I like the new edited little SS3.5, good job KG! In 154CM that would be very handy.. (lol numbers and letters again..)

Your 3.5" prototype looks good to me knifeguy. Personally, I usually go with folders for blades < 4", but there are many who like the small fixed blades, and I would likely buy that one.

I would be fine with 154CM, 440C, BG-42, N690, 12C27, (VG-10 is great stuff, but not likely), S30V or many other stainless variations that I consider very good for a smaller knife. - Especially, with a good quality heat treatment such as Busse is known for.

They all look nice in satin too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I am not real interested in seeing any of those steels in larger knives though....

Thanks Vic - Honestly, when it comes to EDC (street and city carry), I am with you.

However, when camping or otherwise out in the woods, I personally prefer a fixed blade small and large. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

And like you said, a LOT of people like this size for their EDC - this would be a GREAT EDC for anyone who wants a fixed EDC. Would be just slightly better than the SS4 for fixed EDC - IMO being .5" shorter and a slightly better "task" blade shape (IMO).


The SS4 is already a huge winner in my book, but I think this would compete well - just hitting a slightly different niche and hitting it just as well (IMO).

.

I am with it

i want 2!!

I really like my SS4 for EDC. It is probably a better one for that than the YK I carried today. If SY made your little SS 3.5, I'd buy one and have Jeff make me a kydex sheath for it. BTW, Bark River just came out with a 4.5" bush craft beauty. I forgot the name of it, but I like it better than my Wet Enviro Recon.

My mind is slowed by old age and Wild Turkey. It was the Aurora. Edited.

looks great knifeguy!
i would be happy w/ standard res-c handles on it though...but then again i've never held a mudder handle.

???? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> - Are you talking about the Aurora?

Mike just made a "second" run of these. He had released it before probably about a year ago or so - prior to the Wet Enviro Recon.
This time with the handles being CNC cut for more consistent shape. Many of his knives (blades and handles) vary a little from the hand grinding. I think he calls shaping the handles "hafting" or something.

The Aurora is one I told you about before you bought the Wet Enviro Recon.
The Aurora is (one of) Mike's concepts of a Bushcraft knife. - A Good one!
The Spear-point and shallower belly's just work very well for woods-bumming, Bushcraft, basic camp cutting chores, tasks, etc. Short of skinning, I like the shallower belly for almost everything else on most small to mid-sized knives. - personally.

I like the Aurora better than the Wet Enviro Recon because it is A2 vs. 12C27 stainless for the Wet Enviro Recon. The 12C27 is very nice for stainless - and I only slightly prefer the A2 for this size knife.
But, my main issue with the Wet Enviro Recon is the bump/thumb ramp - don't care for it. The Aurora is flat on top. However, this could be ground down on the Wet Enviro Recon. - Mike would likley do it for you if you asked.

The Wet Enviro Recon is also a Scandi grind vs. full height convex on the Aurora - I prefer full height convex. Scandi can be changed to full height convex as well, but probably not worth the effort. - depending on how you like to sharpen. Although, I noticed you put a convex secondary edge on your Scandi Wet Enviro. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> - you are half-way there.

I DO like my Aurora quite a bit. I also recommended the Canadian Special 2007. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Here is my Aurora with the SS4 (pre-final finishing of the SS4):


Not a great picture, but I had it on file at photobucket....


Two Classics! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

.

I love it - and keep the choil!

Oh yeah, knifeguy, that's the one. That knife really appeals to me, but I'd like it in stainless!

The Nebula is in between the Aurora and Wet Enviro Recon, but also in Stainless like your Wet Enviro.

One very cool feature of the Aurora (and the Northstar) is the skeletonized tang. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />




Mike did this to help lighten the weight of the handle for better feel and balance while maintaining high strength. He has these laser cut. I think this is superb attention to little details (IMO).

I would love to see this on certain Swamp Rat and Busse micarta handled knives.
I have posted some of my concept knives on Rat Chat with this concept in mind. - such as my Bog Dog II concept, Rat Jack concept and Rat tooth tasker concept. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> But, I would love it on pretty much ANY small to mid-sized micarta handled knife. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

Res-C handles don't really need this. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> They already save weight in the handle and have a nice feel and balance. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

The Wet Enviro Recon and the Nebula have a more tradition hidden tang to keep the weight down and better balance. I am sure it is sufficiently strong. But, I like the skeletonized tang concept if done right. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

However, your Wet Enviro Recon is basically a Nebula with a bump on the top of the handle. Just grind of the bump and make the handle fit your hand.

I bet you cand do a full convex grind with your equipment and some mousepad finishing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

You have a good knife - it just needs that bump removed (IMO). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.... You can do that with your equipment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

---------

But, what is this comment about stainless? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> You were just telling me how 0170-6 doesn't bother you with rust. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
A2 is significantly less prone to rust than 0170-6! A2 doesn't really rust very easily all, but it does patina pretty easily.


.

I try to take reasonable care of all my carbon steel knives, and they are ok, but if I could get the performance, they would ALL be satin stainless! In the smaller knives, you might use them for food preparation and such, and WD-40 just gives an off flavor. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />