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Comment by Tobias Gibson on June 1, 2017 at 7:01

I've done the occasional unintended drop test on a couple of my knives. A few, including one of my stonework knives took the world tour of the washer and dryer. Strangely the only knives that have unintended consequences was a Bear & Son made BSA whittle that had a scale pop off after falling from a bed to floor. ( that was popped back on with some super glue. And a Rough Rider Sawcut Bone Toothpick that had its shield pop off after about 18 months in the pocket and too much jostling with my keys. The shield was super glued back on.

I do have a couple if crappy Frost knives with poorly executed segments. If done correctly I think it can be very attractive, especially for show. But when done poorly, it really doesn't matter if the scales are segmented or one slab; a bad executed handle is a badly executed handle.

Comment by Billy Oneale on May 31, 2017 at 20:50

I also have the Stoneworx knives. I also have some Taylor made Schrades that are segmented. I think it is in the eye of the individual tastes. I like the segmented like Stoneworx for looks. It may be a different story as a user with all those pcs epoxied on.

Comment by Tobias Gibson on May 31, 2017 at 16:16

J.J. I know where you're coming from. However, I've got some Rough Rider Stoneworx knives that are well executed and they look great.

At the same time you then have the so-called spacers in these handle which is probably a gap filling epoxy.

I've seen this done with higher priced knives as well. I've got some othecfrist knives that have horrendous handles. Those will be fore a different discussion.

I think in the case of many of the multi-segmented handles it's a matter of the maker using what is essentially "end of day" scraps. Sometimes it works. Most times it doesn't.

Comment by J.J. Smith III on May 31, 2017 at 15:42

Fit and finish...
Some folks like the scales with similar design. I, however, fail to see the appeal of having 17 segments on a knife scale where one nice slab would function quite nicely.
That doesn't just concern Frost knives either.

Comment by Tobias Gibson on May 31, 2017 at 12:15

Jan, I just ran the blade over one of those cheap Rapala two stage sharpeners and that seemed to clean up a few bad spots. I wouldn't call it razor sharp but it cuts up card board and meat. Definitely not a tomato knife but then I don't think it was designed to be.

You are correct about the finish on these Paki knives. This one is a Frost Cutlery product. I just don't understand why Jim Frost puts his name on some of his products. As I said I knew what I was getting and the knife actually exceeded my expectations. That, however, doesn't mean the knife doesn't have serious flaws.

I may pick up a similarly priced SMKW Damascus knife to compare it to this one.
I'd like to see if it is Frost problem or a Paki problem.

Comment by Jan Carter on May 31, 2017 at 11:59

That is one seriously thick spine!  When you sharpened, did you have to reprofile the grind?  Fit and finish continue to be an issue with Paki knives.  Even if the steel is good they tend to give the knife a "cheap" appearance, in my opinion. 

Comment by Tobias Gibson on May 31, 2017 at 10:08

Thanks J.J. Unfortunately I have a weakness for bent frame (powder horn) folding knives.

Comment by J.J. Smith III on May 31, 2017 at 9:11

Not too shabby, Toby.

Interesting piece.

Comment by Tobias Gibson on May 31, 2017 at 7:25

I had a lapse in judgement the other day and bought one of those cheap Pakistani Damascus knives.  Turns out it really wasn't that bad, at least for the $35 I paid for it.  This is a Trophy Stag  (Jim Frost)  "Navaja" Hunter.  Well the box says Navaja but it really is closer to a traditional Italian Fiorentina folder; at least in profile.   However, this knife has no locking mechanism.

Anyway, the Damascus looks better than I thought it would.  The blade is quite thick.  It came less than sharp but was easy enough to sharpens and has been cutting decently for a week or so.

The fit and finish is better than expected for a Pakistani knife but not as good as similarly priced knives out of China.  I've drooped it, accidentally on the rug and nothing broke.  The only major problem with it is when the blade closes part of the cutting edge comes in contact with back spring.  That, in my opinion is a serious design flaw.  Unfortunately I see this in a lot of powder horn designs.   It seems like some knife makers don't grasp the concept of a kick.

Despite its flaws, I'm kind of happy with it. The handles is white smooth bone and buffalo horn.  The bolsters are supposedly Nickel silver but they look very brassy. The liners are brass.  Spacers are some weird red stuff and brass.  The file work is simplistic but probably is by hand using a jig as it is uneven.  Pretty sure the photos catch most of the flaws but also its unexpected rugged beauty.  It is a solid knife. The sheath sucked. Last few photos are comparing it to my Rough Rider 5" toothpick that I EDC.

Comment by Tobias Gibson on May 30, 2017 at 13:03

I just bought my first Case 3" Texas Toothpick. Its the Carhartt with Molasses bones and Satin blades and bolsters. I got it at $34 shipped. It was lowest priced new toothpick with bone handles I could find. This price is three times that of my most expensive Rough Rider 3" Toothpick and the RRs are pretty dang nice!

For some reason I don't see many Case 3" Toothpicks in my future unless this thing totally knock my socks off. We shall see.

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