Wsk which maker is better?

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f-2175

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Jul 9, 2005
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Who here has experience with more than one maker of a WSK. Personaly I have handled the Dave Beck version and used the Tops version. There are a couple of other makers like Mark Terrel or Roger Linger. My question is whos is better. Does anyone have experience using more than one. I have herd nothing but good things about the Beck vesion, I wasnt to impressed with the Tops but it did surve its purpose I do like some of the knives that Tops put out.
 
Beck no longer makes knives and Roger Linger is a crook. Mark Terrell makes really good knives. Other makers to check out are Jürgen Schanz and Dan Koster.
 
All the guys make good knives, but who has the best model? Does anyone have experience using them? There is always alot of discusion on this type of knife I was just curious if anyone thinks one is better than the other.
 
Ive seen every picture, I want some one with feild use on these. Cant find anyone with review using them. Would love to see a Beck being used.
 
Nick Allen.
He makes some of the best fitted and ground WSK knives. You have to see the hamons he puts on the blades in person to really appreciate how beautiful his "user" knives are. I own a lot of custom knives, yet I am always impressed by how cleanly and symmetrical his grinds are. I own 4 of his knives and I'm ready for #5.

Here's a thread about his small WSK knife.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=547215&highlight=nick+allen
 
I won't comment on my own as that would be rather self serving, but I'll say.......

Beck's are top notch (obviously)... But since he's no longer making them I'd be reluctant to use the knife b/c of the price tag and collector aspect... If he was still making them I'd say they are very good for all uses....

Tim (Horan) makes a very good one as well, and it's really comfortable. Comfort is a big aspect in a knife this size b/c the feel in the hand of something that's being used with that much force can feel very uncomfortable really quickly...

I've also handled a few of the Martin WSK's (Newt and Hank Martin) and theirs are pretty good as well.

I haven't handled the others other than to pick one up.

I'll say this, when I first made them, I didn't pay enough attention to the weight of the knife. My first ones were just over a pound (like 17 ounces give or take). Since then, I've got them down to around 12-13 ounces (depending on handle materials). 4-5 oz doesn't seem like much until you use something for an extended period of time...

Also pay attention to the steel used... S30V is a cool sounding steel that is very good, for it's use. However, I made a bunch out of that, and it's so tough to sharpen at a thin edge (unless you have the equipment handy) much less when you're talking 1/4 inch stock... Since then, I've gone more to D2 and CPM 154. Ease of sharpening in the field is a big thing too...

Other than that, consider the balance/weight points on the knife as it matters a lot on this knife b/c the chopping ability is the key and if the weight is distributed improperly you won't get leverage...

Anyway, that may be info you want (or not), it's just what I've found over time....



MT
 
Red Scorpion Six blades makes a great WSK!!! Because of the political stuff of them being made in China many people are missing out of a great knife!!!
Many knives by major manufactures are being made over seas but this knife is put down. It is tougher than the TOPS Tracker and a better slicer.
I own both the Predator and the the Raven and I can tell you they are some of the best WSK knives you can buy. I have a Beck but due to the cost it is a safe Queen. I cannot afford to scrach it. That is why I bought the Red Scorpion Six blades. Myself and many survival friends have bought these blades due to the reasonable price for a WSK style blade. Many military people have found them to their liking as well. Just my two cents worth. Thanks for listening. Trent
 
As a Beck owner, Jurgen Schanz makes the closest thing to a Beck that i have seen. It is not a copy, but a faithful rendition of a WSK from a German perspective. The quality and design are first class. The steel is D2, with a HRC of 59, so it is not going to fail you.

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I own a custom Red Scorpion Six Raven with a walnut handle , I like the design . I also have a normal non custom Raven and have put it through the mill and never had any issues with it,for someone like me who cant affored a Beck the Raven is a good choice.

I also own a Tom Brown tracker with hedgehog sheath , I like that WSK as well but prefer the Raven due to it design.

I am planning on buying other designs in the future as money permits.
 
Never buy Red Scorpion Six!

He was banned from this and other forums for spamming and less than truthful claims about his knives and their origins (they are from China not custom handmade in USA).

He also tries to sneak back onto forums in order to self-promote. Makes me wonder who the new member/single post above really is.
 
mmmmm some day i would love to have a custom wsk but there are so man ther knives particurarily busses that i must acquire first.
 
May i ask why mister linger is a crook ive heard god things aobut his knives and id like to know the story here.
 
I have the TOPs tracker .. and I like the knife.. ( I might be one of the few) it does the job it was made for.
 
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