WSK design - is it any good really?

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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Maybe that's why it's my wubby...:cool:

I liked the broad, heavy, and thick aspects of the WSK, as well as the heavy sweep, for a heavy bush knife, but had no use for the friggin bells and whistles... That's why I love Scott's design...

There is also something awe-inspiring in Scott's ability to perfectly convex 1/4" 01 down to a gnat's ass shaving edge....
 
I'd rather take the little one into the woods; but, I have no experience with the WSK.
 
If you want one..just avoid the TOPS model. I have a Custom Martin and love it..I usually carry a small fixed for wittling..that being said..my WSK chops as well as any 9 inch blade with only a 6 inch blade. I like the features..the wide blade offers much better purchase than any traditional blade. The draw knife makes a fireboard very well. I bought a Martin with a rasp spine instead of the saw..it doesnt do much other than sqaure up corners on traps..but my farmer works a bit better for that task...
Anyway..what do I know..I Love the WSK design and think the Nesmuck is a completely silly design IMO:D So I am in the minority around here.
 
I have owned 3 different WSK's. I like the look and feel, but I have sold off all 3 of them. Cool looking knife, but for wilderness/bushcraft tasks a skookum or a mora will out perform a WSK any day. But I will say Tim's WSK looks very, very nice. I just might have to send Tim an email.
 
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I made the set pictured in the thread starter. I am glad some of you guys like it! It is designed to maintain primitive life in a wilderness setting. If you have NOTHING else it will let you get by. Sure axes and larger knives chop better and chainsaws or pack saws saw better and on and on. This is BOB or survival kit. If you know how to use it, it could very well be all you need.

More eye candy...

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I do love the bushcraft knives. I have a Koster in 3v. I think a WSK and a bushcraft in the same sheath would be a great package!
 
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Tim,
Even though the WSK style has fallen out of favour for me... I much prefer the bevels on your's compared to most others. What is the finish on these.... vinegar etch?

Rick
 
I'd rather have a good kukri. Even an H.I. BAS will outperform that knife in all areas of function very easily. The small knife shown is however a nice useful looking piece.
 
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This is coming from a guy who used to consider the Beck WSK his "grail" knife. If your looking to get the most functional tools for outdoor use I would say:thumbdn: A farmer and a dedicated hatchet should outperform the WSK hands down and frankly at a fraction of the price. Come to think of it, at a fraction of the weight as well IIRC.:D


If your just attracted to the design and want one to use in the woods because you like it, and it would be pleasing to you on other levels apart from pure function then I would go for it! Just understand the shortcomings so you understand what your paying all that money for.

They certainly look like quality, functional knives, and lots of people use them with great success. So I think I agree with the "personal preference" advise that has been offered. If money was no object fo me I would most certainly have one, just because I think its such a cool concept, but as others have mentioned I suspect mine would wind up in a drawer in favor of some of my other more dedicated tools;)

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I ve been looking at a WSK for years, is there anyone out there that has used the Beck version and can coment on how it preforms and if you like it? I have never seen a post that has a person using it. It seems like they are all safe queens.
 
JC in SC said:
Not to hijack this thread, but how do you like this Ka-Bar Kukri? I just picked one up for $35, but haven't had a chance to use it much yet.
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I like it alot. Pretty comfortable handle, easy enough to sharpen, and takes a decent edge and holds it adaquately. I wish it wasnt hollow ground(cause I wouldve convexed that sucker a long time ago) but honestly in real world use it hasnt seemed to make any difference. Great chopper!

When I know Im gonna do a bit of really nasty work (like processing fatwood) its what I grab;) For the price its a pretty hard working blade:thumbup:

I submit that a kuhkri half the size of the kabar, and half the weight would outchop a wsk, just because of the design. Theyre born choppers:D
 
I have the TOPS version, and with an edge re-profiling it works quite well. The sawback isn't gonna fell any trees, but it notches reasonably well. Someone else posted a pic of one with re-profiled edge in another thread here. Having said that, my Tracker has been largely replaced by my HI M-43 and R-10.
 
Tim Horan said:
I am glad some of you guys like it!
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Please don't misinterpret my original post to mean that this isn't an awesome looking blade, because it certainly is, especially when complimented by that smaller blade. It is also one of the better looking interpretations of the WSK that I have seen. Also, what is the intended use of the hole in the blade? I've seen these on several WSKs and have yet to figure them out.
 
The hole is for arrow straightening iirc.
I have 3 WSK's and like them for a good dayhiking knife.My Favorite by far of the ones I own is the RS6 Raven.Though admittedly I carry my Snow and Nealley Hudson Bay Axe and my BRKT Aurora more often than not.
 
RoyalM said:
Speaking of which didn't The Pathfinder School used to use these then got their own blade made?
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In the early videos on youtube, Dave Canterbury from the Pathfinder School talks about the Tom Brown version from Tops. In a later video, he is carrying the Tops Moccasin Ranger. In the latest videos, I haven't seen anything on his belt but he has shown an Ontario RAT 3 as part of his kits.
 
Ive had all versions of Becks and some of others.

If you want one as close to the Beck you can, get one from Tim Horan.
 
Looks like there are a lot of opinions on this design. Tim's version is totally awesome but not sure if I can justify the expense.

Guess I will stick to the conventional designs for now....

Thanks for the input!
 
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