I would say not because the handle scales are attached to a liner, not riveted to the tang. If anything it's more like a folding lock knife with a lot of stress taken on the pivot. Certainly not the strong bushcraft type design the OP is looking for. The handle material gives great grip though. Reminds me of a Hogue stock.Isn’t the Swingblade basically full tang too, though?
It is a single piece of steel, albeit one could argue that the tang is too narrow for the one blade or too wide for the other, depending on which blade is “out” at the time
Need advice on some new kit please
- Thread starter Jamie956
- Start date
One of the knife makers here might be able to give us a definitive answer, but I have a couple of “skeleton” full tang knives that use paracord for the handle material, so personally I wouldn’t see a “full tang” as being in any way dependent on the attachment of the scales - I’ve always thought it was more about the blade material extending through the full length of the handle.
The Switchblade scales are certainly very grippy, though conversely I found them too much so, hence I had @Danum replace them on mine with Micarta, which I find works much better in the field.
All goes to show that knives are a very personal thing - you have to work out what really works best for you. It’s a lot of fun working your way through the “maybes” though
And that's before we start on blade shape... For what is probably mankind's oldest and simplest tool, there's an awful lot of variables with a knife. Lost count of the hours I've spent scrolling through Heinnie Haynes website trying to find THE knife and there's always something not quite right.One of the knife makers here might be able to give us a definitive answer, but I have a couple of “skeleton” full tang knives that use paracord for the handle material, so personally I wouldn’t see a “full tang” as being in any way dependent on the attachment of the scales - I’ve always thought it was more about the blade material extending through the full length of the handle.
The Switchblade scales are certainly very grippy, though conversely I found them too much so, hence I had @Danum replace them on mine with Micarta, which I find works much better in the field.
All goes to show that knives are a very personal thing - you have to work out what really works best for you. It’s a lot of fun working your way through the “maybes” though
I'm getting there. Though I've gradually come round to the opinion, if I could only ever have one knife, it would probably be a bushcraft design. Now I just need to find one with a handle long enough to fit my hand... They always seem to be a quarter inch short.
Heinnie Haynes ….. the Devil’s Showroom
I bought an Antonini Biltong knife from there this week. I have absolutely no need for it, but I just couldn’t help myself…..the HH website has that effect on me.
Re the bushcraft knife, check out the Varusteleka range, as they are built for Finnish hands which seemingly are like bear paws. I can take a photo of my knife with dimensions if that would help?
I think I've got at least four HH knives that I've never used. I bought them because, well, just because..Heinnie Haynes ….. the Devil’s Showroom
I bought an Antonini Biltong knife from there this week. I have absolutely no need for it, but I just couldn’t help myself…..the HH website has that effect on me.
Re the bushcraft knife, check out the Varusteleka range, as they are built for Finnish hands which seemingly are like bear paws. I can take a photo of my knife with dimensions if that would help?
I suppose if you want the perfect fit you're into custom territory.
I'm pretty sure that by tradition, all Scandi knives are designed to be used by gloved hands, which is great for Anglo Saxons with shovels on the end of their arms.
Chap I know has an Indonesian-made Parang. The handle is minute. I can only get three fingers round it.
HH used to come out with some special editions in association with British Blades. I still have a few somewhere. My bank manager (remember them?) must have breathed a sigh of relief when BB shut down.
There is an inherent danger in perusing websites full of shiny, pointy, things.
I think if we all only had knives we “Acutely used” there would be an avalanche of used but good condition knives for sale in the classified I recently bought another EKA Swede 8 partly as it was in the sale and partly as I can now just keep one in each of the stalking jackets I have ( Full justification in my mind!!!)
Andy seatrout
Well-Known Member
Bino harness; I started with the Harkila one, but got fed up of having a tangle of neck straps with the thermal and rangefinder ( though to be honest it’s used for a walkie talkie pocket more often)
I looked at the Ridgeline Kahu one ( I’ll edit in the name) it has molle straps either side of the main Bino pocket and I attached a slim water bottle holder on one side into which my Hik thermal drops into ( secured by a clip and cord to the harness)…. There’s no reason a rangefinder could be be attached to the other side….
I looked at the Ridgeline Kahu one ( I’ll edit in the name) it has molle straps either side of the main Bino pocket and I attached a slim water bottle holder on one side into which my Hik thermal drops into ( secured by a clip and cord to the harness)…. There’s no reason a rangefinder could be be attached to the other side….
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Seems to me you can spend less than £10 on a really sharp, well designed Swedish knife that does the job for about £10, a Mora or, up to £400 on a hand made job that does exactly the same thing.
As for boots I've had my current pair of Meindle for ten years, they been re-soled once and used in Scotland, the Pyrenees and Alps, add a pair of RAB mountaineering gaiters for UK, comfortable, waterproof and hard wearing.
As for boots I've had my current pair of Meindle for ten years, they been re-soled once and used in Scotland, the Pyrenees and Alps, add a pair of RAB mountaineering gaiters for UK, comfortable, waterproof and hard wearing.
This was made for the Op:
K
I’d just push the budget another £20-30 on the knife and go for a falkniven F1. It absolutely fits the bill. Laminated VG10 steel that keeps a mean edge, it’s a dedicated survival knife with a sturdy, thick, full tang blade. Read the reviews, it’s a legendary knife.
I got Dedito boots currently, I wear Altberg for work and have had the gamekeepers in the past…I think I’ll go Altberg next time. The deditos never fit me perfectly where as the Altberg are like slippers.
Harness…I have a AGC one which absolutely fits the bill, is well made, buttttttt….a couple of good friends have marsupial ones which seem a lot more slimline and ergonomic. The only downside of the AGC is they are fairly bulky for crawling through heather, a couple of times it was a bit noisy so I left it behind on the crawl. For woodland etc absolutely fine.
I got Dedito boots currently, I wear Altberg for work and have had the gamekeepers in the past…I think I’ll go Altberg next time. The deditos never fit me perfectly where as the Altberg are like slippers.
Harness…I have a AGC one which absolutely fits the bill, is well made, buttttttt….a couple of good friends have marsupial ones which seem a lot more slimline and ergonomic. The only downside of the AGC is they are fairly bulky for crawling through heather, a couple of times it was a bit noisy so I left it behind on the crawl. For woodland etc absolutely fine.
I have a Lionsteel M5 knife for sale in classifieds-just too nice for me to use-exc condition. Based Easy Yorkshire
Meant East Yorkshire.
Lowa mountain GTX
The buck range of knives will have something- I love the 110 and the hunting knife with smooth black handle, however folder and not grippy in that order, they defo do rubberised versions though and great blades
Bino harness - I could not get away with the Kuiu one - tried Alaska guide. Both well made but not for me I am afraid Hill people kit bag and when stalking bins Safari style
The buck range of knives will have something- I love the 110 and the hunting knife with smooth black handle, however folder and not grippy in that order, they defo do rubberised versions though and great blades
Bino harness - I could not get away with the Kuiu one - tried Alaska guide. Both well made but not for me I am afraid Hill people kit bag and when stalking bins Safari style
I’ve been on a very similar journey. I started with the cheap but reliable Morakniv (at a tenner loss in the field is not heartbreaking plus the grip is good), progressed to a EKA “fish” Swingblade beautifully rehandled and sheathed by Alan of Danum Blades @Danum (primarily for red/fallow) but I’m mostly use the excellent EKA G4 to field dress roe and muntjac. I still carry a Morakniv on my belt as my bleed knife but tend to use the G4 due to its versatility to do the rest.The Switchblade scales are certainly very grippy, though conversely I found them too much so, hence I had @Danum replace them on mine with Micarta, which I find works much better in the field.
All goes to show that knives are a very personal thing - you have to work out what really works best for you. It’s a lot of fun working your way through the “maybes” though
Bino harnesses, the marsupial gear are the dogs danglies and you can fit accessory pouches on either side or on the bottom. Dead easy to import from USA and here within a week. The important thing for me is that the top flap folds forwards out of the way not back towards my body.
www.marsupialgear.com
Marsupial Gear | American-Made Hunting & Outdoor Gear Built to Last
Premium binocular harnesses, chest packs, and modular gear systems made in America and backed by a lifetime warranty. Trusted by hunters and outdoorsmen who demand function, comfort, and durability without compromise.
www.marsupialgear.com
I swear by Alaskan Guide Creations binocular holders (see Malmo Guns @Malmo Guns on here for UK stock). I have the one with the pocket on the bottom as well as the sides and back. My thermal (Helion) sits in an accessory pouch on the right and I carry my Spartan bipod on the left side. Great kit - works well
Knife wildcard - SOG SEAL Pup. £65 from Heinnie Haynes.
4.75" blade, serrations really make sternum/rib cage splittig a cinch and the hollow ground blade has plenty of belly and a fine point for the finer details. AUS - 8 stainless, easy to sharpen, FRN handle that is well checquered and grippy even when slick with blood and is easy to keep clean.
I swapped onto one of these from the EKA Swingblade and have never looked back.
4.75" blade, serrations really make sternum/rib cage splittig a cinch and the hollow ground blade has plenty of belly and a fine point for the finer details. AUS - 8 stainless, easy to sharpen, FRN handle that is well checquered and grippy even when slick with blood and is easy to keep clean.
I swapped onto one of these from the EKA Swingblade and have never looked back.
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