It is the "CG" I guess, it's got the rough black coating and no company logo etched on it. I already did get to work a little with it.

- I attacked a piece of seasoned pine slabwood, that's where the hatchet comment came from. It doesn't take as DEEP a bite as a proper hatchet, but it puts more of the wood in play so it really does remove material pretty fast. It's also lighter so wasn't as tiring to use and more controllable.

- I let it munch on a smaller slab too, only about half an inch thick slab of fresh pine, and chunks flew on that. Hacks out massive chips or split lengthwise with a chop and a bit of encouraging. You definitely will not want for kindling with this.

- And last I tested its "knife" potential, using the choked up grip and peeling off tiny curls to shape the wood instead of obliterating it. It's not an ideal knife for that sort of thing by any stretch, but it didn't do too badly for its size. Being sharp helps (good job on the factory edge, Scrapyard), it basically falls through the wood. Its bulk and weight make it difficult to make accurate fine cuts though. I think I'll try using it two-handed as a draw knife tomorrow.

I try not to be given to hyperbole so I won't say it's mystic or magical or anything, but it's a fun and effective mix of traits. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I only had a couple minutes to play with it so far, but I'm impressed.

As a parting question, what should one use to wash their dog? Usually I clean cutting tools with a bit of Barkeeper's Friend, but I'm thinking the abrasive in it will not be kind to the finish. It'll wear off eventually but no sense is hastening the process.