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Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025

nate j · 385 · 11180

us Offline BPRoberts

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #360 on: June 29, 2025, 08:44:29 PM
Day 29

Same as yesterday, but fixies this time.

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Most Likely to Open My Beer Award- Glock Field Knife: Tough, cheap, I like the sheath. Kind of want to get the non-sawback, but they're getting harder to find. Due to the bottle opener, it's officially a multitool.

Indestructible Award- Kabar Mk1: I have dug a whole with this knife. It doesn't care. Great beater.

Big Bro & Little Bro Award- Case Finn: I'll be honest, I basically haven't used this thing. It looks great on my belt though. Bought it as a fish and game set, but haven't gotten out as much as I hoped this year.

CAPSLOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL AWARD- Boxer Blades MUK: Awlso haven't used this one a ton, but I'll be carrying it next month for the Nessmuk challenge.

Most Practical Award- Ontario ASEK: Grippy handle, good balance, better saw than the Glock. If I was stranded in the woods, this is the knife I think I'd pick out of all of them.


us Offline Farmer X

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #361 on: June 29, 2025, 08:47:38 PM
I feel like the idea that folding knives need a lock, especially once they reach a certain size, is one of those myths we should be busting.
:iagree:
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


gb Offline gra_farmer

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #362 on: June 29, 2025, 10:28:48 PM
DAY 29

The Helle making some fuzz sticks, this has been the easiest and most enjoyable challenge in a while, that you all on the challenge.



Managed to hack my way through the forest of nettles, most taller than me, to get to the 90 plus year old trees and saw something quite wonderful and sad at the same time



An oak growing from a long dead cherry tree trunk, the oak tree is over 10 years old, but the cherry died last year, and can now see it.....it is now a race for the oak to grow its roots down through the cherry trunk, before the cherry tree falls...

JonesE and Nate, I am loving some of your posts, the ZT's are very nice.

Gary, that case has seen some mileage in the is challenge, and although I am unlikely to get that case of yours, I can appreciate it.

« Last Edit: June 29, 2025, 10:51:53 PM by gra_farmer »


us Offline nate j

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #363 on: June 29, 2025, 10:37:00 PM
Nate, I am loving some of your posts, the ZT's are very nice.
:cheers: GF!

To be clear, though, most of the really nice ZTs in this thread belong to JonesE.


us Offline IMR4198

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #364 on: June 29, 2025, 11:05:53 PM
   One more day.  Then my CASE will go back in the cabinet.  It wasn't so hard to carry in some pants.  More troublesome in others.  I will be going lighter weight in the July challenge. 
    Saw my first whitetail fawn today.  Hadn't even dried off yet.  Maybe the coyotes won't get it.  If it can last another few weeks.  Everyone has been especially friendly to me on this challenge.  That's the part I will remember.  Best wishes.  G
 :hatsoff:


us Offline JonesE

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #365 on: June 30, 2025, 01:48:54 AM
Day 29



Decided to keep it a low key kind of day today. So, just household chores.  Today’s carry is my faithful SuperTool and a ZT0452BLUCF.

gra_farmer and Nate, thanks for the kind words about the ZTs. It has been fun to pull them out of the knife drawer and carry them this month. Nate, you ZT0452TIBLU looks great. I really like seeing a well loved knife.

JonesE


us Offline IMR4198

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #366 on: June 30, 2025, 12:03:44 PM
Day 30

     No time off before starting in on the next challenge (MTo Anniversary, also called the Anything Goes challenge).  After the CASE buying spree that I inadvertently set off, I might have enough points to get my Enabler Level 2 badge. 
     These big folding jack knives (all makes) do serve well outdoors.  My friend Roger used a big folding hunter Schrade to peel deer for years.  He lost it in what is garishly called a 'gut pile' and didn't notice it until it was too late.  My friend Terry used a big folding hunter Boker.  The blades turned completely black and the wooden handles were a fright.  In spite of that, he would grin and tell you how perfect it was.  He carried it every day.  I liked the CASE model that had the hole in the handle.  I always liked to tie a boot lace through my woods carry knife.  Can't afford to lose your knife out in the woolies.  Best wishes.  G
 :(
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us Offline JonesE

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #367 on: June 30, 2025, 07:23:54 PM
Day 30



Just wanted to send a big shout out to Nate for organizing the challenge. Job well done.

This challenge has been fun. I got the chance to use some of the knives from my accumulation that often done get carried as much as they should. Both the O452 and Military performed admirably during the challenge. I wouldn’t hesitate to grab either for everyday carry.

Hope to hang out with you awl again in other up coming challenges.

JonesE


us Offline WECSOG

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #368 on: June 30, 2025, 07:52:25 PM
Day 30

     No time off before starting in on the next challenge (MTo Anniversary, also called the Anything Goes challenge).  After the CASE buying spree that I inadvertently set off, I might have enough points to get my Enabler Level 2 badge. 
     These big folding jack knives (all makes) do serve well outdoors.  My friend Roger used a big folding hunter Schrade to peel deer for years.  He lost it in what is garishly called a 'gut pile' and didn't notice it until it was too late.  My friend Terry used a big folding hunter Boker.  The blades turned completely black and the wooden handles were a fright.  In spite of that, he would grin and tell you how perfect it was.  He carried it every day.  I liked the CASE model that had the hole in the handle.  I always liked to tie a boot lace through my woods carry knife.  Can't afford to lose your knife out in the woolies.  Best wishes.  G
 :(
 [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]  
   
You definitely influenced me to buy one!


us Offline IMR4198

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #369 on: June 30, 2025, 08:00:13 PM
Getting ready for the Anniversary event.  I saw your Day 00 post with the multi and hat.  Nice.  Best wishes.  G
 :like:


us Offline JonesE

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #370 on: June 30, 2025, 08:02:16 PM
You definitely influenced me to buy one!

I will say I have been tempted. So far, I have been able to resist even though the Dean 51 challenge is coming up next.

JonesE


gb Offline gra_farmer

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #371 on: June 30, 2025, 10:30:10 PM
DAY 30


Want to say thank you to the others on the challenge and Nate for pushing it onwards.

So the last day pictures had to be of quite special blades, the grails.....


The legendary Alan Wood Bushcrafter, next to the Mark Jacobs clone of the iconic blade



The Mark Jacobs is slightly larger, and a thinner blade, so in a way preforms brilliantly....but the Alan Wood really has the fit and finish



 and really works....

The Alan Wood Bushcrafter is better than the Ray Mears Woodlore, so insert the Mark Hill clone of the Woodlore (left)



And finally, my design that I got Mark Hill (a UK relatively famous bladesmith), to make for me.  The handle is my doing, and I will swap it over for wood, as it didn't turn out how I expected.  The blade is a mixture of Canadian, Alan Wood and Bark River.





Bonus picture....in my opinion the two best folding Scandinavian grind blades for random whittling...the Spyderco Wolf Spider and the Enzo PK70





And to keep on track with the large blades again, the iconic Benchmade, wet blade pictures... :drool:







us Offline JonesE

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #372 on: June 30, 2025, 11:57:56 PM
Fantastic pics farmer! Looks like you got an epic collection of bushcraft blades.

JonesE


us Offline BPRoberts

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #373 on: July 01, 2025, 01:18:04 AM
Fun challenge, y'awl. Thanks for hosting, Nate.

I think my big take away from this one was, somewhat oddly, HANDLE size matters. I usually carry around a 3" blade, which usually means around a 4" handle. While that's plenty of blade, I really enjoyed having 4.5" or 5" to choke up on. Either way, I'm much more comfortable carrying some larger gear than I was in the past. For tonight, debating between these two for my fixie next month. Keep the big MUK I planned on, or step down to something a little more pocket friendly. Will probably depend on what I find tomorrow when I swing by Case and GEC.


us Offline IMR4198

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #374 on: July 01, 2025, 01:33:26 AM
  Why choose just one, BP?  Alternate and see what feels good.  Looking forward to some Nessmuking.  Best wishes.  G
 :cheers:


us Offline BPRoberts

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #375 on: July 01, 2025, 02:25:50 AM
For the Nessmuk badge, I'm "supposed" to lock in a single set (fixed, folder, axe) today to carry all month without swaps (as though I had canoed up into the NY State wilds for a long trip). I'm waiting until tomorrow to lock, since I'm not gonna pass up carrying if I get something cool at GEC/Case, but I'm not gonna bend the rules that far. Maybe I'll do a fixie challenge another month.


us Offline nate j

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #376 on: July 01, 2025, 03:00:24 AM
Day 30

It seems fitting to end this challenge with what I consider another classic large blade, the Buck 120 General.  This version sports D2 steel, stabilized wood handle, and aluminum guard and pommel.  Shown with aftermarket kydex sheath.

Thanks to all who participated in this challenge.  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did!


us Offline IMR4198

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #377 on: July 01, 2025, 03:03:58 AM
For the Nessmuk badge, I'm "supposed" to lock in a single set (fixed, folder, axe) today to carry all month without swaps (as though I had canoed up into the NY State wilds for a long trip). I'm waiting until tomorrow to lock, since I'm not gonna pass up carrying if I get something cool at GEC/Case, but I'm not gonna bend the rules that far. Maybe I'll do a fixie challenge another month.

Gotcha.  I never read the rules.  Best wishes.  G
 :whistle:


us Offline nate j

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #378 on: July 01, 2025, 03:09:01 AM
For tonight, debating between these two for my fixie next month. Keep the big MUK I planned on, or step down to something a little more pocket friendly. Will probably depend on what I find tomorrow when I swing by Case and GEC.
Perhaps no surprise, but I would go with the larger one.  If you end up using it for game/food prep (as the original Nessmuk did), you may be glad of the extra length.

The folder is your pocket knife.


us Offline BPRoberts

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #379 on: July 01, 2025, 03:29:14 AM
I mostly agree, but I've been enjoying pocket fixies, and I'm thinking the MUK is actually a little too big for the kind of food prep I'd do. I'm not planning to break down a deer. Maybe some fish. Probably go buy a whole chicken at some point to "simulate"


us Offline cody6268

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #380 on: July 02, 2025, 04:47:07 AM
Day 23:

Kassnar, made in Japan. Ebony Scales--almost 6" closed! 

Best I can tell, Kassnar was founded in the '50s, and  was at its peak in the '70s. I  think they went bankrupt in the '80s. They imported all kinds of sporting goods, and firearms as well.

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us Offline cody6268

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #381 on: July 02, 2025, 04:49:27 AM
Day 24:

Found a kind of  strange and  gimmicky Taylor (China) Old Timer version of the 25OT while  going over some junk knives I'm getting rid of by trading them off at a local antique store.

It has a small  cleaver/hatchet blade.

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us Offline cody6268

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #382 on: July 02, 2025, 04:51:08 AM
Day 25:

Unpacked a mini fridge and microwave to go in the basement.

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us Offline cody6268

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #383 on: July 03, 2025, 03:56:23 AM
Day 26:

Cold Steel Roach Belly.

Originally, the Canadian Belt Knife (Grohmann knockoff) was what got my attention, as Grohmanns used sell for barely less than they do new. I also ordered the slightly larger Roach Belly when I bought these a couple years  back. The Roach Belly is 4.5". I don't use it as much as the Grohmann, but I like the handle on this one better.

Bought a 3D printer, and used the Roach Belly to slice tape.

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us Offline cody6268

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Re: Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025
Reply #384 on: July 04, 2025, 04:59:54 AM
Day 27:

Craftsman Custom Skinner--a late '60s, early '70s variant of the Schrade USA 153UH Golden Spike. You don't see them too often. I got this one cheap as another collector's reject.

Made some huge progress cleaning up the basement while waiting for the first of the structural prints to the Flashforge Adventurer's enclosure kit  were being completed, as well as  a few projects I'd downloaded.

Tomorrow early, I'm going to Sam's  for the foam floor tiles to expand the cushioned space in  front of the TV, mini fridge, and microwave. They really add comfort to the concrete floor, and are mildew resistant (which old rugs are not...). Also, I'll likely get a cheap  Walmart futon to replace the worn out and mildewed chaise lounge that has been down there  for 20+ years.

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