi carry I felt some shoulder bearing weight system would be better...otherwise you would have one side of your pants uncomfortably in need of "hitching up" all the time....
I said right from the start a lighter Khukri would be needed for most people to be able to carry it.... but having gotton mine re-profiled and once the shoulder rig is finished I reckon I am more than happy....this blade does work like an axe... even better in my opinion as it can be used much more effectively all round...it absolutely chops like a "demon"....
Unfortunately being in the UK I got mine a few weeks after you guys at Blade got the chance....so my in use photo's and review will have to wait a while longer...
However there are a few full size trees that came down in the making of this...so no expense was spared...I did some comparison pic's as well with the NMFBM, FBM, the C.S. Khukri, my Hossum Combat/Machete and a Gransfors Small Forest Axe....focusing on "weight" and "performance"....and some aspects on "carrying" these and what is comfortable....
Arising from this I have started making a "shoulder rig" for the KZ...it is nearly finished and should be by the time my time is up...plus with all the photo's it will take a day or so to do the write up...a shoulder holster akin to those for the long barrel S&W N frame revolvers though will vastly improve this as a easy way to support the weight...:thumbup:
On the sharpness front mine arrived "very sharp"....but the width of the convex grind was a bit thick/obtuse for my preference...I guess they had to do this incase some decided that "concrete" blocks were on the "testing agenda"....
Thanks to your "mentoring" I managed to do a job on the thinning process I am very happy with....your tip about using a magic marker to determine where metal was being removed really works well...without going into a review here are some pics of what I mean...
Using these marks and being able to see their removal on the belt sander enabled me to keep a good "even sided" effect...once they were wiped off I just added new ones...keeping the blade cool with emersing it in water in between repeated strokes...got to say this technique is really helpful on these bigger blades....I also practised first to get the movement right on the difficult khukri shape using an old polishing belt which removed no stock...before going to the lower more effective belts....
Personally I found the grips a bit abrasive when using it over extended periods... I am much more of a fan of the fuller hand shaped linen micarta grips which are full and smooth like on my NMFBM...the G10 grips just don't feel as comfortable or tactile for me....so I smoothed down the ridges a little using a triangle sander...
Not removing the pattern....just smoothing off some of the harsher edges...once brushed off and cleaned up you cannot tell the difference to look at but it does make the grip a lot more comfortable for extended chopping...it would have no effect on fitting the knife to a pre-shaped kydex sheath...I was going to order one of these from David but the weight of the khukri indicated straight off that I would need something more substantial than just belt carry...it would be fine on webbing with a shoulder harness or on my molle flak vest...but for civi carry I felt some shoulder bearing weight system would be better...otherwise you would have one side of your pants uncomfortably in need of "hitching up" all the time....
I said right from the start a lighter Khukri would be needed for most people to be able to carry it.... but having gotton mine re-profiled and once the shoulder rig is finished I reckon I am more than happy....this blade does work like an axe... even better in my opinion as it can be used much more effectively all round...it absolutely chops like a "demon"....
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
- Messages
- 16,703
No, I balanced it out by swinging an anvil in my other hand. I am just a fat old gray haired man.
Hmm. Sounds familiar.
I had identical results ... but elected not to modify the edge. I can tell you it is just murder on bamboo stands. Whap!! And down they go.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
- Messages
- 12
Great work Horn Dog, I can't wait to Jerry works the bugs out of it and has a release for all of us. I can definitely see a thin blade would be more viable.
Jerry Busse
Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 20, 1999
- Messages
- 12,107
We received a ton of feedback from the KZ test team and have made some pretty cool modifications to the primary bevel geometry of the KZ. . . . .
I think you guys are really gonna dig the changes.
We took 4 - 5 ounces out of the blade with this new leaned out bevel ! ! ! !
Very cool ! ! ! !
Let's Drink!!!!! :thumbup:
Jerry
I think you guys are really gonna dig the changes.
We took 4 - 5 ounces out of the blade with this new leaned out bevel ! ! ! !
Very cool ! ! ! !
Let's Drink!!!!! :thumbup:
Jerry
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2007
- Messages
- 14,463
Nice review and great pics HD
We received a ton of feedback from the KZ test team and have made some pretty cool modifications to the primary bevel geometry of the KZ. . . . .
I think you guys are really gonna dig the changes.
We took 4 - 5 ounces out of the blade with this new leaned out bevel ! ! ! !
Very cool ! ! ! !
Let's Drink!!!!! :thumbup:
Jerry
Sounds cool!
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
- Messages
- 12
Thanks for the heads up Jerry, I. Know a lot of people would like this run,I hope you let it run for a little bit on realese so every body will get a shot at it.
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
- Messages
- 3,646
AWESOME news Jerry - can I trade mine in towards the release model??? :-D
You have no idea how happy I am to hear a leaner zilla is on the way!!!
You have no idea how happy I am to hear a leaner zilla is on the way!!!
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
- Messages
- 16,703
Rats. Dogs! Hogs!!
...now I have to buy another KZ.:grumpy:
...now I have to buy another KZ.:grumpy:
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2005
- Messages
- 4,363
We received a ton of feedback from the KZ test team and have made some pretty cool modifications to the primary bevel geometry of the KZ. . . . .
I think you guys are really gonna dig the changes.
We took 4 - 5 ounces out of the blade with this new leaned out bevel ! ! ! !
Very cool ! ! ! !
Let's Drink!!!!! :thumbup:
Jerry
Well that's great news! That was the whole purpose of having a test team, to refine the design. I bet the new production model will be fantastic!
:thumbup:
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2006
- Messages
- 14,599
The KZ did fine at chopping up some pulled pork...
...but on wood, not as good.
Here is steelnut working on a tree with my KZ, back at our June Chop-In. Jeremy Horton had powerstropped the edge for me, but the geometry is factory.
As you have already read, the edge geometry was just too thick. Most of us agreed that the NMFBM was a better chopper that day.
Glad to hear that improvements have been made. :thumbup:
...but on wood, not as good.
Here is steelnut working on a tree with my KZ, back at our June Chop-In. Jeremy Horton had powerstropped the edge for me, but the geometry is factory.
As you have already read, the edge geometry was just too thick. Most of us agreed that the NMFBM was a better chopper that day.
Glad to hear that improvements have been made. :thumbup:
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2007
- Messages
- 2,680
We received a ton of feedback from the KZ test team and have made some pretty cool modifications to the primary bevel geometry of the KZ. . . . .
I think you guys are really gonna dig the changes.
We took 4 - 5 ounces out of the blade with this new leaned out bevel ! ! ! !
Very cool ! ! ! !
Let's Drink!!!!! :thumbup:
Jerry
I think we need a side by side comparison. I will make a huge personal sacrifice and volunteer to do that for you Jerry.
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
- Messages
- 3,646
There's nothing special to know about handling a killa zilla - swing that sucker hard, and demolish whatever is in front of you
Make sure you eat your wheaties, though - you will need your strength
Make sure you eat your wheaties, though - you will need your strength
Volk
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2007
- Messages
- 2,121
I think I should stay away from Wheaties, seeing how at one point my BATAC wasn't the straightest one around.
But that particular shape is considered to be among the best shapes for combat by many individuals. Unfortunately swinging the thing wildly around maybe an effective way to hurt something, the problem is (as experience would show) that thing hurt, would most likely be me.
On the other hand anything made of INFI and that has BUSSE written on it, is a worth while thing. And if I was in a market for any type of blade I'd first check if Busse offers similar product first.
But that particular shape is considered to be among the best shapes for combat by many individuals. Unfortunately swinging the thing wildly around maybe an effective way to hurt something, the problem is (as experience would show) that thing hurt, would most likely be me.
On the other hand anything made of INFI and that has BUSSE written on it, is a worth while thing. And if I was in a market for any type of blade I'd first check if Busse offers similar product first.
