Hi All,
First, Bill, I didn't know that there was a Barong in the works!! If so, since the project is a ways off yet... Add me to the list along with Smokey.
Now to the subject at hand. I bought both a CarbonV and a Stainless ATC (1/4") when they came out several years ago. This pre-dates the much newer LTC by several years. The blade design is something of a cross between a Khukuri and a Bolo, though it more closely resembles the Bolo. I sold the CarbonV knife and kept the SS version for the following reasons: 1) The rubber grip is great in subzero weather. 2) The stainless is either AUS-8 or AUS-6, both are tough enough to work in the cold without being brittle (like ATS-34). 3) The paddle shape of the fore section of the blade. 4) Points 1-3 combined with a flat grind make it a good snow knife. 5) Where I live and the weather gets to -20Degrees F. and below (hasn't happened much in the last few years) cutting fiberous material becomes quite a chore with heavy cloths and "choppers" on....it is also dangerous. The danger of having a blade hit the frozen wood and glance off to hit some body part that is much less resistant to a sharp edge is high, therefore, having a bldae that BITES in and sticks a little while up close is sometimes an advantage. An Axe head is more distant thus safer to use in the winter.
I as yet have not had the oppertunity to use any of my HI Khukuries in that kind of cold, so I can't comment for or against them under said applications, but in fairness to Cold Steel with the ATC I don't see HI K's replacing it any time soon as a snow knife. However, I must hasten to add that this may not apply to the Cold Steel Ghurka, much less any of the lite models.
Dan
ps. to anyone interested: the ATC is no longer made.
