Big Knife Passaround and Giveaway

[AimlessWanderer]

As I near 1000 posts I’ve been thinking about some of the kindness and generosity I’ve received on this forum. From the gifts, giveaways, wisdom, helping hand when problems arise and the warm welcome at the UK meet, I’ve received a lot in my short time here. 

Well folks, my time to try to pay to something back. As a proud Sheffield lad, I would have liked to champion Sheffield made multitools – but they have ceased to be  We have made “utility knives” here since before Victorinox existed, but apart from one or two Master Cutlers who may make you one by hand (even cutting out the blades with a hacksaw) if you’re prepared to go on their 3 to 5 year waiting list amd pay big prices, these too are nowhere to be found. 

Knife and tool making is still found here in the “Steel City” though, but much diminished. I have several Sheffield made slippies, which are good honest hard working knives but until now I’ve never had a fixed blade knife from my home town  so I had to put that right … and I thought while I’m buying one …… I’ll buy some extras and …..

Passaround time (Followed by giveaway):

First up John Nowill MOD Survival Knife. This is a 1/4” thick lump of home grown steel, sandwiched between two great lumps of tree!

The 7” blade is good quality carbon steel, not high spec – just good quality, and treated for ease of sharpening rather than edge retention (just the way it should be IMO). Fit and finish … None!! It’s not fitted and finished in the way you might be used to, you get the privilege of that. These beasts are typically supplied with something that vaguely resembles an edge, and roughly shaped handle scales riveted in position and it’s down to the owner to use them as they are or finish them as they please. A totally squadie proof, no frills beater!!
http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/John-Nowill-Knives/John-Nowill-Survival-Knife/p-92-153-1159/

Next up is a lighter version of the same formula, a J Adams - Seaman Knife (Seaman with an "A"  ). This has a 5” long blade, which is much thinner for utility tasks rather than hacking a rhino’s legs off or batoning through a concrete bunker. Both knives are supplied in a leather sheath. Again, this is a no frills user.
http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/John-Nowill-Knives/John-Nowill-Seamans-Knife/p-92-153-1987/

These aren't pretty or precious, they're just crying out to be put to work

Also ready to go travelling is a cheapy notebook as a “Knife Diary” for folks to add a few notes of who they are, where they are, what the knives have done and well wishing for the next user. Once everybody who wants to play has had a chance to play with these and review/compare them to other such tools, I’ll pick a winner/s and ... well I'm sure you can guess what the prixes are  The method of choosing the winner will be down to best review, best pics, best testing etc – and my decision will be final – even if it’s wrong   

NOTE: These are coming in brand new from an online store, and whoever receives them first will get them precisely as the leave the factory – warts and all

RULES:
1.)   Over 18’s only, and members over 250 posts please (if you have less than 250 posts and want to be included please PM me first)
2.)   Knives MUST be used whilst in your possession – no looking at it stroking it and passing it on – USE IT!! Members are also allowed encouraged to sand the scales, sharpen the blade or do anything else which they feel will improve the knife as it travels around.
3.)   Knives MUST be used RESPONSIBLY and within the confines of the law in your respective areas. No getting these confiscated or yourselves in bother!!
4.)   Be Honest!! If you like ‘em - shout it loud, but if you think it sucks – let’s hear that too. Don’t be shy with your review of these tools.
5.)   You are responsible for getting these to the next guy in good order. These items are HEAVY (particularly the MOD knife). Total weight is unknown as yet, but postage may be high for sending to the next member, so if this may be a problem please consider this before committing to the passaround
6.)   Bonus points of some fashion (which might not necessarily actually have any value or increase your chances of winning anything ) awarded for head to head comparisons with equivalent knives from more familiar brands (Mora, ESSE, RAT, BUSSE etc)
7.)   These are carbon steel – they WILL rust. Treat them accordingly – I’m confident everyone here knows what that means.
8.)   Everyone should make an entry in the Knife Diary for the benefit of the winner

So c’mon guys - sign up, the more the merrier. Let’s have your name on the list and an idea where you are so we can try and keep postage costs down for everyone. For example:

50ft-Trad   -   England

Soooo ...... Who wants to play?

[Gareth]

I have a MOD knife and can heartily recommend anyone who hasn't picked one up before to try it.  A stonking, chunky but actually very practical bit of steel.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I have a MOD knife and can heartily recommend anyone who hasn't picked one up before to try it.  A stonking, chunky but actually very practical bit of steel.

Had one too, and everyone should have a try of one

Very generous pass around mate

[captain spaulding]

I am not going to be in on this one, but have to say the "knife Journal" is a wonderful idea and the Giveaway is very generous. Thank you. 

[Neil]

First on the list, I'll play

[Beerplumber]

Sounds like fun but maybe this is a UK member thing? If they make the journey over the pond I'd love to play!

[J-sews]

Heck yah, sign me up!

[AimlessWanderer]

Sounds like fun but maybe this is a UK member thing? If they make the journey over the pond I'd love to play!

Open to members everywhere 

So far we have:
Neil - UK
Beerplumber - Canada
J-sews - US

[Pacu]

I'll play  . I'm in south texas.  I like the idea of the knife diary too

[Sparky415]

Great Passaround/give-a-way Al 

[Neil]

Great Passaround/give-a-way Al 

   You need to play so you can compare with your own grown choppers

[Sparky415]

I have too many toys here at the moment
I should be cutting down (pun intended) 

[Zed]

Ill play mate, ive wanted to see and try out one of those MOD survival knives for ages, im in 

[Sparky415]

 

Canada - Beerplumber

UK - Neil
UK – Zed

USA - J-sews
USA - Pacu

[AimlessWanderer]

  They're here 

Both knives landed this morning, and of course I had to open them up and have a quick look at them both. I'll try to get some pics up when I can get at my camera but (tempting though it is) I'm not going to pass any comment on them at this stage, I'll let Neil make the first assessments

They'll be winging their way to The Hive in the next few days.

Any more takers for the UK and/or Europe?

[dks]

What is the weight? I could be interested but if they are too heavy and I end up posting them to the US then I may be better off buying them myself. They do look heavy. 

[cerbera147]

Very nice and very generous 

Always fancied a go with the MOD Survival Knife 

Canada - Beerplumber

UK - Neil
UK – Zed
UK - cerbera147

USA - J-sews
USA - Pacu

[AimlessWanderer]

What is the weight? I could be interested but if they are too heavy and I end up posting them to the US then I may be better off buying them myself. They do look heavy. 

Good question. I'll be getting these underway in the next couple of days, and when I do I'll note the actual postage weight and list it in this thread

[AimlessWanderer]

A couple of crappy phone pics taken earlier to give a perspective of size ...





Tools shown for comparison are just what I had on me at the time ...
Micra, MP700, Wave, CRKT Zillatool Junior

[Neil]

Chop chop, get them in the post

[thesuper]

I'm in matey! Got some serious Japanese knot weed problem in my garden, I reckon this will help give it the "chop" Rob

[dks]

Tools shown for comparison are just what I had on me at the time ...
Micra, MP700, Wave, CRKT Zillatool Junior

  I only carry a Micra... I am humbled...

What the h..., count me in; they can not be THAT heavy... 


Canada - Beerplumber

UK - Neil
UK – Zed
UK - cerbera147

USA - J-sews
USA - Pacu

CY - DKS

[Sparky415]

That does look like a big beast Al

Canada - Beerplumber

CY - DKS

UK - Neil
UK - Zed
UK - cerbera147
UK - Thesuper

USA - J-sews
USA - Pacu

 

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks for updating the list Tony 

Chop chop, get them in the post

All packaged up and labelled and ready to go, but couldn't get away from the office today. Will try again tomorrow  I'm not just building the tension, honest 

What the h..., count me in; they can not be THAT heavy... 

No, they're not TOO bad I reckon - so long as I keep my back straight I can lift it fine 
I'm guessing it's actually going to be about 1kg (ish) total weight for the package

[Zed]

Ill have fun sneaking this one pass the wife       

[Neil]

Do I need to add a note saying that you didn't buy them?

[AimlessWanderer]

Just tell her you planted your Opinel #4 in the garden and that's what it grew into 

[dks]

Do I need to add a note saying that you didn't buy them?

Just accidentaly address the parcel to Mrs Zed, and include the receipt in it.
 

[Beerplumber]

I'm getting excited, I'm shopping for a fixed blade and don't really want to "settle" for a ka-bar. These blades look like a great match for me. I need a good blade that can take abuse and not cry when it's dirty. I'd really like to hone my sharpening skills as well. When it's my turn I'm sure Metropolicity will like to take a boo at them as well.

[Zed]

   you guys crack me up, now it needs to arrive on a thursday or friday  not a saturday    as i work every friday night so will be awake trying to intercept the parcel before angie  im lookking forward to testing these out,  thanks again for the chance Al