I don't think you can call it a "Grail Knife" since it's still readily available for purchase, but my all time favorite knife is the BK-9. I love the shape, the shape of the handle and the fact that you basically just pay for a slap of steel. Everything else is up to you. When I'm done with mine, it'll have rosewood handle scales, a mirror polish and a lovely leather sheath. Not gonna happen anytime soon, but I'm not in a hurry. It's going to be a project of love.
My Father bought my cousin, me, and him one each. A funny story this was like 20 years ago, he should up to the job site we both were working on, and tells us to be careful with them, we both kinda laugh as we both were operating heavy equipment, well a few years later we were all together and somehow that came up about the knife we each got, no one over those few years had ever mentioned it, but we all went home that night and of course had to check them out, all three of us ended up cutting ourselves. I can't tell you how much we laughed at that
Oh, what a Trip down Memory Lane! Actually, I've had my Grail Knife since the early 90s, and it's a Blackjack from Effingham Illinois. I got the 1-7 (the Clone of the Randall #1). For all you young people, back then, Blackjack was the BOSS! Thanks for letting me know about the Bark River Warranty. My 1-7 needs a touch up and some Sheath repair. Take care. Yeah Ohio.
Back in the 80's Tramontina released a series of "Rambo-ish" knives (Commander I, II &III) that just made me drool. Finally, around 2012 I found a store that still had a few of them, and bought all three models. Those were my grail knives. As well as you, I spent about 30 years pouting over them, and was overjoyed when I finally got them. Nowadays, the closest thing to a grail knife is a Benchmade 940.
You reviewed the Condor Discord. I saw it and bought it, Saplings and pine trees tremble in fear, as I walk towards them, great chopper and great blade, it is my go to for every task. Thank you for reviewing swords like that, and keep on keeping on Sir
I really wanted a Buck 110 as a young kid, and additionally a 119 special as I got older. Got the 110 years ago for my highschool graduation gift, and bought a 119 back in December. I'm a lefty and stubborn so I had to wait till Buck came out with the lefty leather sheath for the 119, because I wanted a factory sheath for it. For my current grail knife, what I really really want is a turn of the century hunter bowie. If you don't know what that is, basically it's a smaller version of the classic Sheffield Bowies. 7" or less blade, straight brass guard, and straight and narrow tapered handle with pinned scales.
Like you, I also had a Grail knife that I lusted after for a looong time! The Cold Steel Trail Master San Mai III came along and I could no longer resist! Recently I took delivery of the latest rendition and I must say it is everything I dreamt about, and then some. As the sheath is a bit of an embarrassment, I had Rob Evans (see his RU-vid channel Rob Evans Woodsman) from Wales make me up a really top notch leather sheath for it. I'm in knife heaven. While I'm sure there are knives out there that can outperform the Trail Master in various aspects, it does just about every task to a superior level. And it costs a fraction of what a Busse will cost. So, there's my Grail knife!
One of mine is my Wessex custom that was a gift while I was in the hospital.the other is my swamp rat,I also have a black water gear,I got a Spyderco military . And my 1st knife cold steel Bush ranger Bowie also ASU8A STEEL.
Mine is the BUSSE TGLB, the same one that you posted a pic of at Survival Tactics a ways back. So thank you for the heads up! If you would like to review it let me know I'm local, and with lifetime warranty you can do what you want with it just as long as I get it back in one piece.
I’ve already owned my grail knife and regrettably sold it, a Randall model 12-8 big bear Bowie in sambar stag, I did however use that money towards a smith and Wesson 629 44 magnum revolver that i still and forever will own, maybe some day I’ll get another Randall but not any time soon
My grail is the Usmc fighter knife by Medford. It’s my next knife . Being a marine vet it’s a must have . Just got the Spyderco darn dao and love it as a big knife for SHTF .
Enjoyed the video. They were interesting choices. Mine was a TOPS Steel Eagle 117A. But, I settled for the Ron Hood designed TOPS Anaconda 9" tanto point.
I got my Grail Knife this year after six years on a list: Randall Made Number 9, Sportsman bowie, number 14 grind. Micarta 14 grip, 14 brass hilt and brass butt.
Still bummed that Schrade ruined your design of Jess-X, I really wanted one. Guess I'll have to keep saving to pick up one of your other great knives from Bark River. The JX-5 looks and performs awesome. Keep up the great work Chris!
I recently got a buck Kalinga in the box that was my grail growing up , I also have my hooligan which is my grown up grail.I also have the Jx5 on pretty order they didn't have my original handle material .Thanks for the video and all you do
Probably something adventure sworn. Not about the price but I probably wouldn’t use much so I haven’t gotten one yet. But I love the way their stuff looks. Top quality
Looks almost like the VN era Bowie/machete my stepfather gave me in 67/68. He had two the same but one had a Large gut hook. As dumb kids we let so many nice things from the jungle slip thru our hands. Very nice
I remember those black jack knives!)) I used to drool over the catalogs when I got them in the mail and almost ordered a few back then. As far as grail knives...it’s not a knife but the jJody Samson atlantean sword. I almost bought one when he was still alive back then but passed on it(((
You sent my grail knife back to Peter, since I can't get that one I'm enjoying immensely, my Junglas with Wilson wrap and his little brother the Esee 6HM in an AZ Welke kydex sheath with TekLock.
Mine is a original marble ideal, 13in bowie with leather handle and stag pommel. Used it pig hunting couple times and now I just look at it and remember.
After the Anaconda was discontinued, or when Black Jack went out of business there was a quantity of bare Anaconda blades for sale in one of the old knife publications. This would have been in the mid to late 90's.
Grail knife? I'd love to own a Beck WSK Tracker style knife. I have two Lon Humphrey Bowies, the Gunfighter and the Hellhound, so I'm set for Bowie goodness. I'd love to have one of your JX5's but I'd never use it, so I can't justify the purchase. Love your Bushbat and companion... those lil bad boys. I have two of the Varusteleka Skrama and a Pukko. Thanks to you and Mike Travis. lol OK, grail knife. I'd love a high quality version of the bowie from Seraphim Falls. So maybe I'm not set for Bowie goodness after all.
G'day Chris, Well, my 'Grail' knife was the blade that started me on serious knife collecting. I've lusted after this particular make and model for over 35 years and never was able to find a genuine example. Why? I wasn't in the British Army and, more specifically, I am not a Ghurkha soldier in the British Army. You see, I once was on a course with some British soldiers and a few of them were from a Ghurkha regiment. On dress parade, of course, they wore their Nepalese, hand made MoD pattern kukri. There are hundreds of Nepalese, Chinese, Indian and Asian kukri style knives but only one produced exclusively for the British Army Ghurkhas. They showed me their kukris and I was knocked out by the perfect balance; the exquisite heft and grip of these knives plus the truly terrifying level of sharpness at which they were maintained. Just last year, after a decade or so of part-time investigation I finally tracked down a Nepalese gentleman who knew one of the gentlemen who made a meagre living producing the genuine articles for the MoD. Of course there are companies over there that claim they make the British Army kukris but, in fact, do not. They make knives that are similar but not the real deal. Pleading emails were exchanged over a long time up to a point that I had my emails translated into Nepalese to remove any misunderstandings. Monies were expended... and I'd made it quite clear that I was willing to pay for the knife and pay the gentleman go-between and the man who would make my knife a little extra for their generosity and kindness. Secretly thinking I would never see the knife or my cash ever again, I waited, and waited. Then out of the blue without any further communication my MoD pattern Ghurkha kukri appeared in the mail. My life as a knife collector is now complete. I'd purchased well over 100 knives just to fill in the time and my lust for interesting, beautiful knives. Before I knew it I was hooked and then got into the history and stories behind nearly every type of knife. But my work is not done, thanks to you. While watching this it suddenly dawned on me that I don't actually own a 'Bowie' knife. Rats! Back to the collecting board! Great video, Chris. Cheers, BH
I traded the exact same knife for my Grail knife the original SOG tigershark made in seki Japan and my other Grail knife is a bagwell Bowie fighting knife good show keep up the good work my dream knife is a Spirit Blade by Master Shiva Ki record holding cutting power
I have two Grail Knives, Any model Victorinox Orange Alox, and speaking of US Cav magazine, I still want a British Gurka issue Kukri I drooled over that knife in US Cav forever but I was still in Germany in '88 and they wouldn't even ship it to my APO address!
You got some awesome knives!!! You got great taste in knives. Knives are so addictive! I used to be a torchaholic for over 10 years. But torches are boring compared to knives!
I took my Anaconda to Desert Storm. I'll tell you what they aren't just for lookin at. The edge geometry and the steel used would hold an edge like none other. I was the designated blade sharpener there. I traded sharpening jobs for beef jerky or cans of oysters guys got from home. As the first flights were heading to Saudi Arabia they had tables outside the PX at Ft Bliss with all sorts of civi survival and camping gear for guys to buy at the last minute. I bought the biggest knife they had and I used the hell out of it.
My grail knife is the case xx bowie with pearl white handle. Beautiful tool that performs very well. Just not ready to make a purchase on a $200 knife.
Personally my grail is a Beck WSK. Yeah I know I know but I have always loved and used Trackers since tops first made them would love to get an actual “hunted” knife.
Pretty much any Lovett knife. I knew him from when I lived in Killeen, but could never afford anything. He showed me some beautiful blades. I wish I had the $$.
Chris, forgive me please, I know you have previously mentioned it, but what exactly do you use to wrap your handles. Again, sorry for asking but I'm a relatively new subscriber. Peace
Rambo 1st blood was mine when i was yoing but way above that is the crocodile dundee knife since i was a kid and im 36 now. As for production fixed blafes there were enough that i have half forgotten about. As for folders too but the folder that i still lust after since it came out is the spyderco captains knife that and the dundee i cant describe how much i want them. I wonder what your grail bowie cost then and what it costs now. Not that there really is a number too high if a guy wants it bad enough and has the cash
Congrats on getting your grail! My original grail knife was a traditional kukri, and I got one at a comic con booth before I knew anything about knives and steels and all that. I'm still looking at picking up a better one sometime but I'm trying to decide between a Zombie Tools Vakra and a more traditional Himalayan-esque thick spined kukri that I was originally looking for. I might end up with both... My newer grail knife (thanks to some youtuber) is the Fobos Legion, which I am saving up for now. I was thinking about going for the cheapest one I could get, aka ugly scales lol, but decided that if I'm going to spend $280 on a knife, I might as well spend $320 and get the one I want. Your review made it seem like it had the same kind of forward chopping feel that I prefer in my big knives.
My Grail Knife? The Fällkniven Modern Bowie MB! Why? Because it's awesome but way too expensive for me 😭 Second on the list, a Bark River Bravo Crusader 🙂
The truth is i have some knifes but there not very expensive i got two from my dad and step mom and as my dad was watching some kife show's on cable. And my dad did give me a thine hatchet and and three knifes two of my cheap kives i have to make handles and really i can not spend a lot of money for really good made knives like you guys can. But if i can i like to get a really good knife. If and when i ever can get a knife that can do just about everything. But thanks for showing
JAROSZ should be pronounced "yarosh" - it's a polish last name or it just means "VEGETARIAN" ;) great knives and mine grail is Esee 5 - I don't have it and don't know if I ever can because of it's prise.
