Timberline Lightfoot collaboration

ThinkOfTheChildren

ThinkOfTheChildren

Joined
Jul 7, 2000
Messages
1,556
The local B&M store just got this fixed blade in today. I got to handle it and it's pretty sweet. It's an OD green sheath with OD green handle and black blade. The sheath is huge and is meant to be attached to a belt and then strapped to your thigh. What's weird is that the sheath seems to be somewhat left handed. If you wear it on your right side the sheath is flat on the outside but rounded against your leg: doesn't really seem to make sense. Maybe I was rigging it wrong. Anyway, it's cool and I'll probably buy it in the near future.
 
So any new word on this knife? Has anyone bought one?

TOTC, is it possible that the sheath is supposed to be carried with the edge forward on the right side? For quick draw in an ice-pick grip?
 
Callahwj is right. This is what it looks like:

tmzampshth.jpg


Although knifecenter says it's rigged for shoulder carry, the sheath has what appear to be leg straps.
 
Yep, that is where I saw it. Just stumbled across it looking for something else. So, I came on here, did a search for a review, and found this thread. So, apparently it hasn't sold very well, I'm guessing, since apparently no one on here has bought one, or at least cares to comment on it. It really doesn't seem to be that bad a price, considering the collaborator, the materials, and the elaborate sheath (or maybe that's a liability....).
 
I have not bought one yet since I really don't have a need for a large fixed blade as I'm a city boy.

I really don't see how it could be rigged for shoulder carry: I think KnifeCenter might have gotten the wrong info. If I am correct and it is for thigh carry then it can't go edge forward because of the button release you see on the sheath and the side that the belt strap is attached to: see in the pic what I'm saying?

The sheath didn't really feel like kydex (felt cheaper) but I aint a sheathmaker so I could be dead wrong. It's a cool and intimidating sheath but I don't see it as practical. I would love to strap it on and mosey around but that would be for the badass factor.
 
Hmmm... oh well. It's not something I'd need either, I suppose. Better off saving my money for a Busse, or Busse Basic. But MAN, that is a nice lookin' knife (for the money).
 
I couldn't find any info of what steel the blade is made?
Did I miss something, or it's not disclosed yet?
 
I bought one of these last week. It's called the Zambezi.
The blade steel is 440-c. The blade and edge is as thick as a Cold Steel SRK on steroids.
Before I proceed with my initial impressions of this knife, it is only fair to tell you I've not done any cutting tests with it yet.

The sheathing system is a black ops operator's dream come true. For the everyday person like me, it's more like a nightmare. After you get the bloody thing on, you feel as trussed up as a bondage bitch.
The sheath claims to be Kydex, but it does not look or feel like the Kydex I use or get on other knife sheaths.:confused:
It also takes a bit of practice at un-sheathing the beast. You have to fully depress the button located under the sub-hilt before pulling the blade free. It sounds easy, but it took me quite a few tries before getting consistently good withdrawals. The sheath does not work really well without tying it to your leg either.
The edge:rolleyes: was soooo highly polished, it would not cut or even shave hair. They polished the edge right off. After re-establishing the edge on a ceramic stone, it was scary sharp but the thickness of the edge still is not what I would consider "high performance". Too bloody thick. Don't even think about using a Sharpmaker on this edge. The edge angle is 25+ degrees.
The knife is basically a stainless steel sharpened pry bar.

The good thing about it though is the handle. It's fairly comfortable. You can choke up on the handle and get a sub-hilt advantage out of the handle. Move your grip behind the sub-hilt and you still have a handful of handle with more leverage for chopping and the sub-hilt becomes the main guard. Pretty cool.:cool: Please refer heavily to the pic that el cid provided to see what I'm babbling about.:o

If you are an actual operator, or want the same type of equipment that a CIA operator or Navy Seal may have, or your a ninja death-mongerer, into bondage or just a gadget freak kinda knife person, this knife is worth a closer look.
If you like your knives to be like sharpened pry bars, this knife is most definately worth a look.
If you are two or more of the above, this knife is a serious "must have" item for you.
Rotsa ruck GI!:D
 
LOL :D Good review. Sounds like it might make a good fighter. But is also sounds like it is probably not for me. The Fallkniven A1 that I have is about as much prybar as I need, and has/takes/holds a wicked edge. And might DO as a fighter if pressed, although the guard isn't gonna stop anything incoming. Just keep your hand from riding up. I really like the looks of the handle on this Lightfoot, but if the blade doesn't fit my needs... Oh well....

Thanks misque.
 
Today, I had a lotta time to kill, so I thought I'd break out the Zambezi and see what I could do with it.
Well, that was the original intent. I pretty much spent that time messing with that techno-nightmare sheath. This has got to be the most "bells and whistles" laden sheath I've ever handled.:(
An hour of messing and tinkering and I still couldn't get it rigged to suit my needs. The only way to make this thing work is to strap it to your leg like a freakin colostomy bag.:barf: I have thick thighs, so this was not even possible for me because the nylon strapping supplied is obviously meant for stick legged soldier types.:mad: GEEZ!
After throwing up the white flag in complete surrender to the sheath, I grabbed the knife and and intended to take it out and thrash the fallen limbs in my back yard. I couldn't even do that. Common sense stopped me because if I use it, I cannot sell it as NIB.:rolleyes:

This may not actually be as bad a knife and sheath system as I make it out to be. I'm sure it will fill the bill for someone somewhere. There seems to be a real "need" for sharpened pry bars out there that can be tied down to the umteenth degree.
However, I am not liking this knife and sheath combo very much.:barf:
 
Originally posted by misque
After throwing up the white flag in complete surrender to the sheath, I grabbed the knife and and intended to take it out and thrash the fallen limbs in my back yard. I couldn't even do that. Common sense stopped me because if I use it, I cannot sell it as NIB.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

If you really want to sell it, shoot me an email. I've had my eye on this knife and it doesn't seem to have any problems that Normark can't fix....\
 
callahwj,
I had every intention of dumping this knife. However, last night it occurred to me that a part of my "collection" that is sorely lacking is a high quality diving knife.
It just so happens that this knife will make a perfect dive knife. It has most all of the attributes that make for a standout dive knife. It's a 440-c sharpened pry bar that is totally epoxy coated (even the handles under the scales) except for the knife's edge bevel. It is fairly thick all the way out to the point. The handle is set up so you can use the end of the knife for pounding or hammering. The handle's integral sub-hilt allows you greater leverage for a difficult extraction should the blade become stuck in something. The plastic handle should be impervious to salt water.
If I cannot get the sheath to work, I will make a real Kydex sheath for it that will work.

The knife is a perfect dive/snorkel knife.
The sheath, however, is still a wild card. I'll have to see if it'll work in this capacity. Thankfully, my calves are not as thick as my thighs.:barf:
 
I got one of these a couple of months ago from Knifecenter. I initially bought it for the "cool" factor. I haven't actually "done" much with it yet but I love this knife. When I'm "outdoorsing" I am highly active so I really appreciate the security that the sheath allows. I was also puzzled about the "flat" side of the sheath but didn't spend a lot of time worrying about it. The sheath does not have to be used as intended out of the box. A lot of the "bells & whistles" can be easily removed and even turned around so the sheath is "lefty friendly" (the button can be released by the thumb or the index finger). The sheath can be made "simple" if a little time is afforded. It does not feel like kydex but rather closer to the "secure-ex" that Cold Steel uses in some of their sheaths. It also has lashing holes for paracord or whatever. Not a bad venture at all and probably my favorite sheath of all my knives. The leg straps are pretty short... I'm only 175 lbs. and they are tight on my legs. I could see where this would be a problem for bigger guys.
As far as the knife goes, it is pretty thick, though mine popped hairs right out of the box. I really appreciate "the no-frills" construction and the durability of the coating and handle(as was stated above would be a great diving knife). I am a fan of big, heavy duty knives and this one is a good one. It would also make a terrific fighter. Like I said, I haven't done much with it but when I do I will definitely post some feedback. I just saw all the negative stuff about it and decided I would post some counter thoughts. If you want a good heavy-duty, multi-purpose outdoor/utility knife with a good multi-optional sheath, this is the one for you.

Cam
 
Well, seems like I'm one of the few to have actuallu used this knife much, at least a little bit. THe blade is thick, and the balance is a bit different from my Buck Nighthawk. I thought perhaps it would chop better than the Nighthawk, but I didn't really find much different, both do reasonably well for a six-inch or so knife. Surprisingly, the Zambezi whittled better than the buck did, perhaps due to the grip the Zambezi gives? Anyway, the edge out of the box was fair, but not great, but it sharpens up well and holds the edge pretty good also. Overall I'm reasonably pleased. The sheath is a bit odd, but I haven't had as many problems with it as others have. I agree it does not feel like Kydex, rather its a bit flimsy feeling, but I haven't really bumped it around much so who knows...

I'm about to get a Falkniven A1, I'll be interested to see how it compares to the Zambezi and the Buck. I've heard good things about the A1 so far... In general, I prefer a heavy-duty field knife also, but not one much over six inches. So far the Zambezi seems to fit the description pretty well.
 
I don't have a Zambezi, but I do have the Fallkniven A1. Excellent knife, I love it. Holds its edge REALLY well, and comes with an excellent sheath (if you order the Kydex one, that is; can't speak for the leather or cordura<?>). Chops well, even though IMO it is not really balanced for being a chopper.
 
Bringing an old post btt.

I just got a TImberline Zambezi and it is quite a beast. I did search on the forum and found this post about them. I have to agree that the knife is very sturdy and the sheath is definately "Bomb proof"!

It took me a bit to figure out how to lengthen the belt loop to drop the sheath low enough to allow me to attach the straps around my thigh. It does look as if the sheath is backwards as the curved portion is against my leg and the flat side is facing out. That large SR-50 buckle on the belt loop is big enough to tow a Jeep with!

I would have no problem rappeling out of a helicopter, jumping out of an airplane or diving with the knife in this sheath, but I think it is a bit too much for wearing when I am on my ATV's or just hiking in the outback. I think I will be in the market for a simpler Kydex sheath for my belt for this blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top