I have the Field Buddy in 5.5 and 6.5 versions, both in 3V. Peters out of PA does the heat treat for the 3V on this series. Peters is well known as being the gold standard for high performance and high end knife makers and manufacturers.
I consider CPM 3V to be an ideal outdoors knife steel. The specs of the Architect Field Buddy 5.5 is within the ideal range for me, it is a near ideal knife for what I want in a general purpose outdoor knife. The price on the other hand is outside my range.
I have the 1095 version and while I love the knife, their (Tops, not TKC) customer service sucks. I have lines under the cerakote coating and tops knows it'll cause rust underneath, they still put these knives out. Rust isn't covered under their warranty and removing the coating voids their warranty. This isn't the only tops knife that has it either so it's like they know they put these out and people's warranties will be void because of rust, without people knowing. So fuck tops but yes, TKC said it is unconditional and they're gong to warranty mine once they get more in. Good people at TKC.
Interesting, I bought the 5.5 and 6.5 (both1095) to do reviews on them but unfortunately I haven’t had time to test them out. Just been sitting in my box of collections. I’ve been debating on what lubricant to use on them to prevent rust. Was actually thinking of castor oil.
So far still good but it did have a micro burr that some stropping took care of easily, of course each knife would be different in that respect as I assume these are sharpened by hand like the rest of tops knives. Ya I knew the website wasn't right on the hrc, if it was why use 3v lol.
I appreciate that it doesn't have a blade choil- an unnecessary feature. I don't appreciate that it has the same contoured handle same as ESEE 6. A straight handle is best.
First! lol I always had an interest in these, but thought they were a little steeply priced for 1095. 3V on the other hand, the price now is much more in line with the materials. It looks like a good knife. Hopefully Tops adjusted their HT for the 3V. I would think they did ok on it. They have used other steels than 1095. They offer the BOB in 154CM, so I'm sure they've not done it to the same Rockwell as 1095. I'm guessing that TKC just didn't think to change the stats on the hardness on the web site. As I look at it, it kind of reminds me of the GSO knives. Similar, and now in the same steel. The biggest difference is you don't have to wait a year or more to get it! lol
@@alphaomegasurvivalsupply6548 I just pulled up a pic of the survive knives gso 5.1, and they look so similar..the gso has a finger choil, but other than that, they could be twins, lol. Not saying that's a bad thing. Like I said..try and get your hands on a gso..good luck! lol. I really like it, and it's a safe bet that I'll end up buying one.
@@timbo4374 your exactly right and I definitely want to get some GSO's but who knows when lol, I really like this 5.5 so far and I think after I sharpen it once itll solve the micro burr thing cuz other than that one tiny spot everything is perfect so I think it'll work itself out. I think this line has huge potential especially going to 3v, its really going to be hard to beat if the heat treat comes out fine.
I know what you mean about it feeling soft lol. It isn't but it's a weird thing. I like that it's 3V because it's a little thinner but still has all the strength being 3V, making good for slicing like that too. How's that edge on catching paper now a days?
Been on the fence with this 3v version, but it’s awfully thin .156” for its type, hardness, and probable use. Really wish it were 2.0” like my 6.5… and without jimping. Seems like forever I’ve wanted a 3/16 Esee 5 in stainless.. this got close, but nope.
Ya I agree its not perfect but it is close lol, so ill be full on making knives very soon and could probably make that happen for you lol ill have a video soon on the ones I've been making for practice lol
I do still have it and have used it since then, but I haven't been able to get out as much as I'd like to. I wouldn't mind to do another video in the future so ill keep it in mind 👍
Very cool did you get it in 3v or 1095? Mine is 3v and I didnt put anything under the scales, but if you wanted to id recommend mineral oil its works great, its food safe, and doesn't evap as quickly as some thinner weight protection. Also polishing it with flitz would probably work well with the stonewash, I would just keep checking on whatever you use so you'll know how its working. Thanks for watching, I hope this helps lol.
Thats quite the tough question lol so ill point out some major differences and why I made that choice. So the 6hm has a little bit thicker stock than the 5.5, but the 5.5 has better steel than the 6hm. Both have various handle options but the 5.5 has more, 6hm is a full flat grind and the 5.5 is a saber. The 5.5 has a more contoured handle and the 6hm has a more broomstick style handle. The 5.5 has more sheath options than the 6hm, meaning the 5.5 can be ordered with many options to be more suited to what you want. Now which would I choose? Both are great knives but......I would choose the field buddy 5.5 because I like the saber grind over the full flat, I like the 3v over 1095, I like the available options for the 5.5, but you would not be disappointed with an Esee 6hm either lol. Hopefully that'll help you and if you have any other questions or anything feel free to ask!!!
For a batoning, a saber splits the wood more effectively than a full flat grind. It acts like a wedge, as applied to the FFG which binds. 3V is also far superior to 1095. Tougher, much better edge retention, far more rust resistant, and not too hard to sharpen. Basically 3V is more expensive, but makes 1095 obsolete.
Sure reminds me a whole lot of the survive gso models same exact shape and all I think the survive may be even cheaper and heat treated by Peter's HT 🤷♂️
@@alphaomegasurvivalsupply6548 ehhh they're not all they are made out to be I own two and was not really happy with either for the price and for how long I had to wait before actually getting them so the gso 3.5 I have was over $200 yet my $120 benchmade puuko 200 performs much much better so yeah they look good and the idea is great but when it comes down putting blade to wood they kinda suck lol
I found it to be a little disappointing that the website has such a limited description of the CPM 3V steel, why they chose it and it’s characteristics.
Ya but for me it really doesn't make a difference honestly because I've never broken a skeletonized knife, if it does break perhaps it's not the right tool for the job and I have seen bad designs break its just never happened to me lol. I baton and all that too but remember anything can be broken if you try hard enough, the reality for most people is a survival situation is nothing more than a fantasy that they hope to be in but wouldn't make it very long if it really did lol. 🤣🤷
