Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025

[JonesE]

Beautiful collection of ZT0452 over the last few days!  It’s one of my favorites as well.

Thanks Nate.  Well, I got eight more to go. One of my favorites, I’ll show tomorrow.

JonesE

[BPRoberts]

Yeah, the buffalo is nice, but not that high of a markup nice. I'll keep poking and probably put in an order this weekend. Until then...

Day 3

This should be the last borderline folder and fixie day. The Opinel 12 OD is in the same zone as the Evoke, way too bulky for what it is. That said, the whistle, firestarter or tweezers, and cutter are nice. I know someone who keeps it in his glove box as a backup/emergency knife, and that seems like a good use. This was my travel carving knife for a bit, fun to blow the whistle when the turkey's ready. Nice and grippy even when it's greasy.

With it is a Kabar Mk1. More of a utility knife than the Mk2. One of my favorite beaters.

[IMR4198]

  Nice Opie.  I like the plastic handled Opinels for some reason.  I know several hunters who carried big two blade folding hunters.  Not all CASE, either.  A fellow wanted to sell me a yellow bone handled Queen once.  I wasn't in the mood, evidently.  I think he wanted $12 for it.  Yeah.  Best wishes.  G

[Farmer X]

Great stuff, y'awl! I'm trying not to give into temptation to buy a 65-pattern Case now...

[nate j]

I'm trying not to give into temptation to buy a 65-pattern Case now...

It’s one of those knives everyone should get to own or at least experience.
 

[nate j]

Day 3

With all the talk of Case 65 pattern Folding Hunters, and in the spirit of helping our friends who may be on the fence about buying one, here’s another one of mine.

This is one of my relatively few CV/CS Cases.  It’s got the start of a decent patina, and gets shaving sharp.

It is also the single blade version.  While slightly less common in my experience than the two-blade version, there are still plenty of single blade models that have been and continue to be made.  The trade offs should be fairly obvious:  you give up the skinner blade, keeping only the main clip point; in exchange, you get a slimmer, lighter package, shaving about 1.5 oz off the weight of a comparable two-blade model.

[nate j]

Thanks Nate.  Well, I got eight more to go. One of my favorites, I’ll show tomorrow.

JonesE

[cody6268]

Day 3

With all the talk of Case 65 pattern Folding Hunters, and in the spirit of helping our friends who may be on the fence about buying one, here’s another one of mine.

This is one of my relatively few CV/CS Cases.  It’s got the start of a decent patina, and gets shaving sharp.

It is also the single blade version.  While slightly less common in my experience than the two-blade version, there are still plenty of single blade models that have been and continue to be made.  The trade offs should be fairly obvious:  you give up the skinner blade, keeping only the main clip point; in exchange, you get a slimmer, lighter package, shaving about 1.5 oz off the weight of a comparable two-blade model.

Nice!


Several years ago, they had a basic orange Delrin version with a part-serrated blade. Thought about getting one to replace my great-uncle's '76 6265, but kicked the can down the road for a couple of years. Evetually, Case discontinued it and modern 6265s slowly got painfully expensive.  Ended up going with a Rough Ryder version as a work knife.

[cody6268]

Yeah, the buffalo is nice, but not that high of a markup nice. I'll keep poking and probably put in an order this weekend. Until then...

Day 3

This should be the last borderline folder and fixie day. The Opinel 12 OD is in the same zone as the Evoke, way too bulky for what it is. That said, the whistle, firestarter or tweezers, and cutter are nice. I know someone who keeps it in his glove box as a backup/emergency knife, and that seems like a good use. This was my travel carving knife for a bit, fun to blow the whistle when the turkey's ready. Nice and grippy even when it's greasy.

With it is a Kabar Mk1. More of a utility knife than the Mk2. One of my favorite beaters.

I have a Camillus version made from parts left over after WWII (basically, it's the same as a 1944-45 era issued knife without "USN" on the reverse of the ricasso).

To me, the MKII is more for combat use. I have two of them (almost talked myself into getting a Single Mark when Kabar had a sale last week @ $75), and honestly, they're way too big for most of what I need. The MKI on the other hand, is just the right size to do darn near anything, and it's really comfortable. Planned to get one of the Kraton-handled Kabar versions, but haven't yet.

[cody6268]

Day 2:

Waited a bit long yesterday, and then I came down with a case of nausea--not sure what caused it.

To make lunch, I used my Old Hickory butcher knife. Bought these for the kitchen 8 or 9 years ago, and my grandmother got hold of them--they ended up blunt and rusty (how she does ruins the edges in the sink is beyond me--we don't even have a dishwasher), and the two I had (butcher and paring knife) got relegated to more or less general use as sheath knives. Recently, I started putting better edges on them.

I don't think we'll be seeing any more Old Hickory knives being made since they were bought out of bankruptcy by Blue Ridge out of Marion, VA--a rather large distributor that supplies most online sellers and cutlery stores.  I asked the owner of my cutlery store, who has done tons of business with Blue Ridge over the years. He old me they only brought distribution of the imported Ontario knives to their Marion headquarters--they would no longer be producing knives in the USA. Sucks, as they were very well priced--I think I paid $8 for the paring knife, and $12 for the butcher.  They were also pretty easy to find. Dexter's Green River knives are not. I also have never seen a local store carrying their products. Yes, you still have Rada in many places, but those knives are flimsy with hardly any tang into the handle. Basically only suited for light kitchen use--not heavy general purpose use.


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[cody6268]

Day 3 part 1:

Used the Mikov to poke holes in a potato.

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And part 2:

Opinel to slice open a package of cookie dough.

My one problem with the 12--it's way too fat for pocket carry.

I got this knife on a whim in 2018. Mostly saw use as a folding machete, and in the kitchen. I only recently put it back into use. When I used  it as a machete, it stayed in my back  pocket.

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[gra_farmer]

Apologies everyone, a little delayed to the game, but apart from a little catch up....I am good to go.

Catch up

DAY 1

So living in the UK, having knives (thinking of pocket knives here) outside of the kitchen is considered as antisocial, similar to smoking over a strange family in a restaurant. 

Large knives on the other hand are classed more as a criminal act....?

I use knives as tools every day, and a lot of my larger blades are used in the kitchen too, as the steel is better quality.

So starting with a true modern day classic, the Fallkniven A1 in VG10 laminate steel, a true workhorse of a blade

[gra_farmer]

Catch up

DAY 2

Comparison between the A1 and the SRK, both good knives, but the A1 really does blow the SRK out of the water.... although I need to get to know the SRK more, the A1 is a solid comfortable knife that really can do pretty much the lot....there is only one blade that beats the A1....that's for another day

[gra_farmer]

Catch up

DAY 3

i stated that there is only one blade that beats the A1....and for me that is the Bark River aurora 2, of the 6 inch blades...the aurora is so much more refined, and even more comfortable in hand.... possibility of it being the only knife you need, as it excels at kitchen work just as well as bushcraft duties.

[IMR4198]

Day 4

   I spent yestiddy either doing lawn work or rehabbing knives out of the Sos box.  I let the whole pack out of the stinky confines of the box and started in.  Several tried sneaking off, but got dragged back by the scruff of their dirty necks and had to take their baths.  Spritzes of WD40, some brushing, and a little metal polish helped make the caked-on schmutz a memory.  Toothpicks probed into orifices, orifi, orifo, oriffi, hard to reach places.
    Finally, I was covered in ick, and the whole collection was running around on the porch holding hands and making up songs.  Nothing like good clean happy knives.  I have posted pix of a couple of the knives I am keeping on the Break Room section.  Feel free to drop in for a visit. 
    Several of the MTo members here have caught the CASE 6265 fever.  I will be honest with you.  If I took the notion for a large two blade folding hunter, I would go buy something like a Marbles.  Heresy, I know.  I see that brand for sale around the $20 mark.  I saw a single locking blade Marbles for around $15.  I saw where friend Cody was carrying a Rough Ryder.   
    Good to see friend Gra back. 
Best wishes.  G
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[JonesE]

Day 4

Carrying yet another one of my ZT0452s today. This one is labeled as the ZT0452G10. The blade steel is M390. Unlike the other 0452s that have a carbon fiber slab with a nice chamfer around the edge, the G10 has a contoured milled scale that fits the hand nicely. The anodizing on the lock side has a really nice rose gold color. I also like that the pivot is all black.

Show side




Lock side



JonesE

[BPRoberts]

I have a Camillus version made from parts left over after WWII (basically, it's the same as a 1944-45 era issued knife without "USN" on the reverse of the ricasso).

To me, the MKII is more for combat use. I have two of them (almost talked myself into getting a Single Mark when Kabar had a sale last week @ $75), and honestly, they're way too big for most of what I need. The MKI on the other hand, is just the right size to do darn near anything, and it's really comfortable. Planned to get one of the Kraton-handled Kabar versions, but haven't yet.

The Mk1 is just a stupid simple knife for doing simple stupid knife things, and it's perfect for that.

Day 4

This Rough Ryder Sabacc fits in the flashlight pouch on the Leatherman holster. Probably not the safest way to carry, so I moved it into my pocket. The Rebar did most of the work today as I was doing tech for an event. It's a marginally fancy event, so a marginally fancy knife was called for. The Sabacc (what is a Sabacc? All Google found is the Star Wars card game) is right on the line IMO between big and excessive. Listed length is 4.5", but I think 4.75" is closer. Grateful for that half stop. Nicely made. I know it's from their "reserve" line, but I didn't expect such good f&f from a Rough Ryder. Great snap.

[JonesE]

That Sabacc looks very nice. I  it!

JonesE

[ReamerPunch]

The big badge is easy to make. Which icon do you guys like the best? Colors can be changed. You are deciding on design.
Ingore the corners, I'll make them transparent once one is chosen.
   

[IMR4198]

   Google thinks sabacc is Hausa for 'Good Morning.'  I don't have a particular favorite for a badge.  They all look fine to me.  I will pick one if I am required, of course.  Maybe some of the guys will have a favorite.  Good job, RP. 
 

[nate j]

The big badge is easy to make. Which icon do you guys like the best? Colors can be changed. You are deciding on design.
Ingore the corners, I'll make them transparent once one is chosen.
(Image removed from quote.)  (Image removed from quote.)  (Image removed from quote.)

Thanks RP!

I also don’t have a preference, and am good with whatever the rest of the group likes.

[JonesE]

Thanks ReamerPunch, My vote is for the one on the left. I think it matches closest to what PowerNoodle suggested early on. I will say I do like all three. Great job with the design.

JonesE

[IMR4198]

   I feel the same as friend Nate.  I might as well say I am well satisfied with the way that he has handled the challenge so far as well as the contributions from the rest.
    Since he has deferred the choice, I might as well pick one.  I think I will go along with the first one as well.  It immediately reminded me of PN's design.  Best wishes.  G
 

[gra_farmer]

I quite like the middle badge....but I am an interloper.....

[gra_farmer]

DAY 4

The chopper category, now I don't have many of these, but the Bark River Canadian Camp 2 is 8 inches of pure respect in CPM 3V....size comparison with the A1 which looks and feels small next to this.

The Canadian Camp 2 is part of my piggy back system with the BR bushcrafter lite



You can see it has been used....and holds a crazy edge. If there was competition chopper event, this would be my go to blade.  And yes, this is a choice for the bugout bag

[nate j]

I must say I am very impressed with all the submissions so far.

Glad you could join us, GF!

[nate j]

Day 4

Slipped the Opinel No. 12 in my pocket this morning.  It’s the standard version, in stainless steel (like most of my knives).

I suspect most of us already own an Opinel or two, if not a No. 12, but for the uninitiated…

Opinel’s thin, flat ground blades are outstanding cutters and slicers.  They are inexpensive, and may very well be some of the best folding knives available in their price range.
 
The handle on the No. 12 is a bit bulky, but still pocketable in my experience.  It weighs just 4.0 ounces, which is quite reasonable for a blade that is 4 3/4” by my measurement.

Their Achilles Heel may be the wood handles, especially in wet or humid environments.  I would like to see Opinel expand their synthetic-handled line.

[IMR4198]

Their Achilles Heel may be the wood handles, especially in wet or humid environments.  I would like to see Opinel expand their synthetic-handled line.

I agree 100%.  Best wishes.  G

[cody6268]

Day 4:

Grabbed my '76 Case 6265. My great-uncle (though my Granddad may have bought it for him) bought it new nearly 50 years ago, and it's been with me since about a year after he passed. My Granddad's sisters let various other relatives (including some he barely knew) pick over his knives and stuff after he passed, and Granddad and I got what was left over.   Well, what they didn't know was that this was his favorite deer hunting knife.  I still mostly use it as a heavy EDC, especially with a belt sheath (period correct). Wearing bib overalls today, so I didn't use the sheath.

Also a few more knives came home with me--all of 'em cost me just ten bucks. Tonka military Jeep, $20. But, it's complete and in decent shape except for some small spots of surface rust. Weirdly enough, it's as old as the Case, being a 1975 only issue. Tonka stopped making them in the early '70s, then brought it back with the then-new large wheels in '75, only to retool it in '76 with a CJ-3 based front end.


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[ReamerPunch]

Here you go: