Etichette

venerdì 29 novembre 2013

MuntjaX by S. Mitchell_first impressions

Hi everyone, a couple days ago I received a MuntjaX knife from the UK knifemaker Stuart Mitchell. Specs: Total lenght 220mm Blade lenght 100mm Blade thickness 3,5mm Steel SF100 (inox steel very similar to the Sandvik 13C26 http://www.zknives.com/knives/steels/sf.100.shtml), tempered at 60HRC (?) G10 handle with hollow pins Weight 150 grams (w/o sheath), 220 grams (with sheath) The fit and finish level is outstanding, as per usual speaking about the work of Stuart. The handle is a true masterpiece, it’s like was tailored for my hand. Nor to speak about the beautiful blade. I made a leather sheath for the MuntjacX. It’s not at the same fit and finish level of the knife, of course, but the knife is safe and stable, and that’s count for me. My first impressions about the MuntjaX are really good. This is the third Mitchell’s knife that I handle, and each of one was a masterpiece. The reasons is that Stuart is able to combine a top level quality of work with a really practical design, so at the end you had a Land Rover handmade and finished like a Bugatti. Perfect. The MuntjaX is compact, light, robust, really comfortable. In my opinion it’s a knife ideal for bushcraft, camping, outdoor activities, made for people who are looking for the best. As a final note, I would like to share with you the fact that was our good friend Nightfly asking Stuart for a Muntjac a bit longer, so the MuntjaX was born. For me this fact add a great value to this knife. Rest in peace Maarten, we miss you. Ciao, Alfredo

mercoledì 20 novembre 2013

Great Estern Cutlery: USA tradition's appeal

Hello everyone, today I would like to introduce you two Great Eastern Cutlery pocket knives: the first one is the NORTHFIELD CUTLERY #42 LOCKBACK AUTUMN AMBER BONE aka “Missouri Trader”, the second one is the NORTHFIELD CUTLERY #23 Pioneer Jack Cocobolo wood. Specs: Missouri Trader Total lenght: 193,5mm Blade lenght: 82,5mm Blade steel: 1095 Tool Steel (Carbon) Lock: Lock Back Closed Lenght: 107,9mm Handle material: Autumn Amber Jig Bone Bolster(s): Nickel Silver Liner(s): Brass Wheigt: 102 grams Made in: USA Pioneer Jack Total lenght: 210,0mm Blade lenght: 95,0mm Blade steel: 1095 Tool Steel (Carbon) Lock: --- Closed Lenght: 114,0mm Handle material: Cocobolo Bolster(s): Nickel Silver Liner(s): Brass Wheigt: 178 grams Made in: USA In my opinion GREAT EASTERN CUTLERY folders are just at the top in terms of fit and finish, craftsmanship, material’s quality. That said, I found that GEC pocket knives are great also in terms of toughness and efficiency on the field, so don’t worry and use your Northfield UN-X-LD, Tidioute or Great Eastern Cutlery for, your pocket knife will do what he need to do. I also like a lot the history behind the different models, and the feeling that every single model gives to me, as I was a Missouri pioneer, a Great North trapper, even a fisherman or a simple farmer, depending of the models…call me mad, but I feel like this using my GEC’s pocket knives daily. Sadly, it’s not easy to find a GEC pocket knife here in Europe, but luckily there is the GEC Online Store for http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/gec-online-store/ …if you are quick enough, because the GEC pocket knives are often limited editions and are very collectables, so that means that they will not stay long time at the store. I firmly guess that a Great Eastern Cutlery pocket knife it’s mandatory for the ones who loves the great USA pocket knives traditions. Ciao, Alfredo

venerdì 15 novembre 2013

EXTREMA RATIO S.E.R.E.1 MULTIPURPOSE KNIFE

Hi all, today I want to introduce you a peculiar knife: the Extrema Ratio S.E.R.E. 1
As you may see, this knife is a (sort of) push dagger. The push dagger is a short-bladed dagger with a "T" handle designed to be grasped in the hand so that the blade protrudes from the front of one's fist. The push dagger is thought to have originated from the Indian subcontinent, and is related in principle to the 16th-century Indian katar, or punching sword. Over the centuries, including the WW1 and WW2, the push dagger has used as a respected close-combat weapon
S.E.R.E. is the acronym for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape: the Extrema Ratio S.E.R.E. 1 multipurpose knife is designed to help make your Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape plan a success. Let's see the knife before test it...
Extrema Ratio’s S.E.R.E.1 is an ergonomic push dagger, designed for a set of applications that take it beyond the defensive purpose. Let's see i.e. the grip: there no way of the knife falling or slipping out of the hand or glove during various cutting applications. The handle is made of polyurethane, which provides a great grip in gloves or with wet and dirty bare hands. For self-defense, the S.E.R.E. 1 is a razor sharp tool with unbelievable penetrating capabilities, no doubt on that. The S.E.R.E. 1 features a 115mm blade with 40mm serration, which cuts ropes like butter. Also equipped with belt cutter device and glass-breaking tip under the grip, the specific slot in the middle is a screw-pin shackle wrench. Besides the weapon use, I wanted to try the efficiency of this knife on survival tasks: the peculiar shape of the whole knife ask for some "tricky" maneuver, of course. I.e. for some feathers you need to drive the point of the knife on the wood, then pull the stick against yourself on the serrated part. That said, the S.E.R.E. 1 is a realiable tools, robust, virtually unbreakable, smartly designed: something different from the usual knives ... and because of that attractive in his way.
Ciao, Alfredo