Blog about outdoor products I personally believe fit under the category of "HARDCORE" By this I mean not only well-made but totally functional for serious pursuits, either on land or beneath the seas. As a diver, caver and scientist, I want to be able to rely upon my gear.
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Strider MFS and Ontario Spec Plus two great Knives to own
Like them, hate them, think they're are way overpriced, regardless of that this STRIDER MFS has really been given a beating over 13 years of solid use, from everything from cutting bamboo shoots for food in South East Asian jungles to removing stubborn axel bushes ( not what you should do with a knife!) to opening oysters during a coastal fishing trips when no fish were caught. I've even used it to split a 20cm diameter dead oak log for fire wood! Rewrapped, re-sharpend, used on a daily basis around the home too, one tough little knife. An original in ATS34. Heat treated by Paul Boss.
The other simple but useful knife is the Ontario Spec plus, this one over 20 years old now, been all around the world and used for everything during hunting and camping, tough of course its not good a dressing game and out came my trusty PUMA HUNTERS FRIEND of 30 plus years age now and unfortunately no longer made in the great high carbon PUMASTER Steel, that was as PUMA said on the box "Sharp as a razor strong as an axe" and it was too! Ok I digress check the video.
Spartan Leonida Combat Survival Knife
This is FOX KNIVES SPARTAN LEONIDA COMBAT SURVIVAL KNIFE, yep a real mouthful, can you say it without taking a breath??? Seriously had my hands on this knife at past EUROSATORY at the FOX stand and knew it was going to be a tough knife and useful in the field. The Forpene handle is uncomfortable but the trade off is this handle is not going to twist in your hands and your grip will be secure (even without the modifications I've done to the handle). I hated this knife because of the handle but the more I used it ( now over 3 years old) the more I love it. It was EDC practically 24/7 for 3 months of first use in the field. The saw back really works. Let's not get hung up on saw back knives too. They are for times when you don't have a regular saw but need a saw. Saw back knives are NOT substitutes for a proper saw. But if manufacturers are going to put them on some models then the saw needs to do what the name implies and that's SAW! This one certainly does. Anyway check videos out and see what you reckon. I reckon too if FOX KNIVES decided to make this same blade design with a better handle it would make for a great non military field and camping knife.
Kizlyar Supreme Echo knife Review English
Hello everyone, this is a short video highlighting some of the features and benefits of this great knife from Kizlyar Supreme, the ECHO. The ECHO is being marketed in Kizlyar Supreme's outdoor series of knives.
I've got to say right up front, this knife rocks! It felt really good in the hand during all of these tests I put it through and that AUS8 stayed razor sharp just like I expected. As you can see the opening video frame shows the ECHO with a Kydex sheath. THIS IS STANDARD EQUIPMENT and not an option. That's the kind of company Kizlyar Supreme is, great knife with a well thought out scabbard/sheath.
Did I have any gripes after using this knife?? I've got to say a big NO to that. The thing is the build quality is very good and attention to detail is right up there. Kizlyar Supreme despite being on the scene from around 2009 are sure to become one of the major players in quality knife manufacture.
I've been using this knife now for about 4 weeks now still for general stuff associated with camping and I still haven't had to sharpen it. Kizlyar Supreme certainly know how to heat treat the AUS8 for lasting edge. I'd definitely recommend buying one of these knives.
I think the video says it all really so just sit back, watch and enjoy.