Comparing the FKMD PARUS with the FKMD RIMOR

Comparing the FKMD PARUS with the FKMD RIMOR and more info on the FKMD RIMOR


About  couple of years ago FKMD in Italy released the funky looking FKMD PARUS. Funky as it looks, the PARUS is a hardcore survival tool/knife, come light weight hatchet; big on functionality when it comes to chopping and cutting fibrous materials (with that large recurved section); make no mistake about it. I love mine and it gets used a LOT when I really don't want to carry a hatchet.

FKMD PARUS, sporting that big recurved blade. Love it or hate it.

But where the Parus is some sort of "survival tool", the FKMD RIMOR (FX-9CM07 OD) is truly a "survival knife" see my definition in an early blog on this subject.

The FX9CM07 OD has a much thinner (laterally) front end and different finger gimping placement.

Some just don't like that big funky recurve section of the Parus. However, this (the recurved blade) has been recapitulated by knife makers for over 100 years and can be seen in the blade designs of stuff you find in museums, knives which fought in battles. Having such a large recurve means that you will probably have to use a rod or a very narrow stone of a belt grinder to get around that curve. The recurved section also means increased functionality.

Personally I do not see this at all as being a problem, the sharpening that is. Whilst the FKMD Parus is great at chopping open coconuts, hacking down small trees, cutting reeds as if made from nothing; being able to bang ground stakes into hard earth; it's more of a "survival tool" than a straight out and out knife. The Parus simply isn't a tool for cutting up food on extended trips or skinning big game or medium game or filleting fish. One can indeed perform these tasks but of course it's not ideal but certainly can do all. The sheath too, which originally came with the Parus, I found could have been improved slightly with it's design-maybe it has already?. Interestingly, the Parus looks bigger and heavier than the RIMOR but in fact they are both the same length and the RIMOR is actually heavier than the Parus by 20 grams (0.7Oz.) and in a straight line, the blade is really only about 155mm (6 inches) from the start of the choil, so the FKMD RIMOR is not a huge knife at all.


Let's start with the blade shape of the FKMD RIMOR, as I would like to address some comments on the internet about the design.

Some have suggested the FKMD RIMOR is a copy of another knife.

ER's Dobermann IV. Note the the blade depth narrows towards the tip on both upper and lower sides. The absence of a finger choil, no gimping, and the swedge starts soon after the ricasso Look just in front of my thumb in this picture). Clearly the Dobermann IV blade doesn't look anything like the FKMD RIMOR.

The FKMD FX-9CM07 OD RIMOR looks noting like the knife above.

Well I own the Dobermann IV and the FKMD RIMOR is in no way shape or form anything like the Dobermann IV. So that here-say is out of the way now.

Who is this for?

The FKMD RIMOR, has been designed in house as previously mentioned. The FKMD RIMOR will suit those who want a strong sturdy outdoor knife with a "tactical" slant to it. The tactical is really the scabbard system, being Molle compatible and can be "pulled apart" as such via the genuine Duraflex buckle, as seen below with the waist belt part disconnected so the sheath can be adapted to a Molle compatible pack or vest etc.

Knife in Tactical sheath mode!

Despite the sheath Molle straps fitting a standard sized tactical belt such as the 5.11 TDU belt (BTW an excellent belt), the FKMD RIMOR can not be easily carried horizontally in this fashion due to some interference of the retaining press stud strap (it could be done but not without some difficulty).
The no nonsense handle is good with the "blood and guts" as it does not readily absorb anything and easy to clean and maintain. Getting the teflon coated version is even more "weather" resistant than the plain stone was against the effects of corrosion.

I find these types of grips to be so well fixed onto the tang that they are essentially "over moulded" and I don't bother to remove them at all, even if I get my knives with this sort of grip wet (eg my FKMD Golok, which gets used pretty much on a weekly basis if not more). This grip too absorbs a lot of vibration if the RIMOR is used to chop wood.

Preparing food, no problems. The only gripe I have is that the rubber inserts forming the separating part of the welt stitching really have some chemical smell about them. Washing does no good (I've done that) and this smell is evident upon the blade when removed and I always wash the blade before prepping food. Other than that, I have no issues at all with the FKMD RIMOR and still think it's a great buy and makes a versatile (more than the PARUS-remember, the PARUS is more of a tool I believe) outdoors knife that can handle many tasks and become a frequent use knife rather than a tool that gets put in the trunk of your vehicle.

PS if you have come here before reading my blog on the FKMD RIMOR see here.

OR if you haven't read my full blog on the FKMD PARUS see here.

Plus I've blogged extensively about the FKMD Parus


BCT

"It's too expensive"

"It's too expensive"

I defy anyone to break this knife whilst holding it in their hands

(Extrema Ratio ONTOS, one of their 2 current "survival knife models)

The Extrema Ratio Dobermann IV also sporting an asymmetrical tang.

Boy oh boy, do I hate that phrase. But listen, I once worked as a Product Manager for a large US firm and it's a common phrase to hear from the competition sales people and potential customers trying to wear you down on price LOL. The simple rebuke to that phrase is:


"Compared to what?"


However, before I delve into this further, why do we often use this phrase?

Generally, it's because we have no intention at all of buying the product but use this phrase as a easy way (we think it's easy but to the experienced sales person, it means nothing LOL) to distance ourselves from the product after a brief encounter (not including the time wasters-these are the people who never have any intention of buying anything but 100% of the time get the shop assistant to: bring out the most  costly item in the store; costly car model etc, only to give brief attention then walk away. Don't believe me, observe peoples nature in jewellery stores when it comes to watches or car yard time wasters- eg the "Ferrari buyer" They are either price matching or time wasters-hence the beauty of the internet, for which those businesses do not suffer from the time waster. Ok I digress. 

The other main reason is that we totally desire the product knowing full well our disposable income is better put towards one's children's education, the roof repairs, a well-needed family holiday; and express this desire to the sales people, only to then quickly after wasting the sales person's time utter those words: "It's too expensive" LOL. It could be for a new kitchen and that sales person spent a lot of time at you house, measuring things, discussing plans etc etc, only for you to say, "It's too expensive"! Let's face it, no one likes to admit they can not afford something, especially if there are higher priorities on one's list of things to buy, in other words, needs not wants.

BUT and we know what they say about the BUT.....YEP everything before the BUT is BS! That smart sales rep, product manager, or manager, will return the line of:


"COMPARED TO WHAT?"

And you had better be ready for what follows LOL!



For example, in the case of Extrema Ratio Knives.


Firstly, we all know, there are zero knives (counterfeits excluded) that resemble the obvious Extrema Ratio designs. Nothing has been left to chance: for example, handles designed in conjunction with university researchers, expert in biodynamics of the human hand, Knife tangs (some models) which can withstand loads over over 150Kg lateral forces!. That's like twice my body weight!-if you want strong.
The tang we have been led to believe must be a full width tang in order to be strong. Let's face it, strong for what?

FKMD's PANABUS knife for tropical adventures, sports an asymmetrical super strong tang.

FKMD tactical knives also sport a reduced "funny shaped" asymmetrical tangs, yet I have never seen any written views/reports/videos of anyone saying these knives are not strong in the social media. Quite the contrary, in fact there are several well-viewed videos showing how ridiculously strong these knives are against bending forces which would never be encountered during normal use. All I can say is there are obviously a lot of people doing very abnormal things with knives LOL!

Lion Steel knives

No one is saying the M7 is crap, hey and guess what, it also doesn't have one of those full width full tangs!

WHOA! What's with this strong thing? If I want strong, I don't buy a car, I buy a bulldozer, no one can argue there-it's heavy and slow and uncomfortable but boy oh boy is it strong- a poor man's tank if you like! However, a bulldozer can not be compared to a car in any way shape or form, excluding both run on some sort of petrochemical originating fuel.

But seriously, knives are to cut in the first place. Any other duty is really outside of the realms of the function of a knife. To be honest, strength is not on the top of my list of good properties of a knife.


Comfort and ease of handling (weight balance etc)
Durability for intended tasks
Durability over the years- for good value
Not so hard it takes over an hour to put an edge on it.
A sheath that will go the distance and is very safe. Ask yourself, if I fall on the knife (in the sheath) and it can happen, is that blade going to penetrate the sheath and cause an injury? hence hunting knives that are carried during the active hunt should definitely have a safe carry system.
Not too heavy (if one wants to take it camping/hiking/hunting and no vehicle to cart your stuff)



Now as an example:

I read a lot of consistent comments regarding the use of the word "expensive" in regard to describing Extrema Ratio Knives. Plus lots of just regular haters. You get what you pay for, they are not made in China nor are any of the materials associated with it. I don't know anyone who has their knives hates them (most of these I know were definitely not pro Extrema Ratio to begin with). It's a funny thing this; " it's too expensive" phrase; Buy one instead of six lower priced knives' or at least 2 (one can only hold two knives at once LOL-unless you are Adam C or work at a circus LOL). The rebuke is "Compared to what?" Besides that there are literally dozens of USA made knives (not custom), also made entirely inside of America, which are in the same price bracket but I never see comments on BF or on YT that they are too expensive, or lacking aesthetics LOL. I'm not an "Italian-o-phile but they do make great products and just look at their sheaths too, it doesn't stop with the knife. I carry their products in risky zones ONCE EVERY YEAR, not because they (Extrema Ratio) tell me too but because I choose to carry them. I'm not thinking about price, I'm not even thinking about dependability, I'm thinking about staying safe on a daily basis.

Bulgarian Yatagan Akkulak Traditional Knife

Bulgarian Yatagan Akkulak Traditional Knife
Used from the mid 16th until the late 19th century in the Ottoman Turkey, when Bulgaria was under the yolk of the Ottoman Empire. As to the age of this blade, is anyone's guess but certainly the knife itself could be at least 100 years old. it is unclear whether the previous owner -deceased (not the seller) made it or he refurbished it (as in the scabbard?). The seller explained that the owner was in fact a black smith in the area of 

Bulgarian traditional  knife, a Yatagan, it's a sort of sword come machete come parang LOL! 

Today I purchased this beauty! I figure it is at least 100 years old plus. Originally obtained from a now deceased blacksmith/knife maker. He had 5 in his house at the time of clearing the house took place, this is one of the 5. it is a Bulgarian Yatagan featuring a dark walnut grip, 

Beautiful dark grained walnut scales featuring a traditional flared design.

The blade smith made some sort of crude engravings upon the tang both upper and lower  and on the hilt as seen above. Two parallel lines and an X. Or is it 2 10 2 10 2????

convex ground and slight recurved blade, approximately 8mm thick spine, 

It's a huge knife, measuring 36cm or 14" long! and sporting a 8mm or 0.31 inch thick spine!

Look here and we see a recapitulation of this very old design motif.

 

and full tang. 

I have no idea of what the HRC is however, after working on the edge (it was fairly sharp) I soon realised that my ceramic Fälkniven stone was not cutting much metal at all; I figure the HRC on the edge is at least 60 or close to it if not a bit above! It is clear it has been "refurbished" over the years (on the scabbard). The literature says that the spines were made soft and the edges tempered to a hard edge (typical he for a large sword knife-otherwise it would be too brittle).

The scabbard appears to have ben "refurbished" as there is evidence of soldering with a tin compound around the carry loop. The wood that the scabbard is made from is not a hardwood but some softwood species, stained with an unknown material. There is evidence of past insect infestation (some wood boring beetle holes no longer active).

and maybe it is much older but the refurbishment is of "recent times" as I see evidence of metal work not prevalent over 200 years ago.

More can be found here on Yatagans

Work Tuff Gear Campo

Work Tuff Gear Campo in Japanese SK85 Tool Steel

Work Tuff Gear Campo in Japanese SK85 High carbon tool steel.

So this is my second knife made with Japanese SK85 tool steel and since it happens to be made by the same manufacturer, I have no doubt as to the quality of the heat treatment given to this blade. Work Tuff Gear are making some outstanding quality outdoor tools and the first thing which i liked about the Campo 

was the amount of cutting "real estate"! 

It's one hell of a tough looking knife too and you'll notice they have provided a small divot for a fire bow drill. 

This is actually a good bonus as one can easily find the other to parts but it can be a real PITA to find a suitable divot or top block when making such a friction fire. Scales are G10.

Good thumb finger gimping, strong thick spine

Well-made Scabbard from Kydex

At home in the outdoors (wild thyme)

Branch cutting no problems for the WTG Campo. The blade has a good weight distribution so swinging it is easy.

At home in the Big Outdoors! the WTG Campo

The Campo Bites!

Easy to cut feathers thanks to the blade Scandi geometry.

The Work Tuff Gear Campo is a big Scandi ground drop point (with a great cutting real estate!) Japanese SK85 High Carbon tool steel blade, acid wash finish. The knife is dual tempered and has a Rockwell of 56-58. It looks the part because it is! G10 scales in a comfy design. I've had it in the mountains twice and by the river fishing. One of the campo's key features is the blade grind. It just bites into anything and was scary sharp when I got mine with its micro convex edge.  Stick around as this is just some eye candy before the full on video review is released.


See here for manufacturer's specifications:

https://www.worktuffgear.com/product-page/campo-sk85



BCT

Kizlyar Supreme Aztec knife

Kizlyar Supreme Aztec knife

Kizlyar Supreme Aztec perfect for a day out -or more fishing!

The Kizlyar Supreme Aztec is a small multipurpose hunting and fishing knife which despite it's funky blade pattern, is a knife that is meant to be used hard. Specs: The G10 grip expertly milled to provide a very secure grip even in wet or slimy hands; combined with a nicely designed blade which sports a great point and belly on a 3.2mm thick blade makes for a great fishing and hunting companion. I know, I've taken it into the wilds on some "covert" fishing trips LOL. Gutting isn't a problem with the Kizlyar Supreme Aztec. Plus at HRC of 61-62, I wasn't fiddling with trying to sharpen it during the day's activities (which also involved cutting up wood for the fire, vegetables, gutting two fish, shaving fat wood etc. You get my point.

Don't be fooled by the skeletonized tang, it's more than strong enough and more importantly, not handle heavy.

see here the results:

Jesper Voxnaes Design FOX Knives FX-606 OD

FX-606 CORE black version (Image courtesy of FOX Knives Italy)

FX-606 CORE Olive green Drab version (Image courtesy of Fox Knives Italy) It is this model which I will discuss below.

The FOX CORE FX-606, fixed blade Scandi grind is an economic small hunting style knife with a no nonsense moulded polypropylene (PP) and thermo-rubber otherwise known as TPE-thermoplastic Elastomers; grip-easy clean water resistant (and lanyard hole) and comes with a deep carry synthetic (ballistic nylon), hard plastic and leather scabbard (belt carry); there is also a drain hole. 

Deep carry synthetic (heavy denier Ballistic Nylon) and leather construction;  rugged scabbard, featuring a traditional belt carry loop.

The Rockwell is stated at HRC 57-58 (easy to resharpen). The design is by the well-known Danish knife designer JESPER VOXNAES (pronounced like "VOXNESS").

Fox Knives FX-606 Core fixed blade (Scandi version) featuring BECUT Niobium enhanced steel

The FX-606 CORE features a full tang which has two key ways towards the back end for the handle material to grip. (see diagram below). The lanyard hole as can be seen also passed through the tang.

Dimensioned diagram of the FX-606 CORE (Image courtesy of Fox Knives Maniago, Italy.)

 The FOX CORE is a WORKING KNIFE!

Hard and dirty beech wood no problems for the edge of this knife featuring BECUT alloy.

The CORE of the CORE*!

BECUT steel alloy: What is this???
The FX-606 FOX CORE, (Scandi grind) is made with the German produced alloy, BECUT. BECUT is a Niobium (0.8%) enhanced high carbon (0.7%) stainless steel, whereby the inclusion of Niobium achieves some interesting characteristics in this alloy. It has been produced by the Bestar Steel Group (Germany), since 1992. Becut was originally made for industrial kitchen blades and later used in industrial blades for deep sea fishing.

BECUT alloy elemental composition: C~0.7%; Cr~14.5%; Mo~1.9%; V~0.6%; Nb~0.8%; Si~0.55%

The presence of Niobium (Nb) confers excellent edge retention due to the formation of fine grained NbC (Niobium carbides) and a high degree of flexibility even at low temperatures. The Molybdenum (Mo) confers a good resistance to corrosion. Overall, Becut also has a high level of toughness, also as a result of the addition of Nb due to a very fine grain/(crystal size). Finally, the Becut alloy has been approved for contact with foodstuffs.

Becut is perfect for incorporation into hunting style blades, where the edge can and often does come into contact with abrasive bone, skin/hair and or fish skeletons.

It goes without saying this no nonsense grip is extremely comfortable in ungloved hands and is designed for wet work and is basically a service free grip.

The FX-606 Core features a comfortable palm swell as seen in the above image.

* reference Data obtained from the Bestar Steel Group


Performance
Despite being a small knife, the FX-606 Core has a very sturdy blade design. The spine thickness is the same right to the tip, so yes, the tip is thick but of course deadly sharp. There is zero fear that the tip will falter when plunged between joints when deboning. Plus I tested it by thoroughly boring the tip into a beech log; LOL-you'll see it in the video field review coming soon.

At home in the wilds, the FX-606 Core (a Jesper Voxnaes design VOX)

The VOX Core by Fox knives, FX-606 will make a trusty companion on day hikes, hunting trips and short term camping. The excellent edge retention due to the presence of NbC in the alloy is a key feature of the Becut alloy along with great toughness.

No nonsense maintenance free thermoplastic polymer handle, easily washed clean and features a palm swell and ergonomic all day comfortable shape. Grip is provided via the "scale-like pattern" in the moulding.

Bestar's Becut Niobium enhanced stainless steel really holds an edge. That's no surprise as Becut was being used as an industrial cutting alloy in the food and fishing industry for many years and now we see it being introduced in outdoor knives designed to be "real work horses" such as this Core model FX-606. The wood shown here is seasoned Beech!

So far, I driven the tip of this knife into seasoned Beech, twisting it in an effort to blunt it, cut up processed meats and used it to cut wild mushrooms and struck it with a baton to split wood. ALL GOOD!

Cutting meat off the bone no problems, raw or cooked.

There is a "full range" of Core models all made with becut; Scandi and sabre grind, choice of handle colors. See here:

Stick around and I'll show and tell more in the upcoming video field review on BushCampingTools.