Welcome Home...THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

iKnife Collector

The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel

Turtle Man or Heavy Hunter?

Recently purchased two Economy fixed blade hunters. (Both made in China) The first was the Turtle Man Lightning (TM 002) the other a Rough Rider Heavy Hunter Series Sidewinder (RR 1349)

The Sidewinder currently sells at $22.99. (It debuted at $16.99). The Lightning goes for slightly less at $19.99

Both are currently sold out so both are exceedingly popular. After playing around with both for a few days, I have to say, I prefer the Lightning, primarily because it feel more comfortable in the hand and it is easier to get out of the sheath.

Specs	Lightning	Sidewinder
Maker	Turtle Man (SMKW)	Rough Rider (SMKW)
Made in	SMKW’s China Factory	SMKW’s China Factory
Model Number	TM002	RR1349
Blade Steel	440C	440a
Tang	Full	Full
Blade length	4.5 in	5 in
Thickness	1/8	3/16
Blade width	1 1/8	1 ¼ in
Overall all length	8 7/8 in	10 in.
Handle Material	Pakkawood	Polished Wood
Sheath	Nylon & Faux-Leather	Nylon & Faux-Leather
Rivets	Brass	Brass
Guard	Nickel Silver	Nickel Silver
Pommel	N/A	Nickel Silver
Lanyard Hole	Brass Pin	N/A

As the chart shows, the Turtle man Lighting is almost a full inch smaller that the Heavy Hunter Side Winder. The blade is also ½ inch shorter, with less width and thickness. However it is 440c compared to 440a. Both blades came razor sharp with a nice hollow grind.

The Sidewinder is currently a knife that is on a traveling tour within the Rough Rider Group on iKC. We have already seen how it was possible to cut down a three inch sapling with the five inch blade. The most I’ve done with the Lightning was use it as wedge to split a 2X4 and cut some frozen pork and chicken with it.

Both seem to be good solid knives worth the asking price. I suspect the sidewinder with its thicker, tougher blade might be slightly better in the batoning department. However, the deep finger grooved handle makes it hard to change your grip.

The thumb rest along the spine of the Turtle Man Lightning make it extremely easy to place an index finger or thumb on the spine for stability and control during fine detail work. Also the Loveless Style handle makes for a very comfortable grip. Plus the handle has a lanyard hole which comes in handy for people who like to use a lanyard.

The sheath on the Turtle Man Lightning is made of the same nylon and imitation leather used in the Heavy Hunter Series. It also has a simple plastic insert and wide belt loop. The securing strap holds the knife in place by securing the guard. I find this the best type of strap as it doesn’t interfere too much with drawing the knife. It has a single strap on the back which might have been added for horizontal carry, however unless you add another strap it probably would be an epic fail. On the plus side, the sheath has an extra wide belt loop which is more than wide enough for an web belt (3 inches)

The Heavy Hunter Series sheaths also have the wide belt loop (not quite as wide as the Lightning) and features a wrap around design the protects the knife’s handle. The sheath also has two loops which make horizontal carry possible. They also provide the potential for MOLLE type attachments. Of course, if you’re left handed (as I am) this wrap around feature only makes it that more difficult to draw the knife.

In the case of both knives, you will find they rattle a certain amount inside the plastic inserts inside the sheaths. I have found this to be a common problem with nylon sheaths with plastic inserts.

If you’re looking for an economy priced hunter both are worth the asking price. They are well made and will get the job done. The rest will come down to your personal preference in blade geometry and ease of grip.

Turtle Man Lighting

Heavy Hunter Sidewinder

5 members like this

Next Post >

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of iKnife Collector to add comments!

Join iKnife Collector

Comment by Jason Oncedisturbed Riley on November 13, 2013 at 10:01: My AF knife is identical but it was an Australian issue

Comment by Ken Spielvogel on November 13, 2013 at 9:47: Tobias, Is that Sidewinder a RR?? I have an AF Survival knife - mine is Camillus. Is the Ontario knife for the Canadian AF or ours.?

Comment by Tobias Gibson on November 13, 2013 at 8:49: Hi Ken,

Yes the Ontario 499 (the Air Force Survival Knife or Navy Jet Pilot Knife) has a sheath. I have a problem with the sheath as it does not fit a web belt (Never has!) The newer cersion of the steel plates on the bottom --front and back. It has always been buff or all natural leather color. they usually darken from aging and oiling.

It is one of my forgotten children. I need to take some newer photos of it! Below is one of the few photos showing the sheath.

Comment by Ken Spielvogel on November 13, 2013 at 7:22: Tobias, does that Ontario 499 have a sheath with it? That knife looks neat, I would like to add one to my collection as well as Jason. I have the others, I'll be keeping my eyes open.

Comment by Jason Oncedisturbed Riley on November 13, 2013 at 6:26: Great review. I have 1 of the AF survival Knives that is an awesome knife and a K-Bar mini which is also a great knife. This review has definetly made my mind up to add these 2 knives to the collection

Comment by Tobias Gibson on October 27, 2013 at 11:32: Hi Ron. You asked for a pic showing the Sidewinder next to the Air forces Survival knife and Marine Combat knife..

Here ya go, my Camillus Mk 2 , the Sidewinder, and Ontario's 499 AF survival

I find it easier to grip the Camillus.

Comment by Tobias Gibson on October 27, 2013 at 11:18: You've got a good point, Brad. For me, the price point is always essential to the review of the knife. The build quality on all of the knives was exceptional and the steel is as good as what you find in your run of the mill Bucks (420HC) and Case's nondescript Tru-sharp surgical steel. It really comes down to a few things.

1) how important is it that the knife be American Made

2) Brand loyalty

3) Will this steel work for for your needs

4) is this a style knife that you want.

Comment by Brad T. on October 27, 2013 at 10:25: Great reveiw Tobias.

Comment by Brad T. on October 27, 2013 at 10:24: I like the fact the lightning has 440C. I am a little bit of a steel snob. But being a large knife, I would have liked the stock to be thicker that 1/8". At that price point, who cares, right?

Comment by Ron Cooper on October 26, 2013 at 17:00: Boy! "Stubby Monster" is right!

In your side-by-side pictures with the RR & TM knives this Colt looks like a behemoth! Even compared to the Air Force survival knife it looks HUGE! And, I'm with you, Toby, when you say you wish they made one without the gut hook. Since I'm no longer hunting I would have no need for a gut hook.

Hmmm...?

Going back and looking at the pictures, again, I am still not sure what to think about this Colt's size? Either it really is a MONSTER knife, size-wise, or the other two knives--Rough Rider & Turtle Man--are actually MUCH smaller than I originally thought they were?

Would it be possible for you to take a side-by-side pic of the AF survival knife and the Rough Rider, Toby? At least then I would have a pretty good idea of how big the RR really is because I know how big those old Ka-bar/Camillus knives are.

Oh! Before I forget...another great write-up and review! I think you need a promotion and a raise!

Cheers, my friend...