Thoughts on the Chaos Bowie

[Vlade]

This is what baffles me I put mineral oil on it every time I get done carrying it. Then I put it away and now it's got a nice stain on it. Sucks

 

[DDDYLN]

I hear you. Your cars probably don't last as long either. A lot of people oil their knives with gun oil like Break Free CLP, or even WD40. Since I have a lot of black coated high carbon steel blades, that will quickly rust without oil, I just use plain old drug store mineral oil. It was suggested to me by someone who knows knives. Mineral oil seems to soak into the metal, at least on the high carbon steel knives. I suspect it doesn't protect as long as other oils or greases, but it's completely non toxic.

 

[DangerZone98]

My understanding is that AUS-10, and even AUS-8 will rust if they aren't kept dry. They're not as stainless as a cheap steel like 420. I have an AUS-10 Voyager XL. I've had it for about 2 years (maybe 3), and it's never rusted. However, my home is always very dry, and I keep the knife dry. If I'm walking my dog in the rain, the knife often gets wet. I usually dry it with paper towels, and then let it sit in dry air for several hours.

If I may add too, I think I read somewhere that AUS10 has better edge retention than AUS8 but loses a bit of stain resistance.

 

[DDDYLN]

Thank you for the response. I've got a rust spot on my Espada and I'm not happy about it. Maybe it's the salt in the air. And I do oil them quite often.

I have to take back my previous response. After 3 years in an air conditioned home, my Cold Steel XL Voyager in AUS-10 got a rust spot on it. I do carry it almost ever day, and I often walk my dog in the rain with it. That's probably what did it. I guess I'm going to start putting mineral oil on my AUS-8 and AUS-10 knives. Speaking of water affecting stainless steel, I have a pair of toenail clippers in a small plastic box I take to the gym. I typically shave and shower at the gym, and clip my toenails when they need it. That pair of clippers rusted so badly in that plastic box, I had to throw them out. I believe toenail clippers are 420HC.

 

[DDDYLN]

For owners of this knife, does it perform well as a wilderness knife? I don’t see a lot of reviews of this knife online. It’s clearly meant for combat applications, but I was wondering if it would lend itself well to chopping thin branches and bush clearing. In theory, the SK5 steel should hold up to abuse.

So, I wanted to update you. I typically keep my Chaos Bowie by my bed for self defense. However, on a recent cabin in the woods trip, I took it. Before the trip, I got it hair shaving sharp on my Work Sharp Ken Onion, which was surprisingly easy. We were making a fire outside, but all the sticks were wet. I rolled out a bunch of cut logs that were under the porch for firewood. The Chaos Bowie batoned those logs like a boss, even the hardwood logs. The logs were wet outside as well (but dry inside). It literally went through them like butter. Now, after batoning like 4 large cut logs, I would trust this knife for anything outdoor related. It's extremely tough. I suppose that despite the tang not being wide, the aluminum knuckle grip adds a lot of structural strength to where the blade meets the grips, because the blade is sandwiched in there hard.

 

[DDDYLN]

So, I wanted to update you. I typically keep my Chaos Bowie by my bed for self defense. However, on a recent cabin in the woods trip, I took it. Before the trip, I got it hair shaving sharp on my Work Sharp Ken Onion, which was surprisingly easy. We were making a fire outside, but all the sticks were wet. I rolled out a bunch of cut logs that were under the porch for firewood. The Chaos Bowie batoned those logs like a boss, even the hardwood logs. The logs were wet outside as well (but dry inside). It literally went through them like butter. Now, after batoning like 4 large cut logs, I would trust this knife for anything outdoor related. It's extremely tough. I suppose that despite the tang not being wide, the aluminum knuckle grip adds a lot of structural strength to where the blade meets the grip, because the blade is sandwiched in there hard.

 

[DangerZone98]

So, I wanted to update you. I typically keep my Chaos Bowie by my bed for self defense. However, on a recent cabin in the woods trip, I took it. Before the trip, I got it hair shaving sharp on my Work Sharp Ken Onion, which was surprisingly easy. We were making a fire outside, but all the sticks were wet. I rolled out a bunch of cut logs that were under the porch for firewood. The Chaos Bowie batoned those logs like a boss, even the hardwood logs. The logs were wet outside as well (but dry inside). It literally went through them like butter. Now, after batoning like 4 large cut logs, I would trust this knife for anything outdoor related. It's extremely tough. I suppose that despite the tang not being wide, the aluminum knuckle grip adds a lot of structural strength to where the blade meets the grips, because the blade is sandwiched in there hard.

Hey man. Thanks for the update, I appreciate it. The Chaos is a wicked blade that’s for sure. I don’t use mine for knife things often but it has a permanent spot in my collection.

How’s the comfort while chopping though?

 

[DDDYLN]

Hey man. Thanks for the update, I appreciate it. The Chaos is a wicked blade that’s for sure. I don’t use mine for knife things often but it has a permanent spot in my collection.

How’s the comfort while chopping though?

I can't be 100% sure. I was merely batoning, not swinging it like a machete at branches. Obviously, when batoning cut logs, you have to chop with the blade once, to get it to bite into the log. It definitely bit in deep. But like I said, I had just sharpened it, and it's a 5mm thick blade (maybe slightly thicker). I don't remember it being uncomfortable, or transferring the shock to my hands. I have the exact correct size hands for the aluminum handle. For extended use, I suspect it would be uncomfortable to chop for a long period, unless you're wearing gloves. That said, I could definitely see taking it to camp for a few days. I think the most shocking thing about this knife, is how durable it is. It definitely doesn't look as durable as it is. I wouldn't use it as a pry bar, but it will do most jobs. I believe it's a full flat grind, which I prefer.

 

[DDDYLN]

Hey man. Thanks for the update, I appreciate it. The Chaos is a wicked blade that’s for sure. I don’t use mine for knife things often but it has a permanent spot in my collection.

How’s the comfort while chopping though?

I was incorrect. It's not a full flat grind. The flat grind goes up to roughly half the width of the knife.

 

[DangerZone98]

I can't be 100% sure. I was merely batoning, not swinging it like a machete at branches. Obviously, when batoning cut logs, you have to chop with the blade once, to get it to bite into the log. It definitely bit in deep. But like I said, I had just sharpened it, and it's a 5mm thick blade (maybe slightly thicker). I don't remember it being uncomfortable, or transferring the shock to my hands. I have the exact correct size hands for the aluminum handle. For extended use, I suspect it would be uncomfortable to chop for a long period, unless you're wearing gloves. That said, I could definitely see taking it to camp for a few days. I think the most shocking thing about this knife, is how durable it is. It definitely doesn't look as durable as it is. I wouldn't use it as a pry bar, but it will do most jobs. I believe it's a full flat grind, which I prefer.

Fighting was definitely the intended purpose lol, but it’s awesome to know that it can do big knife things in a pinch. For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t use any of my knives as a pry bar unless someone’s life depended on it.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[DDDYLN]

Fighting was definitely the intended purpose lol, but it’s awesome to know that it can do big knife things in a pinch. For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t use any of my knives as a pry bar unless someone’s life depended on it.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Me neither, but people definitely do it. They jam the tip into wood, and pry. I guess if you're truly in a survival situation, there might be a need for that. I don't like ruining the tips of my blades.

 

[PsychoSword]

I hear you. Your cars probably don't last as long either. A lot of people oil their knives with gun oil like Break Free CLP, or even WD40. Since I have a lot of black coated high carbon steel blades, that will quickly rust without oil, I just use plain old drug store mineral oil. It was suggested to me by someone who knows knives. Mineral oil seems to soak into the metal, at least on the high carbon steel knives. I suspect it doesn't protect as long as other oils or greases, but it's completely non toxic.

It depends a lot on the climate too and if you sweat on the blade. I live in a pretty dry climate and I can usually get away with not putting any oil on carbon steel.

 

[DayofReckoning]

I wish Cold Steel (GSM) would bring back the Chaos Tanto and Stiletto.

 

[DangerZone98]

I have to take back my previous response. After 3 years in an air conditioned home, my Cold Steel XL Voyager in AUS-10 got a rust spot on it. I do carry it almost ever day, and I often walk my dog in the rain with it. That's probably what did it. I guess I'm going to start putting mineral oil on my AUS-8 and AUS-10 knives. Speaking of water affecting stainless steel, I have a pair of toenail clippers in a small plastic box I take to the gym. I typically shave and shower at the gym, and clip my toenails when they need it. That pair of clippers rusted so badly in that plastic box, I had to throw them out. I believe toenail clippers are 420HC.

If I had to guess, maybe it’s from perspiration? Massad Ayoob mentioned in the past that even firearms can be susceptible to mundane everyday sweat. If it’s going to be your EDC, it’s just gonna be a fact of life. S35VN and LC200N should be more rust resistant than the AUS steels.

I haven’t had AUS rust on me yet, but I’ve seen rust spots on my SK5 and 1055 knives.

 

[DDDYLN]

If I had to guess, maybe it’s from perspiration? Massad Ayoob mentioned in the past that even firearms can be susceptible to mundane everyday sweat. If it’s going to be your EDC, it’s just gonna be a fact of life. S35VN and LC200N should be more rust resistant than the AUS steels.

I haven’t had AUS rust on me yet, but I’ve seen rust spots on my SK5 and 1055 knives.

That's most likely what it is, as I carried it daily. Recently, I switched out to a Luzon Large, solely because it's easier to get out of my pants, and faster to deploy. The XL Voyager is now in the glove box with mineral oil on it. And yes, my pistol is often wet when I come home. I guess you could say I'm a heavy sweater. I typically wipe down my pistol slide, but not my knife.