Sam Wilson
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2012
- Messages
- 3,090
OK, time for the latest installment in the War on Bushcraft series. This one was a little different than the others, in the sense that the other Bushcraft myths propagated by Bushcraft Elitists concerning tanto style blades, and serrated edges, were things that I like. I gotta be honest, I just couldnt bring myself to like this knife for the last several years that its been out.
And I really dont like Bear Grylls style of wilderness reviving. (Resort-Surviving, for those of you not in the know.) Additionally, I really dont like some of the ridiculous stuff he does out in the wilderness, being passed off as real knowledge, skills, and abilities. I understand that its TV, and he was making a living, I just dont care for it. I also really thought it was ridiculous the FAILED bow-drill attempt of his (its on the Yubes), where he obviously cant get an ember, and has terrible form, then they cut away, and miraculously he has a glowing red coal. I dont know which part of that to fix first. But anyway, I thought I would get the knife and give it a try, as I thought if nothing else, it would be a comic gold-mine.
This is not a real review, thats been done before, but just a few thoughts on the knife, and its performance. First, I was really embarrassed to be in the checkout line with this. I could just tell that the cashier knew I was a total rube/greenhorn/city slicker who was about to set foot in the woods and need SAR before I stopped for my first water break. But to be fair to Gerber, for $55.00, I got a sturdy knife, diamond sharpener, fire steel, and whistle. Thats good value, even if it is garishly dressed.
The straight edge and serrations came shaving sharp. The belt loop is a bad joke, and wouldnt fit on my belt. But if I understand correctly, theyre fixing that with the next generation. The sharpener put a great field edge on a couple of my other knives, so good to go there. The fire steel worked great, and was on par with several other steels that I have. I think mounting it upside down was a poor idea, but again, fixed with the next generation, I believe. The blade size and shape were very ergonomic, and the pommel hammer came in very handy.
That leaves, to me, one of the real shining stars of the package, the handle material. It was very comfortable, very forgiving, and a pleasure to use. So, while not my first choice, I think Gerber put out a pretty good package. And yes, I got the serrated version on purpose. I believe that a serrated or saw-type section would be extremely handy on a SURVIVAL knife. Just having something that will continue to cut, even when dull, or you are too tired or injured to sharpen, can be a fantastic advantage. So, watch the video at your own peril, and enjoy. Thanks.
[video=youtube_share;NPG0DTQRhwA]http://youtu.be/NPG0DTQRhwA[/video]
And I really dont like Bear Grylls style of wilderness reviving. (Resort-Surviving, for those of you not in the know.) Additionally, I really dont like some of the ridiculous stuff he does out in the wilderness, being passed off as real knowledge, skills, and abilities. I understand that its TV, and he was making a living, I just dont care for it. I also really thought it was ridiculous the FAILED bow-drill attempt of his (its on the Yubes), where he obviously cant get an ember, and has terrible form, then they cut away, and miraculously he has a glowing red coal. I dont know which part of that to fix first. But anyway, I thought I would get the knife and give it a try, as I thought if nothing else, it would be a comic gold-mine.
This is not a real review, thats been done before, but just a few thoughts on the knife, and its performance. First, I was really embarrassed to be in the checkout line with this. I could just tell that the cashier knew I was a total rube/greenhorn/city slicker who was about to set foot in the woods and need SAR before I stopped for my first water break. But to be fair to Gerber, for $55.00, I got a sturdy knife, diamond sharpener, fire steel, and whistle. Thats good value, even if it is garishly dressed.
The straight edge and serrations came shaving sharp. The belt loop is a bad joke, and wouldnt fit on my belt. But if I understand correctly, theyre fixing that with the next generation. The sharpener put a great field edge on a couple of my other knives, so good to go there. The fire steel worked great, and was on par with several other steels that I have. I think mounting it upside down was a poor idea, but again, fixed with the next generation, I believe. The blade size and shape were very ergonomic, and the pommel hammer came in very handy.
That leaves, to me, one of the real shining stars of the package, the handle material. It was very comfortable, very forgiving, and a pleasure to use. So, while not my first choice, I think Gerber put out a pretty good package. And yes, I got the serrated version on purpose. I believe that a serrated or saw-type section would be extremely handy on a SURVIVAL knife. Just having something that will continue to cut, even when dull, or you are too tired or injured to sharpen, can be a fantastic advantage. So, watch the video at your own peril, and enjoy. Thanks.
[video=youtube_share;NPG0DTQRhwA]http://youtu.be/NPG0DTQRhwA[/video]
