Dilemma: trc in m390 for woods?

H

Herr geiser

Joined
Apr 28, 2020
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109
Hello from Australia!

I have some cash burning a hole in my pocket and can’t stand not spending it on a knife…

Got my folders where I want them, small sebs, rinkhals, and know i won’t use anything else

I want a small stainless fixed blade with kydex sheath that i can take out in the wet and the only thing i can find that i like the design and size of is the TRC speed demon

Wanted one for quite some time

My issue is that for fixed blades in the woods i pretty much just use winklers, formally used some gossman (s7/a2), esee etc… so easy to sharpen tough to break… and im hesitating on the trc purely because of the steel- m390 - happy with those kinda steels for little folders I’m a bit lighter on but not sure about a woods fixed blade, doesn’t seem ideal… id prefer maybe aebl but im picky on the design side and havent found anything else i like

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks!!
 
Herr geiser said:
Hello from Australia!

I have some cash burning a hole in my pocket and can’t stand not spending it on a knife…

Got my folders where I want them, small sebs, rinkhals, and know i won’t use anything else

I want a small stainless fixed blade with kydex sheath that i can take out in the wet and the only thing i can find that i like the design and size of is the TRC speed demon

Wanted one for quite some time

My issue is that for fixed blades in the woods i pretty much just use winklers, formally used some gossman (s7/a2), esee etc… so easy to sharpen tough to break… and im hesitating on the trc purely because of the steel- m390 - happy with those kinda steels for little folders I’m a bit lighter on but not sure about a woods fixed blade, doesn’t seem ideal… id prefer maybe aebl but im picky on the design side and havent found anything else i like

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks!!
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What tasks do you want to perform with a "small ... fixed blade"? And how small are you talking about?
M390 is not a tough alloy, but you know that.
 
I’d say that if you don’t plan to chop or do other heavy duty/abusive chores with the knife it should be fine. It won’t be as reliable for shelter/fire making in an emergency, and I personally wouldn’t carry it as my primary woods blade unless I was also carrying shelter and a Silky saw…

The less gear I’m carrying, the larger and more capable I want my primary knife to be.
 
knarfeng said:
What tasks do you want to perform with a "small ... fixed blade"? And how small are you talking about?
M390 is not a tough alloy, but you know that.
Click to expand...

Whittling walking sticks, making fires, that kinda thing

And small im taking under 8” oal, i like to keep it pretty light and minimal

Right now normally carry small winkler like sd1/2 or every carry, used to carry blue ridge hunter for a few years - this is why im worried about the toughness, used to using winklers so never have to worry about that, tough steel thick edge etc theyre beaters
 
I've used my microtech ultratech with m390 to cut down and completely de-limb some 2.5" diameter green saplings. I was not gentle because I needed some 12 foot poles in a hurry and it was the only knife I had on me.

The edge was perfect when I was done, which surprised me a bit. It isn't the knife I would purposely choose for that application but when the music starts, you dance with who ya brung.
 
TRC speed demon has a skeleton handle. Is a skeleton handle on the want list?

I'm a man of simple tastes. And pennies scream at my house. So consider my suggestion with those limitations in mind.
Cold Steel Pendleton Hunter in AUS 10. 8.25" overall, 3.75" blade.
 
For the same use case I got these: Brisa Bobtail, NKD Lizard, Brisa Necker. They are also available in scandi grind for added toughness. I am making the kydex sheaths.
IMG-2854.jpg
 
Take this for what it’s worth…I own a TRC Speed Demon in M390. The skeletonized handle is NOT comfortable. I would highly suggest one with the inserts.

Also, the blade is not that long and is ok for light whittling and food prep.
My purchase of the Speed Demon was purely activity related…saving ounces on light and fast hiking trips. Works well for that.

D119EBE5-22D9-4D1D-83C0-CDEF8437F3EF.jpeg
 
knarfeng said:
TRC speed demon has a skeleton handle. Is a skeleton handle on the want list?

I'm a man of simple tastes. And pennies scream at my house. So consider my suggestion with those limitations in mind.
Cold Steel Pendleton Hunter in AUS 10. 8.25" overall, 3.75" blade.
Click to expand...

Skeletonized is desireable for simplicity and stash and forget in my daypack, but not essential


ferider said:
CPK has a new EDC lined up for release soon (in the next couple of months?), if you can wait, my guess in D3V and MC. Until then use the Winkler, not bad at all !
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I love the look of the cpk edcs but they seem hard to get!

Sharp & Fiery said:
Take this for what it’s worth…I own a TRC Speed Demon in M390. The skeletonized handle is NOT comfortable. I would highly suggest one with the inserts.

Also, the blade is not that long and is ok for light whittling and food prep.
My purchase of the Speed Demon was purely activity related…saving ounces on light and fast hiking trips. Works well for that.

View attachment 2635485
Click to expand...

I have seen the one with the inserts and it looks pretty good but more expensive obviously
I want this for the same reasons you say, save weight and space, i tend to dayhike fast with small pack etc
 
Herr geiser said:
Skeletonized is desireable for simplicity and stash and forget in my daypack, but not essential




I love the look of the cpk edcs but they seem hard to get!



I have seen the one with the inserts and it looks pretty good but more expensive obviously
I want this for the same reasons you say, save weight and space, i tend to dayhike fast with small pack etc
Click to expand...

The inserts did not add any noticeable weight. I handled one at BS. The minute bit of added weight would be worth it just for comfort.
 
Seedy Lot said:
If you are going to be carving for any amount of time a handle is going to worth the extra weight.

I would much prefer the trc Classic Freedom for a camping knife.
Click to expand...

Also very light. I was surprised. I had one for a while, but a friend wanted it so I passed it along.
 
I really dig my DPX hiker. Made in the USA, S30V steel, come set up as a neck knife but can be clipped to whatever, also has lashing points already and a built in bottle opener!
 

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I like trc. But m390 is not tough. I also live in Australia and know how hard our wood can be. I guess it depends on the task you had envisioned for it?

Have you checked out the Spartan Enyo? I own their budget version is aus8-a, a steel which is plenty tough especially given its geometry and thickness. It is corrosion resistant, plus is coated but it wont hold much of an edge

(Not my picture)images (4).jpeg
 
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