I was in before the press too - I ordered it after having handled some early testers on a Mors Kochanski course. I currently own 3: 2 SBT models and one smaller one-off 'puukko' that is never far away from me.
SBT and smaller model - both in A2
I used to own another early model SBT in A2 - which I donated a while ago to a bushcraft instructor at a well-known bushcraft school
In turn, he made a generous donation to a cancer research charity in the UK.
The HT on these A2 models is stellar. No Woodlore knife in my posession has come close to the edge retention of my A2 SBT. Its working edge is scandi zero with a tiny convex by stropping.
And then there is this recent one in CPM-3V (knife below):
I got that one in a trade. Nice flow lines and canvas micarta..
But I was primarily interested in the edgeholding of CPM-3V, a steel that I did not know at all. The knife was "well-used" and not really maintained - so I took it to a diamond stone and finer steps until the edge was back to perfection. Tough material. It is a bit thicker than the A2 models and therefore comes with a optically higher grind. It is a mean slicer and it keeps its edge well. I need to use it a bit more to determine if it is better in the field than A2.
Test 1 - carve a fireboard set
Test 2 - Destroy the fireboard set
After these two activities - the edge was still in shaving shape and had just a few tiny reflections. Good enough for zero scandi in my book.
I can't say enough good things about these knives. I have handled a lot of higher end scandi knives, but the Skookums remain my favorites. Edge retention, handle comfort, ease of sharpening (on the A2 models) - it is all good. The smaller one sees a lot of regular use in the garden, goes with me on small hikes, is a very good carver and decent game cleaner. The larger SBT is very good for extensive bushcrafting tasks and is on my belt/neck on extended overnight trips.
-Emile
