Survive!Knives CPM-20CV vs Chris Reeve CPM-S35VN - Real world test.

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Thank you for posting this review :thumbup:

You should definitely copy this over into the "Reviews and Testing" section of bladeforums: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/718-Knife-Reviews-amp-Testing

Hard Knocks said:
...The way the lighting is hitting the Nyala in the picture it appears as if it is a clip-point, so for anyone unfamiliar with the Nyala, realize that it is actually a drop-point with a swedge, a very good field-dressing profile...
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Thank you for this, HK, I was wondering about that. When i saw the pic, I immediately thought that a clip-point Nyala would have an advantage piercing holes in such thick hide. Even as a drop-point, it's profile is more "pointy" than the 3.5.

Hale Storm said:
That burlap micarta is real grippy when wet with blood and assorted outdoor liquids when dealing with animals and fish. I love the gorgeous G10 that Guy puts on his blades and of course the f & f is terrific but for this knife (and most of mine) I wanted something unique to make it "mine".
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It looks great and definitely unique :thumbup: As a craftsman, you could probably offer some of that multi-colored shade-tree micarta to folks as well, no? Until Guy gets stuff like this up as an option, you should totally advertise it to S!K customers as ways to customize their knives even more! I certainly don't care how "amateur" your scale-work may be, what I've seen looks great, and I'm not sure I've seen anyone else offering custom/alternative S!K scales, and some (lots) of us get these tools on the secondary market wishing for slight variations. You could offer them here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/832-For-Sale-Gadgets-amp-Gear or also on ebay. LOTS of worse "amateur" products are out there.


Help us out, as a service to the S!K commmunity :D Please offer your scale-work. I can't be the only one who wishes this.


Oh, and thank you for the description of the Nyala scales as well :thumbup: That last pic gives me more appreciation for what CRK is offering.
 
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Great first-hand review. I've noticed that cutting through gritty hide (moose, black bear) will take the fine edge off just about any steel.
 
very cool review, I am curious about s35VN, like 3V and cpm 20CV it seems to be showing up a lot more often in higher end knives than it used to. It's nice to see the 3.5 hold its own!
 
chiral.grolim said:
Thank you for posting this review :thumbup:

You should definitely copy this over into the "Reviews and Testing" section of bladeforums: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/718-Knife-Reviews-amp-Testing



Thank you for this, HK, I was wondering about that. When i saw the pic, I immediately thought that a clip-point Nyala would have an advantage piercing holes in such thick hide. Even as a drop-point, it's profile is more "pointy" than the 3.5.



It looks great and definitely unique :thumbup: As a craftsmen, you could probably offer some of that multi-colored shade-tree micarta to folks as well, no? Until Guy gets stuff like this up as an option, you should totally advertise it to S!K customers as ways to customize their knives even more! I certainly don't care how "amateur" your scale-work may be, what I've seen looks great, and I'm not sure I've seen anyone else offering custom/alternative S!K scales, and some (lots) of us get these tools on the secondary market wishing for slight variations. You could offer them here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/832-For-Sale-Gadgets-amp-Gear or also on ebay. LOTS of worse "amateur" products are out there.


Help us out, as a service to the S!K commmunity :D Please offer your scale-work. I can't be the only one who wishes this.


Oh, and thank you for the description of the Nyala scales as well :thumbup: That last pic gives me more appreciation for what CRK is offering.
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Thank you for the kind words Chiral.

On the scales. Since I finish everything by hand, I actually take the scales down to the spine on the final finish, meaning I'm actually removing a small amount of steel and then hand sand using progressive grits. If I had a cnc, then it would be easier. I guess I could get someone here in Houston to do it for me and offer them here and on feebay (pun intended).
I'm just not sure guys would want me going after "their" GSO's with a dremel and sandpaper. Once the custom scales are done, the originals would be just a hair larger and would need to be sanded down on the edges to fit back if the owner ever wanted to return to the stock scales. I guess if there was a commitment from the owner to keep the scales, then it would be no problem but that is personal preference. I can also acid wash and stone wash baldes up to certain length limits on blade size.

I'll look into getting a shop to make some rough scales on a cnc or water jet and go from there. The possibility exists now that you brought it up.

Then there is the matter of costs. I normally charge $65.00 for one layer folder and fixed blade scales. I'd be willing to discount that here for members but that is quite a bit of money for scales on what averages out to be $200.00 knives. Of course I've done a few scales for knives that cost much less. I've even done a few where the scales cost more than the knife. The Kershaw Skyline comes to mind.
Also, I'm not sure there is a market for them other than us rabid S!K fans.

I'll check out the cnc option in the next few weeks to at least get more info. I would love to be able to offer some custom composites and exotics and then hand fit them to everyone's knives.

Here's a few more S!K pics and a few others.

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Hale Storm said:
Thanks Hard Knocks. Good to see all the S!K regulars here commenting. Thanks to all of you. Silver, Texas, Standard, and of course you.

YES, it is a drop point with the swedge. That and the CRK rep for quality are why I chose it as my primary game blade. The GSO is basically my "do everything else" blade and it handles that task VERY well. I had both with me of course so it was the perfect time to put them head to head.

I'm working on a new thread with all of my edged tools and what they are used for and why (axes, hatchets, wood processing, shelter building, fire, food prep, etc.). It will be interesting to post pics of what I use and why, and then see what everyone else uses and why they chose what they did. I may be missing out somewhere and need another sharpened piece of steel. :D
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I'll be waiting to see this thread! Great idea!
 
I'll try to get it up tomorrow Standard. TRY. ;)
 
Texas_toothpick said:
You know I just got my 3.5 and your burlap scales have inspired me.
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Get to work Texas!

In my shop, pimpin' my knives is almost therapeutic for me. Very relaxing. No timeline. No customer to please. Just me and whatever I want to do to my knife. And, if I ever screw up (yes, it DOES happen - LOL), it's MY knife. No pressure. No money on the table.

Yes, we all expect pics when you're done.
 
Yeah get to work Tex! All of these fancy knife scales are turning the rusty gears in my head.
 
Well Standard. You should get to work too! I know both of you guys have more than one GSO so get to pimpin'.

WARNING!!! Pimpin' your knives is a debilitating and contagious disease. It has been known to affect even the most strong willed of men. Before you begin the first one, please make room in your shop or garage for more tools, multiple handle materials, fasteners, various rods and pins, lots of sandpaper and sanding drums for the dremel, chemicals, respirators, safety equipment, and of course MORE KNIVES.
There is another lesser side to this illness that causes you to also make custom kydex sheaths to allow you to carry one or more knives simultaneously. "Piggyback" Disease.
Also, in a few cases, strong afflictions of the disease have been known to lead to another highly contagious secondary stage called "MYcarta" Disease, where you begin to pimp your knives and suddenly become dissatisfied with current market offerings for scale material and decide to make something on your own.

It is also best to talk to your financial advisor about the expenses incurred if you are found to be infected with the dreaded 'Blade Pimp' disease.

You've been warned. Now post up some pics and quit making me derail my own thread. :D

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Hale Storm said:
Get to work Texas!

In my shop, pimpin' my knives is almost therapeutic for me. Very relaxing. No timeline. No customer to please. Just me and whatever I want to do to my knife. And, if I ever screw up (yes, it DOES happen - LOL), it's MY knife. No pressure. No money on the table.

Yes, we all expect pics when you're done.
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Standard78 said:
Yeah get to work Tex! All of these fancy knife scales are turning the rusty gears in my head.
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I thought you two were talking about my day job. :eek: how'd they know I was screwing off looking at knives.
 
Haha yes I need to get to work on doing some things!
I just need to lock in a burlap color choice. I'm really liking the purple, red or orange that Fiddleback uses.
 
Well, you guys haven't posted any pics of the custom work yet. What gives? lets see 'em!!!

I'm gonna try to post that group shot tomorrow of what I use in the field and why. Should be fun if I can get to it.
 
I contacted the guy with the wood I wanted and yes out so I been looking else where for that. As for my shade tree I couldn't get it to purchase so I emailed and I was waiting on a response. Guess I just kinda forgot to try again. On the bright side, I'm not searching for the other material I was gonna use. Standard sent a bunch with my edc 4 I got the other day. I'm slowly getting around to it. I know I been slacking.
 
Hale Storm said:
Well, you guys haven't posted any pics of the custom work yet. What gives? lets see 'em!!!

I'm gonna try to post that group shot tomorrow of what I use in the field and why. Should be fun if I can get to it.
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HS, quick question on g-10 and epoxy and the hell i might be getting myself into. I made a custom set of orange liners for one of my 3.5's that was simple enough, but am debating doing a stacked liner for my 4.1 (black then orange). It seems to me to make sense to epoxy them together before i do any work (the orange to the black). Should i rough up the smooth surface of the g-10 first and if so with what/what grit etc...
 
Redwood I'd just use an awl to scratch it, but then again what the hell do I know. Lol. I couldn't see it needing to be more then that.
 
redwood22 said:
HS, quick question on g-10 and epoxy and the hell i might be getting myself into. I made a custom set of orange liners for one of my 3.5's that was simple enough, but am debating doing a stacked liner for my 4.1 (black then orange). It seems to me to make sense to epoxy them together before i do any work (the orange to the black). Should i rough up the smooth surface of the g-10 first and if so with what/what grit etc...
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Sorry i missed this. Yes, epoxy them together first. I use 50 grit. Watch the edges on the liner.
 
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