Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge 2025

[cody6268]

 Day 6:

Unknown butcher knife, likely '30s-50s era. Pretty much, my great-grandparents were essentially pretty poor sharecroppers most of their lives.   Over the years, my great-Granddad passed many of the knives on to various members of his family. I'm the fourth to use many of them.  He even made a few himself using blades he salvaged from a sawmill he worked at, as well as broken crosscut blades (along with a few scythes).

I inherited a few others from my great-uncle--great-Granddad actually made those. Plan to carry one of 'em soon.  Been asking for the rest (which were given to another great-uncle, and my great aunt was going to give them to me 5 years ago) to basically complete all those he had.   I'm also buying his (and my great-uncles) tools and boxes (great-uncle's were Snap-On I might add....).

These were given to my Granddad in the '70s, and mostly used by my grandmother. She regularly used this one painting the porch, and handed to me several years ago. The tip is rounded due to her using it pry open paint cans, and I did need a lot of work on the edge sicne it was used to scrape paint also. I mostly carry this one in a Kabar sheath. It does basically anything I need it to do, and not a heavy knife. I kind of prefer the tip being blunted in the case I end up falling with the knife in hand.

Oh, and I finally pulled the trigger on the Ozark Trail Multiforce today as a "when I"m working with others" beater to replace three others that I plan to trade off at the antique store near my house. Personal opinion--not as good as a Wave, but far better than most inexpensive tools sold on box store shelves (like the Suspension--I hate my NXT with a passion), and every tool works as intended--no thick saws, over-polished drivers, useless scissors,  dull files, or blunt blades.  Most importantly, bit driver is standard 1/4 hex. With the extension, it's magnetic, but otherwise, I think any 1/4 double-ended bit should work--particularly those used in 10-in-1s. I'll buy a cheap Quinn 10-in-1 from Harbor Freight to take the bits out of. 

I'll likely  3D print a bit holder next month for them. Getting a Flashforge  Adventurer 5M Core XY then, as I've set a new goal since I've shaved back on diecast--budget for and buy one big ticket item on my list a month.  Two of my friends (well, both of them engineers by trade with much nicer models), and I figured I might as well fall in with the crowd. Besides, $250 doesn't buy much in consumer electronics these days--and it does appear the prices on 3D printers have come down by a lot. I could swear similar models used to be half a grand or more.


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[nate j]

Day 7

I believe this is the third generation (?) of the Cold Steel Large Voyager.

The pocket clip was too tight.  I just want something to hold the knife in a somewhat consistent position, and maybe keep it from sliding out of my pocket when  I sit down.  I don’t want something that is “jump rated” or whatever standard most of them seem to be built to, and I definitely don’t want it ripping the smurf out of my pocket every time I try to draw it.  Fortunately, it’s an easy fix, and I’ve already loosened up the pocket clip to a more suitable tension.  The clip is reversible for RH or LH, but tip up only.

The shape of the handle is nice; it really locks into into my hand.  Unfortunately, though, the texturing of the handle is way too aggressive.

The action is nice and smooth.  The wide, flat-ground AUS10A blade features dual thumb studs and came sharp out of the package.

This generation of Voyagers features Cold Steel’s Tri-Ad lock, which they claim is the “most secure and safest folding knife locking system on the market”.  I’m not in a position to make a judgment on that, but I can say that my example locks up tightly, with no blade play in any direction.

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with the Cold Steel Large Voyager so far for the $40 I paid for it.  In fact I like it well enough to take it camping with me this weekend.

[gra_farmer]

DAY 8

I have the cold steel voyager too, mine is an old version with mystery steel, most likely AUS8, at $40 that is a brilliant price, mine was £45 second hand 10 years ago....we get ripped off here.



I had not included the Voyager in the line up, as trying to stay above the 4.5 inch blades size, but also feel that as cold steel blades go, the pocket bushman is a brilliant nod to the french (Douk-Douk) abd Japanese (Higonokami) folded steel handle knives....the US version.

[IMR4198]

Day 8

   I do appreciate the nice rhubarb photo.  All the old houses around here used to have rhubarb growing in the corner of a garden.  Rainy here, again.  All the folks who didn't get their lawn work done earlier in the week were out in bad weather trying to catch up. 
   How about some oxalis and a CASE?  Best wishes.  G
 
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[BPRoberts]

Day 6:

Unknown butcher knife, likely '30s-50s era. Pretty much, my great-grandparents were essentially pretty poor sharecroppers most of their lives.   Over the years, my great-Granddad passed many of the knives on to various members of his family. I'm the fourth to use many of them.  He even made a few himself using blades he salvaged from a sawmill he worked at, as well as broken crosscut blades (along with a few scythes).

I inherited a few others from my great-uncle--great-Granddad actually made those. Plan to carry one of 'em soon.  Been asking for the rest (which were given to another great-uncle, and my great aunt was going to give them to me 5 years ago) to basically complete all those he had.   I'm also buying his (and my great-uncles) tools and boxes (great-uncle's were Snap-On I might add....).

These were given to my Granddad in the '70s, and mostly used by my grandmother. She regularly used this one painting the porch, and handed to me several years ago. The tip is rounded due to her using it pry open paint cans, and I did need a lot of work on the edge sicne it was used to scrape paint also. I mostly carry this one in a Kabar sheath. It does basically anything I need it to do, and not a heavy knife. I kind of prefer the tip being blunted in the case I end up falling with the knife in hand.

Oh, and I finally pulled the trigger on the Ozark Trail Multiforce today as a "when I"m working with others" beater to replace three others that I plan to trade off at the antique store near my house. Personal opinion--not as good as a Wave, but far better than most inexpensive tools sold on box store shelves (like the Suspension--I hate my NXT with a passion), and every tool works as intended--no thick saws, over-polished drivers, useless scissors,  dull files, or blunt blades.  Most importantly, bit driver is standard 1/4 hex. With the extension, it's magnetic, but otherwise, I think any 1/4 double-ended bit should work--particularly those used in 10-in-1s. I'll buy a cheap Quinn 10-in-1 from Harbor Freight to take the bits out of. 

I'll likely  3D print a bit holder next month for them. Getting a Flashforge  Adventurer 5M Core XY then, as I've set a new goal since I've shaved back on diecast--budget for and buy one big ticket item on my list a month.  Two of my friends (well, both of them engineers by trade with much nicer models), and I figured I might as well fall in with the crowd. Besides, $250 doesn't buy much in consumer electronics these days--and it does appear the prices on 3D printers have come down by a lot. I could swear similar models used to be half a grand or more.


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That's a cool heirloom.

Day 7

Cleaned and carried the Resilience today. Think I might try a Byrd for my next Spydey to see how it compares, the deployment and lock up on here are well behind my US Spydercoes.

[JonesE]

Day 8

Today’s carry is the ZT0452GL. The carbon fiber show side scale will glow in the dark if you leave your knife in the sun during the day to charge up. I tried it once and it really didn’t last all that long. So it seemed pretty gimmicky to me. The lock side and blade has a DLC like coating that looks fantastic.

Show side



Lock side



JonesE

[nate j]

That's a cool heirloom.

[nate j]

Day 8

Today’s carry is the ZT0452GL. The carbon fiber show side scale will glow in the dark if you leave your knife in the sun during the day to charge up. I tried it once and it really didn’t last all that long. So it seemed pretty gimmicky to me. The lock side and blade has a DLC like coating that looks fantastic.

Show side



Lock side



JonesE

Yea, GITD knives have always seemed sort of gimmicky to me, though I do like some Stayglow.  Maybe it is supposed to make the knife easier to find if dropped, provided you wait until it gets dark to look for it?
 

You know what would be handy?  GITD flashlights.
 Alas, it seems like most of them only come in black…

[BPRoberts]

Yea, GITD knives have always seemed sort of gimmicky to me, though I do like some Stayglow.  Maybe it is supposed to make the knife easier to find if dropped, provided you wait until it gets dark to look for it?
 

You know what would be handy?  GITD flashlights.
 Alas, it seems like most of them only come in black…

My philosophy for most GITD gear is that it's just there to help you find it at night. I'm not sure how often I'd need a big knife in the middle of the night, but I guess I could put it with my keys or something to help me find them.

Rovyvon makes a ton of GITD body lights in not black (most of them see through), and I'm a big fan of their designs. I have an Angel Eyes on my keychain, and a couple Auroras around in bags and stuff. Used the GITD to find them in the middle of the night a bunch of times.

Day 8

My wife borrowed my knife to open these pastries and immediately went, "wow, that's sharp!" I whipped my head up to check for blood, but she was fine. "It sliced through like nothing." She knows just what to say. 

[nate j]

Day 8

Back home with the Cold Steel Large Voyager (3rd gen).  I was pleased with how the knife handled this weekend, and I believe it may have earned a spot among my camping blades.

[IMR4198]

Day 9

   Be sure to stock up on supplies early this week.  Friday the 13th is coming up.  Just what we needed.  A bad-luck day right in the middle of an already wicked month.  Could be almost anything happening Friday.  Don't say I didn't warn you.
    Big knife went along during a laundry trip.  Looks like it might come along to W-Mart today once the fog burns off a little.  Best wishes.  G
 
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[gra_farmer]

DAY 9

Listening to french radio and eating cheese with the Benchmade 800HSSR AFCK, this version is the M2 steel.  This for me was the poor man's version of the Spyderco military....£60 Vs £180....



Starting to realise I have loads of 4 inch plus knives...

[JonesE]

Day 9

Got the ZT0452RDBW with me today. It has a red weave Carbon Fiber show side scale and the lock side frame and blade are black washed. Blade steel is the standard S35VN. I really like the subtle red weave of the scale. It has a simple elegance to it.

Show side



Lock side



JonesE

[JonesE]

DAY 9

Listening to french radio and eating cheese with the Benchmade 800HSSR AFCK, this version is the M2 steel.  This for me was the poor man's version of the Spyderco military....£60 Vs £180....



Starting to realise I have loads of 4 inch plus knives...

Great vintage Benchmade. I always enjoyed the AFCK and TSEK knives when they were out. My first nice pocket knife was an 813 mini TSEK. Thanks for sharing a pic of your knife with us today.

JonesE

[Farmer X]

Great work again, y'awl! There still isn't a Case folding hunter in my near future. I'll maybe check the 'Bay and see about a Schrade equivalent.

[BPRoberts]

There may be one in my future... If FedEx can get it together. It's currently driving in circles halfway across the state.

Day 9

Mowed the lawn. While I was out there, decided to test the saw backs. Neither one is terribly good, but the ASEK is the clear winner, capable of cutting on both the push and pull, and having a smaller blade to drag through. Technically, neither one is really made for this kind of work. The Glock is usually labeled as a root saw, and I feel pretty confident either one could handle all but the toughest/thickest roots. The ASEK is to cut through aircraft fuselages. Unfortunately, I don't have any of those on hand. I might be able to get the side of an old RV or something. I'll ask around.

[nate j]

Day 9

Here’s what I would call a generation 2 Cold Steel XL Voyager.  Made in Japan (current generation 3 is made in Taiwan) with AUS-8A steel.

Interestingly, this gen 2 XL Voyager is only 0.2 oz heavier than my new gen 3 Large Voyager  (5.1 oz vs. 4.9 oz), in spite of the fact that the former boasts an extra inch of blade (5” vs. 4”).  Full disclosure, I considered getting a gen 3 XL Voyager, but was put off by the listed weight of 7.2 oz.  I felt an increase in weight of nearly 50% wasn’t worth it for a 25% increase in blade length, so opted for the Large Voyager when I decided to pick up a gen 3.

[cody6268]

Day 9

Here’s what I would call a generation 2 Cold Steel XL Voyager.  Made in Japan (current generation 3 is made in Taiwan) with AUS-8A steel.

Interestingly, this gen 2 XL Voyager is only 0.2 oz heavier than my new gen 3 Large Voyager  (5.1 oz vs. 4.9 oz), in spite of the fact that the former boasts an extra inch of blade (5” vs. 4”).  Full disclosure, I considered getting a gen 3 XL Voyager, but was put off by the listed weight of 7.2 oz.  I felt an increase in weight of nearly 50% wasn’t worth it for a 25% increase in blade length, so opted for the Large Voyager when I decided to pick up a gen 3.

I've got the Gen 2 Large in Tanto, and have to admit, it carries much better than the current Voyager L. They're much thicker and have liners, plus a somewhat overbuilt lock. Thus, they don't carry as well.

[cody6268]

Day 8:

Well, forgot.

I carried a postwar Camillus USN MK I. These were made from parts leftover after the war, and apparently have "USN" ground off. I bought this one in poor shape for like $8-10 off eBay a number of years ago. It's seen a lot of cleanup. The edge was in terrible condition, and had chips all down the length. Leather was also heavily dried out. At present, I use a combo of stuff all from Walmart's shoe care aisle--leather lube, then neatsfoot oil, then beeswax.  It's softer than it ever was before.

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About its sheath. My local knife store typically has low-end sheaths they buy in bulk--leather is poor quality and hard as a rock. Amongst them, I found a really high quality sheath--which was originally supplied with a Randall knife. Heavy leather, great quality (and about $100+ from the company). The stone pocket had been cut off, but otherwise serviceable.  Only cost around $20 last year.

I'll probably never own a Randall knife, but least I have a Randall sheath...

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[cody6268]

Day 9:

Almost forgot, as I spent a little too much time in Construction Simulator after picking it up on sale this afternoon.  Gotta admit, the Dualsense makes it just like running most actual heavy equipment--since the sticks are beside each other...

Cut some string that got around my shorts drawstring in the wash.

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[IMR4198]

Day 10

     CASE at the W-Mart parking lot.  I had to make a trip there since my box fan made little stinky smells and ran up the white flag.  Bought a new cheap fan and some groceries.  I parked near a little wedge-shaped car.  Very catchy blue.  I don't pay attention to car brands.  Sun screens in the front window.  Bought my little items and took them to my ride.  The car was still there.  Parked way down away from the entrance, like hoboes and car campers do.  The owners were still puttering around the back hatch of the car.  Maybe making breakfast.  I saw the car was a Tesla. 
     Camped out in W-Mart parking lot like someone living out of their car.  (They weren't the only ones doing that yestiddy.)  New high-roller car and no money (or too cheap) to rent a motel room.  I didn't take a photo.  Why bother?  Best wishes.  G
 


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[JonesE]

Day 10

Here is a quick pic of today’s carry and the last on my ZT0452s. It’s the 0452BLUCF version. It has got a blue weave Carbon fiber show side scale. The blade steel on this on is Magnicut (the only one so far in the 0452 line up). The rest of the knife is just like the standard 0452CF.



Just wanted to thank you awl for your patience while I posted on the 0452s. I promise I will carry something different tomorrow.

JonesE

[IMR4198]

  Nothing to apologize for.  Those were some great ZT photos.  Best wishes.  G
 

[nate j]

  Nothing to apologize for.  Those were some great ZT photos.

I’ve really enjoyed the ZT0452 series.  I wasn’t aware there were so many different versions.  I only have two, but they are some of my favorites.

[BPRoberts]

Day 10

Opened the shrinkwrap on this big box for family game night.

[Farmer X]

I'll probably never own a Randall knife, but least I have a Randall sheath...

Me, either. I think their current wait time for custom orders is five or six years.

My box fan made little stinky smells and ran up the white flag.

If I recall correctly, your neck of the woods can get pretty hot and humid. I hope you have central A/C!

It has got a blue weave Carbon fiber show side scale.

I'm not a huge fan of frame locks, but that blue carbon fiber looks really spiffy!

[nate j]

Day 10

Spyderco Native Chief

This version features carbon fiber handles and CPM S90V steel.

The thin, flat ground blade is an excellent cutter and slicer.  I also appreciate the utility of the acute tip.

I am not so much a fan of the partial finger groove on the blade.  Pretty useless IMO; I would have much preferred simply a longer cutting edge.

[IMR4198]

If I recall correctly, your neck of the woods can get pretty hot and humid. I hope you have central A/C!

No A/C here.  Humidity is high generally, but I live in a little valley on the north side of the hill.  Sun comes up late and sets early.  Lots of shade from all the trees.  It gets hot in the middle of the day sometimes, but cools off at night and heats up slower.  Generally need some cover on the bed even in the summer.  Mountains. 
Best wishes.  G
 

[cody6268]

Day 9:

PS: these photos are a little terrible. I have a backup camera, a Vivitar Pop Snap--the $30-40 camera Walmart has. The photo quality for up-close stuff  tends to be acceptable at best, even with loads of practice--everything looks grainy.

I replaced a bed frame and desk today during my Walmart run.

My bed frame was a 1930s-ish Simmons. Previous owners had removed the cross-cross of wires that supports the mattress. I'd mostly used boards. Fine when I was just 8-9 years old and weighed half what I do now, but not as an adult.



I also went from a folding table to an actual desk. I have a really nice 1950s cherry desk (used it for years as my main desk--now it just holds a printer and typewriter), but it is too narrow to properly fit a nice chair. Thus, I bought a new one from Walmart as I could store my controllers for flight and racing sims much better than my existing options.

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I cut open the hardware to the desk with my MK1. This old $3 flea market Estwing is my second-favorite household hammer. Not as well balanced as my old Belknap Hardware, but tough and has the proper nail hammer claw--not that terrible rip claw. Currently, the handle is a terrible attempt at a paracord wrap. The old leather had half rotted off, and I cut the remaining washers off. The extra weight gives it more power--it hits as well as a 20 oz. hammer, despite being maybe a 13-ouncer.

Hammer was used to break down the Simmons to be stowed for the next time I have a weld fail on a cheap bed frame.

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Grabbed the Mikov to open my Hot Pocket afterwards.

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More work tomorrow. My new bed is much taller than the old one (sets up 8 inches or so more), and my TV currently sits on a small cabinet/end table---and is now at a very uncomfortable spot. I have a decent wall mount, and even have the holes drilled-- but lost the hardware (and may have buggered the threads on my Samsung when I attempted to affix it to the mount).  Thus, I'll have to buy the anchor bolts, as well as a new set of TV mounting hardware (if not just an entire cheaper, lighter, and non-swing arm mount). The company that made my monitor mount makes a TV version, and Walmart has them (so does Lowe's). These are far easier to mount, but the nails they supply don't play well with wood paneling (why, despite 3 remodels did my folks not rip it out is beyond me).

[IMR4198]

Day 11

   How about a CASE photo?  G
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