Review: Grayman Sub-Saharan

[Hammer27]

Recently I was fortunate enough to purchase one of the limited edition Sub-Saharan 10XMHC-DB (DB for double bevel, the ones available now are "SB" single bevel IE chisel grind). I absolutely loved the design and had to have one; now that I have it I love it even more.

First, let me say the fit and finish isn't perfection. BUT as far as working, actually doing the job and being tough as nails, its 200%.

The handle is G10, with a nice finger groove and good texturing. Its not very coarse, having used it with and without gloves, but I never felt it was insecure. The "Death to Al Qaeda" is a Grayman signature and something I think sets these knives apart: they're all business.

http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/1235/2480742750101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2480742750101080816ltEaiv)

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/46134/2426372740101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2426372740101080816vCqMVA)

At .25inches thick of 1095, and 17inches overall it is absolutely massive and relatively heavy. The weight is one of those things that's a natural trade off, its tougher and more bombproof, but you have to hump the extra weight.

http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/18918/2752700310101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2752700310101080816EnNsZi)

I have a nice wood pile and picked out a relatively rectangular piece of tough wood to test.

http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/11489/2243749660101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2243749660101080816UTkntS)

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/24192/2560322570101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2560322570101080816JBhOQT)

I used relatively little force, no huge swings. Basically it was a bit more than a wrist snap, a bit less than a full on chop.

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/32611/2421401190101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2421401190101080816kdjdhu)

The Becker BK9, at half the thickness was expected to do well. But it appears the loss in weight and different design makes it more suited for batoning than straight chopping.

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/15477/2883425540101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2883425540101080816ZopBLA)

My CS Vietnam Tomahawk didn't cut as deeply either.

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/31067/2653587240101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2653587240101080816OWGsmH)


These stabs were performed with the BK9 and the Sub-Saharan. The top and bottom belong to the Grayman and the center to the Becker. As you can clearly see, the Sub-Saharan is going to leave a much wider wound channel in all directions.

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/47575/2951552680101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2951552680101080816fYCZWU)

The sheath is MOLLE compatible and has a kydex liner, it holds it knife securely with very little movement which impressed me greatly as it holds it in either orientation. The handle strap is reversible, a nice touch.

http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/25373/2106362620101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2106362620101080816VVbNSr)

The lanyard hole for the nylon out lines up with the drain holes of the kydex liner, the 550 cord is what keeps them secured in all situations. A pretty simple system that does a good job and allows one to easily modify or make a new kydex sheath that's compatible with the nylon by merely drilling holes in the right spot.

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/39747/2843076170101080816S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2843076170101080816IBzKjf)

Bottom line, I really love this knife!
Grayman will always have my endorsement and I always will turn to this one for the tough jobs.

http://graymanknives.com/subs.html

[CLHC]

Nice rundown on said knife. Sure don't want to be on the "receiving" end of it! How's the GK holding up on the blade after a your chopping?

[RogerinTPA]

Nice review Hammer27. I've always admired Grayman Knives. They look extremely durable. One day I'll get one, but I have enough edges weapons that I don't play enough with.

[Hammer27]

Nice rundown on said knife. Sure don't want to be on the "receiving" end of it! How's the GK holding up on the blade after a your chopping?

Its starting to wear through around the sweet spot, mostly where the blade starts to get thicker. Not too bad all around but probably not the toughest coating around either.

[GIJew766]

I've got the 7" and 10" single bevel. Love them. The 7" was carried on a recent hunting trip and used to hack up some small wood for a fire. The 10 would have done better, but the 7 didn't do too poorly. I'm interested in buying myself one of his folders now that he built one. Could be interesting.



HC

[Rob Haught]

I have three Grayman knives. They are tough as nails, all business blades. Of the three I have, I like the GroundPounder the best. Great guy to deal with as well.

Rob

[LHS]

I first saw these knives at a 10-8 shotgun class in SoCal in 2007. While they were somewhat crude in execution, you could really tell that the overall designs were well thought out and hell-built for stout. I talked to Grayman a bit, made some comments about fit and finish (specifically dehorning the handle area), and he was very receptive. You could tell he really wanted to improve his knives, and sought out constructive criticism. I was so impressed with both his attitude and his efforts that I ordered a Defender with a double bevel a few weeks later.

When the knife arrived, I was impressed at its balance and feel. I took a file and beveled the edges of the grip scales a bit (they were already an improvement over the first knives I saw at the 10-8 class, but still needed some TLC). Now that Defender rides on my camping pack. It's heavy, but it chops firewood like magic. I'm happy with it, and if I'm ever in the market for another large fixed-blade, Grayman's near the top of my list.

[Hammer27]

I'm interested in buying myself one of his folders now that he built one. Could be interesting.


I'm carrying one right now, I'll throw a review together soon.

[Steve]

This months SWAT magazine has an article on Grayman knives.

that said the are baddest blades I own.

[GIJew766]

I'm carrying one right now, I'll throw a review together soon.

Oh you lucky bastard. If you decide you don't like it, I'll take it off your hands for a fair price.


I anxiously await the review though.


HC

[jamaicanj]

Great review and actually great thread. I have been looking at the grayman knives a lot over the last few weeks and I am impressed by everything that I have gleaned so far.

Does anyone carry one of the fixed blade knives each day as part of their edc? If so, which knife and how do you carry it?

Thanks

[Steve]

Great review and actually great thread. I have been looking at the grayman knives a lot over the last few weeks and I am impressed by everything that I have gleaned so far.

Does anyone carry one of the fixed blade knives each day as part of their edc? If so, which knife and how do you carry it?

Thanks

Yes the Suenami, IWB in sheath made by raven