https://www.survivalsupplies.com.au/victorinox-ranger-78-m-grip
Slightly larger than my military and hiker models. I mainly purchased it for the main blade not having serrations.
Ive got a grab a fire ant shortly too. However no corkscrew on this model Ill have to figure out some way. Maybe over the Philips head.
Sorry SAK skills. (Swiss Army Knife).
Below there are 25 clips available by Felix Immler.
Before you-tube and bushcraft classes there was Ron Hood. He was well known for his love of large blades. However he always said if he could only have one knife if stuck in the wilderness it would be a SAK.
https://www.survival.com/woodsmaster_.htm
I have the Soldier (green) and Hiker (black) models and am purchasing the Ranger to have a non serrated blade.
https://www.survivalsupplies.com.au/victorinox-ranger-78-m-grip
Ill be testing this one out as a small fixed blade edc.
I prefer micarta for a grip if using where it could become soaked. The G10 looks better on youtube. A little olive oil brings out the colour better.
There are several brands of cheap under $10 birds beak peelers that are being incorporated as Pikal blades. Victorinox and Zwilling among the best. These are then bound with bank line to improve the grip and the looks. From looking around I have also found a $50 model with a full tang that I am going to remove the timber grips and grind out the rear divet on the back of the spine before attempting to do a Japanese style braid. I don’t believe anyone has tried this with a full tang before.
Trainers are also available. I’m purposely not putting links on where to purchase blades, sheaths or how to make.
A mate came up with these for sale and I said if he ever going to part with them to let me know.
After several more weeks confined to a hospital room over Christmas and New years I came to the conclusion that its time to give up on several martial arts and just specialize on the arts I really love, due to scar tissue and injuries. Im sticking to maybe Arnis and definitely Aikido Jo staff and really want to learn as many blade styles as I can possibly find. Bowie at the top of the list along with Pikal. The needle point Nephilim to fill the Bowie roll.
Ive always liked the design of the Tops Bob Feildcraft, however thought there were a few improvements to be made. The ferro rod striker on the pommel was useless and required being removed. A 90 degree spine needed filing. Also the gimping was very sharp . I’m also thinking of putting spacers underneath the grip to fatten it up before sanding back the corners to remove the squarish shape of the grip.The edge was terrible for a tops and still needs a lot of work to get it to slice and not tear cardboard and paper. I’m using a foam sanding block to convex the edge. The over-bight was the worse Ive ever experienced when I first purchased it. I had been trying to sell it rather than fool around modifying it but had no takers and finally motivated myself to see if it would make a useful blade. I see many you-tubers rave about this design ? It hasn’t really stood up to the other Tops blades I have, that have been great straight from the factory. So we will see after a little more work with emery paper what the outcome will be.
I was watching Jason Salyer On Three, discussing swapping out his multi tool and folders for a small fixed blade. My multi tools have also become too heavy to keep in my pocket. Preferring to keep them in my vehicle and backpack. My SAK’s have also gone the same way. I like having them in packs for backups but rarely ever carry them now. I generally use a heavy folder, however Jason got me thinking of a small fixed blade.
I came up with three choices ;
First the Busse Game Warden 3 inch. Being quite hard to come by now. I have owned two of these and liked the design. One was a necker, the other a fat version almost a centimeter thick. Im looking for a 1/8th or 3/16th spine.
Second a Winkler SD2 which I’m favoring due to having a pointy tip. However a drop point in that size is less tactical looking for use in a cross-draw sheath.
Thirdly a Reiff Knives F3 in magnacut.
The Busse will take some time to track down being my first choice. I know what they feel like in the hand. I have owned very few Winklers so I am tempted from that perspective. The Reiff being the easiest to order within Australia.
Looking up the current line up from Winkler knives I came across a Lost lakes Camp knife being an almost 7 inch throw back to his forging days.
Not for a EDC but I like my large blades.
This is my grail knife. Finally someone bringing them into the country.
I was actually looking to purchase a ZT 0006 when I stumbled upon the Spartan Harsey. The grip feels very heavy for a fighter. I may have to take off the scales and see if there are any lightning holes.
My next purchase a ZT 0006 however Ill have to modify the pommel to either a glass breaker or fill it in. I don’t like the screw on butt cap.
The ZT 0006 compared to the F6
The F6 in Magnacut arrived. Really looking forward to testing this one out. Below pics comparing other knives for sizing.
Ive been waiting for the new Reiff knives F6’s to come into the country in Magnacut. I have one on hold till next fortnight when I can do a payment. I couldn’t make up my mind between the 3V and Magnacut, however the Magnacut came in at a good price and supplied with a leather sheath.
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