Just got this in trade (thank you Gene), this being an older model with kydex sheath. The VG is a fave among the megafolder/self defense crowd. James Mattis called it a tactical bread knife and rightfully so.
The Aus 8 blade is quite sharp and bears the famous CS micro serrations. The Nogales clip pattern also lends itself to the Bowie backcut techniques. There's an ambi thumb stud and newer models have jimping near the studs, which I can understand.
The zytel handle has an oval shaped lanyard hole and some prominent filing near the lock. Bluntly, they won't stop your hand on a stab but slow it down pretty much. Opening is smooth but the pin could be a bit tighter on this model. For some though, the pins are a bit too tight.
The riveted pancake type kydex IWB sheath is wide and flexes if you squeeze it. It's thin and I wouldn't expect it to take too much impact. The kydex clip is okay, not the tightest but usable and you can get creative carry with some paracord.
The VG is better in sabre grip than reverse as you can't cap it and it feels more secure in sabre. Most likely, 2" or so of the butt will protrude and some folks can use that in a self defense situation. Overall, this is on of the better CS knives I've seen. I've owned a one of their early liner locks and held the El Lobo which was waay too stiff to be practical.
As a self defense piece, you've got obvious reach and have a greater margin of error with this knife. Jim March calls this a more affordable Sifu and I agree. However, I would not use the VG as a fist load, I would with the Sifu which also has better thumbstuds, smoother action, and a heavier feel. Though the VG should be sharper out of the box. Switching grips was hard for me, for the knifefighting folks, I had an easier time using a cigar flip instead of the rotational spin.
The VG is a good piece for the average user, I would take the serrations out and the get bigger thumbstuds as wells as thicker or stronger kydex. It wouldn't hurt if the steel was VG 10 or so. As always, if you're thinking about using a knife for self defense it would be good to get some competent instruction.
[This message has been edited by Smoke (edited 11-20-2000).]
The Aus 8 blade is quite sharp and bears the famous CS micro serrations. The Nogales clip pattern also lends itself to the Bowie backcut techniques. There's an ambi thumb stud and newer models have jimping near the studs, which I can understand.
The zytel handle has an oval shaped lanyard hole and some prominent filing near the lock. Bluntly, they won't stop your hand on a stab but slow it down pretty much. Opening is smooth but the pin could be a bit tighter on this model. For some though, the pins are a bit too tight.
The riveted pancake type kydex IWB sheath is wide and flexes if you squeeze it. It's thin and I wouldn't expect it to take too much impact. The kydex clip is okay, not the tightest but usable and you can get creative carry with some paracord.
The VG is better in sabre grip than reverse as you can't cap it and it feels more secure in sabre. Most likely, 2" or so of the butt will protrude and some folks can use that in a self defense situation. Overall, this is on of the better CS knives I've seen. I've owned a one of their early liner locks and held the El Lobo which was waay too stiff to be practical.
As a self defense piece, you've got obvious reach and have a greater margin of error with this knife. Jim March calls this a more affordable Sifu and I agree. However, I would not use the VG as a fist load, I would with the Sifu which also has better thumbstuds, smoother action, and a heavier feel. Though the VG should be sharper out of the box. Switching grips was hard for me, for the knifefighting folks, I had an easier time using a cigar flip instead of the rotational spin.
The VG is a good piece for the average user, I would take the serrations out and the get bigger thumbstuds as wells as thicker or stronger kydex. It wouldn't hurt if the steel was VG 10 or so. As always, if you're thinking about using a knife for self defense it would be good to get some competent instruction.
[This message has been edited by Smoke (edited 11-20-2000).]
