I have been working with a fella named Tim Wegner who is the owner of Blade Tech for about 2-2.5 years now on the design of his Professional Hunter series knifes. For those who do not know who Tim or Blade Tech is you can see the website at:
http://www.blade-tech.com

His gear is all high end tested and proven by military, professional hunters and hunting guides or swat teams across the country and around the world. I was proud he asked for my assistance on this project.

The first kinfe design was good, not without some personal preferences and a couple functional issues but the foundation for a perfect, or near perfect product was there. The original design was made with such hard steel that to resharpen it was nearly impossible. I found that you could touch it up if it was slightly dull, or maybe I should say less the razor sharp. However once it was dull it was not going to get sharp again too easy with simple handtools.

The other issue was the liner lock which on a few occasions would get bound with meat or hair and not fully snap into the locked position. Not a problem for swat or military who are not going to be skinning 150 big game with it during a few weeks of hunting season. However for me and my staff I wanted something just a bit more certain to stay opened. These are so sharp that one simple closure on your fingers would certainly ruin your day!

The next issue was the color of the knife. It was made with a light weight nylon grip with deep checkering for a flawless hand hold. I liked that part a lot, but I lose more stuff then anyone I know and at a 170 bucks a crack for these knives I was not happy with a black handle that once laid down and helping to load the game into a truck I would never notice or see again. I much prefer a blaze orange handle that will stick out when layed down on the ground. The one hand opening of the blade with the thumb hole is brilliant!

The first couple seasons I had these knives for test and design work we skinned at least 250 animals from Steenbok and Genit, to White Rhino hippo buffalo's and giraffes. I knew the design was good with the exception of the three things I wanted or would like to have had different.

Tim set out to correct or modify the design to more closely match what I was looking for. First the blade Material was changed to allow it to have a good sharpening in the field when needed. Still hard as glass but with the possibility of a decent touch up using a diamond hone. Now after 30-40 big animals we can sit and make it sharp as a razor again and start over. It also allowed the razor sharp point to be used to skin the toes of a jackal or Civit cat and to turn the lips and ears of a Kudu or Rhino with the same knife.

After that the lock was completely re-done to a lock back function that never failed, jammed, or was in anyway a problem. Remember too that these test knives were used to gut, skin and cape several hundred big to very big animals. By comparison to a recreational sport hunter who would not do this many animals in several lifetimes much less a season or 10!

Finally the day prior to my departure I'm still awaiting the prototypes of the final(?) design. Tim said he would meet me at the airport to deliver them to me as they were only just done at the last minute. When I saw them I knew right away these were the real deal and it would prove to be a winner.

The orange handle is perfect, not "blaze" but certainly identifiable in the bush or the back of the truck. The blade can be re-sharpened and the lock mechanism is flawless. He handed me the only two made and I departed for my hunting season in RSA. I had my lead skinner use one for about a month on all the game shot. I had to touch up the blade for him a few times but it remained functional and sharp for the whole period. I did remind him there would be hell to pay if I saw him trying to sharpen it on the rocks which is the usual customary method they use.

The first year with the super hard steel they tried this and managed to shave down the rocks while leaving the edge untouched. the blades themselves were horribly scratched though. When I returned from that season and gave the test knives back to Tim he stood stunned at the scrapes and at how bad the blade looked. It was about 5 minutes with their sharping system to put it right back to razor sharp again.

I figure that if these brutal skinners with no real respect for equipment or skill at sharpening things cannot destroy a blade then no self respecting Safari hunter that has just forked over 170 bucks is going to be able to ruin these either.

The final Product I used this season gets my full blessing as a real working mans safari knife. This is not a custom collector piece but a real working cutting tool made to get bloody and keep on cutting. Now I just have to figure out how to keep them? I have to return them to Tim for review but Hmmmmmm Maybe I can say I lost them, nope can't get away with that I made him use orange for the handles! I'll have to sweet talk him into a deal I guess.

If you have any interest in this design by all means see his website. He is in Zim right now on Safari (but I have his 2 prototype knives!) I think when he gets back we should hit him up for an Accurate Reloading version of this knife. We should all be able to get a good deal on these, don't ya think? maybe if we buy enough we can get them for a better price? It's worth a shot!



Here is a photo of the two prototype knives one with a short serated section I found pretty handy for cutting rope.



Here is another Photo of the liner lock that would on occasion get blocked with meat or fat and not fully snap into the locked position. The new lock back design solved this 100%





Finally the two together showing the additional weight and metal needed to make the blade lock in the back of the handle. This design was perfect and never bound up or became any problem. The weight difference is minimal as the back of the knifes metal work is milled out or scalloped to reduce the metal content. Also the pocket clip can be removed or changed with predrilled holes at either end.

Overall I like it a lot. But, I don't care for the clip. I'd prefer one without the clip, and carry it in a sheath on my hunting belt. I'd buy a couple of these.

The clip is held in place with three small screws that can be removed without any problem.

The knives look great

However a frame lock like on the strider SmF or SnG would work better. They lock the blade better and safer with a huge area. And you have one part less to break.
Yopu should have Tim Wegner make the knife with a frame lock.

The blade on the safari knife looks very good for skinning and caping

What steel is the blade ??
Sharpening a knife takes practice lots of practice.

Cheers,

André







Frame lock

I hunted in zim last year with tim, he is a great guy and lots of fun to hunt with. That is where I first saw and used his knives, I will vouch for them, top quality ultra sharp and hold an edge better than any knife i have used to date. they are A+ products.

A fixed blade in D2 tool steel or S30V solves two-thirds of the problems you listed, and Gene Ingram comes to mind.....

Jim, those are great looking knives and the belly of that blade mated with that point is a superb design. What is the blade length on those orange handled (my Dad would buy that knife for that feature alone) workhorses?

Chuck

Knifes are scary...i am always cuttng things with them

quote:

I think when he gets back we should hit him up for an Accurate Reloading version of this knife. We should all be able to get a good deal on these, don't ya think? maybe if we buy enough we can get them for a better price? It's worth a shot!

Sounds like a great idea, one can't have too many good knives!

I usually don't use folding knives for hunting but I like the shape of the blade on this one.

Regards,
Martin

That's a really practical and well-designed knife! The entire shape of the blade and handle looks like utility.

At the present, my favorite folders are the Chris Reeve 'Sebenza' and Benchmade. Now I'll have to buy one of these!

Two points that require consideration: I HATE pocket clips on a hunting knife, and they should offer filler screws that do NOT go clear thru into the blade slot of the handle. Reeve offers a titanium filler blank for the Sebenza that works beautifully for that purpose.

Next, they should offer a quality belt sheath, actually two: One of Cordura, and one of leather for guys like me who despise Cordura.........

AD

quote:

Chris Reeve 'Sebenza'

That is one nice folder Allan.
And a frame lock





http://www.chrisreeve.com/sebenza.htm

Cheers,

André

Jeffery, That frame lock was the culprit on the knife closing when not intended. Every so often meat, fat, tissue, or hair would keep the frame lock from getting in behind the blade. That is a huge problem when you expect it will be locked and it's not.

Now maybe if you're so carful and watch everything well enough it will work. But when you skin several hundred head of big game and it does not lock on only a few that is trouble.

If that knife closes on your fingers you're done skinning and will be in dire need of a needle and some sterile thread. Afte the 2+ years of testing this knife I was convinced that a liner lock or frame lock was a big mistake on a hunting knife. It's a fine design for Swat or Special forces who will just leave the knife behind in some bad dudes neck or back but for me at 170 bucks I need to keep using it for a while.

Speaking from personal experience of using these various designs as a primary skinning tool for over two years the frame and liner lock design is not a practical idea for a real (safe) hunting kinfe.

quote:

Speaking from personal experience of using these various designs as a primary skinning tool for over two years the frame and liner lock design is not a practical idea for a real (safe) hunting kinfe.

I use fixed blade knives when hunting

Why do you use folder when you are a PH and have to dress and skin that much game ?

I will some times carry a folder as a back up or for the real small stuff or for personal protection in urban inviroment.

The fixed blade eliminates all the problems that you might have with a folder.

Cheers,

André

The folder above solves all the problems of a folder!

I must have missed the prerequisite of the fixed blade knife for a PH? Never saw the need for such a difficult to carry tool on a day to day basis. I do use a couple Rhino bone handle caping knives that are fixed blades. They are wonderful but small in size. Not the "Rambo" knives I think everyone envisions a PH would have on his belt

JJHACK, I've sent you a PM.

JJHACK

I have many nice knives but for hunting I wil bring my cold steel master hunter.
The Bark River knives are great to.
If I am hunting with knife then I wil bring one of the bigger fixed blades.

Don't get me wrong I think that The folder that you have posted above is great. I just think that a fixed blade is better. When I hunt I dont even feel that it is there.

Cheers,

André

JJHACK. Count me in for one of these (depending on the price). I am not going to spend 300 bucks on a knife however!
Peter.

Well peter, it's not my deal I will have to wait on Tim to get back and see if he wants to make a run of Accurate reloading "PH knives" for us, it's his company!

Great looking knife! I'd be interested in an AR model.

quote:

I do use a couple Rhino bone handle caping knives that are fixed blades. They are wonderful but small in size. Not the "Rambo" knives I think everyone envisions a PH would have on his belt

Why should fixed blades be bigger? I have heard a saying here in Sweden that goes "The bigger knife the lesser hunter".

Using - and as a hobby making - fixed blades for hunting I can't see the use for a blade longer than 3", except for slicing bread. I guess it is no difference for a PH?

There is of course the "hirschfänger" type of knives for sticking wounded game but that is an entire different concept, and favoured these days - I think - mostly by those hunting boars. Looking at my own experience in killing wounded games with a knife there is not even need for as much as 3" to stick a roedeer in the neck. Guess that would be the same for a duiker or slightly bigger...

Regards,
Martin

Martin, I think you misunderstood what he said. You're preaching to the choir.

Chuck

If I was a PH or a skinner working for an outfitter I would carry a set of very good quality professional butchers and skinners knives in my vehicle and skinning shed. A brand such as Victorinox plus two others. Every professional "knife" man will be able to tell you the brands.

As a mate abused me once about my forsternicker Puma sheath knife, "that is for show, this is for work!" I followed his advice and now have them as well.

He was/is a professional butcher and the fastest skinner, butcherer in the field you can see.

I don't know why clients on safari need anything more than a Swiss army knife or Leatherman anyway. How many go to the skinning shed and actually get down and dirty?

BTW my mate did on his African safari .

"That is for show, this is for work!"

You're correct that very few of my hunters ever pick up a knife or would even consider doing their own skinning. I have a fully trained and experienced staff to handle such things and we would be far more comfortable at the lodge, the tents or back in the bush. I want my hunters to spend as much time as possible hunting, not with the chores involved.

There have been a number of hunters who have insisted that they do the final caping of the animals to be certain it was "done right" They must think that my staff is unable to handle this as they are not white and come from out of the bush. Funny thing is that any one of my skinners will do more game in a season then one of my hunters will probably do in his lifetime!

Still we do get some big critters now and then and the additional help from the hunter is always welcome, especially when it's getting late or it's well past late. We have had lions circling the kill site of a Buffalo and all of us were huddled into a tight circle provided by the lanterns. We had to wait on a truck to fetch us that was stuck in some wet area about a mile away. During this time we ( the hunter, my black skinner and I) finished the skinning and cut up the quarters to load into the bakkie when it showed up.

Another Hunter shot a big Bull giraffe and that is a long days work for a few skinners to complete once on the ground. We were finished with photos and waiting on the truck to fight it's way through the bush. Giraffe must be skinnind over much if it's body by chopping the skin away from the body with a panga not a knife. However the more delicate work is done with a knife. We had that Giraffe caped before the truck arrived by both getting after the work. All three of us had to wrestle that beasts neck to move it for skinning. The neck alone was a alot to move. Giraffe are also very easily spoiled because the skin is so thick. Removing the hide quickly is very important.

So it's not at all common to have a hunter do his own skinning but the situations do come up now and then.

In Africa, I carry a knife for as-it-comes-up situations, not to make a career out of doing the job that a safari staff is supposed to be doing in the first place. I reserve my skinning, etc., for N. American hunts, especially the ones I conduct myself.

In fact, I think a PH should protect his client by insisting that he NOT get his knife out and start skinning. It's all too easy to make a slip, cut yourself open, and let yourself in for a host of infections and maladies. This is the sort of thing a PH should guard the client against, unless there is absolute necessity at hand..........

AD

I bought one of the black handled, liner-lock knives from Tim at the 2004 SCI Convention in Reno.

I've used it to skin and gut several dozen wild hogs and whitetail deer during the last two seasons in South Carolina and it has performed flawlessly. Diamond bench stones keep it razor sharp and the D2 steel holds an edge for a very long time. The blade shape and handle geometry are perfect for skinning, gutting and quartering big-game animals.

It was the only knife I took on our Namibian hunt last year, and on our recent South African hunt. Although I didn't get involved in skinning the game we shot, the knife satisfactorily performed every cutting chore that arose during 42 days in Africa.

JJHACK,

I'm in for another of Tim's knives. I took one to RSA last summer. I hung aroung the skinning shed and asked the skinners if they wanted to use my knife. They put it to good use during the 10 days we hunted. It ended up coming home with me, although I left two new ones there for the PH and the skinner.

I was able to keep it sharp with a small diamond steel, and after other whitetails, caribou, and bison, it's still performing like new.

I like the idea of having a red/blaze handle as there are two of these resting somewhere on the AK tundra that weren't able to be found after being set down in the dark.

My current one is a great product and I look forward to having the newest model to try out on my next trip!

Ted

Nitro X,

I don't think Jim is suggesting this is the ideal knife for use in an African skinning shed full time, simply that he was using such work as a torture test of it...A few weeks of such use probably represents a lifetimes work for the average deer hunter else where.

Personally I preferred Jims little fixed blade knife, but he kept far to closer watch on it for my liking!

Africa aside, with regards larder work in general, most of the pros I have seen use some sort of fairly soft butchers knives as you suggest.

Regards,

Pete

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Nelson:
Martin, I think you misunderstood what he said. You're preaching to the choir.
Chuck

Chuck, I probably did! Ok, if preaching to the choir there is less risk someone would start an argument!

Regards,
Martin

quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:
I don't know why clients on safari need anything more than a Swiss army knife or Leatherman anyway. How many go to the skinning shed and actually get down and dirty?"

You just answered my question! It's good to know you can do a bit of a post mortem exam on them if you want...that's always interesting.

The most useful do-all pocket kife I've ever carried in the field is the Victorinox Hunter. I was introduced to this knife by an old elk hunter who liked to travel light and used it to butcher and quarter elk. It is inexpensive, light, bright colored handles w/ finger notches, the main blade locks, it's plenty sharp and is easily sharpened in the field, the saw will cut thru bone, and it has a clever gutting blade. I would not use it as a primary butchering tool at camp, but in the field you could quarter or debone about anything w/ it.

http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?lan=EN&code=0.8873&shop=SK

Gary

Gary, What is the blade length on the SAK ?
thanks
Gene

Gary,

I have been using one of those as a back up knife for years now and they really are very good. It does everything I expect a pocket folder to do and the protected point gutting blade is excellant for opening things up.

If you wear glasses, the Swiss Army folks do a tiny screw driver do hicky which is just right for the small screws you find on them...The do-hicky is sold seperately for the princely sum of about 75c and is designed to stow in the corkscrew found on their knives.



Invader66,

I have just measured the main blade on mine and its slightly under 3.5" with the saw being the same size...



Regards,

Pete

The knives we use are the Knives of Alaska, the set that includes the small caping knife and the small skinner and zip hook. These are great on deer, moose or bear.

Maineguide

The shop where I used to work bought holsters and knives from Tim Wegner, and I met him several times while I worked there. He's absolutely a stand-up guy. Put me down for an AR knife.


Okie John

aha i just bought one today in singapore. it really looks the business, will try it on netc hunt and report if there is an ar offer, i have room for two more. cheers. tm

quote:

Originally posted by ACRecurve:

quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:
I don't know why clients on safari need anything more than a Swiss army knife or Leatherman anyway. How many go to the skinning shed and actually get down and dirty?"

You just answered my question! It's good to know you can do a bit of a post mortem exam on them if you want...that's always interesting.

Andy

Of course you can go to the skinning area and get involved. It is your animal and trophy.

Often the first place the truck goes when you take an animal is the skinning/butchering area. The animal is unloaded and hung from a gantry, gutted, skun etc. Sometimes clients stick around and watch, sometimes you go off for another animal, lunch or a rest.

Some PHs will drop off the client at their hut before going to the skinning shed, but I always like to have a look at what is happening and for the first animals what standard of care in skinning capes is in evidence. With the PHs and outfitters I have used the job has always been done well (storage of capes WAS been a problem though for my first safari).

I like a to ensure my marked tags are also affixed to the skins and horns at this point too.

Peter, Thanks
gene

JJHACK, I hope you excuse me for bringing this old topic back to top, but I just could not forget your idea about an AR knife!

Regards,
Martin

That knife may be too darn useful to be an AR special. What about the Damascus USA Capstick African? Damascus steel, long fixed blade, expensive, limited practical utility. I just ordered one for all of the above reasons.

No question Tim makees some great stuff. I used a couple of his plastic (kydex?) sheaths while I was still in the Army, great stuff! But given the nature of hunting here in OZ, it is usual for the hunter to cape and butcher his own kills. For that, over the last few years I have used the Cold Steel Master Hunter. Very useful design, at 4" not too big, and holds an edge very well. That, and my leatherman tool, and I'm covered as far as hunting knives are concerned.
Just the same, if the AR version comes out, let me know how much!

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum