Warning! Brian Andrews has ruined me

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
6,105
What a time for BF to go down! I got an interesting package in the mail today that I wanted to share, more on that to come. First, some background! (Woo, how fun...)

I've been hunting for a 'perfect' bush knife for a long time. It's almost an obsession. And by 'almost', I mean absolutely. It's hard to find that perfect blend of useful size, mild weight, supreme comfort, versatility, and quality. There are lots that I feel are really close, but just not quite there for me.

The BRKT Aurora is a great blade, but the handle wasn't quite right. The handle was made long to allow a variety of grips, but that means the swell is moved back and it becomes awkward to choke up on the blade (which I do most of the time). I really liked the Koster bushcraft, but the handle dimensions were just off for me again. Too thin, to 'short'. My Moras have great blades and steel, but handles that just are slightly less than what I want. They also lack a full tang.

Enter the gent who ruined me! How so? Brian provided a blade that meets all my perceived needs and expectations for what a blade should be. Now what am I supposed to do to justify new blades to myself?

I know how sick we get of glowing reviews of every blade that comes through here, but this is quite deserved. I'd put this one up against anything else I own right now (or have owned).
brianandrewsknifeandaxe002.jpg


Where to start... how about the blade? A great scandi edge, built on 1/8" O1 steel. Not too shallow an angle, not too abrupt. Shaved plenty of hair right out of the package (really shaved it, it didn't just rip hairs out of my arm). The edge is sort of a constant elliptical shape, which really lends itself to slicing.
brianandrewsknifeandaxe006.jpg


The spine is left nice and square, just how I want it. I use the spine of a knife almost as much as the edge, from scraping wood for ultra-fine tinder (see below) to scraping firesteels.
brianandrewsknifeandaxe010.jpg


Ah, to the handle! The best part, and the most difficult aspect. I'm not as finicky about anything as I am about handles. They must be comfortable! They must be hand filling, well rounded, without hotspots, and allow a variety of grips. Very 'full size' and well thought out. The Brian Andrews bushcrafter is all of the above.
brianandrewsknifeandaxe008.jpg

brianandrewsknifeandaxe007.jpg

With a Mora 510:
brianandrewsknifeandaxe009.jpg


(continued below...)
 
This handle is very comfortable for close, delicate carving and for brute duties like making fuzz sticks. Very controllable, no hotspots. It's like a pair of worn in jeans for your hands.
brianandrewsknifeandaxe005.jpg

brianandrewsknifeandaxe017.jpg


How's it do batoning? Just fine. Split a hefty amount of wood for a fire quite easily.
brianandrewsknifeandaxe001.jpg

brianandrewsknifeandaxe011.jpg

brianandrewsknifeandaxe015.jpg


And some comparison with a Mora 510, rehandled Brusletto, and Enzo:
brianandrewsknifeandaxe003.jpg
 
I really love the blade shape on that one!!

Congrats on finding your grail knife!

As for an excuse to keep buying knives? Just buy them to see that you were right in finding the BAB(Brian Andrews Bushcraft) knife.;)
 
But Santa left more in the package! I got myself an axe, too. Definitely my first decent axe. I feel far less qualified to discuss this, but I have a rudimentary understanding of basic axe design, quality, and use. I feel comfortable saying 'this works as well as an axe ought to'. And like the blade, this one does. Brian calls himself an axe aficionado first and foremost, and it really shows here.

I split a good bit of wood outside with it, and it really did split. It's the most power in the smallest package that I've ever handled, or expect to. It really did come shaving sharp as well, and with a lovely polish! :D
brianandrewsknifeandaxe020.jpg

brianandrewsknifeandaxe022.jpg


He's produced way better reviews and pics of this than I can, so I'll just show you some pics! Darkness caught up with me too quickly, so I got less than I'd like.
brianandrewsknifeandaxe021.jpg

brianandrewsknifeandaxe019.jpg

brianandrewsknifeandaxe018.jpg


Thanks for indulging me, folks! I can't say how happy I am with this combo. If I had no other field blades, I'd feel utterly giddy to have just these two. Every time I've had a blade made for me by someone, I've been able to mention small things that I'd like to see changed in them. I can't find a single alteration that I'd suggest to either of these. If you can get your hands on either of these tools, you'd be doing yourself quite a favor. Check Brian's site often!!!
 
That's a fine blade. Has everything good esp the belly.

I remember when he posted a pic of those a while back thinking how nice it was.

Most everyone sort of has some agreement on points of a good user knife like that.

Why is it that so many fall short? Is it the makers aren't the users usually? Is it that certain aspects are harder to do so in order to save time they are eliminated? Is it that certain makers want to put their own style and sometimes that style is at odds with ergonomics?

I don't know but that blade there seems not to cut any corners.:cool::thumbup:
 
Awesome. Just Awesome. What a nice duo!!

I really want one of his axes, and that knife looks very very nice. Good review!!

I will be on the lookout for one of them axes on his site, Brians a very knowlagable axe man, and a very efficiant bussness man too.:thumbup:
 
hollowdweller said:
That's a fine blade. Has everything good esp the belly.

I remember when he posted a pic of those a while back thinking how nice it was.

Most everyone sort of has some agreement on points of a good user knife like that.

Why is it that so many fall short? Is it the makers aren't the users usually? Is it that certain aspects are harder to do so in order to save time they are eliminated? Is it that certain makers want to put their own style and sometimes that style is at odds with ergonomics?

I don't know but that blade there seems not to cut any corners.:cool::thumbup:
Click to expand...

Very, very well said HD. I can't really figure out why others can't reach the same level of thoughtfulness in their product. I know being a real 'in the dirt' user makes a difference. Plus it's hugely evident that Brian saw what worked and what didn't in other blades and put them into this one.

j williams said:
Awesome. Just Awesome. What a nice duo!!

I really want one of his axes, and that knife looks very very nice. Good review!!

I will be on the lookout for one of them axes on his site, Brians a very knowlagable axe man, and a very efficiant bussness man too.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

No joke, Brian was a pleasure to deal with in all regards. Very nice, fast shipping, informative.
 
Varg Lobos said:
I really love the blade shape on that one!!

Congrats on finding your grail knife!

As for an excuse to keep buying knives? Just buy them to see that you were right in finding the BAB(Brian Andrews Bushcraft) knife.;)
Click to expand...

Ha, grail is the right word for it! I'm a lucky man indeed.
 
hollowdweller said:
That's a fine blade. Has everything good esp the belly.

I remember when he posted a pic of those a while back thinking how nice it was.

Most everyone sort of has some agreement on points of a good user knife like that.

Why is it that so many fall short? Is it the makers aren't the users usually? Is it that certain aspects are harder to do so in order to save time they are eliminated? Is it that certain makers want to put their own style and sometimes that style is at odds with ergonomics?

I don't know but that blade there seems not to cut any corners.:cool::thumbup:
Click to expand...

I think that sometimes its the fact that the makers are the users. I think that they are made to what they believe the function, and ergos should be, and the fact is, everyone has differant ideas of that, and everyones hands are differant as well. Ruben and I have talked on the phone about the issue of hand size, and how its sometimes hard to gauge what is average, or small, or large hands. That could be reflected in what issues I hear most often with knives-- Handle size, and ergos. The same might be said with Spookys new blade. Knives are a very personal choice, there is no blanket choice for everybody. All we can do is reccomend, and review, but the end decision has to be made by the user.

All in all, its a good feeling to find that "one knife" I have found mine, and I know what that feeling is. Congrats Will!! I am glad it works well for you!!
 
Great looking knife. I want one, but I have sworn off blades for as long as I can resist the lure! I have a couple recent purchases that have become the "one" for me. I will post reviews soon.
 
As in your post a couple of days ago, I repeat: that is the most "ideal" blade shape in a scandi grind that I've seen. Outstanding! Excellent Spooky :thumbsup:

The axe is beautifully done! I just noticed: in the first picture, it kindly looks like there's a guy with a camera etched into the face of the axe......

Get your internet store set up, Brian!
 
Great review. Awsome knife and axe too. Congrats! :thumbup:

Maybe we'll be seeing Brians screen name in orange letters soon. :p We can hope, right?

Chris
 
brian did a great job on that blade. it turned out great! enjoy it. i hope to get one from him once funds allow.
 
great review spooky...:thumbup: that is a cool looking blade... i like it.. nice work brian...:D

let me know if you need a sheath...:)
 
Very nice blade! Looks quite comfortable to use. :thumbup:

Is the handle canvas micarta? :confused:
I like the greenish earthy color.

Very nice indeed. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top