Southey & JonathanD's Epic Knife Test Thread

[Retired Member southey]

I'm sat in the woods right now, and I'm a little disappointed, I came out thinking that I would enjoy playing with this gerber tool, but I haven't, I'm new to this whole reviewing thing so I'm not sure if it even matters weather I enjoy it or not, and what's worse is that I can't even blame it on the knife, it does what you ask of it, cuts wrist thick wood for shelter supports, trims off the branches like a knife through thin branches(?) though the serrations are beginning to annoy me to the point where I've stopped building the shelter, I'm say on my hammock under my tarp now enjoying a passing shower, I just don't think they are needed, if the blade was of such poor quality that it couldn't hold an edge for five minuets then maybe but as it is the straight edge is fine and the sharpening stone so abrasive that you could fix any damage in a minuets few, so I don't get the serrations at all even the cutting rope nonsense....... More to follow, my water is boiling BREW UP!

 

[JonathanD]

Talk is that Gerber are releasing a plain edge version.

I can't be doing with serrations, although these didn't bother me as much as I'd thought. I'd be much happier without them though.

 

[Retired Member southey]

I'm back home at the moment due to wifely being called out, I think I would have to change the grind a little to like this blade, the edge on the serations is to thin imo to the extent that it rolled after cutting ten hazel poles no more than an inch and half to two inches thick for the shelter, though I went back after my brew and and wonder if the serations do act like a saw edge when using a similar sweet spot pull chopping cut to the HELLION? If wifely is back before dark ill go back for the night else ill be back out in the morning to play! Been eaten alive by mosy today too! Hmmm nice soak with some candles and salts maybe a pinacolada and face pac? Will get pics up in a bit dude.

 

[Robbi]

Pics of what !! ? pray god not the bath, candles and face pack !!

 

[roger-uk]

Pics of what !! ? pray god not the bath, candles and face pack !!

Me prays as well.

 

[JonathanD]

Pics of what !! ? pray god not the bath, candles and face pack !!

Hmmm, scared I am.

 

[JonathanD]

In regard to the serrations and further 'donkeying about'...

I found that the serrations excelled in cutting through sinew and bone. Both leg bone, joints and neck. In the past I have damaged and chipped every scandi grind I have had on Alan Wood and my older Deval Bushcrafters, as well as the Woodlore etc, doing exactly these tasks. The Gerber batonned easily through leg bones and pelvis, as well as cutting through neck bones and sinew in seconds. No damage to this knife yet... STILL...

Seven rabbits later and it is still in good condition with a slight dull point on the belly of the plain edge. 20 seconds on a Sharpmaker will sort that, and it will be the first time I've sharpened the blade.

 

[cave_dweller]

Reluctantly, I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the story of this Gerber so far. I don't want one though!

 

[FGYT]

why on earth are you battoning a rabbit I usually use a swiss army knife in the field and demo with a 1" opinal to fully dress and joint there is no reason to cut a bone at all.

Still nice review

Did you get a package today

ATB

Duncan

 

[JonathanD]

why on earth are you battoning a rabbit I usually use a swiss army knife in the field and demo with a 1" opinal to fully dress and joint there is no reason to cut a bone at all.

Still nice review

Did you get a package today

ATB

Duncan

No reason at all, except to test this blade to the extreme there was every need. Normally I would break the bone, bend and cut. But I am doing hard tests with this knife.

With scandis though, it is easy to chip them on bone, such as cutting the head or tail off, as well as the cartilage. It is a delicate grind for using in this way.

No package received yet. Bank Hols play havok with post.

 

[FGYT]

No reason at all, except to test this blade to the extreme there was every need. Normally I would break the bone, bend and cut. But I am doing hard tests with this knife.

With scandis though, it is easy to chip them on bone, such as cutting the head or tail off, as well as the cartilage. It is a delicate grind for using in this way.

No package received yet. Bank Hols play havok with post.

yes tests are always different to real life still n need to I never break or cut a bone on rabbit to many sharp bits just cut and seperate the soft tissue carefully at the joints

how about testing getting the marrow out of a cow / deer leg bone (yes i know smash with rock )

ATB

Duncan

 

[Retired Member southey]

This is the cut that has done the damage to the serrations, I bent the limb to around 45 degrees, then pushed the blade through, nice enough cut, straight through as if each curve was a little knife, brilliant,

you can see the fold overs shining back, I personally think this edge is too thin, I think they should have continued the bevel angle down the flat side of the serrations to put more meat behind the tips, it would probably end up like that after a few sharpenings any how,

I found that the guard on the spine is to big, when putting my thumb over it to put pressure on the spine it forces my thumb forward on the square ground bit for the ferro rod, though that section work superbly throwing a very good shower, lighting this Birch bark i scraped up some shavings, and POW up it went,

Knocked up some rough pegs, I dont think this knife is ment to give a finessed finish, but the pegs were cut and trimmed quickly,

so I got my camp on!(recognise the tarp Jon)

lit the stove

And had me a wet!

All set for an evenings play and ready to go build some stuff, My wifely gets called in to work, so I trot of home, I shall be surviving in a comfy bed tonight, will have to signal for rescue tomorrow!

 

[JonathanD]

yes tests are always different to real life still n need to I never break or cut a bone on rabbit to many sharp bits just cut and seperate the soft tissue carefully at the joints

how about testing getting the marrow out of a cow / deer leg bone (yes i know smash with rock )

ATB

Duncan

Old quick field method I use, great for knives with delicate blades and the blade never comes into contact with the bone or stronger sinews and cartilage. In fact, you don't even need a knife with that method. You just snap and pull.

I think the bush hammer method would be useful for the cow/deer marrrow. If I get one, I'll do it. I really want to push this knife to daft extremes.

Don't worry, I won't be applying the same methods to yours

 

[JonathanD]

Hey Dave. Great tarp that. I still have one and it is my favourite, even over the Aus Hootchie.

The serrations are too fine, I've sharpened mine today on the reverse side to the grind. It's shortend them no end. Ithink after a couple of sharpenings, it will make them considerably more useable, durable and to my liking.

 

[Retired Member southey]

yeah I have a folder with a very similar blade but with bevels on both sides of the serrations, I reckon this is a knife that need bedding in, not a buy it and stick it in your "just in case pack" have you tried the sharpening stone yet HOLY MOTHER that is one aggressive coating! I really like the actual sheath bit of the sheathconfused but not the cordura bit, the left or right carry and super firm hold of the plastic clips, the one hand draw when across the back works very well, I will of course do a video to explain what i mean too

 

[Retired Member southey]

Heres my C Jul Herbertz liner lock,

 

[JonathanD]

yeah I have a folder with a very similar blade but with bevels on both sides of the serrations, I reckon this is a knife that need bedding in, not a buy it and stick it in your "just in case pack" have you tried the sharpening stone yet HOLY MOTHER that is one aggressive coating! I really like the actual sheath bit of the sheathconfused but not the cordura bit, the left or right carry and super firm hold of the plastic clips, the one hand draw when across the back works very well, I will of course do a video to explain what i mean too

I've found that if you remove the standard diamond thing you get with the Gerber, that a DC4 will fit snugly and securely in its place when the sheath is closed up. I'm not going to do the full conversion on the one I have as it's not mine. But I'll do it on that one when it comes back. Should take all of 5 mins and improve it 100%. It is really aggressive,that standard version, and I'd never use it on my own fine edges, but in a survival situation, I'd take it over using pebbles I'd have to look for. I think that the knife is far more likely to be greatly damaged in the first 48 hours in such a situation, compared to standard use. So an aggressive edge may just be a bonus. Although having both, like my mod, would be better.

 

[JonathanD]

Heres my C Jul Herbertz liner lock,

Yeah, I have a Spyderco Tenacious with the same edge. Good for a folder as it doesn't see the same workload. Not so good for a fixed blade workhorse.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Funny thing chatting to wifely about it, she likens it to a B and Q own brand tool, said it felt unsteady and clumsy, she LIKES Edward but said she would be disappointed to find this knife in a seat pack\J pack kit, I asked her what knife she would be happy with, after a good half hour of looking through hennie haynes she pointed this out, I patted her on the head in my best condescending manner and said good girl! hahaha! the defence budget will be in trouble if she gets here way, No more Estwing sportsman and huntsman saks!

 

[roger-uk]

This is the cut that has done the damage to the serrations, I bent the limb to around 45 degrees, then pushed the blade through, nice enough cut, straight through as if each curve was a little knife, brilliant,

you can see the fold overs shining back, I personally think this edge is too thin, I think they should have continued the bevel angle down the flat side of the serrations to put more meat behind the tips, it would probably end up like that after a few sharpenings any how,

I found that the guard on the spine is to big, when putting my thumb over it to put pressure on the spine it forces my thumb forward on the square ground bit for the ferro rod, though that section work superbly throwing a very good shower, lighting this Birch bark i scraped up some shavings, and POW up it went,

Knocked up some rough pegs, I dont think this knife is ment to give a finessed finish, but the pegs were cut and trimmed quickly,

so I got my camp on!(recognise the tarp Jon)

lit the stove

And had me a wet!

All set for an evenings play and ready to go build some stuff, My wifely gets called in to work, so I trot of home, I shall be surviving in a comfy bed tonight, will have to signal for rescue tomorrow!

Nice stove - same as mine [meta?] - must be afew years old now - mines at lesat 30