SODBUSTER knife ?

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Forest fella

Full Member
Jul 2, 2008
3,128
274
Gloucestershire
I'm thinking of buying a ''Sodbuster'' / Farmhand etc style knife as I've never owned or tried 1 as an EDC.
Anyone have any suggestions of a decent 1 on there own usage experience.
Cheers
 
The classic Sodbuster pattern has always looked like it has a handle that's almost as thick as it is tall and that's put me off for pocket carry but likely makes it more comfortable in hand for a work knife. But that jigged bone one (if that's what it is, looks lovely) looks rather slimmer @ijohnson - any chance of a photo looking down onto both their spines?
 
I had a lovely Shing field grade sodbuster style knife. It wasn't a whole lot of money either second hand, I'd recommend it, I decided I far prefer a Barlow to sodbuster shape hence selling it
 
The classic Sodbuster pattern has always looked like it has a handle that's almost as thick as it is tall and that's put me off for pocket carry but likely makes it more comfortable in hand for a work knife. But that jigged bone one (if that's what it is, looks lovely) looks rather slimmer @ijohnson - any chance of a photo looking down onto both their spines?
The jigged bone one is indeed slimmer. Quite a lot slimmer. For that reason I prefer the yellow handled one. It's also a nice kind of plastic they used for the scales. I think it's delrin or something similar but has a lovely feel. I will try and get a picture for you later.
 
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The classic Sodbuster pattern has always looked like it has a handle that's almost as thick as it is tall and that's put me off for pocket carry but likely makes it more comfortable in hand for a work knife. But that jigged bone one (if that's what it is, looks lovely) looks rather slimmer @ijohnson - any chance of a photo looking down onto both their spines?

Here you go. Added the ruler for scale.

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I gave a Sodbuster to a friend, it had a D2 blade, don’t remember the brand. Be warned, the factory edge was very obtuse and I gad a fair bit to do on a very coarse (120 or 220grit) to get it to where it would cut. Had the same thing on a Case multi blade. Just seems the way “traditional “ knives are often made.
 
Well my Sodbuster came today.
I went for the Shrade Imperial version and I'm surprised at what you get for the £9.95 plus p&p.
I thought try this 1 for awhile just to see how I get on with the blade style and maybe then upgrade if all goes well.
As for fit and finish the blades pretty well centered, you can slightly feel the Brass liner on 1 side of the back of the Handle, It has a very strong pull and opening Snap, very slight blade play but's that's given it some.
The blade needs sharpening as the factory edge is abit naff, But the worst thing I can say about it is the Blade hasn't been hollow ground very good as you can see in pic 7 as there doesn't seem to be a warp / bend in the blade.
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I'll add pic's of the Grind later as my signals coming and going worse than my head in the late nighties.
But for the price I'm well Happy with this version.
Cheers
 

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Nice one that.

I ended up with a bunch of sodbusters over time, and a number of near-relatives too. I think it is about the most comfortable and useful single-blade pattern; the 3 1/2" blade version, especially so. But, possibly due to that lack of complaint, sometimes it feels a little taupe. Weird, that is.

These examples are a German Eye, Gene Ingram, Great Eastern (in O1) and Moore Maker (Queen). Case and (as mentioned) Otter make good ones. The #21 Great Eastern Bull Buster (3 1/2") is a magnificent knife if you can get one in good used condition. Skelpers have pretty much skewed prices for new ones. I can see some used ones on eBay.

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I've just had a look at the BOKER Range Buster and the Blade shape looks the same as there Plus Tec models so they haven't got the Sodbuster style blade.
And I already own 1 of the HH Plus tec models.
 
Try the Maserin Scout micarta handle in red , orange green , black ( subdued colours ) , D2 steel , lanyard hole , £ 49.99 at Heinnie Haynes . A good buy .
 

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