There's always seemed to be a bit of a crossover between this and the 'main' forum to me, so if I'm in the wrong place my apologies and by all means, move away.
I'm looking around for a high end fixed blade. Around the 5" blade mark. To be used as a camper, hunter and fisher primarily. Some do it all 'survivor' quality to it also, if that varies much from what I've said already. A DEGREE of 'if pressed' chopping ability, for example, while still being a mean slicer. The only capacity I'm not concerned about (not quite sure what it really means even) is 'tactical'. Not my thing.
One way to describe the dream I'm chasing would be to take the Fallkniven S1 say as a conceptual starting point, but where that concept was rethought significantly (and manufactured by say) Rob Simonich, in S30V. I've thought a lot about the Midtech Urban Raven, but don't really like the guard design and feel the blade might be just a bit short. What I'd REALLY like is the lower guard section, grooved upper thumb ramp, overall grip etc of Rob's Pikuni design, with similar blade shape to the Urban, only a bit longer. For those who don't know what I mean, take a look at the gallery on Rob's website. Handle preference would be G10, in black and blue (Pikuni shot is close), with some kind of grip enhancing pattern.
I notice both the S1 and the bigger Raven are .200" thick. Just slightly thinner might be preferable, maybe not, it depends.
I've conducted any number of searches and think I've looked at all the production numbers which might be said to approximate this sort of thing - Busse (no), Dozier (nice but not D2), Al Mar SERE Operator (no), Nimravus (hate the new handle) and certain others. I've read quite a number of helpful comments - people like BuzzBait, Serg Mitlin etc.
Rob is highly popular obviously and there's no knowing if and when he'll ever be open to a custom order again. Assuming there's no production model 'alternative' out there, can the knowledgeable readers here suggest a custom maker in something like the same kind of league to fit the bill (within a year or so say)?
[Edited for substantial rewrite]
I'm looking around for a high end fixed blade. Around the 5" blade mark. To be used as a camper, hunter and fisher primarily. Some do it all 'survivor' quality to it also, if that varies much from what I've said already. A DEGREE of 'if pressed' chopping ability, for example, while still being a mean slicer. The only capacity I'm not concerned about (not quite sure what it really means even) is 'tactical'. Not my thing.
One way to describe the dream I'm chasing would be to take the Fallkniven S1 say as a conceptual starting point, but where that concept was rethought significantly (and manufactured by say) Rob Simonich, in S30V. I've thought a lot about the Midtech Urban Raven, but don't really like the guard design and feel the blade might be just a bit short. What I'd REALLY like is the lower guard section, grooved upper thumb ramp, overall grip etc of Rob's Pikuni design, with similar blade shape to the Urban, only a bit longer. For those who don't know what I mean, take a look at the gallery on Rob's website. Handle preference would be G10, in black and blue (Pikuni shot is close), with some kind of grip enhancing pattern.
I notice both the S1 and the bigger Raven are .200" thick. Just slightly thinner might be preferable, maybe not, it depends.
I've conducted any number of searches and think I've looked at all the production numbers which might be said to approximate this sort of thing - Busse (no), Dozier (nice but not D2), Al Mar SERE Operator (no), Nimravus (hate the new handle) and certain others. I've read quite a number of helpful comments - people like BuzzBait, Serg Mitlin etc.
Rob is highly popular obviously and there's no knowing if and when he'll ever be open to a custom order again. Assuming there's no production model 'alternative' out there, can the knowledgeable readers here suggest a custom maker in something like the same kind of league to fit the bill (within a year or so say)?
[Edited for substantial rewrite]