Ironside Edgeworks Mestiso - Custom Karambit-Pikal Hybrid Combative Knife and Buyer’s Review

A quick note for anyone who has noticed the shipping timeframe - I want to emphasize that the delay in shipping is NOT within Gavin’s control. Unfortunately it’s just one of the realities of working with an international maker, particularly apparently one working in South Africa. It’s been a bit frustrating, but since it’s out of his hands and sounds like he’s doing his best to utilize the most efficient method available to him, I can’t let it reflect on his part of the process. So far it’s been the only remotely negative aspect of working with him, but patience is a virtue and to paraphrase an old saying, fantastic knives come to those who wait
 
Gavin has recently decided to stop accepting pre payment for orders which I think will help him catch up with the pre paid orders he's behind with.
 
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Gavin has recently decided to stop accepting pre payment for orders which I think will help him catch up with the pre paid orders he's behind with.

He has mentioned some significant changes to his ordering and shipping processes on his IG lately. It seems to be in response to an exponential increase in demand from interested buyers - Which, assuming he can manage the increased demand effectively, is a very good problem for a custom maker to have.

I already get the sense I will be a repeat customer in the foreseeable future, so hopefully getting some of his ordering and shipping factors a bit more streamlined will help him keep up with the volume of orders. He’s only been selling blades for a couple of years but with his creativity and craftsmanship I’d say it’s a safe bet he’s only just begun to leave his mark on the custom combative knife market
 
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While I wait on shipping, I’ve been gathering a few different options to try for attachment/mounting of the sheaths. Both the live and trainer blades are each provided with a designated sheath from Gavin including a clip, but I’m also going to do some experimenting with soft loop and static cord methods to figure out what method/location works best when combined with all the other shit I have on my belt line...
 
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A surprise package showed up today!

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To say I’m overjoyed would be a massive understatement. These pieces are absolutely flawless and the most ergonomic knives I’ve ever had in my hands. Now is when the real fun in this thread can begin. I’m ecstatic!

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Size comparison to the knife it’s intended to replace, the Fox DART. It feels much more substantial in the hand with a reassuring heft, without being unwieldy. I do much prefer the broader finger ring on the Mestiso, with any pressure on the index finger much more broadly dispersed than the slim metal ring on the DART and most of my other ring-handled blades
 
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Gavin posted pictures of the completed set to his IG page, and it sounds like the response he’s been getting has been so overwhelmingly positive he’s considering putting the Mestiso into regular production!
 
I'm happy for you finally receiving it.
I was starting to worry that you were going through various stages of grief, if it never showed up.
Looks great.
 
I'm happy for you finally receiving it.
I was starting to worry that you were going through various stages of grief, if it never showed up.
Looks great.

I wasn’t particularly concerned, unfortunately the headache is just a reality of international shipping from SA at present. It’s definitely been worth the wait though!
 
https://www.instagram.com/p/B995LHepH79/?igshid=1wnxqxokiemmo

Demonstrating a solution to a known issue with traditional Pikal-style blades - Range. Most edge-in techniques (reverse or forward grip) don’t allow the user to extend the point or edge of a Pikal knife very far for medium- or long-range use. Not much of a problem when fighting from “the clinch”, but if there’s a way to avoid getting into that position to begin with it would obviously be preferable. Utilizing the double-edged form of the Mestiso, the in-line tip, and manipulations specifically made possible by the inclusion of the finger ring, the useable range of the knife can be extended nearly the full length of the knife itself and allows for your defense to (potentially) begin that much earlier in a confrontation;

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Experimenting with different carry methods and locations. Based on initial impressions carrying on the belt at a downward 45-degree angle at the hip may in fact work even with my AIWB holster, and certainly provides better access than clipped in the pocket
 
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I believe I’ve settled on this carry position. It conceals well enough, is perfectly comfortable to sit and move (the sheath just swivels up out of the way of my leg), and provides the best access to the ring of the knife. It’s a very natural draw and my index finger can be placed through the ring very inconspicuously if I feel the need to pre-load the draw;

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I believe I’ve settled on this carry position. It conceals well enough, is perfectly comfortable to sit and move (the sheath just swivels up out of the way of my leg), and provides the best access to the ring of the knife. It’s a very natural draw and my index finger can be placed through the ring very inconspicuously if I feel the need to pre-load the draw;

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You might want to try a different shirt. All your gear prints pretty obviously - looks like you have a lumpy pork tenderloin in there. I dig the knife. :thumbsup:
 
You might want to try a different shirt. All your gear prints pretty obviously - looks like you have a lumpy pork tenderloin in there. I dig the knife. :thumbsup:

Yeah I’m aware, the biggest issue is my belt buckle honestly. That’s one of the Nike/Under Armor athletic shirts though, very thin elastic material that stretches out and makes anything underneath very visible. In a regular tshirt or button-up like I usually wear, everything disappears properly
 
Thank you! I’m very pleased with how it turned out. It’s definitely going to be my daily carried blade going forward, and I’m excited to take classes and train to be able to utilize to the best of its capabilities
 
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While preparing a pork roast for dinner this evening I took the opportunity and did a bit of organic medium testing with the Mestiso. Unfortunately no video this time as it’s difficult to hold the knife, keep the meat still, and hold a camera - but here’s the aftermath. After stabbing, slashing, poking, and slicing, the best way I can describe the way this blade cuts meat is effortlessly devastating. Both edges zipped through the pork with little to no resistance whatsoever;

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Well, it was bound to happen at some point - I’m in talks with Gavin about getting a second smaller companion blade for the Mestiso. Currently discussing two different possibilities, and Gavin is coming up with sketches for each to get a visual representation to pick which one to go with. Either way it will have the same Tsukamaki handle wrap with carbon fiber fittings and copper liners to aesthetically match the Mestiso. Another masterfully crafted Ironside Edgeworks blade will be mine soon!
 
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