- Joined
- Oct 7, 2007
- Messages
- 988
My evaluation of the SAR 8 SE as chopper is as follows:
I have several oak trees in my back yard that have been steady dropping limbs, and the time came to clean them up.
The SAR 8 SE was definitely up for the job. The branches had dried out, and were therefore harder than green wood. The SAR 8 SE ate through them with no trouble. I did find that aim and strike placement were critical, because a misplaced blow resulted in a shock wave transmitted through the knife to the wrist and arm. While this is the case with most knives, I found it to be especially noticeable with the SAR 8 SE. I slowed down and concentrated a bit more, and that problem went away. A pair of gloves would have probably eliminated it all together.
The SAR 8 SE took man sized bites out of the wood for sure. While I was chopping with it, I felt like the only way I could do the job any faster would be to use a Battle Mistress.
In my estimation, the same task would have taken only slightly less time with the Battle Mistress. I do think that my arm was not quite as tired using the SAR 8 SE as it would have been if using the Mistress.
My overall impression of the SAR 8 SE is a good one. Its weight, fit & feel, chopping performance, and versatility make this knife a perfect tool for camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. I know this is one knife that I will keep for life.
I love this knife. IMHO, this is one of the most versatile and useful knives ever made by anyone, and it will be at my side whenever I set foot in the woods or on the water. All I can say is that if you missed out on this one, try to pick one up if given the chance, and you wont be sorry.
I have several oak trees in my back yard that have been steady dropping limbs, and the time came to clean them up.
The SAR 8 SE was definitely up for the job. The branches had dried out, and were therefore harder than green wood. The SAR 8 SE ate through them with no trouble. I did find that aim and strike placement were critical, because a misplaced blow resulted in a shock wave transmitted through the knife to the wrist and arm. While this is the case with most knives, I found it to be especially noticeable with the SAR 8 SE. I slowed down and concentrated a bit more, and that problem went away. A pair of gloves would have probably eliminated it all together.
The SAR 8 SE took man sized bites out of the wood for sure. While I was chopping with it, I felt like the only way I could do the job any faster would be to use a Battle Mistress.
In my estimation, the same task would have taken only slightly less time with the Battle Mistress. I do think that my arm was not quite as tired using the SAR 8 SE as it would have been if using the Mistress.
My overall impression of the SAR 8 SE is a good one. Its weight, fit & feel, chopping performance, and versatility make this knife a perfect tool for camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. I know this is one knife that I will keep for life.
I love this knife. IMHO, this is one of the most versatile and useful knives ever made by anyone, and it will be at my side whenever I set foot in the woods or on the water. All I can say is that if you missed out on this one, try to pick one up if given the chance, and you wont be sorry.
