seth
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Post by seth on Nov 8, 2023 23:37:17 GMT
I have the Windlass 1796 LC, and it is great. Leaps and bounds above my Cold Steel 1796.
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seth
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Just Peachy
Posts: 980
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Post by seth on Nov 8, 2023 23:35:59 GMT
I really like my kailash mutiny. I also have a Ka-Bar Becker BK21 and an OKC kukri. Those are great blades too.
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seth
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Just Peachy
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Post by seth on Nov 8, 2023 21:49:14 GMT
Mine live in the garage.
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seth
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Just Peachy
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Post by seth on Nov 7, 2023 23:40:27 GMT
Very cool. I like the lugged spear a lot.
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seth
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Just Peachy
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Post by seth on Nov 7, 2023 21:53:14 GMT
So I did some destructive testing. First, I held the knife in an hammer grip and stuck into my work bench as hard as I could--wearing gloves and eye pro. It torqued sideways and this happened: As mentioned, the scales are plastic and just broke. The liners appear to be soft steel and they bent. Next I put the blade in a vice tip first and began pushing sideways. With not a lot of force this happened: It snapped in two places so it seems pretty brittle.
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seth
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Post by seth on Nov 5, 2023 1:28:39 GMT
For me, I think scabbards complete the sword. I have been dabbling in making my own for cost reasons, and it takes a lot of time with a steep learning curve. It's not just one skill but a combination of several. Mine are simple affairs but the more complex ones that steam the wood, soak the leather, and do engraving I can see taking extraordinary amounts of time.
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seth
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Post by seth on Nov 3, 2023 20:47:45 GMT
I ordered a Baron and a Duke right before they announced the price increase so I didn't put any more orders in.
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seth
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Post by seth on Nov 3, 2023 20:41:52 GMT
It looks like the few remaining in stock are still priced on the older scale.
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seth
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Post by seth on Oct 27, 2023 1:57:45 GMT
Or is there an arrangement that KoA gets the swords that people put deposits on and then can't pay off at the time of completion? Dunno. I assumed they put in orders each month in order to have a rolling stock of Albions. Seems like a good business move since they are the only retailer with a fairly regular stock of Albions. I would be really curious to know their profit margin. It wouldn't surprise me if it was very low, but it is worth doing because a regular stock of Albions draws traffic to their site. I suppose they could have the arrangement you suggested too, but that seems like a lot of failed pay-offs.
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seth
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Post by seth on Oct 27, 2023 1:17:30 GMT
My goodness, it’s raining Albions today. Thegn - oxblood Vigil - dark brown Vigil - light brown Viceroy - light brown Helms on! LOL But yes, I wonder if KOA started putting in monthly orders over a year ago and now that is bearing fruit.
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seth
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Posts: 980
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Post by seth on Oct 26, 2023 20:32:22 GMT
Up for sale a Celebrity Grade LK Chen Flying Phoenix Jian. Original owner, never cut with. $375 shipped CONUS. Beautiful pattern on the blade. Sword is solid and quick. Scabbard has a couple of issues: On the top of the mouth above, there is a small gouge. One the one side, the scabbard is slightly split. It still holds the sword very tightly. In fact, I think it was the tightness that caused the split. It came that way. The sword is perfect though. I haven't asked, but LK Chen may send a replacement scabbard since they do strive for perfection in their products.
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seth
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Post by seth on Oct 26, 2023 20:27:09 GMT
Culling the collection. All prices shipped in CONUS. Top to Bottom: Spyderco Yojumbo (brand new w/ box): $160 SC Endura Zome green w/ wharncliffe blade (I swapped out the original black scales for the zome): $50 SC Native Chief Rex 45 sprint run discontinued: $175 SC Native 5 Maxamet FRN: $130 Benchmade (like new w/ some minor cuts in the sheath strap from going in and out of the sheath): $130
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seth
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Post by seth on Oct 25, 2023 21:12:13 GMT
Honestly, while knockoffs are terrible for being knockoffs, aside from a few small gripes your now-free knife might be perfectly serviceable for tasks you'd rather not use a good knife for. I've had a Fact (genuine, bought second-hand) for a year or so now and it's a neat little knife. Until I started my new job, I carried it everywhere and even used it at work from time to time. It's not exactly a multi-function kind of knife, though... At least you got a refund and now have a real Fact. That's true. I have a couple of non-name "garage" knives that I don't mind abusing or cutting nasty stuff with. It would be interesting to see how this knife holds up over time. It has plastic grip scales (which is why the pocket clip is loose as it is screwed into them) and it doesn't feel as robust as the real fact. The axis lock pin is noticeably smaller too.
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seth
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Post by seth on Oct 25, 2023 21:07:59 GMT
I like Benchmade knives and own several. My EDC is a Benchmade Griptilian combo blade. Benchmade does not make ANYTHING in china anymore. The chinese seller was your big huge red flag. I am glad you got your money back. Copperandclad and BladeHQ are the best places I have found to buy knives. There is too much counterfeiting to trust anyone selling at too low a price. I have no suggestions for destructive testing but I am sure a quick search on YouTube will yield lots of options. I didn't know it was from China until the package arrived 3 weeks after ordering. There was a label with a Texas return address over the top of a Chinese one. LOL
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seth
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Post by seth on Oct 25, 2023 17:03:54 GMT
I've been wanting a Benchmade Fact for awhile. I once had an account with Benchmade so I googled it and got on what I though was their website. Turned out it was a fake website. It was something like benchmadeknives.com, and it looked like an official website. The "Fact" was on sale for a good price but not a suspiciously low price. I bought one. It took forever to arrive--because it came from China. Cosmetically, it looked like a fact, but the fit and finish were way off for a Benchmade knife. The pocket clip wiggles, the action is atrocious, and the scales were plastic instead of aluminum. I called Benchmade, and they told me this company puts up the fake website and manipulates the search algorithms to be a top result. Benchmade constantly is getting these websites taken down, but they pop up under a different url. I disputed the charge with my credit card company and got a refund. I did buy a real Fact from an authorized dealer in person. Here are the two knives: Can you tell which is the genuine one? The answer is: The one on the right. The knockoff box is nearly identical except it is blue (which some BM boxes are). Also, it lacks the foam cut-out. The manual and little stickers are identical. The bag is noticeably poorer quality. The knockoff blade is not completely stonewashed. The genuine knife has a much better action and solid construction. The pins on the knockoff are brass. Anyway, I thought I would share because the counterfeiters are clever. When I emailed them about this, they actually did apologize and agree to the refund. They didn't ask for their crummy knife back. So, how shall I dispose of it? Anyone have any destructively creative ideas?
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seth
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Post by seth on Oct 25, 2023 16:48:38 GMT
These are good solid blades. The sword is very fast and nimble. The seax is a brute. The handles are cord wrapped and I coated them in glue to hold the cord better and enhance the grip. I had viking style chape and added it to the seax scabbard since it didn't have one. It turned out ok. $175 plus shipping for both. They are boxed and ready to go so I can get you a shipping quote if you like. Euro model #12 Medieval Viking Sword Model #12 Forged from 1075 spring steel Peened tang. Metal fittings on sword and sheath Wood core leather wrapped sheath. Stats - Handle - 4 inches Handle and pommel 5.5 inches Blade length - 26 inches Width at guard - 1.6 inches weight 2.3 pounds Length 32 inches Length in scabbard - 33.2 inches Wood core scabbard Euro model #6: One Handed Peened Pommel Viking Seax - 1075 TH carbon steel blade. Stats: Blade: 1075 High Carbon Spring Steel Cord wrapped grip Weight: 2 lb 2 oz Edge: Sharp Width at guard: 1.5 inches Total length: 22.25 inches Blade length: 16 inches Grip Length: 4.5 inches Pommel: Peened Wood core scabbard with decorative chape
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seth
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Posts: 980
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Post by seth on Oct 9, 2023 14:58:17 GMT
I'm so very sorry for your loss. It's a brutal thing to bear.
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seth
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Posts: 980
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Post by seth on Sept 26, 2023 17:25:45 GMT
I have no experience with Golok in specific. I have a Ukrainian made hatchet which is very good quality. I have Tops bushcraft knife which is also excellent.
My take is that the Golok is a machete though at 5 mm thick, it is a very beefy machete. I have the Ka-bar kukri machete which beefier than Cold Steel machetes and it is about 4 mm thick. So, I think the Golok would do really well at machete like tasks. They market it as suitable for chopping wood--I am not sure if that means batoning, but it's probably think enough.
The Tops is a large knife. It is 1/4 inch thick. Definitely could baton with it. It would be a good chopper too.
I think though the Golok would probably do everything the Tops would at a great price point. I may look into getting one.
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seth
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Just Peachy
Posts: 980
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Post by seth on Sept 21, 2023 21:40:08 GMT
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seth
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Post by seth on Sept 14, 2023 15:00:29 GMT
Thanks for a great transaction Derek!
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