This is something Ive been searching for a long time. A smaller mattock with a removable handle for storing with my recovery gear. Add an axe head for an all round multi digging and chopping tool.
Category: Cutting Tools (Page 4 of 9)
Its amazing what you come across when going through your knife lock box. I hadn’t gotten around to testing my CRKT Persevere adze/axe. On my to do list this week.
“The CRKT Persevere is a survival axe head designed to be a 5-in-1 survival tool. Simply lash it to a stick and the Persevere becomes a splitting wedge, knife, axe, chisel or adze. It travels flat and light for comfortable and convenient belt carry. “
This is the first time Ive had all the pruning saws in one place at the same time to compare.
I was chatting to Al Ainsworth about the saws I was selling and he mentioned that he found the Outback cut much better than the other saws and this was the first time Ive had all of them together. I had given away the silky pocket boy 130mm to a mate but asked for it back to specifically do this test.
I had purchased the silky 130mm for an edc but never had a use for it and found after cutting next to the other the width of the cut is much thinner. The opinel which I’m selling is nice to use however I need a multi-tool every time I want to open the blade.
Cutting between the Silky outback and the Laplander. Horses for courses. If I was cutting a branch from higher up the pull stroke of the silky and if cutting lower down the Laplander push stroke as I used to a carpenter saw. Ill keep both and keep swapping them around through my kit.
They’ve both ended up in my lock box because the only time I use either one is on a training course. The first saw I grab to cut timber for firewood is a Boreal.
Anyone looking for a good quality leather belt pouch for their SAK (Swiss Army Knife), try Aussie Bush Leather. I have one for my Leatherman aswell. They fit well and good stitching.
I have now owned four Recon Scouts, all with different steels. From the original Carbon V, to SK5 and the last 01 steel. I re-handled the SK5 and sold the 01 in almost mint condition when I heard a 3V version was coming out. 3V being one of my favorite steels. I also hope to grab a Kukri in 3V at some point in time. It feels a little heavier than I remembered and the grip seems slightly thicker which I prefer. I had almost forgotten that I had asked Al from Survival Supplies to get me one in and was watching Hostiles (2017) with Christian Bale and they were carrying 7 inch clip point Bowie’s that reminded me. This would be my zombie apocalypse knife. Going to modify the sheath to use a teclok at an angle for a crossdraw.
https://www.survivalsuppliesaustralia.com.au/Cold-Steel-Recon-Scout-Bowie-Knife-CS-37RS
A Tops El Pionero from Survival Supplies Australia was waiting for me when I arrived back on the mainland. Having a quick play with it now. Designed by Ed Calderon of (edsmanifesto). Feels great in the hand. May have to change the belt clip to one that I can either adjust to a different draw angle or to a (SOB) small of the back, at the moment I’m considering a front mounted horizontal rig. Lends itself to multiple grip positions, that would suit either Pikal use or for an AMOK practitioner. Having the false edge on the spine sharpened for back cuts.
Too wet today to work on my van, decided to do some knife work instead and stripped the Esse Junglas, ready to patina.
Ive been re-reading Camping and Woodcraft by Horace Kephart. Choosing a Kephart? There are several on the market from Condor, ESSE, PKS, Kabar and Bark River. Each also having differences in steels, lengths and grinds.
ESSE PR4 1095 steel 4.25 inches sabre grind sculptured micarta grips
Bark River 3v 4 inches full height grind curly maple
Kabar BK62 1095 steel 5.25 full height flat grind walnut grips (no 90 degree spine)
PKS 1095 steel 5.25 inches scandi ground curly maple grips
Condor 1075 steel 4.5 inches full flat grind walnut handle
ML knives 1095 steel 4 3/16th length tiger maple.
Brisa Kephart 115 80CrV2 steel 115mm blade stabilized walnut grip
https://oldetownecutlery.com/2018/03/09/life-horace-kephart-great-knife-stories-history/
https://ml-knives.com/shop/ols/products/mlknives-kephart-field-knife
https://www.survivalsuppliesaustralia.com.au/ESEE-PR4-Knife?b7=z1
https://www.survivalsuppliesaustralia.com.au/KA-BAR-Becker-BK62-Kephart-Knife?b7=z1
https://www.survivalsuppliesaustralia.com.au/PKS-Kephart-XL-Knife-Curly-Maple-KXL-CURLY?b7=z1
https://www.survivalsuppliesaustralia.com.au/Condor-Kephart-Survival-Knife-CTK247-4.5HC?b7=z1
https://nordicedge.com.au/brisa-kephart-115-knife-stabilised-walnut/
Micarta Scales BK62
Youtube
I think out of all of the brands available. If I could get my hands on the Bark River 3V that would be my number one pick. Its a 5 month wait on a ML knives hand made version being my second favorite. However since the 3V is still in production I’m thinking of getting a kit in the Enzo Brisa in Curly Maple to put it together myself. I like the 80CrV2 steel and it will give me a project to do. I have placed a pre-order for a Bark River. Ive been looking for a Bark River Nessmuk for some time and didn’t want to miss out on another limited run. The BK62 interests me, however I’d have to place a 90 degree spine on it, swap out the walnut grips to micarta and maybe shorten the blade.
https://nordicedge.com.au/brisa-kephart-kit-with-pre-milled-scales-sheath-curly-birch/
A quick look at the Kodiak by Work Tuff gear designed by Alex at Aurora Borealis knives. Feels nice in the hand, much lighter than I thought it would have been compared to the spine thickness. No harmonics or hot spots. Looking forward to giving it a good work out. I would also like to grab the 6.5 inch Wolverine. Great customer service I was getting txts every stop the blade made including as it turned up at my door.
The Garberg is probably the cheapest knife I have ever purchased. I think the more I play with it the more I will appreciate it. For someone wanting a cheap blade for a bushcraft course would probably be better served with a bushcraft black if they were never intending to use it again, being half the cost.
I don’t mind it! Coming from a verified knife snob. The plastic grip feels nice in the hand, which I wasn’t expecting. The blade feels smaller than most other blades Ive had for a similar purpose. I don’t even mind the plastic sheath. I think if I were going to go through with a micarta grip and leather sheath I would have chosen the stainless model, but I think Ill leave it just as it is and give the blade a proper work out over the next few months and see how the edge holds.
I purchased this knife for a very particular purpose. For one course in particular requiring carbon to sharpen off locally sourced rocks and for weight reduction. Where Ill be carrying a reduced load on my back and where Ill be using flint to strike off the spine. I don’t want to damage the spine on a more expensive blades.
The height of the scandi to spine thickness ratio has been done well. Great performance making feather sticks, no scandi over bite that Ive seen on several other brands. The spine thickness looks the same as my RB3. I much prefer this diameter over past Mora models. The pommel sits proud slightly for striking with a mallet or for use with a ferro rod.
I’m purposely not picking up any of my blades with micarta or timber handles as a comparison until Ive had a good play with the plastic sheath and handle on the Mora. The Garberg will probably end up being my course knife, where I don’t mind flogging it.
