Shadow III vs Mountaineer

[Photog]

I've been thinking about getting either the Shadow III or 4" version of the Mountaineer for an all-around camp/outdoor knife. Does anyone have any opinions on which one would be best? Does the lack of a top fingerguard on the Mountaineer make it easier to control the blade for "whittling" chores, or is the guard on the Shadow III small enough that it doesn't get in the way?

How much weaker is the clip point than the spear point??

Thanks for your help.

Bill

 

[Dennis Wright]

On the 4" blades, I think its a matter of appearance and aesthetics rather than tip strength. Either one is strong enough to accomplish any task that a knife that size would be used for. Some people just like the spearpoint and others like the clip point.

As far as the guards are concerned, again, on a knife this size, its more a matter of personal preference. I don't see the small guard on the Shadow III getting in the way of much but folks do like the striated spine of the Mountaineer. It adds a bit to the controllability of the knife when you "choke up" on the blade or want to use your thumb on the back of the blade.

This is why I had some Shadows made up with the same guard as the Mountaineer. The only difference is the point. It was done, partially, due to my preference for the spearpoint over the clip and the fact that several customers expressed the same preference but still like the single guard concept. Chris was nice enough to make them that way so I carry them as regular stock now.

Another forumite has asked for some pictures and I was planning on taking them today and e-mailing them to him. I will post them here as well so everyone can see.

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Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
La Mesa, CA
(Don't click, just call)
1-800-400-1980
wrightknife@ixpres.com
("Have a knife day!")

[This message has been edited by Dennis Wright (edited 09-12-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dennis Wright (edited 09-12-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dennis Wright (edited 09-12-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dennis Wright (edited 09-12-2000).]

 

[Ralf]

At first I asked myself the same question about the upper guard. Since I prefer utility knives over "combat" types, I thought it might be more of a disadvantage. but what I found out after I used my Mark VI for a while is that the guard is so small, that it's easy to place the thumb on the spine in front of it. The guard doesn't interfere with the thumb at all and you still have plenty of control. And when you hold the knife in a kind of reverse grip, like when you use it for a pulling motion with the point facing to the left and the edge towards you (if you are right handed) you can bend the index finger over the spine in front of the guard. This way you get a much better grip on the knife than without the top guard.

In short I would say that the top part not only adds to aesthetics, but also to functionality.

 

[Gator97]

I have both of them & I liek I said in the oher thread I liek spearpoint Shadow III blade & the handle from mountainer

I hope Dennis has one like that

I find notched spine & missing upper guard on Mountainer I much more comfortable, especially that the handles on both knives are smaller than on one piece blades.

P.S. Dennis did you get my email?

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zvis.com
Have Fun,
Alligator

[This message has been edited by Gator97 (edited 09-12-2000).]

 

[Dennis Wright]

Zvi, I received your e-mail and have replied. You should have the pictures by now. If not, they are same as in my previous post.

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Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
La Mesa, CA
(Don't click, just call)
1-800-400-1980
wrightknife@ixpres.com
("Have a knife day!")