Survival Gear Reviews

Morablades

Morablades

Joined
Dec 29, 2007
Messages
1,990
This will be my first thread about reviews that I'm contributing to the forums. These reviews and field tests are geared more towards those who want to enjoy the outdoors without putting a hurtin' on their wallet or purse. These are basic reviews centered around basic inexpensive gear. Every hobby costs money, but every little bit of savings help. First I want to say that I am doing this without showing favoritism for gear. Also, I will be adding to this site regularly. The different qualities will be ranked on a scale from one to ten with ten being greatest. Ranking is only determined by what gear is typically used for. Example: No battoning with knives. Please feel free to post comments.

First up:

Frost Mora #2 - $9.98 + $2.50 S&H from bensbackwoods.com
Cold Steel Finn Bear - $12.50 free S&H from ebay
Marbles Small Hunter - $25 + $5.50 S&H from ebay

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Frost Mora
Carrying system - 7
Sharpness out of box - 10
Edge holding ability - 10
Carving, notching and rope cutting (basic 550 paracord was used) - 10
Grip - 8 (tends to slip in the hand when wet)
Comfort - 9
Sharpening ease - 10
Food prep - 10

Marbles Small Hunter
Carrying system - 10 (durable leather sheath)
Sharpness out of box - 8
Edge holding ability - 7
Carving, notching and rope cutting (basic 550 paracord was used) - 7
Grip - 8 (tends to slip in the hand when wet)
Comfort - 9
Sharpening ease - 8
Food prep - 9

This knife is heavy for it's size (9" overall). For a China made blade it is made fairly well. I give it a few extra points for having a finger gaurd. Black micarta handle.

CS Finn Bear
Carrying system - 7
Sharpness out of box - 10
Edge holding ability - 9
Carving, notching and rope cutting (basic 550 paracord was used) - 9
Grip - 10
Comfort - 10
Sharpening ease - 10
Food prep - 10

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All knives were sharpened with a Smith's Fine Diamond Stone - $6 and change from Wal-Mart
 
$28 from a local hardware store.

Good for cutting trees 6"-8" in diameter. Maintains a sharp edge. Also good for use as a knife. Great all around camp tool.

Carrying system - 0 (no carry system)
Sharpness out of box - 10
Edge holding ability - 10
Carving, notching and rope cutting (basic 550 paracord was used) - 9 (see pic below)
Grip - 8 (tends to slip in the hand when wet) - grip tape takes care of that for an extra $3
Comfort - 10
Sharpening ease - 10
Food prep - 7.5 (It's very doable for food prep and skinning)

In less than fifteen minutes I was able to carve a spoon/stir with the hatchet.
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I know you can't see it, but there is a bowl carved out in the spoon.
 
More to come in the next few weeks.
Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Kit
Buck Medium Trapper
Cold Steel Roach Belly
Marbles Jumbo Trapper
Generic Stainless Steel Mess Kit
 
Quick, easy, to the point. KEEP 'EM COMIN! Good reviews. I would like to see things that illustrate the bottom of the rating systems though. It would help as reference to see what gets lower or higher ratings.
 
Cool stuff, thanks for the reviews. The CS versus Mora was helpful. I'm thinking I need to get another #1 to replace the one I gave away.
 
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