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Gautier

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Aug 31, 2006
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Victorinox's line of one hand opening knives(i.e. The infamous OHT and it's brethren), and your experiences with them in the outdoors. I ask because, as much as I love my Farmer, there are those times when it's quite useful to be able to open the blade single-handedly. If I could add the convenience of one hand opening, while retaining all the tools of the Farmer, it may be a better woods carry option for a folder and relegate the Farmer to EDC.

I've never been disappointed with Victorinox in their quality, but I was hoping I could get some feedback from those of you who have actually put the OH models to use. None of the local stores or shops carry the OH models, so if I do decided that I'd like to try one, I'd be jumping into things sight unseen.

I thought that I had read somewhere the serrations are chisel ground. Is this the case? I know some have converted their OH*'s to plain edge. Is that something that could be done during the course of usual sharpening, or would it require reprofiling the blade? Does the woodsaw have the same overhanging lip on all models allowing for one hand opening, or is this unique to the RescueTool?
Basically I've never owned a 111mm SAK and just wanted to get some general feedback, pros/cons, recommendations, etc.
Thanks in advance folks.


Gautier
 
I have a one hand fireman, It isn't really easy to open one handed but the stifness wears down after a while. The serrations are chisel ground and I loved them but I still ground them off and added a convex edge because I had the serrated hawkbill. The woodsaw does have that lip and I like it alot. The serrations took about an hour and a half to grind of using arkansas stones and sandpaper. It would be faster to bump off the serrations on a grinder but I was scared of spoiling the heat treat, if you keep the blade cool, you should be fine. If I had a OHT, I would leave the serrations though. They cut through tough fiberous materials like a chainsaw but are still good for carving and bushcraft. I want to put a satin finish on all the blades and make micarta scales for it.
 
The OHF is actually the model I was leaning more towards out of all of them. I prefer having a corkscrew for untying stubborn knots, as opposed to the Phillips head driver, since the bottle/can openers work well enough for all but the most stubborn Phillips head screws. By "stiff", do you mean the backspring, or how the blade interacts with the liner lock or...? I've never had a problem opening Spyderco's, but was also wondering if the different shape of the Victorinox hole affects how easily the blade opens.
Thanks again for all the helpful feedback.


Gautier
 
I can't tell if the main blade even has a spring, doesn't really feel like it does. It is just that the pivot is really tight if you know what I mean, I took a flathead screwdriver, inserted it into the slot for the main blade and spread the liners apart a little. It's alot easier to open now but it'll never be as easy to open as a spyderco.
 
3wolves said:
I can't tell if the main blade even has a spring, doesn't really feel like it does. It is just that the pivot is really tight if you know what I mean, I took a flathead screwdriver, inserted it into the slot for the main blade and spread the liners apart a little. It's alot easier to open now but it'll never be as easy to open as a spyderco.
Click to expand...

Without looking at my OHT, I believe it has a spring on the main blade, albeit a very light one. I could swear that there's more than pivot there, but I could be mistaken.

I was concerned about the serrations to when I bought mine. They actually aren't too bad at all. I would leave them there, unless you find through use that you hate them or that they don't work for you. All I can say is that they aren't you usual serration.
 
Gautier said:
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I thought that I had read somewhere the serrations are chisel ground..
Click to expand...
Not only are the serrations chisel ground, but the plain edge is chisel ground aswell. I plan on grinding the serrations out and convexing the edge on my Bundeswehr OHT once I break it in a bit.
 
i have been carrying my oht every day, it is one of my favorite knives, opens easily, i like the tools . the serrations ar pretty shallow i would think that you could get rid of them easily with just a coarse stone or sand paper. i have not and they work well for every day use.

try one you will like it. now they come in green black and camo handles.

alex
 
From my experience the OHT is pretty good overall. I edc one every now and then mainly for the extra tools (I like the screwdrivers and bottle opener), and it works well. Once you wear the knife in the blade opens fairly easily. Good knife overall.
 
I have a Hubertus Camping knife that Ive used for years at home and camping and I love it. I broke one spring on it but the springs are easy to replace.:thumbup:
 
Unlike most of the people here, I don't really care for the OH 111mm SAKs. I have a number of the 111mm lockblades I use daily, and I love my original Fireman and Trekker, and swear by them. I have tried the OH knives every raves about, I just don't care for them. Not even sure why, maybe it is the profile of them, or something like that.

Nowadays I carry a 84mm Alox Lumberjack as my EDC and have my Trekker in my toolkit.
 
Thanks again for all the replies fellas. I didn't realize that the plain edged portion of the blade was also chisel ground. Beginning to think I may just stick with my farmer and keep using a fixed blade for those chores when one hand is occupied. Don't much care for reprofiling a brand new blade when there are other options that are cheaper, require less work, and benefit me more. Oh well, it was a thought. Glad I have you guys here for information before I dive headlong into purchases these days.


Gautier
 
I love it. I ground them off with stones.

Iv'e worn a SAK in the back pocket since middle school. Yeah at school. Teachers weren't scared of their students then. They had these wooden paddles in their rooms and used them. But anyways this has been my favorite.

Badge54
 
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