- Joined
- May 16, 2006
- Messages
- 2,724
It's been over a month since I got my snakeskin SJTAC on the exchange but due to work, apartment renovations and in-law visits it hasn't left the house since I got it. A week after it arrived I received an amazing Chuddy Bear sheath, a dangler, with two X's on the back, a firesteel loop, and a removable pouch that is strapped in place but also has an X so it can be worn separately. Exquisite workmanship in an uber-functional package.
Well today I finally got out to the woods and did an 8-mile strenuous hike, lots of scrambling uphill using my hands and some butt-sledding downhill, my dog also did some four-paw skiing. I wore the SJTAC the whole time and can't believe how comfortable it was, DANGLERS ROCK. It never once got in the way and just moved in perfect synch with my body. I didn't really have much to cut, it was just a day hike, but I did have to test its chopping capabilities. Wearing thick gloves it was effortless to remove from the sheath and I proceeded to chop some hard dead wood, smiling as the chips went flying. It works best with a three-finger grip, taking out a good-sized chunk with each blow. I wouldn't want to chop all day with it but you could use it to build a survival shelter without much effort. After I received the knife I thinned the edge to about 10-12 degrees per side and honed it to whittle hair, so naturally I was curious to see the edge after some chopping. I'm not a big, powerful guy but I'm strong in a sinewy, isometric kind of way, and I pounded on the edge with all out force. No perceptible damage was done. I doubt it would whittle hair now, but its still razor sharp.
The more and the harder I use INFI the more I'm convinced it really is AMAZING. I've tried similar things with some 5160, though not at such an acute angle, and the edge holds up well, doesn't roll or chip, but it doesn't stay nearly as sharp. Some steels may give you a 5.2 percent increase in edge retention for cutting threads in say a mohair scarf but WHO CARES. INFI is an all around incredible steel.
Here's some crumby cell phone pics to make this thread a little less worthless ...
Well today I finally got out to the woods and did an 8-mile strenuous hike, lots of scrambling uphill using my hands and some butt-sledding downhill, my dog also did some four-paw skiing. I wore the SJTAC the whole time and can't believe how comfortable it was, DANGLERS ROCK. It never once got in the way and just moved in perfect synch with my body. I didn't really have much to cut, it was just a day hike, but I did have to test its chopping capabilities. Wearing thick gloves it was effortless to remove from the sheath and I proceeded to chop some hard dead wood, smiling as the chips went flying. It works best with a three-finger grip, taking out a good-sized chunk with each blow. I wouldn't want to chop all day with it but you could use it to build a survival shelter without much effort. After I received the knife I thinned the edge to about 10-12 degrees per side and honed it to whittle hair, so naturally I was curious to see the edge after some chopping. I'm not a big, powerful guy but I'm strong in a sinewy, isometric kind of way, and I pounded on the edge with all out force. No perceptible damage was done. I doubt it would whittle hair now, but its still razor sharp.
The more and the harder I use INFI the more I'm convinced it really is AMAZING. I've tried similar things with some 5160, though not at such an acute angle, and the edge holds up well, doesn't roll or chip, but it doesn't stay nearly as sharp. Some steels may give you a 5.2 percent increase in edge retention for cutting threads in say a mohair scarf but WHO CARES. INFI is an all around incredible steel.
Here's some crumby cell phone pics to make this thread a little less worthless ...
