Fixed Blade Knives

Cold Steel Bushman Review

When I ordered a Cold Steel Bushman I wasn’t sure what to expect. My previous experiences with Cold Steel knives have all been good, but for under $20 I had no idea what I was in for.

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All I knew for sure was that the knife was popular and cheap, which, as a reviewer, made it an easy purchase to justify. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality, and having now owned and used the knife for a while I’m a little closer to understanding what this blade is all about.

Purpose

The Bushman is billed as a survival blade, and I think it’s capable of all the major tasks. First of all, it can chop and baton – no surprises there. It’s also lightweight and easy to carry, a big plus for me. It could also easily be fashioned into a makeshift spear, very valuable in a survival situation. Finally, the knife is tough as hell and is pretty much indestructible. So yeah, it could certainly work as a survival knife.

I also think this could be a decent choice for a bug out bag – especially one done on a budget. This could also be a handy tool for the yard, clearing brush and general messing around type jobs. Finally, this could be great for the cabin, truck or anywhere else you would want to stash an inexpensive but highly functional fixed blade knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Bushman comes in two flavors, the bowie blade shown here and a more traditional shape. Both are 12-1/4″ long, have 7″ blades and weigh around 10 ounces. These are slender and light knives, not designed to be serious choppers, but capable of chopping, batoning and being fashioned into spears. If I could go back and buy the knife again, I would have gone with the non-bowie version. I think it would be easier to baton with it and I might be able to choke up and control it a little better for detail work.

The blade has a hollow saber grind that starts about 3/4 of an inch up the blade. Cold Steel supplies you with a good out of box edge and the knife has a nice tip for piercing, that held up really well to some of my prying tests. I took this knife to the wood pile in my back yard and went to town chopping, batoning and carving. I processed wood for a couple fires and generally tested the knife the best I could. The blade is 2.5mm thick and has a large flat portion due to the saber grind. I found it batoned “ok” – it would jam easily in dense pieces of oak but could tackle dry pieces of 4-5″ diameter pine without a problem. For batoning in my back yard I would prefer a wider blade with a higher bevel, but the Bushman got the job done.

The entire knife is made from a single piece of SK-5 high carbon steel. My research indicates that SK-5 is close to 1080, a durable tool steel. Being a high carbon steel, the blade will rust (and my knife shipped with prodigious amounts of grease on the blade and handle) so Cold Steel elected to provide a black powder coating. The black powder coating is attractive and durable but began to show signs of wear – totally expected. Cold Steel tempered the knife to 54 HRC. The result is that you have an edge which is pretty soft but incredibly tough – excellent for hard chopping without chipping or breaking. I found that the edge held up quite and came back very easily with a couple swipes on my strop.

One thing I noticed is that I actually managed to bend the edge a little in testing. Again, we appear to be flirting with the limitations of a thin survival knife made from a softer steel. I don’t think this really hurts anything but is worth noting – I’d much rather see the steel bend a little than chip out or break.

Handle and Ergonomics

The Bushman’s handle is about as simple as they come; it’s a single piece of steel that has been folded into a tube and welded together. What I like about this handle is that you can really beat on it. I would often strike directly on the handle and pommel as I tried to drive the knife through larger logs. Cold Steel claims that the handle / blade transition is capable of withstanding 2000 pounds of force. You could hit this handle all day and it’s not going to break.

Another great benefit to this design is that it is very lightweight. Depending on what you like to carry this could potentially serve as a backup knife and is a good option for camping trips and day hikes. I also like how you can easily convert the knife into a spear. This is something I didn’t try out myself, but it seems easy enough to do.

As far as ergonomics go the handle is surprisingly comfortable. After working with the knife for an hour I didn’t notice any hot spots. However, the handle doesn’t provide much in the way of traction. If it’s a hot day and your hand is sweaty I highly advise using a lanyard as there is no texturing to speak of. Perhaps you could wrap the handle with some sort of athletic tape or paracord and add some texture. That said, I personally had no issues with slipping and I found the handle to fill the hand well and offer a decent grip considering.

Sheath

The sheath is almost as simple as the knife. It’s made of Cordura and reinforced with plastic sheeting, stitching and rivets. My biggest problem with the sheath is the absence of any means of retention. If you turn the sheathed knife upside down, the blade will fall out. In my mind really this is more of a “pocket” than a sheath. Speaking of pockets, there is a large pocket on the front of the sheath with a velcro flap – could be handy. I’d throw a small strop or stone in there and maybe a fire steel. The only mounting option is a belt loop. Honestly I think given the price the sheath works, but a retention strap would make it work so much better. It might jack the price up a little but I think it would be worth it.

Cold Steel Bushman Review – Final Thoughts

This is a sturdy offering from Cold Steel. This is a no frills knife, but for around $25 shipped, I doubt anyone would be disappointed with this simple and hearty blade.

In fact, there is a lot to like about the Cold Steel Bushman. It uses a good high carbon steel, is pretty much indestructible, doesn’t weigh much and takes a keen edge. The ability to easily convert the knife into a spear is also really cool. Add a retention strap to the sheath and you have a very capable survival knife that could be pressed into a variety of roles.

Cold Steel 201052 Bowie Bushman 95Bbuskz

Made of highest quality material
Manufacturer: Cold Steel
Cold Steel bowie bushman 95Bbuskz

I recommend purchasing the Cold Steel Bushman at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Combative Edge SALUS Review

by Dan Jackson 8 Comments

Last Updated: September 18, 2019
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, one of my favorite parts of running this website is the excuse to check out sweet knives. I can try to do this under the pretense that I am offering the reader some noble service, and perhaps even some entertainment, but lets not kid ourselves here – it’s all about the blades!

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So when I got the chance to pick up a Combative Edge SALUS I didn’t waste any time. Limited to only 50 pieces, this thing epitomizes cool yet maintains a level of practicality that makes it work just as good as it looks. Regular readers will notice that this is a little outside the more “mainstream” knives I review. In fact, I’m sure quite a few people will be entirely unfamiliar with Combative Edge, as they are a relatively new boutique brand. Guys, I love to review these more exotic knives but it all comes down to money, time and availability… but with any luck this won’t be my last Combative Edge review.

I also want to mention that this knife was made for Combative Edge by Fox Knives of Maniago, Italy. I do not have a lot of experience with Fox Knives (or Italian knives in general) but due to the rising popularity of Italian blades I hope to remedy this quickly. I will say that my initial impressions of Italy’s cutlery capabilities are extremely favorable. This knife in particular is beautifully made and I will get more specific as we work through the review.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The SALUS has a 5-7/8″ blade, an overall length of 10-7/8″ and a weight of 10.5 ounces. Considering that this is a full tang knife made from 5mm stock I think this is a lightweight and carry-able knife (that is, if you can carry a foot long fixed blade in the first place). The almost 6″ blade gives you plenty of cutting space and a good amount of reach, while the handle allows for a comfortable grip in a variety of positions. This is a very practical knife that can be used in tactical and survival applications.

The SALUS is made from a large piece of Bohler N690Co stainless steel. Admittedly, I do not have much experience with this steel. However, Sal Glesser, owner of Spyderco Knives, refers to N690Co as a “European VG-10”. Additional research has found that this steel has a tight grain structure and is capable of taking a very fine edge. Also, this steel is supposed to be highly resistant to corrosion. My understanding is that this N690Co takes some work to sharpen (much like VG-10) but is overall a very good steel.

The N690Co on the SALUS has been given a black Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating. For those unfamiliar with DLC coatings, this is the bonding of a carbon material that displays some of the properties of diamonds to the bladesteel. Unlike more typical decorative coatings, DLC coatings can actually increase resistance to wear and have many industrial applications. Naturally, depending on the manufacturer the formulation of the coating and other variables, you will experience different results with a DLC coating on the blade of a knife. While I have not hard used this knife I have noticed that the coating is very durable. I’m sure if you were to really gouge the steel it would leave a mark, but DLC is generally one of the toughest coatings out there and Fox did a great job with the SALUS.

The blade itself is a large American tanto shape with a drop point and swedge on the front half. The American tanto blade shape offers awesome penetration power. The 5mm thick blade tapers down at the very tip, but by and large this is a very stout blade. A flat grind has been applied about half way up the knife. I have no doubt that in a the SALUS could baton and perform other bushcraft/wilderness survival tasks.

Handle and Ergonomics

The SALUS features a highly textured G10 handle. These are 3-D machined handle scales and they feel awesome. It’s obvious that a lot of time has been spent getting the palm swell perfect and all of the lines are flush and wonderfully finished. The texture that was milled on is aggressive yet comfortable, which ensures a firm grip as the handle seems to melt into your hand.

In addition to the awesome scales, ergonomic features abound on the handle. There are two finger choils and two thumb ramps providing a ton of options for the user. You can choke up or pull back on the knife, in forward, reverse and every grip in between. I’ll tell you it’s really hard to write about this (so hopefully the video can fill in a little) but the way this has been executed is near perfect. The jimping is sharp and meaningful and the choils are well spaced. Everything works, and there are no compromises. It’s obvious a ton of time went into designing this handle. It’s an outstanding part of the knife that separates it from the pack.

Rounding out the handle is a large exposed pommel (for a “non lethal” option – I would NOT want to get cracked with this thing) and a couple lanyard holes.

Sheath and Carry Options

If the excellent steel, superb design and marvelously finished handle weren’t enough to distinguish the SALUS, take a look at the sheath. In some ways the sheath impressed me the most because it shows how far the guys at Combative Edge went to ensure this is a 100% high quality product.

The sheath itself is made of kydex and is mated to a removable cordura carry system with a series of 4 velcro straps. The kydex sheath is snug, with a very secure fit and a small drain hole at the bottom. If you want to run just the kydex sheath there are plenty of slots and holes for webbing and paracord. However, I think the cordura part of the sheath is a nice option and has been reinforced with plastic and extra stitching. The blade is further secured with a double snap strap that falls out of the way when open so you don’t inadvertently cut into your strap when drawing the blade. The sheath is Molle capable and includes two genuine Blade-Tech Molle locks with all the hardware.

Combative Edge also included two adjustable straps for use in a thigh rig. And just like everything else, this isn’t some cheap strapping. This is high quality nylon and one side has been given a rubberized no slip coating. A small amount of elastic ensures a secure and comfortable fit. Details like this really impress me and show the level of thought that went into even the more minor details.

At first glance, the sheath does not appear to be lefty friendly, but if you mess with the velcro straps you can carry this for left handed draw – admittedly it’s not as elegant as the right hand setup, but it does work.

Combative Edge SALUS – Final Thoughts

All in all I am very pleased with the SALUS. The design, the materials and the fit and finish are all top notch. Rob Walker and the crew at Combative Edge really thought this one out and executed a brilliant take on the modern combat knife.

The SALUS is typically made and sold in small quantities. As of 2013 CE is no longer offering the SALUS with a tanto blade shape. Instead, they have decided to offer the knife with a drop point blade instead. Limited quantities give the brand an even tighter “botique” feel and in my mind, further distinguishes Combative Edge from other offerings.

Combative Edge CBE00404 Salus Fixed Blade Knife

10 7/8 inch
5 7/8 inch blade length
Black textured G-10 handles

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Combative Edge SALUS from Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

SOG SEAL Pup Review

by Dan Jackson 19 Comments

SOG got their start with one fixed blade combat knife. It’s hard for me to imagine a knife company’s future balancing on the edge of one blade, but that’s how it went. Thankfully that knife was popular so we now have many SOG knives to enjoy today. One of those knives is the SOG SEAL Pup, a fixed blade military inspired knife that can trace its roots all the way back to that original SOG blade. It’s got a definite pedigree and some proud traditions behind it.

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Thankfully SOG doesn’t rest on their laurels, and their knives get continually updated. The SEAL Pup is one such example. I purchased this SEAL Pup in 2011 and the dimensions are the same as the SEAL Pup Elite, which is a slightly more expensive version of the knife. The only differences are that the Elite uses AUS8 blade steel, is made of slightly thicker stock, can come with a plain edge (vs partially serrated) and has some gentle jimping on the spine of the blade. These are nice improvements, but I think they are marginal. The major updates that the new SEAL Pup has are the bigger, ergonomically improved handle and longer edge. Those are the things that matter the most. I’ll try and get my hands on a SEAL Pup elite for a future review but for now, let me say, I was very impressed with this knife – especially with it’s sub-$50 price tag.

Purpose

First off, the SEAL Pup isn’t a large survival knife or a bushcrafting knife. All it takes is one look and you can see this knife is more oriented for tactical use and general utility. The partial hollow grind is not designed for batoning through wood. The steel is stainless, not a high carbon tool steel. Similar things can be said about the sharp tip and double clip blade shape – they aren’t dedicated survival knife features. While it could work in the woods, if you are in the market for a dedicated survival blade that you plan to use extensively in that role I would suggest looking elsewhere.

However, I understand we don’t always get to pick our survival situations, so many might view the Pup as a potential survival blade. If it’s all you have – rock on, I definitely think it will work. But in my mind the SEAL Pup is geared more as a smaller tactical/combat knife which means in addition to serving as a defensive tool, this knife will serve for basic functions like opening packages, cutting rope, preparing food and stuff like that. I think the SEAL Pup would make for a cool camp knife, and could be carried along on day hikes and similar excursions. I also think this could make a good BOB knife. It’s light enough to be an easy carry.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The SOG website claims the SEAL Pup has an overall length of 9″ a blade length of 4.75″ and a weight of 5.4 ounces. Mine was closer to the SEAL Pup Elite, with a 4.85″ blade and overall length of 9.5″. I don’t have a small scale so I couldn’t weigh the knife, but I know with the sheath this knife still weighs under 10 ounces. That is a great carry weight, and like I alluded to in the “purpose” section, carry-ability is important. That big and bad 30 ounce survival knife might be the best wood splitter in the world, but if you are stuck out on a day hike and didn’t feel like strapping that high carbon beast to your back that morning, I’ll tell you – the SEAL Pup could literally be a lifesaver. So in short, I love the practical dimensions of this knife.

The blade shape on the SEAL Pup is a very cool modified bowie shape that calls back to the “One Zero” knife used by the original SOG special forces team in the Vietnam War. Visually, it’s a very cool design. The SEAL Pup is given a hollow grind and there is a big swedge along the top. Mine came with a combo edge although you can find a plain edge version if you buy the SEAL Pup Elite. Also, the SEAL Pup comes with an attractive metallic gray powdercoated finish. This is a durable finish; it’s not some cheap painted finish that will rub off in the sheath.

The SEAL Pup comes in AUS6 steel. AUS6 is obviously similar to AUS8 – it’s a softer steel that is easy to sharpen. I know it may turn some people off, but I actually find AUS6 to be very tough. For a utility blade and potential survival knife, I think AUS6 is decent because the steel resists chipping and cracking very well. However, it a softer steel and will lose its edge faster than AUS8 because it has a lower carbon content. I would recommend spending the extra money and upgrading to AUS8, which is found in the SEAL Pup Elite. All in all, AUS6 is ok here, not outstanding.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle is one aspect of the SOG Seal Pup that has been recently updated. The handle is made of black glass reinforced nylon (GRN). GRN a tough handle material that has a nice solid feel in the hand. The handle does not feel light or cheap. This is a full tang knife (or near full tang) so it’s a very strong design. Everything feels very well made.

The Ergonomics on the SEAL Pup are great. The handle has been given 4 finger grooves and has a ramp for your thumb. All the edges have been rounded and almost every inch of the handle has been textured. I find the handle to be both comfortable and grippy. Also, the size of this handle is great too. The previous version had a smaller handle that was less comfortable. I take a large glove, and the upgraded handle fits me well in both forward and reverse grips. This is a very practical design that I am extremely satisfied with.

There is also a large lanyard hole in the pommel that could be a great option depending on how you plan on using this knife.

Sheath

I was extremely impressed with the sheath on the SEAL Pup. Keep in mind, at retail this is a ~$50 knife. I’ve said it before, but for many knives the sheaths can be a major drag on an otherwise great knife. The SEAL Pup comes with a nylon sheath. You have the option of buying a kydex sheath from SOG for around 20 bucks, which is not a bad. That said, I actually really like the nylon sheath.

First of all, the nylon is of high quality. Next, everything is well built. All the seems are double stitched and riveted. The backing is reinforced with plastic (in between the nylon layers) which provides form and rigidity. The sheath itself has a plastic insert that fits the blade of the SEAL Pup snugly. Even if you don’t use the retention strap, the knife will not fall or shake out. The retention strap is a snap AND velcro. This is an awesome touch. The outside of the sheath has a little pouch with the SOG logo stitched onto a velcro flap. That could be a good spot for a small sharpening stone. My only concern with the sheath is that the retention strap could get cut while quickly drawing the knife.

As you can see, there are multiple attachment points on the back of the sheath. You can thread it through all kind of belts, webbing, etc in addition to the 4 eyelets that can be used to lash the knife down. However, the sheath is not molle compatible. This strikes me as an unfortunate oversight as many people would assume that this style of sheath would work with molle webbing.

All in all I was happy with the nylon sheath on the SEAL Pup.

SOG SEAL Pup Review – Final Thoughts

What is there left to say? I am pleased with the SOG SEAL Pup. I have spent a lot of time talking about the design, but I didn’t mention that the fit and finish were also very good. Keep in mind this knife was made in Taiwan, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Everything is well put together. The finish on the blade looks awesome, everything fits together tightly.Combine that with the refined design of this updated version and I don’t think you will be able to find anything like the SEAL Pup at this price.

If you need fixed blade capabilities in your tactical, utility or light duty survival knife then I highly recommend the SOG SEAL Pup.

SOG Fixed Blade Knives - Seal Pup Tactical Knife Survival Knife and Hunting Knife w/ 4.75 Inch Blade and MOLLE Knife Sheath & GRN Grip (M37N-CP) , black

4. 75 INCH AUS-8 STEEL PARTIALLY SERRATED BLADE: The SEAL Pup outdoor knife is a perfectly balanced combat knife, boot knife and hunting knife with sheath; measures 9 inches overall length
5. 4 OUNCE WT. W/ BLACK GRN HANDLE: This stainless fixed blade military knife includes a nearly indestructible field knife handle; glass-reinforced nylon offers great grip w/ zero maintenance
MOLLE-COMPATIBLE SHEATH ATTACHMENT: Easily carry this versatile back pack knife, camping knife and compact belt knife with sheath with the nylon MOLLE knife sheath
FULL TANG, POWDER COATED AND HARDENED: Far stronger than your average belt buckle knife; SOG’s cryogenic heat treatment hardens the blade steel at the atomic level
SOG KNIFE FOR LIFE: Take care of your tactical knife and we’ll take care of you; SOG fixed blade knives with sheath are built to last, and we consider all repair and replacement requests

I recommend purchasing the SOG SEAL Pup at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Ka-Bar Kukri Machete Review

by Dan Jackson 17 Comments

Last Updated: July 27, 2019
The Kukri is an ethnic design that has truly stood the test of time. Originally the kukri was meant to be a fighting knife. Members of the Nepalese military carried these blades, most notably their elite Gurkha regiments. These days you don’t need to be an elite warrior to wield one as most knife stores and your favorite online blade retailers will carry these. Today I am looking at Ka-Bar’s take on this traditional knife, their Kukri Machete.

Buy the Ka-Bar Kukri at BladeHQ

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Purpose

We purchased this knife for clearing land and chopping. We have a little bit of land and this is the perfect knife to clear ground with, chop wood, trim trees, etc. I personally wouldn’t label this as a dedicated “survival knife” but if it works for you then by all means feel free to use it as such. I wouldn’t really call it a “machete” either – this is a heavily built knife, and designed for serious chopping. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it in any situation a hatchet might be used. Your average machete would break in two if you tried to do half the stuff this knife is capable of (like chopping through 8″ diameter trees).

Also, the Ka-Bar Kuktri could could also be a good piece for your car/truck, bug out bag, etc. This is a sturdy tool, and one I wouldn’t mind having in my arsenal if the S happened to ever HTF. I also like how the knife is at a price where you can afford one “just in case” and not feel like you broke the bank.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Kukri Machete has a blade length of 11.5″ a total length of 17″ and a weight of around 20 ounces (~1.2 lbs). Like I said, this isn’t really a machete. It’s a stoutly built tool and will do a lot more than hack through light brush. The kukri blade shape puts a lot of weight towards the front of the blade and makes for an excellent chopper. I’ve had no issue taking out 1-2″ diameter branches with a single swipe, and if you can place your blows effectively this knife will devastate larger limbs (or fell small trees) in no time. There is a partial flat grind that begins about an inch up the blade, and a smaller unsharpened swedge running along half of the top of the knife – presumably that reduces the weight a little and reinforces the tip.

Ka-Bar went with 1085 tool steel with the Kukri, and I think it’s an excellent choice. 1085 is very similar to 1095, the steel ESEE uses on their (expensive) hard use survival knives. 1085 is a very tough high carbon steel that takes a good edge and holds onto it well under outdoor use. Speaking of edges, I was actually pretty impressed with the factory edge on this thing. Most machetes come real dull, and rely on leverage to power through material. I could push cut paper and shaved a nice bald spot on my leg with the Ka-Bar. The kukri shape will be harder to sharpen than say a classic drop point, but it is not impossible – especially with a sharpening rod or small stone.

I did manage to chip the blade when I missed my target and banged into some rocks. What can I say, a rock will typically trump the edge of a knife – no surprises there. I’m just happy the Ka-Bar didn’t crack in half, and removing the chips with a file was easy enough. 1085 will rust so you need to keep this knife clean, dry, and preferably coated with a little oil. Ka-Bar went ahead and gave this knife a nice and durable flat black powder coating. In practice this coating has held up really well, and I haven’t had any issues with rust (despite using and storing this knife a stone’s throw from the Atlantic).

Handle and Ergonomics

The Ka-Bar Kukri comes with a large and comfortable handle. This is a full tang knife, something I would expect to see in a heavy chopper, and the handle is made of black kraton. Kraton is a hard rubber material, and performs well with wet or dry hands. Although I had no issues with slipping you would still be well advised to take advantage of the large lanyard hole as you definitely do not want this knife getting away from you.

The large handle is designed with chopping in mind. I like how thick the handle is and the lightly textured kraton provides plenty of grip. I also like how the pommel is slightly curved to provide a “catch” for your pinky finger. This does a good job keeping the kukri from slipping away; even after extended chopping sessions with wet/sweaty hands. I did have a blister raise up on my palm after a day of use, but a pair of gloves probably would have avoided that. If one blister is all that happened to my hand after 6+ hours of heavy chopping I’d say this handle is pretty darn comfortable.

Sheath

The sheath is made from a combination of black leather and cordura. It is a simple sheath with 2 snaps to hold in the blade. I find that sheaths for kukris are generally a little awkward in comparison to more traditional blade shapes (to account for the somewhat odd shape to the blade). Ka-Bar’s sheath is no exception, but it totally works.

I will say that the sheath is sturdy and it holds the knife well. As for attachment methods, your only option is a belt loop on a D ring that has been riveted together. There is another smaller D ring at the bottom of the sheath that you can lash that to your leg. In the world of high-speed kydex sheathes this option is nothing to write home about, but in practice I found the sheath to be entirely adequate – especially for the money. Ultimately I carry the knife on my belt, and it works really well for getting from point A to point B. I find that I can get the blade out by unsnapping the top snap, and the knife is easy enough to remove and insert. No complaints with the sheath.

Update and some field testing footage

Hard to believe this review was originally penned over a year ago! Since then the machete has seen a good amount to use and I have updated the review to reflect some of my experiences. We managed to chip out the blade badly on some rocks. This video shows me repairing that and chopping up some wood with the blade. This thing is a BEAST of a chopper.

Ka-Bar Kukri Machete Review – Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a durable chopper Ka-Bar has you covered with their Kukri Machete. I don’t like calling this one a machete because it performs more like a small axe, but who really cares about the semantics. This knife will clear brush without hesitation and plows through medium sized branches with ease. If you need something for heavy yard work, or want to add a capable chopper to the arsenal, I can safely recommend this one. The knife itself is a good design and is well made from high quality material. For the money the sheath does a great job.

What else is there to say? If you want a versatile knife with serious chopping power for around $50 I totally recommend the Ka-Bar Kukri.

KA-BAR 2-1249-9 Kukri,Black

Made in: Taiwan
Category name: machetes
Made in USA or imported
Black Kukri-style machete with carbon-steel blade
Ideal for chopping weeds, clearing campsite, and more

I recommend purchasing the Ka-Bar Kukri Machete at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

CRKT Folts Minimalist Review

by Dan Jackson 16 Comments

Last Updated: September 12, 2018

The CRKT Folts Minimalist is an intriguing design from acclaimed custom knife maker Allan Folts. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Folts and one of the big topics of conversation was this little knife. Allan is a classically educated designer and artist, and he takes both form and function very seriously.

Buy the CRKT Minimalist at BladeHQ

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Apparently, the Minimalist took over 2 year to design. It rode with him on trips around the country to various knife shows and exhibitions. He got feedback from hundreds of people and carefully tweaked the design before arriving at what you see here today. It may sound a little extreme, but I’ll tell you, pick this knife up. Hold it for a second and let me know what you think – the attention to detail should be obvious. This is a small knife, but it fits the hand better than some knives I own that are three times the size.

Anyhow, I have a certain methodology to all the reviews, so I don’t want to too far ahead here. Suffice to say, this is an exceptional little knife from the mind of a great maker offered at a phenomenal price.

Purpose

One of my favorite things about the Minimalist is the exceptional utility. It is a stout design that can also be a great option for EDC. Even if you you don’t normally carry a fixed blade knife, the Minimalist is discrete and can be easily slipped into a pocket.

I also think it’s a great knife for the truck, for your bug out bag, as an absolute last ditch tactical blade, as a backup backup survival blade, for camping trips, fishing, etc etc etc. I’m not saying you can baton logs with it, but at under 2 ounces it’s cheap insurance if your primary blade(s) fail. An all around workhorse, this little knife can pretty much do it all.

General Dimensions and Blade Specifics

The Minimalist is just over 5 inches long and sports a 2 1/8″ blade ground from 2.4 mm stock. The weight of this knife is 1.6 ounces.

As far as steel goes, the Minimalist is a full tang knife made of 5Cr13MoV. This steel is chemically very similar to 8Cr13Mov which personally, I do not mind. In my experience, 5Cr13Mov behaves a lot like 8Cr13Mov too. Both steels are a little softer than high end steels like VG10, S30V and the like, thus they tend to lose their edges faster, but I find it to be entirely adequate for my purposes. I will say, this steel can take an edge and the knife came surprisingly sharp. Out of the box I was able to shave hairs off my arm with no problem – not what I was expecting from a sub $20 blade!

The Minimalist is currently offered in 3 blade shapes. The original knife came with a wharncliffe blade. Shortly thereafter a tanto and bowie made their way on the scene. I love the shape of the bowie so I had to have that one. Folts took the classic bowie design and gave it a few tweaks to fit with the overall look of the knife. There is plenty of belly and the tip is reinforced thanks to a large swedge. The blade (and all of the metal) was given an attractive stonewashed finish. The kife has a shallow hollow grind that starts about 3/4 of the way up the blade.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle, like most fixed blade knives, is pretty simple. CRKT actually sprung for some linen micarta scales here which is a material that you wouldn’t expect on such an inexpensive knife. The scales are actually a deep forest green, which is pretty cool color that I didn’t expect either (most pictures make the handle appear black). No complaints with the handle materials or the color. The scales are bolted on with torx screws so you can take the knife apart and remove the lanyard – another nice feature.

The ergonomics of this knife are outstanding. I pulled this blade out of the sheath and the knife literally fell right into place. It was like my hand was made for this knife. All it took was a second of contact and suddenly I “got” it. Allen told me about how this knife took 2 years to design, and that is something you can easily dismiss. I tell you, it now makes sense.

So as you can tell, this is a 3 finger style knife. A small lanyard is attached to the butt of the handle which provides a little extra grip (I think it’s a nice touch actually, works well). There is a nicely designed thumb ramp with some aggressive jimping. The micarta scales have also been very well finished. Everything is flush and the knife feels amazing in hand. The handle comes apart with 4 small torx screws, which is great if you want to swap out the lanyard or do your own custom scales.

Sheath

The sheath is made of Zytel, a hard plastic similar to Kydex. The retention on this sheath is excellent and the blade locks into place with a soft “click.” I tried to shake the knife out, and that simply was not going to happen – it is very secure. There are 6 eyelets for various methods of attachment to stuff.

Billed as a neck knife, a few feet of cordage is included to wear the knife around your neck. I’ll be honest here, I’ve never had a neck knife before, and my lifestyle usually doesn’t permit me to wear one. This was a problem because I couldn’t put this knife down, so I took off the cordage and slipped the knife in my pocket. It actually carries really well this way. It’s a slim design that I didn’t notice as I went about my daily tasks. The lanyard on the handle gave me a little extra to grab onto when I needed to fish out the knife for a task. I carried the knife around my neck on the weekends, and well, it’s not really for me. Convenient enough I suppose, but I’m not accustomed a knife around my neck.

A detachable belt loop is also included. It attaches with two bolts (also included) and adds to the versatility of this simple yet entirely adequate sheath.

CRKT Minimalist Review – Final Thoughts

Lets be honest here, I fell in love with this knife the second I took it out of the box. The ergonomics are fantastic. It’s a compact blade that fits the hand like nothing else. I’d love to see this in a slightly better steel, like say some 440C, but the 5Cr13MoV is actually holding up really well and for less than $20 shipped to my door, this was really a no brainer. I think it is a very high value knife. There are a lot of details in this blade that make it special. In conclusion the Minimalist is aptly named: it’s a simple knife, done right.

CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck : Compact Fixed Blade Knife, Folts Utility with Bead Blast Blade, Resin Infused Fiber Handle, and Sheath 2387

Easy To Sharpen: High carbon stainless steel blade takes an edge well
Minimizes Reflectivity: Bead blast finish reduces reflection
Strong and Visual: resin infused fiber handle combines strength with visual appeal
Gear Compatible: Durable thermoplastic sheath with mounting options
Compact Utility: Lightweight and easy to carry

I recommend purchasing the CRKT Minimalist at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

ESEE Junglas Review

by Dan Jackson 32 Comments

Last Updated: July 21, 2021

Unlike a tattoo, a blog post is easy to edit. Easy to update. And that’s a great thing because I originally penned this review of the ESEE Junglas back in May of 2011. Currently it’s 2021. I’ve owned the knife for over 10 years now. That’s hard to believe. Time to update the review.

Buy the Junglas at BladeHQ
Buy on Amazon

Spoiler alert: Not much has changed. I loved the Junglas in 2011, and in 2018 I still love the knife. Only now I’ve beaten the hell out of mine for half a decade, so I can comment on all the experience I have with the Junglas. I’ve also added some new photography of the knife in it’s present condition. The handle has darkened with sweat and grime, and the coating of the blade shows considerable wear, but in my opinion this just adds character to a bad ass knife.

The Junglas remains my favorite big chopper. It’s the knife I reach for after a hurricane. Heck, it’s the knife I reach for as I get ready for a hurricane, as well as a knife I have used to break down countless branches, baton open logs for camp fires, and relieve a hell of a lot of stress.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The ESEE Junglas has an overall length of 16.5″, a 10.5″ blade, and it weighs 22.5 ounces on its own, 33 ounces with the sheath. It’s a big knife. I can’t say I’ve brought it on any ultra light hiking trips. It mostly lives in my garage. But that size and weight make it a tremendous chopper, and it’s a very satisfying tool to heft and use. Although it shares some lines with a machete, it’s much stouter. Shorter and thicker stock. It’s more like a short sword. I like the dimensions and wouldn’t change a thing. If you need something smaller ESEE knives has an entire range of products for your consideration. This one is their big gun.

The blade is a long drop point made of a 3/16″ thick piece of 1095 high carbon steel. It does two things well: chopping and batoning. I have chopped a ton of tree limbs with this knife. My chopping technique isn’t the best, but if I’m concentrating I can get through a fresh 2″ thick limb in 3 swipes.

The knife comes with almost a full flat grind, so it’s not the most amazing knife to baton with (I prefer the Fallkniven A1), but what it lacks in geometry it makes up for with size. You can span large logs with this knife and beat the Junglas through pretty much anything. Mine has held up famously, although the powder coating is worse for the wear. I am glad it has worn down a bit, as it means less resistance when I am chopping.

The Junglas comes in 1095 high carbon steel. I am a big fan of 1095 for a big chopper like this. 1095 is tough, so it doesn’t chip easily, and it is easy to sharpen. It’s an excellent steel for chopping wood. Of course, being a high carbon steel it is more susceptible to rust than a stainless steel. ESEE mitigated this somewhat by applying a black powder coat. This coating wears well when compared to a cheaper teflon coating, but it will still wear. Regardless, the coating will help protect most of the knife from rusting. That said, you are going to want to keep this knife dry and oiled. I try to hose my knife down with WD-40 after every session. I have not had any major issues with rust following this protocol.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle of the Junglas is simple, but it’s done right. The scales are 2 large slabs of canvas micarta, which provide good grip and durability. This knife is nicely finished. The edges of the handles are radiused (smoothed), and they line up flush with the tang. The micarta is held in place with 3 large allen bolts, so you can take this knife apart if need be. Extra steel protrudes from the pommel, and you can use that to crack nuts or the skull of a zombie invader.

The ergonomics of the Junglas are excellent. This is a knife I have chopped for hours and hours with. I’ve never had a problem with hot spots or discomfort. The handle fills the hand well, and the shape of the handle helps to hold your hand in place. The combination of the smart design and high traction micarta keeps the Junglas in your hand, even if you are a sweaty bastard like me, and near delerium from an afternoon of chopping in the 95 degree Florida heat. The ergonomics are outstanding and I can’t overemphasize that. It’s critically important for a big chopper like this, and the Junglas nails it.

Sheath

The sheath is often the weakest link from a production fixed blade. Most manufacturers spend their money on the knife itself, and the sheath sometimes feels like an afterthought. Thankfully this is a non-issue here because ESEE made a sheath as good as the knife, if not better.

The sheath is made of a combination of kydex and cordura. The kydex portion runs the length of the blade up past the hilt. The cordura portion is the fabric part that attaches to your belt and is removable with 4 fasteners.

My favorite part of the sheath is the sound it makes. The knife slams into the sheath with a loud “crack” that reminds me of a 12 gauge racking a round. It’s a sound that means business. Maybe it’s the 12 year old boy in me or something, but it find it immensely satisfying. If you don’t care for the sound, you can adjust the retention so it’s a little quieter.

Regardless, once locked in place this knife isn’t going anywhere. The secondary retention strap is there for a little extra security, and if you were going to jump out of an airplane with this knife, there is a way to physically lash the blade into the sheath. My friends, blade retention is not an issue.

And the sheath comes with all the bits and bobs you would expect here. There is a water drain, tons of eyelets for running paracord, and it’s MOLLE capable. And everything is built to the highest standards. My sheath shows very little wear. I appreciate how the secondary retention strap falls away, so you don’t cut into it while drawing out the knife. I’ve inadvertently sawn through the retention straps of other sheathes before. You don’t have that problem with this sheath. In fact, you don’t have any problems with this sheath.

In conclusion, this sheath rocks. ESEE thought of it all and you have a sheath that wears just as well as the knife.

As a parting size comparison shot, here is a shot of the Junglas next to an ESEE-3:

ESEE Junglas Review – Final Thoughts

There is a reason I keep coming back to this knife. The Junglas is a beast of a knife. My collection has ebbed and flowed over the years, but the Junglas remains a constant piece of gear. At around $175 this is not a cheap knife, but when you consider what a quality folding knife goes for this is an easy one for me to justify. If I lost it today I’d buy another one tomorrow. No questions asked.

And I think you get what you pay for. Nothing else comes close. The Becker BK-9 is about $100 less and is a great tool for the money, but the Junglas is the knife I continue to reach for. After owning this blade for over 5 years this is the highest endorsement I an offer.

Even if you are just a mild-mannered suburban guy like me, if you do your own yard work or enjoy the occasional campfire you will get a thrill out of owning and using this excellent knife.

ESEE Authentic JUNGLAS-E Survival Knife, Kydex Sheath, MOLLE Backing

ESEE Tactical Suvival Knives.
Kydex Sheath w/ Cordura Backing.
Steel: 1095 Carbon, 55-57 Rc. Finish: Black Powder Coat.
Hammer Pommel w/ Lanyard Hole. Flat Grind.
For Full Specifications, Features, Survival Kit Contents, Care, and Warranty Info Please See Description Below.

I recommend purchasing the Junglas at BladeHQ or Amazon. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews, and keeps this review train running. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated Thank you very much.