Andy, fine man that he is, was kind enough to loan me a SH II for a backpacking trip in Michigan and his only request was that I write a few words about my experience. This was our first scouting trip in preparation for archery season on some private land. We generally spend a few days roaming around stump shooting trying to get a feel for the state of the herd and the food situation. We've been hunting this area for a few years now and have grown accustom to its residents, in fact we've seen more than a few grow up to be real monsters!
From the first moment I put the SH to work. SOMEBODY (me) forgot the tent stakes! Off to the nearest sapling WHACK instant tent stakes. With that done it was time to get some firewood. The weather was great but can you believe it was almost in the 30's at night! This is August for crying out loud! Armed with my bow saw I brought back some rounds needing to be split. The SH came through, though the coating took it on the chin. The knife came in handy digging arrows out of stumps. I just stabbed and pried. The wood gave long before the knife ever would have. In fact there was no detectable flex in the blade at all. The handle was a bit thin, but Cliff Stamp has covered this. My experience in this matter was similar to his. I sharpened it only once-it came shaving sharp-with a couple of light strokes on a fine ceramic rod. This knife did not have an asymmetric edge.
All things considered the SH II is a great camp knife. I beat the snot out of it and it came through with only a few minor scratches in the coating. I did things to it I would never do to my Randall #14. Maybe I should! In fact, I've tested my MS and BA against my Randalls for a while now and there is no comparison. No real surprise here. O1 tool steel at 55Rc is outstanding within its narrow operating envelope, but it's not INFI.
Thanks again Andy!
Rich
From the first moment I put the SH to work. SOMEBODY (me) forgot the tent stakes! Off to the nearest sapling WHACK instant tent stakes. With that done it was time to get some firewood. The weather was great but can you believe it was almost in the 30's at night! This is August for crying out loud! Armed with my bow saw I brought back some rounds needing to be split. The SH came through, though the coating took it on the chin. The knife came in handy digging arrows out of stumps. I just stabbed and pried. The wood gave long before the knife ever would have. In fact there was no detectable flex in the blade at all. The handle was a bit thin, but Cliff Stamp has covered this. My experience in this matter was similar to his. I sharpened it only once-it came shaving sharp-with a couple of light strokes on a fine ceramic rod. This knife did not have an asymmetric edge.
All things considered the SH II is a great camp knife. I beat the snot out of it and it came through with only a few minor scratches in the coating. I did things to it I would never do to my Randall #14. Maybe I should! In fact, I've tested my MS and BA against my Randalls for a while now and there is no comparison. No real surprise here. O1 tool steel at 55Rc is outstanding within its narrow operating envelope, but it's not INFI.
Thanks again Andy!
Rich
