A bit of a Red Letter Day!

[rancid badger]

It really was a "special delivery" day today, after waiting a while this arrived!:

thanks to tony and co.





Oh and this also arrived!:

This is the Bernie Garland Bushcrafter. Not a Clone, Bernies own design, with a pronounced sweep, in towards the ricasso. and its fantastic! It's what I've been looking for, for years.

It's o1 carbon, scandinavian grind, with stabilised/plastisized box elder burr, with white liners and mosaic pins.

Bernie had explained to me that the sweep works to help control the blade in use when, for example; shaving feather sticks. I tried it between showers this afternoon and it really does work. When I have carried out the same task with a woodlore,( borrowed) I have found that I cant control the cut quite as well. This may be to do with the size of my hands (small to medium) but the curved cutting edge on Bernies Bushcrafter seems to "steer" the blade for me.
The quality of the thing is superb and a real tribute to a highly skilled craftsman.
I think Bernie got the balance between beauty and utility just right, certainly for me at least.
Thanks Bernie, it's a fantastic knife.
Sincerely
Steve.

 

[Barn Owl]

Nice one RB.
I've got one of Bernies bushie types,first class in all respects.

Tom.

 

[Draven]

That is a VERY nice knife! How do you sharpen near the handle?

Looks awesome, and very practical!

 

[mick spain]

Great Knife, and the Badge, good when you get a couple of parcels to open

 

[Bernie Garland]

Great Knife, and the Badge, good when you get a couple of parcels to open

Thanks Mick but it was seeing some ones knives that started me making, glad you like it Steve and know it will be put to work,all the best.

Bernie

 

[spamel]

I also have one of Bernies' Bushcrafter knives. Watch out for the review to follow shortly, but to give you a quick taster, it is easy to make razor sharp and maintains that edge well, cuts like a demon and the sweeping curve makes for a great blade shape for dressing animals, battoning if that is your thing and also controlled cutting of wood. I will get some pictures up in the review that will hopefully show the gentle curve. I really like it, and the workmanship is top notch.

 

[rancid badger]

I also have one of Bernies' Bushcrafter knives. Watch out for the review to follow shortly, but to give you a quick taster, it is easy to make razor sharp and maintains that edge well, cuts like a demon and the sweeping curve makes for a great blade shape for dressing animals, battoning if that is your thing and also controlled cutting of wood. I will get some pictures up in the review that will hopefully show the gentle curve. I really like it, and the workmanship is top notch.

I'm really looking forward to the review Spam but thanks to you, for the advice you gave me.
Just got to sort out a sheath that is worthy of such a fine blade. I'm beginning to feel I should have gone with Bernies' sheath, rather than opting to do my own I could always have made a "working" sheath to use for knocking about:twak:

If there is anyone out there, hovering on the edge of committing to buy a top quality knife to last a lifetime but not sure where to go....Well, all I can say is; I am absolutely delighted with the knife and Bernie is a real gentleman to deal with.

Please be patient with me It sounds a bit sad but I don't often come across tools or equipment that just seem to hit the spot immediately but this does and it's a really nice feeling!

Thanks again
R.B.

 

[spamel]

Got to agree with all you say. Bernie is a cracking bloke, I bet he's blushing right now but he made both me and my brother feel very welcome in his house. His generosity knows no bounds, as he sent me off with a brace of pheasant and my younger brother with a flint and steel set; I should get in touch with him and see if he has made fire with it yet!

Anyway, you've gat a good worker there, hope it gets to see some wood and guts and doesn't sit in a drawer!

 

[rancid badger]

Got to agree with all you say. Bernie is a cracking bloke, I bet he's blushing right now but he made both me and my brother feel very welcome in his house. His generosity knows no bounds, as he sent me off with a brace of pheasant and my younger brother with a flint and steel set; I should get in touch with him and see if he has made fire with it yet!

Anyway, you've gat a good worker there, hope it gets to see some wood and guts and doesn't sit in a drawer!

OOh! you nearly made me swear there! eek:
Draw?....Blimmin DRAW!!!..No chance!:
Mind you, while I look after all my tools, sometimes a bit....well.. some might say; o.t.t.?
It'll take a little while for me to totally relax with this one! rest assured though, it's a user, as well as a thing of beauty!
Oh, I'm getting a bit carried away again.
Time for bed I think-up at 5 again tomorrow
Cheers and goodnight all
R.B.

 

[firebreather]

Great looking tool very pretty.

Greg

 

[mick spain]

Yep got to agree Bernie is a top Bloke, deserves all the praise he can get and good luck to him

 

[andy_e]

That is a nice looking knife, quite fancy one like that myself - the scales aren't to my taste but the blade looks very interesting - a bit like the offspring of a Nessmuk and a Bushie. You'll have to let us know how it performs.

 

[Buckshot]

Interesting the way different people view things...
I have a knife with a similar blade shape. I found the bulge got in the way more than it was a help. I prefer a straight edge myself. As I say, each to thier own...

I do LOVE that handle though, the white spacers really show off the colours to a tee.
Brilliant work and I'm sure you'll spend many a happy hour putting it to good use

Cheers

Mark

 

[Bernie Garland]

Just like to say many thanks for the kind words,Theres a big emccu from bb meet in june perhaps some of us can catch up there,i will be supplying a deer and showing how i skin and butcher,i will also will be supplying a pig for a spit roast,all the best

Bernie

 

[spamel]

Interesting the way different people view things...
I have a knife with a similar blade shape. I found the bulge got in the way more than it was a help. I prefer a straight edge myself. As I say, each to thier own...

I do LOVE that handle though, the white spacers really show off the colours to a tee.
Brilliant work and I'm sure you'll spend many a happy hour putting it to good use

Cheers

Mark

I wouldn't disagree with you though, everyone is unique and has their unique tastes and preferences. If it works for you than that is cool. I've used a few knives over the years, convex and scandi (and plain carp!) and I won't say this is the only knife you will ever need as it is designed towards dressing out animals and cutting wood for points and shelter and large carving jobs maybe. If you want to do something really fine in a tight radius, you may struggle due to the width from edge to spine but that is not what it was designed for. As a bush tool for making shelter, pointing off staves and cutting seasoned hawthorn, which is really tough stuff, it excels.

 

[Celt_Ginger]

It looks fantastic. I'm finding it difficult to resist getting one. How long to pay day?

 

[rancid badger]

It looks fantastic. I'm finding it difficult to resist getting one. How long to pay day?

Honestly, go for it, you won't be disappointed.

I'll be putting it through it's paces shortly and I'll let you all know how I get on. I've had a quick go at some feather sticks and it cuts a bit like a razor! tiny, curly feathers or large thick ones and everything between.
Cheers
R.B.