Survive! knives GSO 3.5 first impression

[Ruudr]

Ok, I didn't believe this day would come. I finally received my GSO 3.5 CPM 20CV and the end result is again stunning!
Guy and his team did a great job in making this knife.
From the second I took the knife in the hand it felt perfect. I thought I would miss the jimping but I really don't miss it.
The handle follows the contours of the hand perfect. I have medium sized hands and I think it would fit small and large hands just as fine as mine.
The flat dark earth coating is really uniform and looks a bit bronze. I like it!
The blade came razor sharp as we know Survive! knives does! I have Number 005 so thats a cool factor of course!
The sheath is really thin, with a lot of carry options. I don't know if I make a belt loop on it. Time will tell.
The spine is really sharp and I am confident the ferro notch will trow sparks just fine.
(Edit: it trows sparks like crazy!)
I got a small note with the knife that says:
Your knife was shipped with tumbeled hardware, to get the knife in your hands sooner. We will ship your black oxide fasteners as soon as they are finished at Back Oxiding.
This is just great service imo. I didn't miss them at first but then I saw the little paper note.
The laser engraving is also really crisp.

To finish my small review up I think Guy and his team really pulled it off again in making a perfect knife.

Here are some pictures of the 3.5. Sorry for the Iphone 4 crappy pictures

 

[straitr]

Looks great! Thanks for the pics. I passed on the 3.5, but maybe one day. I love my 4.1, so far it has been everything I've ever wanted in a general purpose fixed blade, and has performed flawlessly. I did have an issue with the original sheath scratching (as in pick with your fingernail deep) the knife when sheathed and unsheathed. With a flashlight I could see what appeared to be metal shavings or small rocks impregnated into the kydex.

Ellie and Josh both worked and after a phone conversation after the knife arrived back at the shop, replaced the sheath and sent it out 2nd day mail later that afternoon. Josh offered to fix the scratches down the road when they have the localized equipment. I use it for any and everything requiring a fixed blade, so I'm not sure I'll ever take him up on the offer, but the gesture was appropriately offered and appreciated. Customer. Satisfied.

I'm watching for a Necker II like a hawk and look forward to seeing what comes next from Survive! once they get the move behind them.

Enjoy.

 

[high desert]

Nice pic. Can you show both knives together as to compare handles and blade thickness? Thanks.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I sold my 4.1 in S90v...not something I wanted to do. I should (by email) receive my 3.5 on Monday. It's been a long haul with the pre-order, but the 3.5 will fit my needs better than the 4.1. I'm quite sure that I'll like this one a lot, and will hold onto it for my kids. Guy and Josh and Ellie have been great; I've talked with all of them at one time or another. I have a lot of confidence in the company because of them.

 

[Ruudr]

Nice pic. Can you show both knives together as to compare handles and blade thickness? Thanks.

There you go.

 

[rpn]

What color are the scales? looks great!

 

[Ruudr]

What color are the scales? looks great!

Colour of the scales is Camo. But the picture doesn't do the colour right. They actualy look better in real life.

 

[high desert]

Thanks.

 

[chiral.grolim]

Thank you for posting pics! It's nice to see these in life at last. Any more side-by-side shots of the 3.5 and 4.1?

Btw, I know a guy that can hook you up with a modular belt-loop to fit any model from S!K (and others), just drop me a PM/email.

 

[PB Wilson]

I just received mine and I agree that they did a wonderful job in it. Sharp, nice fit between handle scales and the tang, great size and quality materials.

I like the handle contours quite a lot. They keep the knife in position pretty well with my limited testing. It is comfortable but for my hands (size large) it may be a bit on the small side. If it had a tiny bit more height it might be just about perfect. My Koster flat ground Bushcraft handle is wider (which might not fit on the 3.5 as I like the slim profile overall). My RAT 3 has a thinner handle but taller and still works. Gloves might work very well with this on though.

That's my only "concern" which isn't really a concern, just a comment. I love the size of this knife, the weight, the sheath and the steel. I'm pretty damn confident that this will be my number one go-to knife. I've got to get out the micrometer and measure the thickness behind the edge, but it's definitely thinner than my Koster, which will really help its performance. Overall it looks like a winner.

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

Can't wait to get mine in hand. Anyone know if the large Tek Lok works with the 3.5 sheath? Had one and liked it but sold it a few weeks back with another knife but going to pick up one Friday at Blade Show if they work on the 3.5 sheath.

 

[Humint]

AWESOME pics and comments. I ordered one last Friday as I do not have any fixed blades and I want to edc a fixed blade with my Sebenza.

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

AWESOME pics and comments. I ordered one last Friday as I do not have any fixed blades and I want to edc a fixed blade with my Sebenza.

I ordered mine last Tuesday. I had a fixed blade in the same size range but the handle was 1/4 shorter than this and tapered so I'm hoping this one will feel much better in hand. I think this will be perfect for yard work and hiking/camping.

 

[chiral.grolim]

Can't wait to get mine in hand. Anyone know if the large Tek Lok works with the 3.5 sheath? Had one and liked it but sold it a few weeks back with another knife but going to pick up one Friday at Blade Show if they work on the 3.5 sheath.

YES, the Large Tek-lok just requires 3/4" o.c. spacing along one side of the sheath, and Kiah's slots are well-implemented... But it's gonna ride awful high (just as it will with the included clip) unless you attach something like this (on a 4.1 but works for 3.5 as well):

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

YES, the Large Tek-lok just requires 3/4" o.c. spacing along one side of the sheath, and Kiah's slots are well-implemented... But it's gonna ride awful high (just as it will with the included clip) unless you attach something like this (on a 4.1 but works for 3.5 as well):

Awesome, thanks for the reply. What about horizontal? That shouldn't be too high.

 

[chiral.grolim]

Awesome, thanks for the reply. What about horizontal? That shouldn't be too high.

Yes again, but the included clip can do that as well. I don't have a 3.5, but here are some (poor) images of the 4.1 carried using the clip in various ways. Front pocket might work really well for the 3.5:

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

Thanks again for taking the time to illustrate. I agree about the pocket. Especially when I'm out doing yard work and such. I'm sure that the included clip works great but since Blade Tech sells the Tek Lok for a mere $10 at the show I just plan on getting one as an option.

 

[Ruudr]

What would the best way to concealed carry the 3.5?

 

[chiral.grolim]

double

 

[chiral.grolim]

Thanks again for taking the time to illustrate. I agree about the pocket. Especially when I'm out doing yard work and such. I'm sure that the included clip works great but since Blade Tech sells the Tek Lok for a mere $10 at the show I just plan on getting one as an option.

That's a good plan, Tek-Loks are pretty handy for quick on/off. Btw, that extension pictured on the 4.1 is Tek-Lok compatible

What would the best way to concealed carry the 3.5?

The best way, imho, is vertical carry in the front or back pocket with clothing covering the handle. This is especially effective without the clip if you have the sheath on a dangler into your pocket Again, i don't have a 3.5 but do carry a similar knife that way in public without attracting notice. Horizontal carry isn't all that concealed (you can see from the above pictures how the 4.1 handle sticks out, I expect the 3.5 to be similar), and high-ride is very uncomfortable imo.