The Folding Hunter (Not a Buck 110) challenge

[Echotech]

Day 30

Have to post this morning as out all day.
Great challenge awl been most enjoyable, good to actually use the GEC97 for a change 

Out on the dog walk

[cody6268]

Day 29: Opened some stuff.

First of all, the 111mm Challenge magnets from Comis (through Nix).

I'd mentioned the Skeletool Rescue Hammer in another thread; and Sos offered to send me one she wasn't using.  I decided to choose the Hammer Jammer (in this case, the Rescue modification that accepts the MUT V-Cutter blade) over the MUT and Signal, mostly due to weight; and the fact I have a Skeletool I rarely use (I've had my Bond just a little less than three weeks, and that alone has seen more carry and use. A small hammer is great for knocking out pins on equipment, as well as basically anything that needs a little extra "persuasion".

I've ordered the hardware direct from Metro's store , but the way things are now, it will be a while most likely to get here. I may just see if the local Fastenal branch or a hardware store has equivalents.

[Alan K.]

Day 29
I had no doubt before starting this challenge that my 40 year old Schrade 60T was still useful after all these years.  I know I won't have to look very far to find some more old junk around here that still has plenty of life left in it.  I think I may have just found my next project.

[ReamerPunch]

Day 30



This was my first knife-only challenge, and I enjoyed it very much. I used my Ibuscus lock-back hunter almost exclusively on food and it did relatively well. The blade stock is a little thick for a slicer, but it managed. It is relatively comfortable and I can open it with one hand, by pinching the blade and flicking it to unfold the handle.

Still, it would not my first choice for edc I think. For the same weight and bulk, I can carry the Farmer X, which has a ton more utility. And it's not like I am sacrificing much. Just one-handed opening and a locking blade. It does not have a pocket-clip, super steel, super ergonomics or anything else going for it. Well, it was quite inexpensive, so there's that.

It performed well enough, but to be honest, a Farmer X or any other medium size SAK will outperform it by miles. Still, I quite like the loud snap of the back-lock, and the nice look of the bolsters and the clip-point blade.

[countrydirt]

Day 30


I’ve enjoyed getting to know this knife more.  I actually won this knife from some sort of ‘blog’ giveaway a few years ago, so it was free. It’s too big to be practical for every day carry, but for occasional use and things like cutting up lunch, it does fine. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[countrydirt]

Day 25, Tiny Newt paid a little visit

(Image removed from quote.)

I like that newt!

[comis]

Day 30



Last day, Kabar folding hunter cracked open a young coconut to celebrate it's month long of EDC duty. 

I would like to thank Alan for hosting a great challenge , especially back to back after we did the Buck 110 challenge.  It surely is a fun way to explore Buck 110 alternatives.  Originally, I planned to swap around with different folders just for fun, but something in the middle of challenge, I decided to go all the way with the Kabar Folding Hunter to see how it will fare in a month's time.

When I first got the Kabar FH from Amazon, I really didn't expect much from it.  But in some way, it really did come as a pleasant surprise.  The knife is surely inspired by Buck 110, but there are alterations that kinda modernize it.  The chassis is slender than the OG Buck 110 and weight significantly less.  It also comes with a dual thumb studs and pocket clip.  Meanwhile, the fit and finish is rather good, solid lockup with absolutely no play whatsoever(most of the Buck knives do come with tiny to mild play). 


The only thing I wish it would change is the coating on the blade itself, it wasn't as durable as one would expect and it started to come off just after a month of mild EDC use.  The edge retention is passable, cutting a few small cardboard boxes will not dull the blade and it can still slice thru receipt paper with ease.  Surely it's one of those 'value' folders I could recommend.  In fact, after this knife and the 'Dozier' folders, I have a feeling Kabar is pretty good at making these kind of offerings and am already dying to get myself a copy of the newly released Becker folder.


Thanks again to everyone partaking in the challenge, really fun to read about your uses/posts, and love interacting with y'all thru out the challenge.  See you in the next one!

[Deathtakeslast]

DAY 30

1st time attempting to really whittle. FAIL LOL

[comis]

Day 30

Have to post this morning as out all day.
Great challenge awl been most enjoyable, good to actually use the GEC97 for a change 

Out on the dog walk

(Image removed from quote.)

Looks like a great walk!

Day 29: Opened some stuff.

First of all, the 111mm Challenge magnets from Comis (through Nix).

I'd mentioned the Skeletool Rescue Hammer in another thread; and Sos offered to send me one she wasn't using.  I decided to choose the Hammer Jammer (in this case, the Rescue modification that accepts the MUT V-Cutter blade) over the MUT and Signal, mostly due to weight; and the fact I have a Skeletool I rarely use (I've had my Bond just a little less than three weeks, and that alone has seen more carry and use. A small hammer is great for knocking out pins on equipment, as well as basically anything that needs a little extra "persuasion".

I've ordered the hardware direct from Metro's store , but the way things are now, it will be a while most likely to get here. I may just see if the local Fastenal branch or a hardware store has equivalents.


(Image removed from quote.)

Glad to see it arrive safely, and hope you like it!    TBH, the postal services worldwide has gone wacky for awhile now, while Nix's batch of magnets still arrive pretty on time, another batch has gone 'stealth' mode for awhile now.  Really hope things would go back to normal somewhat soon...

Day 29
I had no doubt before starting this challenge that my 40 year old Schrade 60T was still useful after all these years.  I know I won't have to look very far to find some more old junk around here that still has plenty of life left in it.  I think I may have just found my next project.

Ain't that one of the great feelings, to find new use from old trusted tools.    Love that walkman, as I always say, 80s is back and long live the baggie cloths.

Day 30
(Image removed from quote.)

I’ve enjoyed getting to know this knife more.  I actually won this knife from some sort of ‘blog’ giveaway a few years ago, so it was free. It’s too big to be practical for every day carry, but for occasional use and things like cutting up lunch, it does fine. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CD, congrats on finishing the challenge!

[comis]

DAY 30

1st time attempting to really whittle. FAIL LOL

Hey, everyone starts somewhere...  The first time I tried, I totally cheated with carving a dog-look-alike bear and softwood.  Congrats finishing another challenge!

[RF52]

Great challenge guys
Awesome seeing all the different knives and uses

Sent fra min M2002J9G via Tapatalk

[Alan K.]

Day 30
It's the last day of our challenge and I have one thing left to do....

For the Castaway portion of the challenge I will determine if my Schrade 60T can open a coconut or if I will parish on this dessert island I call my front porch.  Step 1, grab a coconut from the yard.  These things are so old they have almost no liquid left in them.
Step 2, cut the husk into segments that I can remove from the coconut.  Step 3 is usually to bore out a couple of the eyes so I can pour out the liquid but there was no point to it this time as the coconut didn't slosh at all when I shook it.  So, we skipped to Step 4, we break open the coconut to reveal our prize.  Yes, the Schrade 60T can open a coconut!

[ReamerPunch]

I am enjoying the coconut action today.

[Alan K.]

Great work everyone. Thank you all for making this a fun challenge.  Don't forget to request your challenge badge if you want one.

Comis, I wish I had some fresh green coconuts full of sweet coconut water. They are devastatingly refreshing when served ice cold.  Try opening one of those coconuts on a really, really hot day and fill it with a frozen blend of pineapple sherbet (or whipped dairy topping and crushed pineapple) and shot or two of dark rum.


Deathtakeslast, it kind of sort of looks like a gnome, so I'd call that a success for a first attempt.
 

Countrydirt, That knife is fantastic, and even better with a great story behind it.

[Deathtakeslast]

30 days few by. I really enjoyed this. Started with the Remington Tracker and was asked about using my Ka-Bar Becker BK40. So I switched them up.
Really like both of these knives. Classic and modern you could say. Thank You

[pfrsantos]

DAY 29:

Lighter kitchen duty today.

[ElevenBlade]

Day 30
It's the last day of our challenge and I have one thing left to do....

For the Castaway portion of the challenge I will determine if my Schrade 60T can open a coconut or if I will parish on this dessert island I call my front porch.  Step 1, grab a coconut from the yard.  These things are so old they have almost no liquid left in them.
Step 2, cut the husk into segments that I can remove from the coconut.  Step 3 is usually to bore out a couple of the eyes so I can pour out the liquid but there was no point to it this time as the coconut didn't slosh at all when I shook it.  So, we skipped to Step 4, we break open the coconut to reveal our prize.  Yes, the Schrade 60T can open a coconut!

 

I'm a fan of the "coconut challenge" as one of the markers of a suitable all-round tool.

[Alan K.]

 

[Borg]

Congrats on the finish everyone  Thanks Alan for a fun challenge 

Day 30

[cody6268]

Day 20 30 (hard to believe how quick these challenges go] closing thoughts.

First of all, I would like to thank Alan for this challenge. Believe it or not, most of the knives used were not carried until I did this challenge. Two were bought expressly for it, and will see quite a bit of use.

I prefer the 6OT to the big amount of other LB-7 variants,  and especially the Buck 110. You have a lanyard tube, better ergonomics, tougher steel, and a steel pivot pin.

The Mercator is really pocketable to have 3.5" blade. Nice carbon steel as well. The J-100 I added really adds to its versatility.

The Kabar is a great workhorse. I had to pack it up; as company was coming yesterday, but cancelled to arrive today. I forgot where it went.

These two didn't make it.

This Klein I'd meant to carry during the challenge, but did not. It is slim, and has very hard steel. But, Klein moved production of this model from a decent, but unknown Japanese cutlery firm to Utica, who basically just made it into another 110 clone (at least the smaller OHO Kleins are still USA-made). The odd blade shape is my fault. It was badly bent and snapped when I tried to straighten it. It became a kinda Wharncliffe at the end.

The Utica is very poorly assembled, and I had to sharpen it. The serrations aren't very good. These are the people making the Klein now; and using the same basic pattern (albeit with brass/wood handles, instead of the slim slabs of the CAT).

[Alan K.]

I like the Schrade 60T as well, but I feel I must point out that Cody and me were both using Schrade USA knives which were made out of quality materials back when the company still cared about craftsmanship.  I do not care for and will not vouch for any Schrade product made by Taylor Brands or whoever the current owners of Schrade may be these days.

[pfrsantos]

DAY 30:

Going back home. Not really something I'd EDC, but I did enjoy using it around the house. I might even take it out from time to time to help around the kitchen.

Thanks for sharing awl your knives, too.

 

[SteveC]

Badges awarded to those who applied   

Congrats 

[ReamerPunch]

Thank you!

[cody6268]

I like the Schrade 60T as well, but I feel I must point out that Cody and me were both using Schrade USA knives which were made out of quality materials back when the company still cared about craftsmanship.  I do not care for and will not vouch for any Schrade product made by Taylor Brands or whoever the current owners of Schrade may be these days.

I've had about half a dozen (to recall, 5OT, 834UH, LB-7, 12OT, 72OT) and they were all pretty smurf. The Tough Tool I"m using the upcoming Daredevil Challenge is a Grade F piece of Genuine Smurf. I've had odd brands that cost less, and were better tools. Nothing is done right on that one.

[comis]

Great work everyone. Thank you all for making this a fun challenge.  Don't forget to request your challenge badge if you want one.

Comis, I wish I had some fresh green coconuts full of sweet coconut water. They are devastatingly refreshing when served ice cold.  Try opening one of those coconuts on a really, really hot day and fill it with a frozen blend of pineapple sherbet (or whipped dairy topping and crushed pineapple) and shot or two of dark rum.
 

Deathtakeslast, it kind of sort of looks like a gnome, so I'd call that a success for a first attempt.
 

Countrydirt, That knife is fantastic, and even better with a great story behind it.

Alan, gonna agree with every word you said about the young coconut, there's probably no better way than this.  But I too enjoy those 'older' coconut', those meat are so crunchy, it's almost like a meal in itself.

I've had about half a dozen (to recall, 5OT, 834UH, LB-7, 12OT, 72OT) and they were all pretty smurf. The Tough Tool I"m using the upcoming Daredevil Challenge is a Grade F piece of Genuine Smurf. I've had odd brands that cost less, and were better tools. Nothing is done right on that one.

On that note, I sure love to see you guys again in Dare Devil Challenge.  It's easy to use a tool you like for 30 days, but try to make peace with a "Grade F" tool...that's gonna be one interesting challenge for all of us.

[pfrsantos]

(...)

On that note, I sure love to see you guys again in Dare Devil Challenge.  It's easy to use a tool you like for 30 days, but try to make peace with a "Grade F" tool...that's gonna be one interesting challenge for all of us.

This could be fun, but I don't often need anything more than a blade and/or bottle opener. It would be pretty much just posting pics of a tool not being used...

 

[Alan K.]

Thanks for the badges Steve.  I am looking forward to the Daredevil challenge in August. I hope to see you all there.

[Alan K.]

Bonus Pic for Day 31
Ribs, fresh off the smoker and cut apart with my 40 year old Schrade 60T which will now be put away so I can play with some other knives and tools.  Best wishes to awl of you who are starting new challenges on June 1st.

[comis]

Bonus Pic for Day 31
Ribs, fresh off the smoker and cut apart with my 40 year old Schrade 60T which will now be put away so I can play with some other knives and tools.  Best wishes to awl of you who are starting new challenges on June 1st.

No kidding, you always have the best grill food for photo ops!