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Shelby, NC 704-434-6496 blgoode@bellsouth.net |
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Review by Jeff Wong of the Sidekick and Trailsman |
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This set of knives was made by
Brian Goode for none other than our own Burnsy56. Burnsy was kind enough
to do a passaround before actually receiving the knives for himself, I
was happy to help out!
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Test #1- It was a rainy day, so I stayed in the
garage and decided to begin with a cardboard slicing test. Under the
watchful eye of Gauge the Beagle, I began slicing thick corrugated
cardboard, and I sliced it diagonal to the grain to make it a more
difficult cut. About two hours later, and about 1,000 plus slices, the
edge finally began to show signs of dulling. About three swipes per side
on my trusty Case ceramic steel, and the edge was flinging arm hair
better than when I started the test. |
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Test #2- Tacos were on the menu for supper, so I
wondered if I'd be able to push cut through a 3lb block of frozen
hamburger. It did! Let me say, this was no easy task and I actually had
visions of being rushed to the emergency room
With all my weight, and a rocking motion, I slowly but surely cut
through the frozen block. No edge deformation occurred. |
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Test #3- The Trailsman is a trail knife after all,
so I wondered if I could use it as a can opener in a pinch. Sure enough,
I opened a can of black olives using the tip. I did not saw my way
through, rather I pushed the tip in, and then repeat the process, in
essence, shearing through the metal lid. I was amazed that the edge was
relatively unscathed by this test. I expected a blunted edge, but it did
not happen |
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Test #4- I did the following tests this morning,
being a better day weather wise. I used a tree that had been used
earlier in the year for other testing. I used a portion of the tree as a
baton and proceeded to baton the blade through the trunk. |
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Test #5- Using a tree stump as a table top, I
proceeded to baton the blade through a seasoned knot on a large branch.
It took a lot of hammering to sever the knot. Although the wood was dry
and the knot was very dense, the edge was undamaged. |
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| Test #6- I used a fallen tree to test the handle retention and tip strength. I slammed the point down into the log about a 100 times full force. The handle provided a superb grip, so much so that it was confidence inspiring. I did not twist the tip out as the Trailsman has a fine tip and isn't designed for such uses. |
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Test #7- I saved the chopping test for last
because I was pretty sure this would roll the edge. I used full swings
on a green tree and I was impressed with the "bite" the edge had. It's a
light knife for its size, so I didn't imagine it would be very good at
this. If needed, the Trailsman would be a good light chopper, but I
think using a baton would be the best way to go. After chopping the tree
down, the edge showed no signed of rolling. |
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Test #8- After severing the tree, I used my baton
to split the trunk into eighths. Being green, the trunk was no match for
the Trailsman. |
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The final test! After walking back home, I washed
the blade off with hot, soapy water and carefully inspected the edge. To
my astonishment, there was no significant damage done. The edge was
still pretty crisp, and felt sharp to the touch. I used a piece of fine
newsprint and successfully push cut it with various parts of the edge.
No sawing was required. |
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| All in all, Brian Goode's Trailsman is a remarkable knife. The performance it exhibited far exceeded by expectations. This would be a knife I'd be proud to own and use. | |||
