My preference for outdoor blades is a high sabervex all the way down to zero edge. Then a full height true zero convex. And third, a true scandi on a relatively thin blade. 🔪✨
I tend to very generally match a grind to the intended use / size of the blade. A Next Gen would be great in a Flat Grind for finer whittling and food prep. A Genesis or Gen 5 would be perfect in a Saber Grind as I’d intend to do both small food prep and feather stick work as well as larger wood processing and batoning. Multi-purpose size blade gets a multi-use grind. I prefer a Scandi on a larger blade that I intend to Baton and Build a Shelter or Process a lot of wood with. No need for fine detail work. Just a work horse that can handle the task. The longer the blade the thicker it needs to be to take a heavy beating.
I LOVE a Bark River knife - in concept. Then, I hear there’s quality control issues. NOW, I’m falling in love with LTWK. How’s the QC? If I spend 300ish on a knife, it MUST come sharp and well assembled. No loose pins, no blunt blades, no loosening handle scales, etc… what say you?
Yes, It might not be as pretty as a factory edge but if you’re down to sharpening on a rock, you are probably not concerned with pretty, just function. Just get your burr and strop it.
