Heafner Custom Bowie + lotsopics :)

TOB9595 · Mar 23, 2005

It was a grand day when this Heafner Bowie came into my hands...errrrr...hand..
Here's the thread on the Heafner Passaround in the Passaround Forum.
And here's HEAFNER'S WEBSITE

Here's this big brute 8 inch, D2 blade, OAL must be ~ 13 inches???....I didn't weigh it. DUH!! It wasn't too heavy..and it sure isn't light.

I didn't use the sheath at all....NO BELT....
It looked well constructed.

It afforded me the chance to chop down some two inch limbs without too much effort

It was quick in hand. If you follow Keating's Bowie training...you'll know what I mean

I thrust it into a tree numerous times and it dug in deep without any damage to the tip. Pretty fine as I reall dug in to scoop out a hole after I thrust it in.

TOB9595 · Mar 23, 2005

After thrusting, chopping and keeping it in the dirt to hold it till I was set up again. It still could cut paper with just the weight of the knife to slice

After I was done with the first round of choppin I brought it into the house to check the edge with a magnifier a feel for any tip deformation. The edge looked great and absolutely NO tip changes.

I had a problem with the feeling of the handle slipping while chopping. I wore gloves at the last and the concern was resolved. I would have to mod the handle somehow to fill my grip. I'm lookin to see what the other passarounders think in this area, especially.
When I thrust the integral guard stopped my hand from traveling onto the blade

When I was done with my testing and Before I sent it off I cleaned the knife with water and I gave it a coupla licks on a simichrome laden leather. Looked great! The blade was still sharp but didn't slice paper with just the weight of the blade.
Brought the edge back to hair poppin, paper slicin goodness again. It was NEVER dulled or rolled. Pretty impressive knife from a maker that was unknown to me before this.
Mr. Heafner is a KnifeMaker that I want to know better.
A GREAT KNIFE!!!!
Tom

Cliff Stamp · Apr 18, 2005

Is this flat or hollow ground? Any details on the edge geometry?

TOB9595 said:
After thrusting, chopping and keeping it in the dirt to hold it till I was set up again. It still could cut paper with just the weight of the knife to slice

Do you mean sticking it in the dirt? As in pushing the blade into the ground?

-Cliff

cerberus · Apr 18, 2005

Thanks for the review. I have been checking out their website and love that particular knife best. Love dem big blades

Cerberus

cerberus · Apr 19, 2005

Hey Tom, a questionif you will .......I was reading the reviews in the passaround forum and it was mentioned the it was 9/32. Was it a typo that it was listed at 9/32 or was it supposed to be 5/32 thick. If it was truely 9/32 it just moved up on my list of things to get...

Cerberus

tknife · Apr 19, 2005

Nice review and pics. It looks like a a great user. The handle looks very unique, but comfortable.

Slaytanic · Apr 19, 2005

Yes, it is a hair over 1/4" = .250! 9/32 = 0.28125. I could double check it with a caliper at work if anyone is really interested?

Darrell..................
BTW - Tom did one heck of a complete review, nice work!!

Hey Tom, a question if you will .......I was reading the reviews in the passaround forum and it was mentioned the it was 9/32. Was it a typo that it was listed at 9/32 or was it supposed to be 5/32 thick. If it was truely 9/32 it just moved up on my list of things to get...

Cerberus

Keep Supporting real Metal!!

cerberus · Apr 19, 2005

Thanks for the information Slaytanic, and BTW, that screen name rocks! I have seen the advertisements in the magazines and realized that I had been to your site a few times to look at that particular knife. It must have fallen through the cracks of what I call my memory. Now I am going to have to go and get some stuff to sell

Cerberus

TOB9595 · Apr 19, 2005

Cliff Stamp said:
Is this flat or hollow ground? Any details on the edge geometry?

Do you mean sticking it in the dirt? As in pushing the blade into the ground?

-Cliff

Cliff, the blade is slightly hollow ground. I have no info on the edge geometry.

Yep, I stuck it in the ground. When a tree trunk wasn't available I put the blade into the ground...I couldn't wear a sheath cause of my one armedness

...Actually cause I wore sweatpants..No zipper or belt....

Yep...9/32 give or take a bit...

I just got done talkin to Ken Heafner and it was a joy to chat with him.
He's makin some folders that are not on his site. I put my name on his list sight unseen.....I figure his folders gotta be in the same league as his other work....
Tom

Slaytanic · Apr 20, 2005

Hey Cerberus!(the original hound from hell) Just to let ya know, I'm not part of Ken Heafner's knife Co. just someone who's gotten to become friends with him over the last couple years and that has & uses more than a few of his blades

BTW - If Your interested in a Model #17, shoot me an e-mail, I may have something You'd be interested in

Thanks,
Darrell................

To Cliff Stamp: Hi Cliff! any news on a possible camp knife torture test-a-thon?

Thanks for the information Slaytanic, and BTW, that screen name rocks! I have seen the advertisements in the magazines and realized that I had been to your site a few times to look at that particular knife. It must have fallen through the cracks of what I call my memory. Now I am going to have to go and get some stuff to sell

Cerberus
Reply With Quote

Cliff Stamp · Apr 20, 2005

I dropped Trace an email days ago, no responce from him. I can get a Battle Rat, availability is a few weeks, plus 1-2 weeks to get to me. Comparing the two of them isn't a problem, I would suggest though that you drop the maker an email and discuss it beforehand letting him know the types of things you want to see, make sure you are both on the same page in regards to scope of work.

-Cliff