Knife challenge

[RWBlue]

I assume you have an S&P knife that you love, the one (or maybe 3) which you will carry on your BOB, one which can be used for gutting animals as well as people, one you plan on using for camp chores as well as cooking chores.

I challenge you to use your 1 (2, or 3) S&P knife(s) for everything around the house for one month and report back how it worked for you. I suggest sharpening your knife before hand. I suggest keeping a log of when you used it (some of us will only be able to use our knives in the evening for limited duty while others may be able to abuse their knives more).

Please give us a start post telling us what knife/knives you will be testing.
Please note if you need to resharpen your knife.
Please note if you couldn't accomplish a task because your knife was too big or small.
Updates once a week would be nice.

[mr.scott]

I think my posts would be pretty boring. Opened a pack of hotdogs with my CS GI Tanto.
Cut up some steak with my CS GI Tanto. Chopped top off Mac and Cheese box with CS GI Tanto.

[RemMan700]

Cut tag off new shirt with KABAR.
Opened mail with KABAR.
:D

[K.L. Davis]

I was thinking about this and it turns out that I use one of three knives for about 99% of the applicable work... and one knife stands out as the one that does almost everything: My SAK OHT!

I have a hammer forged butcher knife in the kitchen that I reground to a smaller blade, it is my single do-everything kitchen knife.

The third knife is a very stout, short blade, fixed utility knife...

[Honu]

I lived off the land so to speak :) cause we also fished :) so lived off land and water for about 6 months

I had a fork and a blackjack 1-7 and a opinel or is it openal ? those cheap wood handled knives they are great for eating and small stuff the Blackjack was great for fishing and cutting pineapple and coconut and meat also was good at chopping small bush for kindling did everything I needed and held a edge very very well truly amazing for how much I used it
the fork and small knife make daily eating much more enjoyable

I used to have a almar folding filet knife I loved and it was in Honduras with me till I lost it ? but was a great daily living knife again not a work knife like the Blackjack

a machete and a work knife like a BJ 1-7 and a daily knife small sharp
are the team that I love :)

if I had to have only one !!!! it would be the Blackjack I have had a ton of knives as I and a buddy used to sell knives so had the chance to test out tons of models etc...

i think its personal :) and some of the new knives these days are very nice :)

[ra2bach]

I lived off the land so to speak :) cause we also fished :) so lived off land and water for about 6 months

I had a fork and a blackjack 1-7 and a opinel or is it openal ? those cheap wood handled knives they are great for eating and small stuff the Blackjack was great for fishing and cutting pineapple and coconut and meat also was good at chopping small bush for kindling did everything I needed and held a edge very very well truly amazing for how much I used it
the fork and small knife make daily eating much more enjoyable

I used to have a almar folding filet knife I loved and it was in Honduras with me till I lost it ? but was a great daily living knife again not a work knife like the Blackjack

a machete and a work knife like a BJ 1-7 and a daily knife small sharp
are the team that I love :)

if I had to have only one !!!! it would be the Blackjack I have had a ton of knives as I and a buddy used to sell knives so had the chance to test out tons of models etc...

i think its personal :) and some of the new knives these days are very nice :)

cool. I've got an original Black Jack Trail Guide with Micarta handle. that would be my choice except I'm afraid to subject it to hard use. it has tasted blood though as it's my primary hunting and skinning knife.

[blade_68]

I've been doing some of that for years in some ways

I've been using my SRK Carbon 5 in the kitchen as butchering knife and general purpose knife (its mate got stolen in Jul)
use Old Timer Stockman daily and a Benchmade for about everything from cutting a steak when out eating in restaurants to cutting 550 cord.
this way know how they handle everything and familiar with there uses and weaknesses.

[Spiffums]

Cut tag off new shirt with KABAR.
Opened mail with KABAR.
:D

Sharpened pencil with KABAR.

[CGoodwin]

My EDC knife is a Bark River Mini Skinner that I made a kydex sheath for to mount it horizontal for a right hand cross draw on my belt. I use it for EVERYTHING from opening letters and packages to cooking, slicing food for eating, cuting paracord, making fuzz sticks for fires. For larger duty, I carry a Bark Rver Golok for fire prep work. The Mini Skinner is my go to, never get rid of knife.
Love the A2!!!

[Scouse]

Benchmade with Access Lock, true one hand open and close. Two of them, one black blade, half serrated, one bright, no serrations.

A couple of years ago, made the mistake of opening it to cut a news paper bundle for a girl in a shop! in the UK. WOW, thought she was going to have a heart attack, and I opened it with my thumb, slow and quiet it seemed to be the size of the blade.

No problem now, it seems you can not have one on your person.

[RWBlue]

Well it has been a month, how is the challenge going?


I finished my test. I have come to the conclusion that I must carry a Gerber Hatchet + knife combo. I used it for a month. I used it mostly for kitchen stuff, but there were other things. I am very impressed with everything, but my knife is very dull.

I will put it up against any of you and your knives for easy duty at the house or hard duty in the woods.

The only concern is this thing in a knife fight. What do you think about using a hatchet in a knife fight?

[kennith13]

Well it has been a month, how is the challenge going?


I finished my test. I have come to the conclusion that I must carry a Gerber Hatchet + knife combo. I used it for a month. I used it mostly for kitchen stuff, but there were other things. I am very impressed with everything, but my knife is very dull.

I will put it up against any of you and your knives for easy duty at the house or hard duty in the woods.

The only concern is this thing in a knife fight. What do you think about using a hatchet in a knife fight?

I think it would be a hatchet fight.

[zydeco76]

old timer with old carbon steal blade gets used when I need something very sharp. I have an old hickory in the kitchen it gets used for everything in the kitchen. The hickory is used daily I have sharpened it once, 3 years ago. I use a hone on the hickory when I use it. Its sort of a ritual. I use it hone it and clean and dry it before I put it down. The Leatherman is my edc. It dont hold an edge for crap but its handy.

[woody d]

Becker K&T Campanion. ive used it to do just about everything a knife should be able to and then some.

[MIKE G]

.....

[Signel]

For outdoor, it needs to be long fixed blade(full tang), thick enough to take a beating from a wooden mallet/branch.

I prefer all my knives of alaska.

http://www.knivesofalaska.com/catalog/prod_display.aspx?from=Fixed%20Blade%20Knives&cat=Bush%20Camp

I also have a pronghorn hunter, cub bear, muskrat, and alpha wolf.

The only issue I have is that some are D2 steel and risk corrosion in salt water vs other metals. That being said, enough oil on them, and they are fine.

[RWBlue]

For outdoor, it needs to be long fixed blade(full tang), thick enough to take a beating from a wooden mallet/branch.

I prefer all my knives of alaska.
I also have a pronghorn hunter, cub bear, muskrat, and alpha wolf.

The only issue I have is that some are D2 steel and risk corrosion in salt water vs other metals. That being said, enough oil on them, and they are fine.

Not to start an argument, but more of a discussion.
I disagree with the big knife theory.
I am thinking that the hatchet and small knife is the way to go.
Have you used these to butcher animals?
Have you used it to chop wood?
Have you used it around the kitchen?

Let see some pictures of your knives.

[Signel]

I actually have two hatchets in my pack, but honestly, a chainsaw tends to make much easier work of wood when camping/hunting.

As for your other questions:

Have you used these to butcher animals?

Many many times... The D2 steel is exceptional at edge retention so even feral hogs are easy. I've seen many hunting buddies toss their kershaw/gerbers to the cooler and use my KOA's instead. I've gone full seasons without having to sharpen the D2 blades. I would NOT use these for hammering or prying..


Have you used it to chop wood?

I have used the camp knife to chop wood as it is very thick and can take the slugs from a baton. It is useful for splitting saplings or 1-4 inch branches... I've done so to fashion a ground blind for turkey hunting on many occasions.

Have you used it around the kitchen?

All the time. I don't use my caping knife or the muskrat as they are very specific tools for skinning/caping, but the alpha wolf is excellent at butchering. I took a hog apart in the garage a few months back and then used it to finish some pork for pulled pork sandwiches. I prefer it for cutting up large cuts of meat from the meat market as well.


My general stance is this:

Hard tool steel for intricate butchering.

Softer steel for my pocket knives (they tend to be cheaper as a result) so i don't care if I destroy them or loose them. I love Gerber, Kershaw and CRKT for this job. There are plenty of other brands that would fill this roll easily

i have a clean hatchet and a gerber bone saw for the skeletal work.

PIC without my camp knife as it is in my brothers pack it seems.. sneaky little bastard.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_nGJf_vkBhTg/S0f61JryzDI/AAAAAAAABoU/XmOu_sHOyDA/s400/DSC00424.JPG

[Outlander Systems]

I had a M9 bayonet that I used for, quite literally everything. I gave it to a buddy, and it's probably not seen any use whatsoever, but that thing did everything from cutting branches to cutting steaks. It even works as an excellent spatula for flipping omelets and pancakes.

[M4arc]

I take your challenge, and here is my selected tool:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Thirdworldmedic/monthchallenge.jpg

Chris Reeve's Shadow IV.

I have a lot of cooking ahead of me with the holidays coming up, I will try to post pics and details as much as possible.

ETA: First meal down, an easy one. Spicy chicken sandwich for lunch.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Thirdworldmedic/IMG_0386.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Thirdworldmedic/IMG_0404.jpg
And dinner... (low carb meatloaf)

Mike - Does the end cap on the Shadow IV unscrew to allow for storage in the handle?

[Scouse]

My Glock Knife sits under my Sons Officer Managers desk top! She likes the comfort factor.

Has an edge like a straight razor!

[cmiller683]

I've been using this KA-BAR Military Knife for a few months now and I stumbled across this thread. This (https://www.kabar.com/product/productDetail.do?productNumber=5013&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical)is the knife I'll be testing.

https://www.kabar.com/images/5013_large.jpg

The main use for this knife is for camping and survival. I used it this past fall while camping, and used it very lightly to process wood for the fire. I used it very little on that trip, as my friend had brought a hatchet. After returning from the trip, the only noticeable difference was the finish had worn off from bunting. It still had a good edge at this point, and was otherwise flawless.

On January 22, 2010 I did an over-nighter with my girlfriend, our friend, and our dog into the Osceola National Forest in Florida. Let me add to this story by saying, we bought a little doggie hiking pack for the pooch, and she did great. Carried her own food, treats, a toy and her leash. 16 miles round trip and she didn't miss a beat. The only issue was the ticks here absolutely horrible. This will give you an idea of what we were dealing with, and how the dog (Kona) did. She's 45lbs and 12 months old. A rescue dog.


http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs197.snc3/20449_532551460815_37403318_31232320_1676609_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs197.snc3/20449_532551146445_37403318_31232262_6409297_n.jpg


Anyways, during this trip I used my KA-BAR to process some dead pine near our campsite. The majority was relatively old wood, and therefore quite easy to split. However, a few pieces were freshly fallen and had large knots in them. Maybe three pieces at best.


http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs177.snc3/20449_532551301135_37403318_31232290_1898900_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs177.snc3/20449_532551306125_37403318_31232291_7250761_n.jpg


In the end, I split these as well, and they all went into the fire. After I finished and went to wipe down my knife, I noticed the disgusting failure of my knife.


http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs177.snc3/20449_532551370995_37403318_31232303_7676360_n.jpg

I was genuinely shocked and quite disappointed at discovering this. The knife had significantly bent at the junction of the handle and the blade. (Maybe a professional can inform me of this term) So, upon returning from our hike, I shot an email to KA-BAR customer service explaining the situation, as well as the fact that I had purchased this knife at a gun-show in Michigan this past summer, and had no receipt. I received a reply asking me to mail it to them immediately so they could send me a replacement, free of charge. I couldn't have been happier with the speed and professionalism of KA-BAR's customer service. I also emailed them asking to be informed of what they find wrong with the knife. I am waiting to hear back and to receive my replacement.

I was quite disappointed that the knife bent in the first place, as this is well within its intended use. I have faith, however, that this was likely a fluke. I have heard nothing but good things about them from both professional and personal contacts.

I shall keep you updated.

P.S. The pooch the night after the hike.

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs277.ash1/20449_532551500735_37403318_31232325_2573150_n.jpg

CMiller

[cmiller683]

Problem fixed.

[MIKE G]

Mike - Does the end cap on the Shadow IV unscrew to allow for storage in the handle?

Yes, it does unscrew and you can keep a small amount of stuff in there. It is well designed, cap screws down so that it sits on machined "shoulders" so should you need to use the base of the handle as a hammer or hammer the knife into/through something the force is transferred to the shoulder and not the threads.

[RWBlue]

I've been using this KA-BAR Military Knife for a few months now and I stumbled across this thread. This (https://www.kabar.com/product/productDetail.do?productNumber=5013&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical)is the knife I'll be testing.

https://www.kabar.com/images/5013_large.jpg


http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs177.snc3/20449_532551370995_37403318_31232303_7676360_n.jpg

CMiller

I think you broke it. :D

[cmiller683]

Just contacted customer service at KA-BAR wondering where my replacement is. Come to find out, UPS didn't put my return address on the box, so they had nowhere to send it. I emailed it to them, and they're shipping it out today.

They've been great about it. I hope I'll hear back from them about why it broke.

CMiller

[NoBody]

I take your challenge, and here is my selected tool:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Thirdworldmedic/monthchallenge.jpg

Chris Reeve's Shadow IV.


Mike,

Where did you get the kydex sheath? I thought the Shadow IV only came with the factory leather sheath.

Thanks,
NB

[MIKE G]

I ordered that from survival sheaths. I had heard that some people had issues with delivery. It took roughly three weeks from order to delivery for two sheaths (one for this knife and one for a Green Beret).

[Beachboy]

I lived off the land so to speak :) cause we also fished :) so lived off land and water for about 6 months

I had a fork and a blackjack 1-7 and a opinel or is it openal ? those cheap wood handled knives they are great for eating and small stuff the Blackjack was great for fishing and cutting pineapple and coconut and meat also was good at chopping small bush for kindling did everything I needed and held a edge very very well truly amazing for how much I used it
the fork and small knife make daily eating much more enjoyable

I used to have a almar folding filet knife I loved and it was in Honduras with me till I lost it ? but was a great daily living knife again not a work knife like the Blackjack

a machete and a work knife like a BJ 1-7 and a daily knife small sharp
are the team that I love :)

if I had to have only one !!!! it would be the Blackjack I have had a ton of knives as I and a buddy used to sell knives so had the chance to test out tons of models etc...

i think its personal :) and some of the new knives these days are very nice :)

While not my EDC, I have an early model BJack 1-7 that I use for my med - to - large field knife and have used it on all kinds of stuff.
Right now my EDC is an Ontario RAT folder, that is too new to form a solid opinion about yet.

[woody d]

I take your challenge, and here is my selected tool:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Thirdworldmedic/monthchallenge.jpg

Chris Reeve's Shadow IV.

I have a lot of cooking ahead of me with the holidays coming up, I will try to post pics and details as much as possible.

ETA: First meal down, an easy one. Spicy chicken sandwich for lunch.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Thirdworldmedic/IMG_0386.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Thirdworldmedic/IMG_0404.jpg
And dinner... (low carb meatloaf)i have had CR one piece knives, but the grip was something i could never get used to. there are cheaper ($100 range) knives that are just as tough. the hollow handle for storage is a great idea but not worth the discomfort, so i sold them off.

[Ruffino]

For outdoor, it needs to be long fixed blade(full tang), thick enough to take a beating from a wooden mallet/branch.

I prefer all my knives of alaska.

http://www.knivesofalaska.com/catalog/prod_display.aspx?from=Fixed%20Blade%20Knives&cat=Bush%20Camp

I also have a pronghorn hunter, cub bear, muskrat, and alpha wolf.

The only issue I have is that some are D2 steel and risk corrosion in salt water vs other metals. That being said, enough oil on them, and they are fine.

I have an old Puma White Hunter which is my favorite all around knife. I've used it to gut elk, slice bacon, chop wood and everything in between. It is about 40 years old and still holds an edge better than any other knife I've owned and is unmatched in versatility.

[LHS]

I use an old factory second Benchmade Balisong for everyday stuff at the office, including opening packages, cutting apples, cutting baked potatoes, poking holes in microwave dinner covers, keeping my hands busy, cutting loose threads, etc etc. I do this primarily because I don't want to wear down the edge on my Stryker, which is my EDC knife, or my Leatherman. I keep those scalpel-sharp in case I need such. The old beat-up 15-year-old Balisong takes the abuse and keeps on going.