Marthinus, that is a nice looking setup! That's really nice being able to change up the handle color/design/material. REALLY Nice carry case as well, Otterbox? You can send it over here and I will take it to the swamps and see how it works on Cypress and Oak for ya! No, No thanks necessary, I'm just that sort of guy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Oh and when you do get it, please post pics of it out of the box and opened up.

Here are my better folders along with the new Stryker. I like the handle a lot...nice shape, texture and feel. Nice to carry too...light and slim. I could live w/out assisted opening, but it's pretty cool. I was at Cabelas yesturday and handled a BM mini bone-collector. I liked it a lot. I don't know much about BM, but seems like they do g10 right!

Nice grouping of blades, RN! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

The SR-1 is still my top single blade folder, followed closely by my ZT200, Spyderco Military, Emerson CQC-13 and Camillus Aftermath.

Going to post this in where it should have gone.


Introduction
Ok, before I start some background. I met Gareth a year ago at our local knife show. He is the only frame lock maker in South Africa at the moment (that I know of). Here are a few pictures of his SA hunter model next to the Insingo.
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/P8170030.jpg

I contacted him and asked for a few alterations and if he is willing to incorporate a few new ideas and so this folder came into being.

I indicated where I got the idea from in brackets when applicable.

Finally, these are thoughts written down as time goes by so please bear with me and the somewhat cryptic explanations at stages.

Stats:
• Sizes (what blade size and what handle size?)
Blade Length: 8.8cm
Overall Length: 20.3cm
Closed Length: 11.5cm
Blade Thickness: 0.3cm
Handle Thickness: 1.1cm without clip. 1.5 With clip
• Materials (what's it made of?)
Blade Material: RWL-34 (more can be read here: http://michaelwest.dk/knive/rwl34-datasheet.pdf)
Heat Treat Process:
Austenitize at 1080 for 10 minutes
Quench in air between 2 cold steel plates
Liquid nitrogen soak overnight
Temper at 180 for 2 hours
Liquid nitrogen 4 hours
Temper again at 180 for 2 hours
Blade Hardness: 58-60 HRC
Blade Style: Drop-Point
Weight: 80gr
Clip: Tip-Down, Right hand carry (believe it is done to order so what ever your preference)
Lock Mechanism: Frame lock of which the lock face has been heat treated in order to prevent excessive wear.
Price: R2000 for the knife, R200 for each extra scale and R3000 for the entire kit as seen.

(International, use this for currency conversion, South African Rand)
Gareth can be reached at: gbull1985 at gmail.com

Initial impression

Can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPFSZlkLfvU
General observation, wow! The lightning strike carbon fiber is a beautiful thing! The knife is light, thinner and smaller in the pocket as expected, however it sits comfortably in the hand and different grips. The pivot is LARGE (CRK Umnumzaan), action is smooth. Really big standoff (CRK Umnumzaan and Rick Hinderer).
The blade retention is really good, strongest I have of my limited frame and liner locks. Easy to open due to the same Lip opening as on Burger EXK knives. Lock is solid. No play open or during the motion of opening and closing (ie side to side ply around the pivot while opening or closing). Disengaging the lock gives you a nice thumb workout, very sturdy.
Everything is pretty much spot on according to my requests. The Pocket clip also functions as a stopper for accidental over extension of the lock (Rick Hinderer). You can feel it pushing against the lock when you try and push it past the frame.
This of course leeds us to the blade and grind. WOW! I am in love with this thing! Cant wait to start using it. Inspired by (Rick Hinderer’s) slicer grind but with a (John W Smith) twist. I don’t know if Rick does it the same way but the grind is thinner at the tip then at the hilt of the blades edge. So fine work can be done with the tip and harder cutting can be done at the hilt of the edge.
The edge came shaving sharp and the blade is perfectly centred.

After some further inspection I noticed there are 2 teflon washers as well as 2 perforated bronze washers.
There seems to be a cut out for the detent ball to role over the 90* corner of the lock face, thereby creating a smooth action opening and closing.
All the smaller cavities of the blade have been mirror finished. (Later talked to Gareth and he stated he does that to prevent any form of rust.
The lock is a bit sticky. (Gareth stated this can be due to residue of the bead blasting, recommended I use a magic marker and it worked so no issue)
I really like the one hole for the lanyard (Strider)










[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6130001113.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6130001112.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6130001115.jpg[/img]

Comfort
No real hotspots that I have encountered. The clip is placed very well.
Feels good in the hand, rides easy in the pocket. I carried it in my shirt pocket for some time, no issue in that regard.
Delica
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0547120Medium-1.jpg[/img]
Bone Collector
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0547123Medium.jpg[/img]
Burger EXK
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0547121Medium.jpg[/img]
550HG
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0547116Medium.jpg[/img]

Sebenza
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0547119Medium.jpg[/img]
GB Custom
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0547115Medium.jpg[/img]

Blade & Cutting Performance (first impressions and after 10 days of EDC 18 October 2010)
Blade shape has been very useful. Kitchen duty gave me a good idea of how it will function as well as the stick carvings I did.
Cut tomato, avo, biltong (probably the same as beef jerky) and other assorted meats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aItQm8e5IQg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vec12jXT77I

[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6170032.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6150004.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6170029.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6140003.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6140002.jpg[/img]
&#8195;
Sharpening
RWL-34…..you beauty! What great steel!
Sharpness test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-OUR4xUx90
Very fine grane structure, takes an edge very easily and holds it. Can be sharpened to a mirror finish and can take a good medium edge from a silicone stone.
Here are videos of the toothier edge in cutting some material.
Gareth Bull Custom Cardboard cut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AWjMRBFPqA

Tire.
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI054715Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI054712Medium.jpg[/img]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SdXLEmuxiU

Fuzz sticks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXX_M-CUeRE [img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI052511Medium.jpg[/img]
And then after that I touched the edge up on the fine silicone stone again in less then 5 minute.

Size & Weight

Same size as the 550HG grip. Due to its light weight it rides easy in the pocket, yet when in the hand it feels solid. IWB carry, pocket carry, shirt pocket carry is comfortable.
Size comparison
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI054716Medium-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0547113Medium-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0547111Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0547112Medium-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI054719Medium.jpg[/img]

Ergonomics
I love it! The simple handle reminds me of the design philosophy of Loveless, Terzula, Carson and Smith. Good with solid feel. Not a knife designed for stabbing purposes.
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI05242Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI052424Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI052421Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI052422Medium.jpg[/img]

General
I took the knife apart and here is the process. I swapped the handle scales, gave it a good cleaning.
The standoff is so close in tolerance to the female screw par I just did not even bother to remove it.
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6160038.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6160039.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6160041.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6160042.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6160050.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0529Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0530Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0531Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0532Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0533Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0535Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0538Medium.jpg[/img]
&#8195;

[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0539Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0540Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0542Medium.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0543Medium.jpg[/img]

Pick scale
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6160012.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0544Medium.jpg[/img]
Results!
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6170014.jpg[/img]

Deslike
Well, nothing at the moment. The lock gives significant resistance, but that is what I wanted, so no real complaints. My thumb is use to it now.
&#8195;

Some pictures:
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6160031.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6170012.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6170007.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6170013.jpg[/img] [img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/P6160025.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/Gareth%20Bull%20Custom/DSCI0547Medium.jpg[/img]

Love the pictures!

Sweet blade!

But, all I want is that mouth watering JERKY!!!

For real, very nice post.

Thanks for the kind words! A quick note. I had my HRC stat wrong. Rockwell hardness should be closer to 62HRC and not 58-60. Gareth and Des Horn, a very distinguished knife maker and involved in RWL-34, confirmed.

Thanks for the still Pics, I thought that might be a "Flipper", but wasn't really sure if it was or not.

You can flip it if you really try, but it was not designed that way, the closed retention is really high (I wanted it that way). Gareth has one of his flippers in the new Blade magazine.

I have a Spyderco Wegner that I picked up many years ago. I love it.
A true fumble free one handed knife that is always there when I need it. I always gravitate to that knife. Tip up carry, ATS-34 3" combo blade, and just fits my hand perfectly with great versatility.

Well I had sworn off Strider but now my EDC is a DGG SnG. It was just too good of a deal to pass up. Got a real hookup honestly.

Imagine, Your PM is full! You would need to contact Architect, it's his.

Just got a spyderco manix 2 cpm m4, this one may bump the para 2 out of my pocket, very sweet, pics tomorrow