Work Tuff Gear Fixed Blades Feature Article

Work Tuff Gear  Outdoor Knives

Feature Article!-Part 1

Five great new models from WORK TUFF GEAR

 Work Tuff Gear is a Taiwan knife manufacturer with over 20 years engineering and manufacturing experience and also offering OEM and ODM services in the fields of Industrial Design, 3D printing to mention just a few.

Work Tuff Gear are a modern high tech company. It comes as no surprise then that the following knives are very well designed.
Work Tuff Gear are using Bohler K110 in the manufacture of their current outdoor blades. The heat treatment comprises of vacuum ovens and specialist blade finishes. Work Tuff Gear also offer custom blade finishes, utilizing techniques learnt from Japanese knife master Kiku Mastsuda; his famous "splash" technique.
Work Tuff Gear Knives are hardened to 57-59 HRC perfect Rockwell hardness for durable outdoor knife edges. On top of all of this each knife is hand ground with a convex edge! All of the above knives were deadly razor sharp out of the box. All knives are full tang in design.
Work Tuff Gear make a good array of outdoor fixed bladed knives, covering: hunting, camping and survival and combat activities. There are currently at the time of writing, 6 different models, with several options within each model line. I'll talk about 5 models here just briefly as I'm busting to continue my field testing and bring you the full reviews shot in the field.
I'm going to say that these knife models are absolutely FANTASTIC! and they embody what I think good knives should be like!

(Can u tell I'm excited!?)

Let's look at them more closely:
Not in any particular order:
The "Cuyamaca" is a 6.4" fixed blade, drop point full flat ground knife with convex edge. The knife only weight is: 380 grams or 13.4 Oz.

The CUYAMACA drop point model from Work Tuff Gear is made with Bohler K110/D2. D2 is the alloy of choice. Partially rust resistant, with a greater than 1% carbon content, D2 has long since proven itself as a great outdoor knife steel. Note the "Kiku Splash" blade etching!

Funky lime green scale liners for the olive green drab G10 textured scales on the Cuyamaca drop point knife from Work Tuff Gear Knives.

Convex ground edges are standard on all of the models shown here. Convex edges are the choice for being able to support severe work loads and still retain a good edge.

The first thing which I actually noticed was that the grips are not of a uniform surface! Fantastic, as many manufacturers are placing completely smooth grips on such sized knives and this is a problem/mistake (IMHO) when the hands are wet, greasy, covered in blood and guts, fish guts/slime, and/or swinging the knife if used for chopping. 

All knives come with useful lanyard holes and butt ends.

Textured 3D milled G10 scales provide good comfort and excellent grip

Having a textured surface allows for better grip but at the same time, if the profile depth of the texture isn't large, the grip will still be comfortable. This is exactly what is presented here in this model (in fact all their models-I've jumped a bit ahead of my reviews here!). There are currently 3 options for grip color (ALL scales are super tough G10). The surface texturing is in EXACTLY the regions you need to have it, end of story.

The Cuyamaca features a high flat grind and a convex cutting edge for maximum blade abuse and a Kydex sheath is included. The spine has a 90 degree angle so that one can easily strike a fire steel against it. K110 or D2 is a great steel for an outdoor knife. We have a high carbon alloy, with just enough Chromium to ward off quick corrosion-like a semi-stainless, and combine this with a black oxide finish to help resist corrosion, their knives are solid performers.

Work Tuff Gear Cuyamaca used to split seasoned Birch timber from logs, no problems!

Feathering same timber with the Cuyamaca, also not a problem. This is a very comfortable knife with any hot spots.

So far.......31st October

Ok, I've been using the Cuyamaca for a few days now and can safely say, it's a top performer. Extremely comfortable to use in a camp situation, holds an edge very well, no chipping, easy to do basic wood working with. This knife can also handle some abuse, as I bashed the daylights out of it with a hazel baton into very seasoned birch timber, so certainly no heat treatment problems as the blade is still perfectly intact.

Chopping up Sugar cane is no problem for the Cuyamaca from Work Tuff Gear

Work Tuff Gear Cuyamaca drop point in D2

Next up the THE LAMINGO

The Lamingo is a large flat sabre ground, convex edge drop point.

3D milling of the G10 scales, provides a "just right" amount of grip verses comfort.

The Lamingo is a large (436 gram knife only), flat sabre ground, convex edge drop point. This is one beefy blade. Equipped with milled scales of G10 allowing for not only a comfortable grip but a secure grip too! Made from the Bohler K110/D2. The Lamingo features a choil like the Cuyamaca and two tie in holes. The butt end is useful as it's not sharp or pointed and can not damage you hands. The scales are also milled just in the right places, ie up front where one's thumg will rest and towards the back end where your little fingers will rest. This little bit of texturing can make all the difference between a comfortable knife which is slippery or a comfortable knife which is grippy whether hands are wet or dry.

Scales are milled exactly where they need to have grip.

The Lamingo as I said is a large sabre flat grind drop point with a tapering swedge which starts about a bit under half way towards the tip. Thumb gimping is present and comfortable to use. Swinging the Lamingo, one can instantly feel this knife will perform nicely at chopping tasks being slightly forward weighted. Just past the thumb gimping the spine is at 90 degrees, so here a fire steel can easily e used. The Work Tuff Gear Lamingo is marketed as a "survival" type knife and I'd have to say at this point, I would have a lot of confidence in this knife. All of the knives that I'll talk about here are very comfortable to use in a "safety grip" for carving wood, with zero hot spots. In fact the manufacturer states this but my findings only corroborate theirs.

The fourth model I want to showcase is called the:

ELBRUS

The Work Tuff Gear ELBRUS is a large approx 7 inch spear point, 12.2" overall length fixed blade. Fluorescent Orange G10 scales make the knife easy to see in low light, or if placed upon the jungle/forest floor.

The Work Tuff Gear ELBRUS, is marketed towards a outdoor survival multi-purpose knife with tactical combat applications. There is a big convex ground cutting edge. Spear point to enable good penetration. The main edge (before curing to the tip), is dead straight (ease of field sharpening) and the upper swedge, whilst starting only about just under 2 inches from the thumb gimping, leads to a beefy knife tip.

Since the blade is almost 7 inches, a finger choil doesn't go astray, allowing fine control of the business end of this great feeling knife. 

The Elbrus is a big spear point.

Generous grip size to accommodate all hand sizes- here shown with hand size 8.5

Moving down size a little but no less in toughness appeal we have the KOA.

To avoid an overly heavy smaller knife, Work Tuff Gear have milled a double sided fuller/blood groove into the spine. This interesting modified drop point keeps the over all weight  balance perfectly centred around the ricasso/hilt.

The KOA is a deep profiled modified drop point. This type of design has some interesting benefits I believe from my own 35 years plus experience: Having a deeper blade there is a leverage advantage when having to push cut/lever through thick objects such as large fish or animal bone/joints. The blade angle is slightly less steep than the Lamingo and the Elbrus. There is an absence of a choil, as a blade of this length there is no necessity to have one and maximum power can be applied to cutting strokes in a standard safety grip (ie the fingers facing towards the body, blade facing away). Without adding too much weight to a small knife the knife can still swing well due to this modified spine geometry.

Grippy but comfortable scales of milled G10. Notice the curvature of the grip.

Like all of the models here, an anti-reflective stone wash has been applied to the K110/D2 surface. This image taken with photographic flash, zero reflectance from the blade surface.

Finally, in this super quick preview is the Taroko. The Work Tuff Gear Taroko, is a stout but functional hunting, camping and hiking knife. Easily carried, convex ground, high sabre geometry with a clip point. Full tang, what more to say? With a comfortable grip, there is no way your wet hands are going to slip off this handle.

Work Tuff Gear Taroko with a 4.3mm/ 0.17" thick spine.

Lightly textured in a  kind of wood pattern, the G10 scales provide a comfortable yet secure grip.

With a clip point blade design, the Taroko should be more than capable of hunting duties.

All of these models, the fit and finish to the smallest detail was second to none.  

Ok that's all I'm going to say at this point as the testing has been limited to chopping hardwoods and some feathering, all very basic tasks. I'll take them all out in due course and see how they continue to perform. Based upon their feel, and design, they look damn good, not to mention appear to be very competitively priced for such good quality. You can in the meantime see them here on the manufacturer's site.

BCT

Extrema Ratio T4000S Multipurpose knife Japanese tanto

Extrema Ratio T4000S Multi-purpose knife Japanese Tanto design.

Extrema Ratio T4000S, distinctly Japanese in design and tactical all the way.

It  was a couple of years back that I field tested quite extensively (shown across several videos on BCT) the Made in Italy 

Made in Italy, as the LASER engraving says 

Extrema Ratio T4000C (see review here). The Extrema Ratio T4000C, where "C" stood for compact was the first out in this newly (at the time) revamped "T" series of multipurpose knives from Extrema Ratio. They didn't have a T4000S. Then later they produced the T4000S, again in Bohler's N690 stainless tool steel. I have to say the Extrema Ratio T4000C, was an instant winner in my books and those of my viewers if the views and more importantly, the comments are anything to go by. 

The Extrema Ratio T4000C, very capable knife for many outdoor tasks however, I was hanging out for it's "bigger brother"! Along comes the T4000S (seen here:) . 

Extrema Ratio T4000C and the bigger T4000S knives

I didn't lay my hands on one for a couple of years after production commenced (in other words, just recently) and had a good feeling it would also be a solid performer. 

Cutting into a very thick piece of sugar cane wasn't a problem for the Extrema Ratio T4000S

Let me explain why:

Like the Extrema Ratio T4000C, the Extrema Ratio T4000S has the simple but eloquent "Japanese" lines in the geometry of the blade 

but with the tactical aspects of Extrema Ratio's Forprene grip, of which instantly distinguishes their tactical knife range.

The Extrema Ratio "Trademark ergonomic Forprene grip" single bolt fixture. The fixing bolt is placed well clear of the fulcrum of the knife as in all their other models, this removes any possible stress point should the knife be used as a lever.

We see a double sided blood groove/fuller 

Blood groove/fuller on both sides of this full flat ground blade. Note the ever so slight curvature of the blade areas. This knife, the T4000S isn't at all like the American style Tanto with a chisel tip (as seen in the Extrema Ratio  Fulcrum models) but very much like the Japanese Wakazashi style Tanto.

and a 6mm stock tang gradually tapering to a 4mm thick spine.

Extrema Ratio T4000S, with a 6.3mm tang and a very gradual tapering 4mm thick spine to a Japanese style Tanto tip

The blade edge is ever so slightly curved and it's a full flat grind, for effective cutting power. The tip too as I mentioned is also that of a Japanese style Wakazashi. At 174mm or almost 7" the Extrema Ratio T4000S, is a capable size for some serious cutting.
4mm blade thickness means much easier slicing power and less resistance through given objects than any 6mm, or 5mm blade. 

Easy to slice through camping food, the T4000S from Extrema Ratio

With the big blood groove/fuller, the blade isn't too heavy either but at the same time you can still "feel it". From a tactical standpoint, this means one can easily manoeuvre this blade in a speedy fashion. 

Certainly, the Extrema Ratio T4000S is stylish! Anti-reflective (Tactical) with it's black oxide Mil Spec coating, no hot spots on this knife.

As far as I'm concerned, I think one of the most popular and practical (at the large end) blade sizes has got to be the 7" mark for blade length.  There isn't a choil so that means we have basically the full (almost) 7" of cutting edge present. This aspect to me is very important as it means less strokes to cut any object, ie making full use of the edge; easy to carve with and apply cutting power for cutting cords, as there is a reduced levering effect as your hand is closer to the object to be cut. 

Around the camp fire, the Extrema Ratio T4000S no problems with food or fire preparation.

Needless to say, the T4000S came super deadly sharp out of the box, as expected as these knives are hand sharpened.

A very well made tactical scabbard accompanies the Extrema Ratio T4000S. The scabbard is fully Molle compatible and designed for a fast  and silent knife retrieval. Once the double press stud has been released, there is zero friction (as good as) and that knife is coming out as quick as you can. The scabbard can be worn vertically as well.

Double press stud retention is all that is in the way from knife in to knife out for the Extrema Ratio T4000S

The knife can be carried either via the dangler loop or strapped to a pack or vest. But strapped vertically, knife handle up only, as there is only one retention strap and it is not sufficient for a knife handle down carry, as rapid movement can cause the knife to come out of the scabbard if carried handle facing down. Remember the T4000S is really a Japanese style knife made in Italy, which I would suggest sits in the market place for outdoor knives, NOT for military serious tactical use. For this sort of blade I'd suggest the more robust carry system of the TASK J for example, or Fulcrum series, where there is a double retention system in operation.

Whilst some may say the Extrema Ratio T4000S looks a bit like a weapon, remember the Japanese Wakazashi was used for many purposes. Anyway enough of this blurb, I'm going to be testing this knife out for outdoor use over the coming weeks and my initial impressions (based solely upon the smaller T4000C and a day out already with the T4000S) is that it will be a solid performed and with a whole lot of style to go! This T4000S could be my next "go to knife"! Lets see?



BCT 

CROCO 200 Layer Damascus*

CROCO 200 Layer Damascus* small drop point hunter with Real Stag scales!

Linder knives/Linder World now selling!

Hollow ground, drop point hunter with 200 layer Damascus carbon steel, the Croco CK4024.

This is an absolutely beautiful Damascus knife, The CROCO CK4024 or Linder's catalogue number: 443009

My first impressions upon unboxing this knife was exactly WOW! Linder World/Linder Knives in Germany is selling this model and other Damascus blades from the manufacturer CROCO.  CROCO is a manufacturer in Pakistan who has been in business for 3 generations making knives (according to their web site). Well the construction and fit and finish of this knife certainly spelt craftsmanship of skilled knife makers. The real stag scales form a very comfortable grip too. It came deadly razor sharp out of the box too. 

Now this Croco Damascus blade is NOT stainless and after cutting up fruit or anything acidic and meat you have to clean it thoroughly and make sure it's dry as and oiled before putting it away. It's one of my few carbon steel blades I own and i forgot just how much care really it takes to keep carbon blades looking good (if that's your concern).

There is a (knife deep carry) thick leather scabbard included:

I foolishly cut into the scabbard with the razor sharp blade but no biggie, it was just a nick! Double stitching, thick grain leather. Maybe I would have liked to see a bar tacked belt loop ie 2 diagonal stitches in the loop instead of 2.

Thumb gimping an essential feature on a small but grippy drop point hunter.

The Croco 200 layer Damascus hunter came with a brass tube lined lanyard hole and a small bit of leather thonging.

* Of course this isn't the real Wootz Damascus, as those raw material sites long since disappeared along with the techniques.

Jagdkommando Engraved Extrema Ratio TASK J

Jagdkommando Engraved Extrema Ratio TASK J

Is it a "Survival Knife?"

Strong sturdy but at the same time "Pointy" tip of the TASK J

Short answer: YES

According to my personal experience;

Of course it is!

Why?

It's design totally satisfies what I believe, based upon real world experiences, what should be required from a knife which is meant to be solely relied upon. (see previous blogs about what are my requirements for a knife to designated a role in survival).

Simple construction

Sturdy blade

Good steel* (doesn't need to be some "super steel")

Safe scabbard and durable

Holds an edge but still easy enough to sharpen.

Good penetrating point.

* Stainless Vs Non-stainless steels

Adventures anywhere near saltwater or possibilities of unplanned extended stays near salt water, then a Stainless blade would be my first choice.

Adventures anywhere where saltwater (in other words a highly corrosive substance) would not be encountered, then either stainless or non stainless would be fine.

The Extrema Ratio Jagdkommando TASK J satisfies the above points.

One's "Survival knife" need not be a huge chopper or machete (it could be of course but here I only discuss the TASKJ's design**.

** (as part of the knife design, the carry system/scabbard is very important too for obvious safety reasons).

As an "extra", I can also use the holes in the guard to bend strong wire or break it as well (via repeated rapid flexing of the wire too stiff to accomplish by hand alone)

The spine can be pounded upon if necessary, although this too is not a prerequisite for a "Survival knife"

The TASK J is easily carried and safely deployed and stored in it's scabbard.

The TASKJ is comfortable to use with wet or dry hands and is not too heavy***.

*** "Not too heavy" is an arbitrary value. It totally depends upon the person who will carry the knife. If one has to even for an instant think that their knife of choice is "a bit heavy" or maybe "we/I could choose something else", then this will not be a knife you should be thinking about taking, regardless of what knife you consider fits your requirements (that's for any knife, not just this "survival knife thing"!).

I think the TASK J is one of Extrema Ratio's best knives for 2017-2018! Very versatile for outdoor use and heavy duty military toughness guaranteed by the Jagdkommando LASER engraved emblem of the Austrian military. Don't get me wrong the Dobermann IV is damn good but getting on the large side for military use.

BCT