Let's see your knives - big and small.

Post by **Yaj** » Tue Mar 27, 2012 10:04 am

Thanks for the info Amar. Package without tracking is a real gamble.I hope it turns out well for you.
Regards,
Yaj.

Raghavachari · Post by **Raghavachari** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 4:15 pm

Coll.jpg

My little collection.
http://s1157.photobucket.com/albums/p58 ... e%20Stuff/

Left to Right
1. The Aruval- Reconditioned by a blacksmith in Chennai. Its no Busse or even a Becker but it chops like its going out of fashion. Works as a machete too and batons through anything. And its cheap, so I am not afraid to whale on it.
2. SOG NW Ranger- No nonsense bush-craft cum soldier knife. Not seen any action yet, but has some great reviews on youtube and woodsmonkey. I wanted a bush-craft knife that would work in humid rain forest environments and not rust overnight. People say the leather sheath sucks but a well oiled leather sheath may work better in humidity IMHO.
3. United Cutlery Combat Toothpick Dagger- Entirely impractical and useless piece of "tacticool". Ordered to test the delivery system

Plus its vaguely reminiscent of the FS Dagger. Says AUS-8 on the blade?!?!? For $20 shipped to my door.
4. The Becker Knife & Tool BK-14 Eskabar- Latest acquisition. Incredible knife! Never have I held a small fixed blade that just feels so damn robust and versatile. Used it in the kitchen in place of my 8 inch chef knife and it did itself credit. I dare say there is little real "need" for more knife than this. But who here buys knives based on a literal definition of the word "need"?

. The Zytel scales make me ask whyever was it offered without them.
5. Kershaw Scamp- My personal favorite. I have a bit of a review put up elsewhere on this forum. After a bit of work on the Lansky Deluxe it has taken a scary sharp edge. Shaves hair, cuts a wave in a newspaper, makes me afraid to touch the edge. Thought it would be good experience before I invest in a top flight folder but it has seriously messed with my expectations.
6. No name Chinese slipjoint- Scandi Ground! Not kidding. Takes a good edge and keeps it through packages, tape, string, plastic wire (price tags) etc. Need to touch it up once a week maybe.

Top row
7. Carborundum Universal Benchstone- Coarse & Medium. Used to get good edges on all my knives with this and the Smith's and a thick old leather belt.
8. Swedish Firesteel- Added a piece of hacksaw blade to it to strike with because the attached striker doesn't create sparks. Its a novelty item with some niche utility in cold or wet environments. But a Rs.10 Clipper or Bic lighter will do just as well in the wet unless it gets soaked.
9. The Lansky Deluxe Sharpening system- Arrived in the same package as the Eskabar. Exceptional and highly cost effective product. Puts nasty edges on the 3 knives I have re-profiled and sharpened. The Arkansas Stones may not be very effective on supersteels like S30V, 154CM, A1, A2, O1 and so on. Might need the diamond stones for that.
10. Smith's 3-in-1- First fixed angle sharpener. OK product. Allows only a 20 deg per side angle to sharpen and the rest of the stuff (diamond plate and v-grinder) are not too useful for a newbie like me.

That's all I have for now. I think I will be OK in most survival situations with what I have. The literal definition of "need" has been met. Now to address my desires

Cheerz all
Vasu

Moin. · Post by **Moin.** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:36 pm

Hi Vasu;

The SOG's a very very lovely lovely blade, how about some close ups,

Regards
Moin.

marthandan · Post by **marthandan** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:52 pm

nice grip for the aruval

Raghavachari · Post by **Raghavachari** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:34 am

Forgive the terrible photography

SOGNWRanger1.JPG

SOGNWRanger2.JPG

SOGNWRanger3.JPG

SOGNWRanger4.JPG

SOGNWRanger5.JPG

SOGNWRanger6.JPG

Raghavachari · Post by **Raghavachari** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:41 am

SOGNWRanger7.JPG

SOGNWRanger8.JPG

SOGNWRanger9.JPG

Raghavachari · Post by **Raghavachari** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:49 am

marthandan wrote:nice grip for the aruval

The Blacksmith in Tambaram actually had that idea well before I ever saw the Cold Steel Bushman or any of the Schrade hollow handle knives. And it is stronger than a rat-tail. The grip tape was my idea

.

choombak · Post by **choombak** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:15 am

@raghav - the bk14 is indeed sold without the scales, and can be purchased in various configurations similar to the ESEE series.

Bruno22 · Post by **Bruno22** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:19 am

Very nice collection Vasu. I do have a liking for smaller blades. Better to carry, easy to control and practical to use in everyday situations.
Cheers
Bruno22

Raghavachari · Post by **Raghavachari** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:55 am

Ah Choombak,
One of the most extensive collections on this forum you have

Yes I know the history of the Eskabar. One of the reasons I bought it is because it carries 3 of the premier names in the knife business. Randall/ESEE, Becker Knife & Tool and of course Ka-Bar. It comes off the factory in just 1 config though. Knife, Sheath and Paracord. The Zytel Scales have recently come out. People have used modded Izula (by ESEE) scales in Micarta etc.

choombak wrote:@raghav - the bk14 is indeed sold without the scales, and can be purchased in various configurations similar to the ESEE series.

Raghavachari · Post by **Raghavachari** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:03 am

I hear you and agree. Big blades have their uses but they are fewer than a small blade. Eg in the Becker line, the most useful and most sold blade is the BK2 as opposed to any of the bigger blades. I mention this example because the cost of the BK2 and the longer blades in the family are quite close if not the same.

Bruno22 wrote:Very nice collection Vasu. I do have a liking for smaller blades. Better to carry, easy to control and practical to use in everyday situations.
Cheers
Bruno22

Raghavachari · Post by **Raghavachari** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:42 am

And some more individual pics of my crap.

UCDagger1.JPG

Aruval1.JPG

Aruval2.JPG

Aruval3.JPG

Aruval4.JPG

Aruval5.JPG

Raghavachari · Post by **Raghavachari** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:46 am

Scamp1.JPG

Scamp2.JPG

Scamp3.JPG

Scamp4.JPG

Scamp7.JPG

Scamp8.JPG

ramtiger · Post by **ramtiger** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:56 am

@ Raghavachari
your collection are superb

choombak · Post by **choombak** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:30 pm

Raghavachari wrote:Ah Choombak,
One of the most extensive collections on this forum you have
...

I have no collection, all users - so I end up selling most that I get. With the sate of affairs here, the only way to feel a blade is to purchase it, which is why I end up getting a large number of blades. My "collection" is only the blades that I "use" - a Doug Ritter mini RSK MK1 (a la BM mini Grip with better steel and design), Spyderco Spin, Spyderco Etch, and a Spyderco Ladybug. In the fixed series, I recently acquired two lovely blades, so here is some eye candy...

(a) LionTribe Designs RingMaster (W2 tool steel, ~8", relic finish). Mike from Lion Tribe specializes in making "primitive/tribal" blades. Very beefy and hefty. The sheath is two-tone leather, with a kydex insert for vertical carry.
(b) Entrek Companion, around ~8.5", 440C, micarta scales, very ergonomic grip. Comes with a poor quality kydex sheath.

-Amarendra

Indians For Guns

Indians For Guns