Kestrel Knives Ti Backpacker Discussions | Drop

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Jun 16, 2015

IS it feasible to think you could baton with this knife, or is the ti not strong enough for that. What I've found on them make them seem basically geared towards cleaning game, I like the weight and size, and the way they describe it staying sharp, but If I want the option to baton also, would this take it without crying? I actually have a small cutting device made of ti with the same edge put on it, and it works great at keeping a good cutting edge, smaller than a credit card though, so no batoning that.

Jun 16, 2015

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guvnor

735

Jun 16, 2015

Ryan28801Realistically Ti/Carbide knives only serve as a last ditch tool.
It would probably survive batonning since Ti is tough, but with a 2.75" blade you wouldn't be splitting more than twigs. You'd also likely rip a lot of the tungsten carbide off the edge along with edge damage.
If you used this to process something like a deer, you'd be sharpening the edge so often there would probably be no knife left by the end.
A steel knife of this size would weigh about 2-3 times more - a trade in weight for capability I'd make every time.

Jun 16, 2015

Ryan28801

Jun 16, 2015

guvnorYes, I realize I would be limited to small pieces of wood, just curious if it would handle that. I share your concerns about the T/C coming off the edge in the process though.

Jun 16, 2015

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PatC

Jun 18, 2015

guvnor @guvnor: since you prefer steel, you should check out some of the other options from Kestrel Knives that are similar in design to this drop and weigh less than one ounce, like this: http://www.kestrelknives.com/shop/ultralighter

Jun 18, 2015

guvnor

735

Jun 18, 2015

PatCI did visit their site and their Talon in AEB-L with a skeletonized handle would be my personal choice among their offerings(I don't like too much belly on the edge). Maybe if that drops here I'll give it a go.
I went through a lightweight fixed blade for neck/pocket carry phase some time ago and tried a ton of knives in this category. The pinnacle was the Murray Carter neck knife, though I ultimately got rid of it after a while because I thought it was still too heavy/thick. This is my current 'most often carried' for a lightweight skeletonized knife. I've beat the hell out of it for nearly 6 years. I also use it to shave during camping trips.