Knife challenge

[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 is the knife I'll be testing.



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.







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.







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.




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.



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 is the knife I'll be testing.






CMiller

I think you broke it.

[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:



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:



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.




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.