Vic Gardener

Buzzbait · **on:** April 20, 2009, 04:04:54 PM

I was at Target a couple nights ago, and picked up one of those Vic value packs, with the Hiker and Gardener. I really wanted the Hiker, and the Gardener looked like an odd but interesting extra. Well the Hiker has been long forgotten, and I am absolutely loving the Gardener!!!! This is one wonderfully stout and fun knife. The talk on this knife must be even better than any of my alox SAKs. It has a wickedly strong back spring. Maybe the best walk and talk I've ever felt in a slipjoint.

The blade is somewhere between a sheepsfoot and a wharncliffe. I guess it's closer to a sheepsfoot. Whatever it is, the shape is very useful. I was working on making a new leather belt sheath for my Swiss Champ last night, and used the Gardener to cut the leather. It's pretty close to a perfect shape for leather working. One side of the blade is entirely flat and straight, from spine to edge and from tang to tip, which makes this knife particularly good for cutting along the side of a ruler. And the tip also happens to be just perfect for this sort of utility work.

This is probably the first chisel ground blade I've actually liked. Chisel grinds aren't usually my thing, but it just seems to be well suited to this knife. There is also something about this knife that screams to be used for whittling. The blade shape and the handle would be awesome to use for whittling. I may just have to convex the edge angled side a bit for whittling. I can also see myself using the Gardener for trout fishing. The size and shape would be truly perfect for cleaning brook trout.

As evidenced by my mid-morning snack, I can also tell you that it is an excellent apple peeler.

nuphoria · **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2009, 04:07:33 PM

Cheers for the review

Zack · **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2009, 04:48:03 PM

I love my gardener.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2009, 06:27:33 PM

I litterally use mine every day (thanks Ricky) and it's a bloody fine workhorse isn't it

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2009, 06:32:05 PM

I am my gardener.

Remember: Love your gardener.

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2009, 07:46:59 PM

I've long said the Gardener is a great knife.It's solid,robust,can handle about anything you can throw at it,and if the chisel grind isn't your cup of tea, some time on a Sharpmaker can take care of that. While you're at it,slip the Hiker in your pocket for a few days.I think you'll like it,especially if you change scales for some Plus scales.

Zack · **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2009, 08:05:17 PM

Thats odd I have a hiker and I have never really carried it. I will try it out tomorrow.

Buzzbait · **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2009, 09:13:19 PM

If they only made 2-layer Gardener with a saw.............. My life would be complete.

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2009, 09:17:23 PM

Quote from: Buzzbait on April 20, 2009, 09:13:19 PM

If they only made 2-layer Gardener with a saw.............. My life would be complete.

That would make just about the perfect yardwork knife,but I'm not certain if anyone has done any modding on the 100mm series.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2009, 10:08:08 PM

Quote from: Bison56 on April 20, 2009, 09:17:23 PM

Quote from: Buzzbait on April 20, 2009, 09:13:19 PM
If they only made 2-layer Gardener with a saw.............. My life would be complete.
That would make just about the perfect yardwork knife,but I'm not certain if anyone has done any modding on the 100mm series.

+1 on that

DaveK · **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2009, 12:37:59 AM

Could you just reprofile a 91mm blade and shove a layer with a saw in there - would that do the trick?

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2009, 01:08:31 AM

I started working on a double-bladed Gardener. Haven't gotten around to finishing it yet...dunno where it is a the moment

Not sure if you could fit a saw into one, the pivots are quite large...over 3mm I think.

Styerman · **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2009, 04:04:03 AM

I have one I use for whittling , great little fella !

Chris

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #13 on:** April 21, 2009, 04:06:26 AM

I neglected to say earlier that I have one that I got used,and the backspring is about as strong as what's found on the Alox series.

Zack · **Reply #14 on:** April 21, 2009, 04:19:48 AM

I agree the backspring is one of the strongest I have used. I think I am going to carry mine tomorrow as the only thing I carry to see how I get by.

AndyTiedye · **Reply #15 on:** April 21, 2009, 07:51:20 AM

Scibeer reprofiled a My First Vic blade to make a sheepsfoot for me.
The blade is only a few mm shorter than the one on the Gardner.

The My First Vic Plus has a saw.

Dtrain · **Reply #16 on:** April 21, 2009, 10:51:54 AM

What I also like about the Gardner is when you are working with a youngster on some very basic knife skills it is a good knife to start them with. Plenty of handle for small hands and not such a large blade for them to get in trouble with while they are getting used to performing various tasks like whittling/cutting rope, ect. The back spring on them is quite stiff so that too adds to the safety value, plus no point to poke themselves with. I keep one in the Kitchen Junk Drawer...I look at it as my Eco friendly Box Knife....

Dtrain