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Written by Tony Bristow
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Page 2 of 2
In Use
In use both knifes perform superbly. The cutting edge needed a bit of a strop when I got them but I blame Hoodoo for that . Once stropped the edge was hair popping sharp. The edge held up well during the weekend I was testing the knifes. I do not know if it is the shape of the blade or the slight convex of the grind but I found these the best knifes I have ever used for making feather sticks. Both knifes were also good for use with a batten to split timber. In this respect the Bushman had an advantage with its longer blade. The back of the blade also casts sparks really well from a firesteel. |
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My other knife for Bushcraft duties is the Allan Blade Bushcrafter which is 4mm thick and I had wondered how the thinner blade would perform. The answer is very well. It is possible to detect some slight flex in the Bushman.tz but none at all in the Scout. The thinner blade may even have been what helped with the feather sticks.
In all tasks bar the battening I found the Scout to be superior. This is more my personal preference than anything to do with the construction of the knife. In my opinion this is the perfect length for an all round bushcrafting blade. I see no advantage to having a bigger blade if you are likely to have an axe or saw with you. |
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As I said the handles are both the same size. I have large hands and the handle was long enough to be comfortable in use. I think I would have liked the slabs to be a bit thicker but this is a personal preference and did not detract from the usability of the knife. The handle was comfortable in all grips and at no time did I feel that the grip was anything less than secure.
In performance the sheath was pants. This was the one disappointment with the knifes and although I am going to go into detail do not be distracted from the fact that it is the knifes that are really important and these are great. Also I have to highlight that Paul has changed the sheath construction and he is now using veg tanned leather and wet forming the sheaths. I have not actually handled one of these so can't say how much of an improvement they are.
Now back to the current sheaths. As I mentioned the glueing on the Scout sheath had failed, which while it did not effect performance it was worrying. The leather of the sheath was so soft that it does not hold the knife at all. If the knife is in the sheath and you tip it past the horizontal, at all, the knife simply slides out. Also as you can see below the knife tends to cut the sheath as it goes in. I do not think it would take much use before this part of the sheath is cut right through. |
The sheaths are so soft that either knife fits just as well in either sheath. In fact if Hoodoo has shipped them in the wrong sheaths I have no way of telling.
In Conclusion
In conclusion I rate these knifes very highly. Both in design and construction. The shape of the blade, the steel, heat treat, handle etc are all of top quality. They strike me as being great value and if the new design of sheaths are up to scratch I think they will be hard to beat.
Of course the as we all know the real sign of a great knife is if it becomes your main knife. So do I prefer these knifes to my Allan Blade bushcrafter? Well yes and no. If I had to rate the knifes in order I would put the Scout in front. The Bushcrafter second and the Bushman.tz third. Of course remember the Bushman.tz is only third in this group I would rate it above most other knifes. So for the time being the Scout will be my main knife. I have already contacted Mike at Scottish Knives to make me a sheath and a nice wooden handled firesteel. My Bushcrafter and the Bushman.tz I shall probably be selling on in the near future.
However, the reason the Scout has won is that, as I said, I have come to the conclusion that a blade length of about 90mm is the ideal length for my needs. I had come to this conclusion before I had even handled the Scout and in using it I have only confirmed my previous thoughts. I have on order a Bushcrafter from Allan Blade that has a 90mm blade, an order that was placed some time ago. So soon the Scout may not have it all its own way. So watch this space the search for my perfect knife may be nearing an end but it is not finished ............................................yet.
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John
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Such is the lure of these shiny objects on the male psyche that a
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I rate these knifes very highly. Both in design and construction
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I would be very grateful for any advice you might have in this regard.
Yours in Gratitude leep45.