My very first fixed blade (non-culinary). Asher Knives Tracker. 4" DC53 steel blade with G-10 scales. Kydex sheath is excellent with friction fit "snap in" action and beefy locking belt/strap clip. You can see in the photos how it's melded specifically for this knife--matched to the G-10. The quality of this knife is excellent from all I can see. I'd not heard of DC53 steel before, but it seems to be a progressive step up from D2--more corrosion resistance while not sacrificing edge stiffness & retention. The full tang is totally blended seamlessly with the G-10 scales. Such a smooth transition, you can't feel the seam. The G-10 is tremendously grippy. There's an ample finger choil with no hot spots. However, if used for chopping it would be a good idea to wear a glove. Generous sharpening choil. Decent large spaced jimping on the spine for added grip. I really like this blade profile. Not very thin behind the edge, but that just adds toughness for batoning. My impression is this isn't meant to be a precision slicer, but more of a shredder/chopper blade. Excellent "mini machete". But one could regrind with a more shallow angle to change the characteristics. Aesthetics wise, I find this very handsomely designed. Minimalist but with artful touches. Note that the "AK" logo is etched into the steel. STOCK PHOTOS: FYI, list price is $45 but it is presently sold out. I expect it will be restocked in a month or two.
Very nice looking knife. But isn't it a little small for chopping? Small branches I guess, but then you would be better off using push cuts or beaver cuts... Not knocking you or the knife though. Was just curious as to what you are chopping with this blade. Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G950F met Tapatalk
Thanks. Sorry for not being specific. Yes, small chopping duty was the implication. Anything larger, really, I expect an axe would be more appropriate. I brought up batoning as that seems to be a recurring review factor for some reviewers, like DBK. But IMHO, I wouldn't do batoning with a large fixed blade knife as a routine. I think of it as more of "in a pinch". You'd want to use an axe, less expensive, well suited for the task (mainly huge mass, angular momentum from long shaft), and no worry about taking punishment. But I would agree that a fixed blade is by nature thinner, and may provide an easier cut-through factor. I don't do this sort of activity on a regular basis (maybe once a year, if that). But despite a higher end fixed blade knife being super strong, there is always that concern of a slightly off striking angle possibly causing blade damage.
My new to me latest fixed blade. This knife was a gift from a member on another forum . it has a couple of mods that are to me improvements . The thumb ramp has been removed and the clip point rounded down . It is also a rare knife it is a Camillus blank that Kabar finished there are only 180 of these BK10's this is the Beckerhead knife then when I thanked the member who gifted it to me another member on that forum sent me a pm asking for my address so he could send me a Kydex sheath for it