The passaround Ferox has been with
@Choppaman for some time now. I see that he has jumped in on the custom order list, so that may give some indication on how he liked the knife. I personally was surprised by it. The larger Ferox is just a beast of a blade, but has zero practical purpose for me to actually put any effort into owning one. This smaller variation on the other hand immediately jumped out at me as to something I would consider purchasing in this style of knife.
My experience with this handle variation on the Recon has been positive. No doubt, this slightly compacted version on the mini Ferox would be familiar and comfortable. My only issue with the smaller sized handle was it being a little tight in a “chest-lever” style grip.
I had plans to do some projects with this knife, but as most things around here that went out of the window. Rather than a series of contrived scenarios for the purpose of posting something, I simply just carried the knife whenever reasonably possible. For me that means it was used, however practical for this blade type, in the kitchen, woods, fire prepping, construction and normal daily cutting.
Simply, the knife held its own in whatever I was doing with it. Anyone that knows me, given a good heat treat with a proper edge; all the other little points often nitpicked about and fleshed out for magazine articles take care of themselves. Sure, some patterns and blade stocks perform more efficiently than others, big knives can do things little knives cannot but not necessarily vise-a-versa, etc etc. but at the end of the day a fillet knife can make a notch too.
What I like about this knife is that it is a reflection of the care and thought that Chris puts into his knife designs and their applications. He took a knife inspired from his past experiences as a military and combative working tool and offered it in a design that would be more practical to the everyday man such as myself. The handle has a great grip and ergonomics, albeit if it was any shorter I would have issues with it with my hand size. The overall length of the blade is just right for a larger, small knife. There are some settings in my location that I’d be asking for problems to open carry this but it is not overly large for a small to mid-sized knife that it isn’t hard to conceal. The mini Ferox is definitely one to consider if this style of knife suits you. As far as edge geometry and heat treat, I think those familiar with Osprey Knife and Tools already have those boxes checked off for any of Chris Linton’s creations.
Some borderline obnoxious measurements on the mini Ferox. Obviously handmade variation will occur, but this may give anyone who values this sort of information some idea on handle and blade dimensions.
Mini Ferox
3/16" (.183") 01 Tool steel Tapered Tang, 8.32oz OAL 10" Blade 5 1/2"
Steel: 3/16" (0.183”) 0.187” at thickest point O1 Tool Steel, Tapered Tang (0.067”), 0.034” at thickest spot at tip
1.642” height at Ricasso
0.886” fat part of handle tapering down to 0.720” at the front and curved contouring to a flared 0.958” butt.
1.138” tall thickest point on the belly, 0.972 front, 1.012” rear, 1.639” flare
Grind: Flat
Handle Material: natural canvas micarta over white g10 liners, ¼” natural canvas pins and natural canvas lanyard hole
OAL 10”
Blade 5 ½” (5 3/16” actual cutting edge)
Weight: 7.67 ounces (8.32 oz per Chris) 10.84 oz with sheath, 12.38 oz with sheath and dangler
Sheath
Maker: Jou’fuu Leather
Style: fold over belt sheath with removable dangler, color?
Weight: 3.17 ounces, 4.71 oz with dangler
Apologies for no real review here, but in any case here are a bunch of random photos from my
FeralGentleman
Instagram account.
