Turning traditional

[NoNameNomad]

That Opinel, third down from the top, is fantastic looking. And congrats on the sodbuster, great pattern, a good no frills get it down type of knife. Can't speak to the trapper having not used or owned one, but it's the pattern I'm thinking of trying next, definitely drawn to it lately.

 

[HFinn]

That Opinel, third down from the top, is fantastic looking. And congrats on the sodbuster, great pattern, a good no frills get it down type of knife. Can't speak to the trapper having not used or owned one, but it's the pattern I'm thinking of trying next, definitely drawn to it lately.

The trapper definitely needs it's own pocket sheath.

 

[HFinn]

And here they are. Hope I have not gotten too much out of controll and that you forgive the nasty moderns in the upper row.

 

[HFinn]

Before:

And after:

Much better in the hand now.

 

[HFinn]

On a whim I ordered a Buck Canoe, since it was available. Lets see how it looks like, the reviews have been good.

 

[HFinn]

I got the canoe. My first impressions are positive. The knife is small, but it still fils my hand and is comfortable to hold. The blades, both the main blade and the pen blade took hair off my arm, which was more than I expected. The springs sit flush and even both in open and closed positions and the wooden handle slabs are even with the liners. The pins dont stick out at all.

The main blade has a very small sideways play. The springs are a bit light to my taste, but in a knife this small it is not a big deal. The blades open smoothly.

Overall, a small, easy to carry, out of box sharp, nicely finished pocketknife at a very reasonable price. I am pleased with this one. I really dont mind the made in china text, if a knife is well made it does not matter where it is made.

 

[HFinn]

Got also the Slimline Trapper. This is a strange knife. They truly did not lie when named it slimline. Still the extra lenght of the handle gives it good controll. The blade is, well, slim. This is the green pocket worn model.

What I like: slimness, this knife you dont notice for example in the comb pocket of a suit jacket. The blade is sharp, needs some touch up but not much. The shape is quite elegant. This is to be used in light duty, like cutting fruit etc. The spring is on the light side but has good snap. I also like the color.

What I dont like: there is some blade play. I could wrap it in leather and give it a squeeze in work bench. The spring is slightly raised in open position.

 

[HFinn]

I have used this little sardinian style folder by FOX knives for some food preparation. I first stropped it slightly and used also the steel to hone the blade. Have you ever had the feeling that some knife is so sharp you want to laugh hysterically? The hair in my arms just jumps out of the way of this blade in absolute horror.

The thin tip might be fragile, but it makes cutting soft materials a breeze. You can cut with absolute precision. The design is very good. Those sardinians sure knew what they were doing designing this blade. And the cutlers in Maniago made a good effort to copy it. The slip joint action is actually better than some of my Cases. Not bad for a not very expensive knife.

Sorry for the quality of the pictures, I gave my better camera to my in-law.

 

[HFinn]

Hello again and greetings from my summer vacation, which is almost over. A couple of pictures of my Roselli knives that were my constant companions during the trip. I really fell in love with the smaller one.

 

[scruffuk]

Good to hear from you amigo. Hope you've been having a good time and had some happy 'hunting'?

Sometimes a small knife like this can really surprise you right?

 

[HFinn]

It really did. So sharp and handy, fits the pocket. Still very strong. Yes, the trip was great. My physical condition went up, I feel so good both mentally and phycically.

 

[scruffuk]

Excellent to hear that.

You cannot underestimate the restorative effects of communing a little with nature.

 

[HFinn]

I got my Queen mountain man lockback today. I found out that the edge needs quite a lot of work to get it sharp. This D2 is hard, but I got it to the point it starts taking off hair from my arm. The curve of the tip is causing me trouble, whatever I do I just cant get it sharp. Some tips would be needed, please.

 

[puukkoman]

I got my Queen mountain man lockback today. I found out that the edge needs quite a lot of work to get it sharp. This D2 is hard, but I got it to the point it starts taking off hair from my arm. The curve of the tip is causing me trouble, whatever I do I just cant get it sharp. Some tips would be needed, please.

I'd say, double-check your angle, and aside from that just keep at it. Your bevels will eventually meet in the middle....

I gave mine the "convex treatment" at one time, using fine sandpaper on a mousepad. The objective here was to thin out the "shoulder" of the blade, making it thinner just behind the edge bevel, to improve slicing geometry. Now, I just sharpen it normally on a stone, freehand, and it slices like a demon.

Congrats on your MM, I hope you like it as much as I do mine!

 

[HFinn]

Congrats on your MM, I hope you like it as much as I do mine!

Thanks. Quess I just need patience.

This knife is without doupt a beauty. It really needs a hand-made pocket or belt sheath. I will start on that when I get the edge right.

 

[knarfeng]

Thanks. Quess I just need patience.

This knife is without doubt a beauty. It really needs a hand-made pocket or belt sheath. I will start on that when I get the edge right.

Yes sir. Patience. (And a diamond hone doesn't hurt, either.)

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[HFinn]

I have a diamond hone. Looks like I need a diamond hone with a guide system to keep the angle constant.

 

[puukkoman]

The problem is just that you're likely changing the bevel angle, methinks, in which case this will be the most difficult sharpening job you'll do to that blade. Once you get it where you want it, and you don't have to remove significant amounts of metal from the shoulder any more, subsequent sharpenings will be much easier (well, really it will be honing, instead of sharpening, and you won't have to do it very often at all on Queen's D2).

In your shoes, I wouldn't worry about a guide system. Freehand works just fine for that steel, just takes a while. Frank is right, though, a diamond hone will dramatically reduce the time you spend reprofiling.

 

[HFinn]

I finally got it sharp. Not as sharp as I feel it can be, but sharp. I think I need a finer grit. Anyway, after much honing and trial and error with the Dianova diamond file, I switched to Gatco stone system with guides. I think it made the difference. I ended with a ceramic rod and some stropping on leather. The blade had a thick shoulder and I had to remove some material. I wonder why Queen cutlery can not do this right in the first place?

I also gave the blade a bath in vinegar and I am pleased with the result. Pictures will come later.

 

[HFinn]

Forgot my better camera, but got half-decent photos with a cellphone. There is not a big blotch on the blade center, it is a shadow. This knife is a real gem. The blade opens smoothly and locks with a loud snap. One of my grails came true. These days my favourites are either lockbacks or friction folders.