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Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Finish, Handle Material, Materials, Overall Quality, Sheath/Scabbard, Weight
Cons: None
Best Budget Survival Knife
I stopped buying survival knives when I got the 5" Nomad. Then the Nomad 6.5 came out, and I got in line to buy one. I was a Becker man until Nomad came along. The 5" Nomad replaced the BK2, and the 6.5 replaced the BK7 & the BK9 (all of which I also own). Mine came with walnut scales, which benefited greatly from a coat of Snow Seal. The substantial scales and blade stock heft securely in the hand and give a reassuring feeling. My finger hugs the guard, and my thumb lands right on the jimping at the base of the blade. It's like the knife is eager to go to work. The blade has a sharpening choil, a high flat grind, a convex edge, a generous belly for skinning and butchering, and a thick, strong tip. It has a barely-clipped point with no swedge. The 90-degree spine scrapes and shaves well, It wasted no space on a ricasso, allowing one to concentrate his force at the base of the blade. From the side, its profile resembles a butcher knife on steroids. Sort of a pit bull of a knife. I maintain my edges by regularly stropping with a buffing compound. That keeps my edges convex and sharp. The convex grind is durable enough that I never have to sharpen unless I damage the edges, which hasn't happened yet. The Bohler N695 seems to hold a good edge without rusting. Nomads come out of the box with very respectable, well-crafted edges. I really respect the thought and effort that went into the sheath. It is a good grade of leather that is riveted and double stitched. It has a heavy welt, is well burnished, and smells great! My 6.5 came without a fire steel; I would have happily paid more to get that fire steel. The sheath retains the knife well, partly because of a plastic insert that does not cause the knife to rattle. The sheaths also seem to benefit from a coat of Sno Seal. No need to wet form. The 6.5 sheath uses stitching where the 5" used snaps. I think Joker responded to the feedback they must have been getting about the snaps. I've had my snaps come loose on the 5", and almost lost my knife. Close call. I really look pathetic when I cry. The craftsmanship invested in the sheath inspires faith in the knife as well, makes me really respect Joker Knives. I have bought four Jokers so far, and regret none of them. My Nomads are my knives of any make of which I am clearly proudest.