WSK design - is it any good really?

Buffalohump

Buffalohump

Joined
Sep 7, 2006
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I figured this is the best place to ask this question....

I have been doing some research into the WSK design conceived by Dave Beck and contemplating getting someone to make me one.

I don't like the TOPS interpretation at all but there are a couple of people out there doing very nice versions of it that are very much like the original ones from Beck (which fetch a very high price nowadays).

But is this design actually all that? What do folks here think about it? Has anyone used one in the boonies? I'd like to get some opinions before I drop serious cash on one.

BTW here is a shot of one that I came across recently....

WSK.jpg
 
hollowdweller said:
I think a good khukuri is way cheaper and better.
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What he said. Or, a combo of a small-medium sized belt knife + hatchet/axe/machete will offer a lot more flexibiltiy. I of course have diddly-squat experience in African wilderness, so you know your own needs better than I could guess.
 
I think the design has some merit, but I also think a conventional looking field knife of the same size could do the same thing.
 
The design has its merits but all the designs that I have seen use thick stock and huge handles.

I think that a short machete (12-14") with a sawback and differentially sharpened would be a better, lighter option.
 
I think as far as the design goes, the Beck version is probably among the best. (I've seen a few one offs that I liked better)

Generally speaking I don't like the design, I feel it carries about twice the metal it needs to, and that you can do better for a WSS knife. The saw is almost pointless to me (I can cut better with the saw on my outrider SAK), and the knife loses a lot of its general utility with all the stuff on the blade. But I also know people who really enjoy using it.
 
If you are only ever going to carry one knife then they are worth considering but a large knife such as my Chopweiler and a SAK/Multi-tool combo or medium/small fixed + SAK + small axe will perform any tasks far better !!!!
 
Let me preface my response with the admission that I've never used any of the variations of the WSK. That being said, I do have a general opinion of these. I think they are an interesting blade shape, with numerous features. Depending on the maker, there may be more or less functionality from one model to the next. As has already been said, I think a combination of other blades and tools can achieve the same functions, but with better performance. What hasn't been said is that, IMHO, these other tools can be had at a lower overall cost than many of the custom WSKs I have seen. In the woods, I'd much rather worry about losing individual tools and the functionality that each possesses rather than worrying about losing one blade and losing everything.
 
I haven't used one of these either, but I can't see it as performing as well as a Becker BK 2 and a Silky saw. The Becker has the weight for chopping and would be, imho, a much better all around cutter. As for the saw, it's no match for the Silky, or even a SAK saw. The BK 2 and a Silky saw together come out to less than $100.
 
O1 and osage, 12" overall, 6" cutting edge, 1/4" ricasso, 5 3/4" handle, 1/4" thick, 2" at widest point, deep leather sheath with diamond rod and fire steel..

One serious, atom-splitting-sharp hunk of convexed 01 bad-assed sexiness... Cuts like a wife's tongue and chops like a hatchet... My go-to baby....

Picture%20147.jpg

Picture lifted from Scotty's site..
 
I own one... used it for a few seasons.... now it sits in a drawer as a conversation piece only. I think you are doomed from the start when trying to design a knife that does a little bit of EVERYTHING.... You end up with a knife that is good at NOTHING.

That said, there are many supporters of this knife... so I guess it all comes down personal preference.

Rick
 
misanthrope said:
O1 and osage, 12" overall, 6" cutting edge, 1/4" ricasso, 5 3/4" handle, 1/4" thick, 2" at widest point, deep leather sheath with diamond rod and fire steel..

One serious, atom-splitting-sharp hunk of convexed 01 bad-assed sexiness... Cuts like a wife's tongue and chops like a hatchet... My go-to baby....

Picture%20147.jpg

Picture lifted from Scotty's site..
Click to expand...

As much as I love Scott's knives and this one is no exception, it is so far removed from the origional concept of the WSK that it cannot really be compared !
 
Buffalohump said:
WSK.jpg
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Never seen in person the WSK but there seem to be a few fans out there. Jack of all trades master of none sort of thing. Speaking of which didn't The Pathfinder School used to use these then got their own blade made? Maybe worth checking that one out for comparisons?

Now onto the real interesting bit for me, what's that small knife next to the WSK in the pic?
 
I don't like WSK's. But, that little knife looks OK.
 
pitdog said:
As much as I love Scott's knives and this one is no exception, it is so far removed from the origional concept of the WSK that it cannot really be compared !
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I think the comparison is that the Gossman knife is well-designed, while the original WSK is grossly over-designed. Just my $0.02, of course. :)
 
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