- Joined
- Sep 17, 2010
- Messages
- 4,583
[video=youtube;2uIsbvUI8jo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uIsbvUI8jo[/video]
[video=youtube;Dd5vtd5LaI0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd5vtd5LaI0[/video]
Alright guys so here is my attempted write up.
First off specs from Cold Steels website:
Blade Length: 6"
Overall Length:11"
Steel: 4116 Krupp Stainless
Weight: 5.7 oz
Blade Thickness: 3 mm
Handle :5" Long Polypropylene & Kraton®
Sheath: Cor-Ex Sheath
First test Cardboard: I sharpened the blade prior to these test at a 40* inclusive edge and finished it with the fine sharpmaker rod. It would easily push cut paper. I started off breaking down a large priority mail box. ( sorry I forgot to count aproximate cuts ) I would estimate about 25-30 cuts. The thin 3mm blade sliced through effortlessly and the only time it hung up slightly, was when snagging some packing tape. After cutting up the entire box the edge would still push cut paper. This actually surprised me some, as I guessed that the cheaper steel wouldn't barely hold up to that. I was wrong.
Second Test Nylon Rope: I cut up about a two foot section of heavy nylon rope, I believe it was 1/2" thick. The outdoorsman lite didn't really push cut down through like you see alot of times with manila rope. I had to draw cut it and for almost ever cut, a single draw of the blade with medium pressure would do the trick. The edge would still puch cut paper but not as smoothly as before, I believe I noted two shiny spots on the edge as well.
Third Test: Whittling down an old aged staff. This staff ( more like a long garden stake
) had been out all year so it was quite hard. I assumed the lateral stress put on the edge would damage it more than it did. I whittled all the way through the center of the staff until it was cut in two, I aided the final snap. After this the edge showed several shiny spots along the edge. It would not push cut paper anymore. However the edge could still do working tasks and draw cut paper but not particularly well.
Fourth Test: Tip strength. So I used an old 4x4 to test the tip strength. This was a mistake. The wood was much too aged and tough to test such a thin blade. The tip bent after the first stab and pry attempt. However the plus is that the tip did not snap clean off. I was also able to take and gently bend the edge back to normal. I did a similar test the day prior on a 2x4 of pine. And the tip held up fine.
Fifth and final test: Batoning. With such a thin blade I wasn't sure what to expect as far as batoning would go. I used the same 4x4 that I used for the tip test. The outdoorsman batoned through the 4x4 with ease. On the fourth piece I batoned off however I ran into a tough knot and did not continue as I was quite sure the knife would suffer damage. From what I can tell with the naked eye the 3mm blade suffered no twisting or bending after batoning.
So how much work did it take to get the edge back to push cutting paper. It was around 5 minutes on the sharpmaker if that. Seriously this stuff is a breeze to sharpen, yet seem to hold a decent edge. Its no SR-101 but it is dandy for ease of sharpening.
Kitchen work: Cut up dang near two sacks of potatoes and the nice thin blade did this wonderfully.
Final thoughts.
Well for $20.00 dollars shipped, from alot of places, I just don't see how you can go wrong with this blade. If nothing else for a simple knife to keep in the car or a backpack. It can stand up to some decent work. I dont really know about dressing game, I suppose it could probably. It reminds me more of a traditional Japanese tanto? The handle is very grippy but during heavy work it can cause ( at least for me ) a hot spot right below my thumb on the palm of my hand. Sheath is ok. But I am not going to complain about it for the price point.
Hope this was detailed enough, or, not overly detailed. Feedback is much appreciated.
Steeley
[video=youtube;Dd5vtd5LaI0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd5vtd5LaI0[/video]
Alright guys so here is my attempted write up.
First off specs from Cold Steels website:
Blade Length: 6"
Overall Length:11"
Steel: 4116 Krupp Stainless
Weight: 5.7 oz
Blade Thickness: 3 mm
Handle :5" Long Polypropylene & Kraton®
Sheath: Cor-Ex Sheath
First test Cardboard: I sharpened the blade prior to these test at a 40* inclusive edge and finished it with the fine sharpmaker rod. It would easily push cut paper. I started off breaking down a large priority mail box. ( sorry I forgot to count aproximate cuts ) I would estimate about 25-30 cuts. The thin 3mm blade sliced through effortlessly and the only time it hung up slightly, was when snagging some packing tape. After cutting up the entire box the edge would still push cut paper. This actually surprised me some, as I guessed that the cheaper steel wouldn't barely hold up to that. I was wrong.
Second Test Nylon Rope: I cut up about a two foot section of heavy nylon rope, I believe it was 1/2" thick. The outdoorsman lite didn't really push cut down through like you see alot of times with manila rope. I had to draw cut it and for almost ever cut, a single draw of the blade with medium pressure would do the trick. The edge would still puch cut paper but not as smoothly as before, I believe I noted two shiny spots on the edge as well.
Third Test: Whittling down an old aged staff. This staff ( more like a long garden stake
) had been out all year so it was quite hard. I assumed the lateral stress put on the edge would damage it more than it did. I whittled all the way through the center of the staff until it was cut in two, I aided the final snap. After this the edge showed several shiny spots along the edge. It would not push cut paper anymore. However the edge could still do working tasks and draw cut paper but not particularly well.Fourth Test: Tip strength. So I used an old 4x4 to test the tip strength. This was a mistake. The wood was much too aged and tough to test such a thin blade. The tip bent after the first stab and pry attempt. However the plus is that the tip did not snap clean off. I was also able to take and gently bend the edge back to normal. I did a similar test the day prior on a 2x4 of pine. And the tip held up fine.
Fifth and final test: Batoning. With such a thin blade I wasn't sure what to expect as far as batoning would go. I used the same 4x4 that I used for the tip test. The outdoorsman batoned through the 4x4 with ease. On the fourth piece I batoned off however I ran into a tough knot and did not continue as I was quite sure the knife would suffer damage. From what I can tell with the naked eye the 3mm blade suffered no twisting or bending after batoning.
So how much work did it take to get the edge back to push cutting paper. It was around 5 minutes on the sharpmaker if that. Seriously this stuff is a breeze to sharpen, yet seem to hold a decent edge. Its no SR-101 but it is dandy for ease of sharpening.
Kitchen work: Cut up dang near two sacks of potatoes and the nice thin blade did this wonderfully.
Final thoughts.
Well for $20.00 dollars shipped, from alot of places, I just don't see how you can go wrong with this blade. If nothing else for a simple knife to keep in the car or a backpack. It can stand up to some decent work. I dont really know about dressing game, I suppose it could probably. It reminds me more of a traditional Japanese tanto? The handle is very grippy but during heavy work it can cause ( at least for me ) a hot spot right below my thumb on the palm of my hand. Sheath is ok. But I am not going to complain about it for the price point.
Hope this was detailed enough, or, not overly detailed. Feedback is much appreciated.
Steeley
Last edited:
I'm kidding
