New Direction

well since my last post there has been a lot happen in my life, firstly the collection is mostly gone, i now have a couple of spydies, the shoki, 3 uk legal folders and my custom Guycep that is all that is left; reason being is I got a new job.... I over reached and got into a lot of trouble to which my parents bailed me out - although this did not stop the company coming back saying I owed them another month because I paid my debt to them!!!!

I also ended up losing my other job as i was completely stressed out all the time, almost had a full on mental break down as I took on another job and worked double shifts 6am to 10pm each day all the way through christmas. although everything is starting to fall back into place now, I have secured a new job, 2 year contract and a very decent wage.

I also have a bit of an obsession with the gym and do quite a bit of strength work now. I have also just bought a track bike which is being modified constantly to make it 100% perfect, already started on the drive train, rear has been taken down to a 13t dura-ace cog, saddle and grips have been replaced. next step is the bars to make it a bit stiffer maybe carbon - although it all depends on strength, also plan to replace the bottom bracket and cranks.

Although I have already decided that most of the money will go on a full custom bike. I already found the frame and carbon forks - wheels will be carbon deep section rims, front brake only, deep drops, carbon seat post, SRAM omnium crankset and BB, with a 52tooth ring, with NJS chain and a 14 and 16tooth on the rear hub. I have even picked the colour scheme, pedals, shoes and saddle already..... I am budgeting a fair while for this one to be completed. going to be a case of getting it part by part, may have to start with the frame and fork first.

I have also planned a few rides for this year, theres one as a group which is 60 miles (although I live 12miles from the start) as well as planning a few excursions, definite' one is to family in Essex which is a 100 mile ride, so going to ride there and then home the next day as its a bleeding long way. I am also hoping to ride in a velodrome in the summer.

So all in all a lot has happened in this year, hopefully I will give either daily or weekly updates on how everything is going.

Sebenza

Sebenza

I was lucky to get to have one for a 2week period, I must say its well built but its not to my taste...

Most already know about this knife, its got an S30V blade, Titanium frame lock, is built like a brick outhouse.  its made to be used and used hard. Although the overall look and feel of the knife does not warrant the price, while it was with me i seemed to always go for my native instead.

Pictures

Benchmade Shoki

Benchmade Shoki
One of my favourites, it fits the hand well, is nice to use and takes a very very keen edge. It oozes class,  its only a little knife with a 2.9" blade but the blue ti liners with the fileworked spine and nak-lock just work perfectly. G10 Bolsters with Winewood finish the knife off.
SpecsScales - G10 Bolsters with Winewood inlaysLiners - Blues TitaniumBlade steel - S30VBlade Length - 2.9"Overall - 6.67"Lock - Nak-Lock
Pictures

Mcusta Gentlemans Folder

Mcusta Gentlemans Folder

Damascus Blade, Cocobolo scales, this little folder is a thing of beauty.  Cuts really well with the VG10 core and damasteel sides.   Good little cutter with liner lock, its a nice smooth opener,  Its definitely a gentlemans folder.

Specs

Blade - Damascus with VG10 core

Blade - 2.9"

Lock - Liner

Scales - Cocobolo

Pictures

Spyderco Native

Spyderco Native

The native is perfection...  it fits the hand very well is comfortable, light, looks good and takes an extremely sharp edge.

Engineered for the human hand, the Native's ergonomic design maximizes cutting ability while minimizing discomfort and fatigue. This model is all about combining performance and comfort. Since the portion of the knife most in contact with the user is the handle, that became key while the model was in initial development on the drawing table. We've created a handle pattern with two separate finger choils. The first choil (where the blade and handle meet) allow positioning the index finger closer to the knife's sharpened edge for control over the cutting surface. Behind the first choil, the second positions the hand farther back on the folder for dexterous cutting while pushing the blade away from you. Bi-Directional Texturing molded into the FRN handle form varying levels of steps minimizing forward or backward sliding. Carved out of the locking lever is a David Boye Dentinsuring the lock remains safely engaged even when gripping the handle forcefully. A section of non-sharpened serrations line the blade's spine yield an additional slip resistant point for the thumb. The blade itself is hollow-ground CPM-S30V steel with a weight reducing swedge ground from the spine. A black steel tip-up clip can be placed ambidextrously on both sides of the handle via a barrel-shaped screw that doubles as a lanyard.  The PlainEdge variation is pictured below.

It has become the one knife I always reach for.  Very well done to Sal for producing such a knife.

Specs

OAL - 7"

Blade - 3 1/8"

Cutting Edge - 2 1/2"

Thickness - 3mm

Steel - S30V

Handle - FRN

Pictures to follow

Extrema Ratio

Extrema Ratio

This is a military knife, made in italy it was a quick impulse buy.... still not sure why i bought it...

It didnt have too good an edge but it was easily given an edge by using a strop.  thick aluminium scales and a liner lock.  Tanto-ish point.

Specs

Blade Length - 69mm
Blade Thickness - 2.8mm
Overall Length - 169mm
Steel - Cobalt N690

Pictures 

Cold Steel SRK

Cold Steel SRK

Its big, black and made from Carbon-V steel, its the first proper fixed blade i have had and tried out.

Its proved quite good, it takes and keeps a good edge, although its rubbish at using a firesteel.  The black coating is good and strong, the handles comfortable and grippy.

Used for general cutting tasks, making a feather stick and some food prep.

Specifications:
Blade: 6"

Steel: Carbon V
Handle: 4 3/4"
Overall: 10 3/4"
Thick: 3/16"
Weight: 8.2oz.
Sheath: Secure-Ex

Pictures