Old shop/New knives

[hso]

Knoxville backpacking/paddling/hiking shop Earth Traverse Outfitters has shifted their focus more toward Bushcraft/Survival and that means a whole new knife counter.

Along with the Maxpedition and Snugpak soft goods hanging in the shop they now have Moras, Spydercos, BKT, ESEE, SOG, CRKT, Cold Steel, Condor and a growing selection of blades for use in the field.

I was impressed with the Mora 2000 and Bushcraft knives. They're inexpensive, but have a great reputation and handling them I began to understand why. Standard Scandi bevels, good ergonomics, but weak in the sheath areas (good thing they're talking about putting a kydex press in the shop to make custom sheaths, holsters and other kydex gear). It would be hard not to be impressed with the ESEE 3 and 4 model they had. They looked to be tank tough and the edges were well ground and sharp. They fit the hand well and I didn't think there'd be any hot spots in extended use. The sheaths were bombproof as well. I liked the Izula, but at half the price the BKT Necker and Eskabar (ESEE and Becker collaboration) from KaBar are a much better deal. The sheaths were solid too. The KaBar TDI LDK would also serve to pick splinters out as well as get someone being too "personal" to back off. I liked the Condor Kukri better than the Cold Steel. Better balance and prettier too. I'd have to hack up some brush with it to have a better informed opinion, but the balance seemed right and it had a good edge. The little CRKT Ritter came in a suitable tin for a pocket survival kit. The little knife seemed capable in it's role as a last ditch tool to make other small tools if you were stuck in the woods. The other CRKT folders looked pretty good as well. I wish they had a few Opinels to fill in the lower price range with the best inexpensive carbon steel folders out there, but you can't have everything.

Anyway I can see myself spending too much time, and money, there because of the knives they're putting in.

[Mike.357]

I am not a knife geek, but the OP is. If I was looking I would listen to what he says.

[Murgatroy]

Sounds like something interesting to go check out.

[hso]

Yep, major knife geek (and gadget freak). Good thing I'm cheap or I'd be broke all the time.

BTW, they're not open on Sundays.

I'm happy to see them focus on the bushcraft/survival area, but they'll special order anything you want (as long as they can get it).

Sam will actually take the time to talk knives with you instead of just trying to pimp product to get you out the door with your pockets empty.

He's going to set up a BKT day sometime soon. Ethan came into the shop and liked what they were doing and liked Sam and he said he'd be happy to spend some Saturday at the shop showing off all the old and new BKT knives and doing some demos.

Edited May 8, 2011 by hso

[Moped]

I met Sam some weeks back looking for a back pack for my son. Seemed like a great guy! We didn't linger to look at knives. Now I know I should have.

Mora knives are the best bang for the buck in knifedom. They usually start online at $9 and go up. They are the quintessential bushcraft knife. I have three of them. No. 1, a 780 (discontinued) and a 511 that was found in a dumpster in Norway and modded by a friend of mine. I use it primarily as craft knife It's super handy. He also sent me a new 511 which I gave to my son on his 12th birthday. All four knifes together might weight a pound. Great for backpacking! My total out of pocket cost on the two knives I bought was $28, shipped from ragweedforge.com.

I also have a Condor Medium Bushcraft that I love. Lately, I've gone Old School with my knives. I've started buying slip joints again. My two latest are a Kissing Krane Large Brown Mule ($11.99 at Star Sales on Central Ave.) with a carbon steel blade and a Rough Rider Utility (Scout/camp folder) ($12.99 at SMKW in Sevierville). Rough Riders are another knife that has great quality for a low price.

[Oh Shoot]

....He's going to set up a BKT day sometime soon. Ethan came into the shop and liked what they were doing and liked Sam and he said he'd be happy to spend some Saturday at the shop showing off all the old and new BKT knives and doing some demos.

Please post if he does that, I sure like to go by for a while, and meet Mr. Becker.

- OS

[Erik88]

I'm going to have to brush up on my google skills, I've never heard of this shop before.

edit: well I'll be, Mac this place isn't but a stones throw from your house and not too far from me. I'll have to check it out.

Edited May 8, 2011 by Erik88

[Oh Shoot]

I'm going to have to brush up on my google skills, I've never heard of this shop before.

edit: well I'll be, Mac this place isn't but a stones throw from your house and not too far from me. I'll have to check it out.

I try to stay out of there, various top of the line stuff, but top tier pricing also. Across the street from River Sports, which has indoor climbing facility.

- OS

[Moped]

ETO is starting to carry some Mil Surp stuff too. Mostly packs and such.

[hso]

but top tier pricing also

Perhaps, but that's changing as well.