Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Finish, Handle Material, Materials, Overall Quality, Sheath/Scabbard, Weight
Cons: None
Excellent value!
I’ll admit I had some concerns before buying this knife. A nylon sheath and Delrin “faux horn” handle sounded cheap on paper. But at this price for a Nessmuk-style blade, I decided to give it a shot. The sheath does feel cheap, yet it’s surprisingly sturdy. The retention flap gets in the way at first, but with a little practice it no longer bothers me. The Delrin scales also feel plasticky, but the textured surface and mild jimping provide a secure, very controllable grip. Function wins over first impressions here. The 420 is an oldie but goodie, and this blade arrived very sharp at about a 15–17° edge. I re-profiled it to 20° for extra toughness, and thanks to the hollow grind it took an insanely sharp edge with ease. As advertised, it’s excellent for field dressing. I wouldn’t rely on it for heavy batoning of firewood (there are other suitable tools for that), but for feather sticks or breaking down a big porterhouse steak, it performs beautifully. I was genuinely impressed with how well it sliced meat without loosing its juice! Initially, I thought I’d make a kydex sheath and new handle with maple, but after a few weeks of use I don’t feel the need. Down the road it could still be a fun project knife, and at this price I wouldn’t worry about ruining it. While I’m not sure how it would hold up long-term as a dedicated bushcraft knife, but as an all-around camp knife, or even an oversized steak knife, it’s a wonderful buy! Verdict: A surprisingly capable, versatile knife that punches well above its price point.
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