After having spent several months in what has to be one of the planets most in-hospitable locations, I thought that perhaps the fine folks of Bladeforums would like to know how my knives are working out.
I came to the desert with 8 knives of wildly varying design and purpose. They have pretty much split into two catagories: The ones I use, and the ones I don't.
The first picture depicts the knives I use, and second is for the ones I don't use (note: the knives in the first picture appear slightly larger than they should). First, let it be know that I use these first three knives. That is to say that I don't coddle them, or consider their feeling befor I put them to use. Let me run down the particulars.
1) The Simonich Salish: I first spotted this beauty at Blade Atlanta 2005. I was looking for a knife in this catagory, and considered several. I ended up leaving Blade without making a decision, but as I was heading home, I came to the realization that I wanted the Salish. After I got home, I made a call to Christine, and some months later, I had a Salish at a very good price. Thanks Christine. Why I carry it: I carry the Salish horizontally in the small of my back with a tech-loc fastened to my belt. The knife is just the right size, is easily accesible, and does not cause any discomfort while sitting, or even while laying on a cot. The materials in this knife are top notch. S30V steel, G10 handles, and a well done kydex sheath. This knife gets used to moderate cutting, light chopping, and the occational light prying when nonthing else is close at hand. What I would change: I re-profiled the edge to be somewhat less steep than it was originally. the great steel and thick blade let's me get away with it, though next time, I'll take a little bit out because I experienced some edge chipping. I'd ask for a knife that had a slight bit thinner blade for better slicing without sacrificing too much of the thick/strength.
2) Mini-Ritter: A quality product at a great price. This is an EDC knife that gets used for opening MREs, mail (when I get it), and any other numerous small cutting chores. Why I carry it: I love S30V steel. It really holds an edge for when there isn't time to be sharpening all the time. The FRN handles on this Mini Griptillian mod are plenty good for the application, and surely contributed to the price point. But the real star of this show is the Axis lock. It's solid, intuitive, and ambidexterious too boot. What I would change: There's not much I'd change on this knife. Perhaps an AO or automatic version would be nice touch.
3) Kershaw Leek: My all time favorite knife. A solid, well enginered gadgeteers dream at a great price. I split my EDC time with this one and the mini-ritter. I love em both, but I'd keep the Leek if I had to choose. Why I carry it: It fits the pocket well. The blade was made for slicing. The straight, clean edge is supper easy to maintain. And the AO feature is good for hours of entertainment. Of all the coatings, the Tungsten DLC coating that Kershaw uses is the best I have ever seen. Plenty of soldiers carry an assortment of coated BMs, and they all have one thing in common: The coating and handle paint is worn off. Not so with the DLC coating. I have fervently tried to wear off just a little bit, and failed. What I would change: Nothing that isn't already in the works. S30V/G10 BABY!
The Rest
4) Topps CQT Mini: Purchased at Blade, this is a great knife in 1095 tool steel. When I'v used it, it has been carried in the same manner as the Salish. Horizontal small of the back. This knife was just a little too small, and the choil leaves the finger open to getting sliced if you slip just a little. It's also extremely suceptable to rust. To be fair, this knife is marketed as a neck knife. I already have too much crap like ID tags and access badges around my neck. This is a great knife that just doesn't have the right specs for my use.
5) Camillus CQB1S: It's not that this couldn't get some use. It stays on my battle gear which I just don't use much in the mode we are presently in. Honestly, I've never seen myself having to stick someone with a knife. If my M9 jams, I think I'd just have to duck and run. But just in case, I got this behemoth hanging off my gear. 154CM and canvas micarta scales make a great combination for this knife. It's well made, if not such a great value. I'd also skip the serrated edge.
6) Dalton Warcom: what a great knife! This sucker is big, slim, and made for combat. But, I'd have to be a fool to find myself in "knife" combat. This knife is a victim of being caught between niches. It's an auto-folder, so not the best choice for the heavy abuse where the Salish fills my need. And it's just too big for the EDC slot in my pocket. I do pull it out from time to time, though. It's got alot of snap, and the craftmanship is supurb.
7) Almar Ultralight Falcon: Beautiful linen micarta handles, light as a feather, sharp as sharp can be, and beautiful to behold. I should have left this one at home. The desert is no place for a lady with this much refinement. This is a sunday-going-to-church knife, and I'm glad I'll be able to use it for that again some day.
8) Kershaw 1415: I picked this one up while stationed in Alaska. It has all the halmarks of a great knife: ATS34 blade, G10 scales, excelent fit and finish. I really don't know why Kershaw stopped selling this one. It is perhaps the "most sharpable" knife I have. For the EDC nitch, it looses to the Leek and mini, though. The design is such that the blade takes two hands to get out (for me), and the scimitar shape is not the most practical for my use.
Asseccories
I keep all my knives in top trim with an Edgepro Apex system. A couple times a week, I set it up and sharpen about 30 knives. The main reason I got it was to make sure everyone had a good sharp knife. Of couse, I'm included in that list of "people with sharp knives." For touchups and serrations, I have a set of Spyderco pro-files, and some DMT Diamon Bench Stones. For lubrication, I use Sentry Tuf-glide.
That about wraps it up. The one knife I wished I had (that I REALLY think would get used) is the Kershaw Spec Bump. I hope you all enjoyed this lenghty read, and I welcome any comments or question you all have.
I came to the desert with 8 knives of wildly varying design and purpose. They have pretty much split into two catagories: The ones I use, and the ones I don't.
The first picture depicts the knives I use, and second is for the ones I don't use (note: the knives in the first picture appear slightly larger than they should). First, let it be know that I use these first three knives. That is to say that I don't coddle them, or consider their feeling befor I put them to use. Let me run down the particulars.
1) The Simonich Salish: I first spotted this beauty at Blade Atlanta 2005. I was looking for a knife in this catagory, and considered several. I ended up leaving Blade without making a decision, but as I was heading home, I came to the realization that I wanted the Salish. After I got home, I made a call to Christine, and some months later, I had a Salish at a very good price. Thanks Christine. Why I carry it: I carry the Salish horizontally in the small of my back with a tech-loc fastened to my belt. The knife is just the right size, is easily accesible, and does not cause any discomfort while sitting, or even while laying on a cot. The materials in this knife are top notch. S30V steel, G10 handles, and a well done kydex sheath. This knife gets used to moderate cutting, light chopping, and the occational light prying when nonthing else is close at hand. What I would change: I re-profiled the edge to be somewhat less steep than it was originally. the great steel and thick blade let's me get away with it, though next time, I'll take a little bit out because I experienced some edge chipping. I'd ask for a knife that had a slight bit thinner blade for better slicing without sacrificing too much of the thick/strength.
2) Mini-Ritter: A quality product at a great price. This is an EDC knife that gets used for opening MREs, mail (when I get it), and any other numerous small cutting chores. Why I carry it: I love S30V steel. It really holds an edge for when there isn't time to be sharpening all the time. The FRN handles on this Mini Griptillian mod are plenty good for the application, and surely contributed to the price point. But the real star of this show is the Axis lock. It's solid, intuitive, and ambidexterious too boot. What I would change: There's not much I'd change on this knife. Perhaps an AO or automatic version would be nice touch.
3) Kershaw Leek: My all time favorite knife. A solid, well enginered gadgeteers dream at a great price. I split my EDC time with this one and the mini-ritter. I love em both, but I'd keep the Leek if I had to choose. Why I carry it: It fits the pocket well. The blade was made for slicing. The straight, clean edge is supper easy to maintain. And the AO feature is good for hours of entertainment. Of all the coatings, the Tungsten DLC coating that Kershaw uses is the best I have ever seen. Plenty of soldiers carry an assortment of coated BMs, and they all have one thing in common: The coating and handle paint is worn off. Not so with the DLC coating. I have fervently tried to wear off just a little bit, and failed. What I would change: Nothing that isn't already in the works. S30V/G10 BABY!
The Rest
4) Topps CQT Mini: Purchased at Blade, this is a great knife in 1095 tool steel. When I'v used it, it has been carried in the same manner as the Salish. Horizontal small of the back. This knife was just a little too small, and the choil leaves the finger open to getting sliced if you slip just a little. It's also extremely suceptable to rust. To be fair, this knife is marketed as a neck knife. I already have too much crap like ID tags and access badges around my neck. This is a great knife that just doesn't have the right specs for my use.
5) Camillus CQB1S: It's not that this couldn't get some use. It stays on my battle gear which I just don't use much in the mode we are presently in. Honestly, I've never seen myself having to stick someone with a knife. If my M9 jams, I think I'd just have to duck and run. But just in case, I got this behemoth hanging off my gear. 154CM and canvas micarta scales make a great combination for this knife. It's well made, if not such a great value. I'd also skip the serrated edge.
6) Dalton Warcom: what a great knife! This sucker is big, slim, and made for combat. But, I'd have to be a fool to find myself in "knife" combat. This knife is a victim of being caught between niches. It's an auto-folder, so not the best choice for the heavy abuse where the Salish fills my need. And it's just too big for the EDC slot in my pocket. I do pull it out from time to time, though. It's got alot of snap, and the craftmanship is supurb.
7) Almar Ultralight Falcon: Beautiful linen micarta handles, light as a feather, sharp as sharp can be, and beautiful to behold. I should have left this one at home. The desert is no place for a lady with this much refinement. This is a sunday-going-to-church knife, and I'm glad I'll be able to use it for that again some day.
8) Kershaw 1415: I picked this one up while stationed in Alaska. It has all the halmarks of a great knife: ATS34 blade, G10 scales, excelent fit and finish. I really don't know why Kershaw stopped selling this one. It is perhaps the "most sharpable" knife I have. For the EDC nitch, it looses to the Leek and mini, though. The design is such that the blade takes two hands to get out (for me), and the scimitar shape is not the most practical for my use.
Asseccories
I keep all my knives in top trim with an Edgepro Apex system. A couple times a week, I set it up and sharpen about 30 knives. The main reason I got it was to make sure everyone had a good sharp knife. Of couse, I'm included in that list of "people with sharp knives." For touchups and serrations, I have a set of Spyderco pro-files, and some DMT Diamon Bench Stones. For lubrication, I use Sentry Tuf-glide.
That about wraps it up. The one knife I wished I had (that I REALLY think would get used) is the Kershaw Spec Bump. I hope you all enjoyed this lenghty read, and I welcome any comments or question you all have.
