... I love my toys (incase anyone hasn't noticed??  ) and decided I wanted a new knife.

After my hunting trip in Kamchatka (the real Russia) a few years ago (unfortunately non-bow) and using a good knife for everything around that camp site, cooking skinning etc, my knife kept coming out of its holster at times and was nearly lost on numerous occasions. In fact this happened so many times that it became a running joke with my Russian mates even though they all wanted to borrow my knife for various tasks. I vowed to get a more suitable knife that could take some serious abuse and have no fear of getting lost.

So with my new orders from the "Ministry of War and Finance" I have a policy of one toy out before a new one comes in   I sold a good Al Mar knife which is an awesome knife, but I just prefer leather to Kydex these days, but I kept my blade that I took to Russia for sentimental reasons.

I ended up getting a Blackbird SK5 made by the Ontario Knife Company - this knife won "best of the best"survival knife by Field and Stream (apparently the bible of outdoor gear) in 2011. It is certainly not a 'pretty' knife in the usual sense but is beautiful in its simplicity. But what really sold me was the sheath which is hands down the best bit of leatherwork I have ever come across. It is made by Hedgehog leather and the knife was designed by the owner.

One of the great features of the sheath its that the fastening snaps on the handle spring open and stay clear of the knife so you don't cut the straps when you draw the knife out. There are plenty of other cool features but I wont bore you with more  

The sheath comes with a 25 year warrantee for use in extreme bush conditions - which is a bonus, and pretty clever of the guys at Hedgehog as I don't reckon there is any way this thing will breakdown in even 50 years- it's a bloody tank. The service from Hedgehog was really top notch

Specifications

Blade length: 5 inches (127mm)
Overall length: 10 inches (254mm)
Blade thickness: 0.13 inches (3.3mm)
Rockwell Hardness: 58-60 HRC
Knife weight: 8.4 ounces (238.14g)
Steel: 154CM

So enough of my waffle, here are some pics.

Cheers

Jase
 

Very Nice!!

Awesome! I always love getting new knives    

That is a Tough looking knife! I am sure that it can handle whatever you through at it.

Cool,,,real cool,,,enjoy

Nice  

Please "bore" us with more features of that sheath.
Looks like a firestarter and stone/hone are involved.

THanks for the comments fellas.

Yep, there is a ferro rod firestarter, the pocket has a striker and a length of jute twine, you don't need the striker as the back of the blade is flat and at a right angle to the blade so this is perfect for striking the ferro rod.

I will probably just put some water purification tabs in the pocket, maybe some fishing line and a hook or two in addition to the jute which is awesome for starting a fire.  But you could certainly put a honing stone in the pocket.

Sheath has a snap off belt loop and fits various size belts so you don't need to unthread your belt to take the knife off.   There is a tie down system that prevents the sheath from riding up.

Stress points are reinforced and the leather surface is treated to be water resistant.

That's about it me thinks    

Looks like a great knife with many uses.
Love it..

That's the spitting image of the Boddington knife from Anza Knives.
Sure looks like a servicable design.

Guy

I've been on a knife buying binge the last few weeks myself.  I really like that knife.  I find the simplest things are most often the best.

That knife appears to be the epitome of "utliltarianism."  That said, I would hate to limit myself to one knife.  In addition, there is something to be said for the "artistic" flavor of a blade.

Personal taste.  Glad you found one that fills your needs, whatever they may be!

Kingsnake

It has those deceiving good looks. Instead of the eye candy appearance it shows simplicity, toughness, and the ability to take on serious and hard use. I like it.

THanks for the kind comments.

I do love and appreciate art knives and fancy work-horse-knives as well. The Knife I took to Russia is made by a Japanese sword smith from Tamahagane (steel made from iron rich river sand) in the traditional sword manner. Watching one of the Russian blokes stab it into a can of milk made be wince at first, but vodka soon smoothed out the pain    :D  Cleaning and oiling after each use become a bit of a pain when in the wilderness for a week.  

THe thing that appeals with this new knife is that I can baton with it, use the back on a fire steel, cut a tomato  and generally feel good about hard handling the knife without the worry or care I would take with a custom or art knife.