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- Jan 24, 2011
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Finally got my hands on one!
Murph was kind enough to send me his M-18 for a test drive since I couldn't make the last couple of Beckerhead gatherings and I missed out on the debut. It worked out better this way. I have it to myself for a few days and will be able to spend some time working with it. I'll put my initial thoughts here now and use this as a place holder for a more in depth tryout and pics.
So, here we go...
First thing I thought when I drew it from the sheath was: "It doesn't seem like two pounds" and "There's a lot going on here". It seems more compact than I had imagined it to be also. (EDIT: From the pictures I've seen, it seemed ungainly long. It's not. A pleasant surprise.) For a big tank of a knife this thing feels light in the hand. That should come in pretty handy for what I've got in mind.
Some table top examination (actually recliner with Black & Tan in hand)..
The metal work is outstanding and brings to mind a very high end, heavy duty tool. Like something you'd see in a Swiss cooper's shop. A throw back to fine 19th century craftsmanship. Surfaces are smooth with well executed rounds where they are called for, crisp and clean everywhere else. Jimping is immaculate. The handles feel quite familiar (?) and have those famous Becker ergonomics. Yep, there's a lot going on here and I'm looking forward to discovering all the stuff you can do with it.
More to follow.
1) Okay...........was not expecting that. Went out this morning and clipped a few small maple limbs just to get a taste. Discovered part of what all the stir is about. Moving forward just a little and using a pinch grip makes snap cuts effortless. I don't use a "traditional" pinch grip with thumb and forefinger. I get better control and can add more "snap" by using a middle finger/thumb grip. The knife's balance point makes it ideal for these kind of cuts. Haven't taken any pictures yet, but will. Going to take it back to the swamp today hopefully.
2) Seasoned oak = no problem
Went head to head with the Warlock. The Warlock is a couple inches longer and a little thinner (same weight). I did not think anything would outchop the Warlock in hardwood but the M18 hits with a lot more "authority". Spits out big chips like an axe. Don't get the bighead yet though, I'm not through. I'm impressed, but not sold.
Okay, I'm sold now.
Here it is with just a few of the tools it can stand in for.
Yes, it's a hoss but very capable of fine work such as:
Chisel. Also a slick for debarking a log or section.
Drawknife. The M-18 actually makes a very good drawknife and by tilting it up; a curved scraper for making round stock very smooth.
I realize chances are you won't have a shaving horse with you, but a forked tree can be made to work nicely for a hold.
Here are just a few of the many grips possible for fine work.
Thumb assisted cuts are especially easy.
I already know how well the M-18 handles smaller vegetation like a machete and for cutting arm sized trees down. I took it to the swamp while my camera was down. But I was curious how it stacks up against a sharp hatchet for controlled shaping and trimming.
The hatchet is my tool of choice for a lot of camp chores. Is it more or less tiring than the M-18 if you have a lot to do? How about control for precise cuts? Let's see..
The hatchet delivers the bulk of it's weight to a concentrated area. Just pick it up and let it fall. The wedge goes so far and stops. To make a cleaving cut you need to apply some punch.
The M-18's balance and thinner grind allow very precise and biting cuts. Less force is required for a deep bite.
Very comfortable to use and cutting was effortless.
Some final thoughts...
A couple of things are impossible to photograph and difficult to describe about this knife. One is how agile and light it feels in the hand. Not at all what I imagined. The other is how absolutely effortless it is to chop with. I know what I'd heard about it and how impressed my buddies were, but until I actually worked it some I had no idea. It is truly an amazing and well executed design that I am totally impressed with. I'd like to thank Murph for giving me the chance to handle it. Wow.
Here is the biggest smile I've had in years..
Murph was kind enough to send me his M-18 for a test drive since I couldn't make the last couple of Beckerhead gatherings and I missed out on the debut. It worked out better this way. I have it to myself for a few days and will be able to spend some time working with it. I'll put my initial thoughts here now and use this as a place holder for a more in depth tryout and pics.
So, here we go...
First thing I thought when I drew it from the sheath was: "It doesn't seem like two pounds" and "There's a lot going on here". It seems more compact than I had imagined it to be also. (EDIT: From the pictures I've seen, it seemed ungainly long. It's not. A pleasant surprise.) For a big tank of a knife this thing feels light in the hand. That should come in pretty handy for what I've got in mind.
Some table top examination (actually recliner with Black & Tan in hand)..
The metal work is outstanding and brings to mind a very high end, heavy duty tool. Like something you'd see in a Swiss cooper's shop. A throw back to fine 19th century craftsmanship. Surfaces are smooth with well executed rounds where they are called for, crisp and clean everywhere else. Jimping is immaculate. The handles feel quite familiar (?) and have those famous Becker ergonomics. Yep, there's a lot going on here and I'm looking forward to discovering all the stuff you can do with it.
More to follow.
1) Okay...........was not expecting that. Went out this morning and clipped a few small maple limbs just to get a taste. Discovered part of what all the stir is about. Moving forward just a little and using a pinch grip makes snap cuts effortless. I don't use a "traditional" pinch grip with thumb and forefinger. I get better control and can add more "snap" by using a middle finger/thumb grip. The knife's balance point makes it ideal for these kind of cuts. Haven't taken any pictures yet, but will. Going to take it back to the swamp today hopefully.
2) Seasoned oak = no problem
Went head to head with the Warlock. The Warlock is a couple inches longer and a little thinner (same weight). I did not think anything would outchop the Warlock in hardwood but the M18 hits with a lot more "authority". Spits out big chips like an axe. Don't get the bighead yet though, I'm not through. I'm impressed, but not sold.
Okay, I'm sold now.
Here it is with just a few of the tools it can stand in for.
Yes, it's a hoss but very capable of fine work such as:
Chisel. Also a slick for debarking a log or section.
Drawknife. The M-18 actually makes a very good drawknife and by tilting it up; a curved scraper for making round stock very smooth.
I realize chances are you won't have a shaving horse with you, but a forked tree can be made to work nicely for a hold.
Here are just a few of the many grips possible for fine work.
Thumb assisted cuts are especially easy.
I already know how well the M-18 handles smaller vegetation like a machete and for cutting arm sized trees down. I took it to the swamp while my camera was down. But I was curious how it stacks up against a sharp hatchet for controlled shaping and trimming.
The hatchet is my tool of choice for a lot of camp chores. Is it more or less tiring than the M-18 if you have a lot to do? How about control for precise cuts? Let's see..
The hatchet delivers the bulk of it's weight to a concentrated area. Just pick it up and let it fall. The wedge goes so far and stops. To make a cleaving cut you need to apply some punch.
The M-18's balance and thinner grind allow very precise and biting cuts. Less force is required for a deep bite.
Very comfortable to use and cutting was effortless.
Some final thoughts...
A couple of things are impossible to photograph and difficult to describe about this knife. One is how agile and light it feels in the hand. Not at all what I imagined. The other is how absolutely effortless it is to chop with. I know what I'd heard about it and how impressed my buddies were, but until I actually worked it some I had no idea. It is truly an amazing and well executed design that I am totally impressed with. I'd like to thank Murph for giving me the chance to handle it. Wow.
Here is the biggest smile I've had in years..
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