The Hoodlum Blade 10" Fixed Survival

B

bearcut

Joined
Sep 3, 2006
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I got this last week.

Ron Hood designed and tested it.

The specs:
10” blade, 16 OAL.
3/16, (.187) thick, 5160 steel.
14.5 oz!

The knife is wicked fast and light, very maneuverable and lively in hand.
It snap cuts saplings like nothing is there and yet chops very well, without the fatigue normally associated with large knives. It also doesn’t pull your pants down while wearing it.

The grinds, F&F and geometry are top notch.

This is a very unique knife and there were only 56 made in the first run. Ron hit a home run with this one.
 
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Nice looking knife Bear. I like that curved down handle. I bet it really helps when chopping!
 
Ron Hood is a very knowledgable man. Nice looking knife , I like it's curves as well.


Tostig
 
I am still dying to know if the tang is skeletonized.

That amount of blade with that low of weight is really cool and I wonder how they achieved it.

-Stan
 
The notch serves several purposes: wire breaker, bone scorer and pot lifter.

The handle does roll very well in hand and the 13 degree angle is spot on.

Yes, the tang is skeletonized. Ron does this for a few reasons.
First, the chamber it creates greatly reduces vibration in the hand. Ron featured this on the Fehrman Hood Hunters as well. It works.
Second is weight reduction.
Third, the handles are removable, you can put small items in the chamber if you wish.

I think much of the weight reduction is the result of the lower height of the blade.
Most large survival knives measure around 1 ½ to 1 ¾ inches high. This knife is a little less than 1 ½ inches high. Although there are several 3/16 inch width choppers out now, most are still sharpened prybar designs and stay pretty thick throughout the length. The Hoodlum tapers much more which removes a lot of weight.

I was considering several lighter choppers before I bought this one. Among the candidates were the ESEE Junglas, Busse Bushwacker, Ranger RD9 and the Fehrman FJ. They all weigh around 20-22 ounces. Not bad, but I wanted something even lighter.
 
Got mine in the mail today and I gotta say, I really like it. It is light, but it doesn't feel light, if you get my meaning. Maybe I should say, instead, that it doesn't feel lacking. In fact, if feels very reliable or robust, but without the heft that one normally associates with that.

Also, the handle design is extremely comfortable and makes for what really does feel like an extension of your arm.

I'm very happy with it and can't wait to put it through its paces.
 
Yes it does.
The overall design is fantastic.
The skeletonized handle dissipates vibration very well. That handle is very comfortable too.

Mine is currently out being fitted with a kydex sheath. I’ll post pics when I get it back.
 
I have an old Hood Hunter from several years ago and i don't know if this is very different. Although mine is CPM 3V yours looks otherwise very similar.
At the time Doc Ron had a bit of a falling out with Busse ( i think they're friendly again; at least I hope so) and went to Fehrman.
When Doc Ron originally designed this he was very excited about it. The pot notch was a great idea and he suggested putting ball bearings or something similar in the chamber behind the removable scales as a kind of shock absorber. It doesn't need it but it does work.
It's a great knife. Right up there with Busse ( although i wouldn't expect 5160 to outperform Infi or 3V). It is a large (long) knife that is very versatile and very light and fast in the hand because of the design of the blade.
Enjoy that knife because it's really outstanding.
 
Nice one bearcut. At .220", it is closer to 1/4" than 3/16. Looks like it chop right through a tree!!:thumbup::)
 
HJK said:
I have an old Hood Hunter from several years ago and i don't know if this is very different. Although mine is CPM 3V yours looks otherwise very similar.
At the time Doc Ron had a bit of a falling out with Busse ( i think they're friendly again; at least I hope so) and went to Fehrman.
When Doc Ron originally designed this he was very excited about it. The pot notch was a great idea and he suggested putting ball bearings or something similar in the chamber behind the removable scales as a kind of shock absorber. It doesn't need it but it does work.
It's a great knife. Right up there with Busse ( although i wouldn't expect 5160 to outperform Infi or 3V). It is a large (long) knife that is very versatile and very light and fast in the hand because of the design of the blade.
Enjoy that knife because it's really outstanding.
Click to expand...

Yup, that’s the story.

The Hoodhunter was a great, great knife.
I’ve asked Eric to make another run of them but he says no. I guess they were very tricky to manufacture. Apparently they tossed one for every one that came out right. It sounded like a nightmare they don’t want to repeat.
 
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