TBS Boar Fixed blade in 02 tool steel. (Pic heavy)

[Midge_Fodder]

Unlike a lot of reviews, I'm writing this after I've had the knife for a while now, a good 8 months. These opinions are based on using this knife long term. With that said now for the review.

First thing you notice with this knife is that it has a popper closed MOLLE sheath. Ok I'll be honest when I bought this knife I always was in two minds about it. Yes it gives me modular carry options, but it does ride very high even compared to a western type sheath. But I've gave it a go and I've came up with the idea I'll make a dropper somehow. Other than that it is a very well made sheath and now they make more pouches for it.
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As you can see from the pics below the knife if pretty substantial. It's a 110mm blade which 10 mm longer than usual in terms of average knives we see. However it didn't affect the balance of the tool, all it added was a little extra slicing capabilities for long cuts.
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As you can see the knife is made from pretty thick stock, 3.5mm. I found that the grind was high enough for me, I didn't find the thickness hard to use as I did with the Woodlore (sorry).

When I went to use this knife it was as advertised razor sharp, admittedly I was only going to sort it if it wasn't. The edge has been very easy to keep, and holds it very well. So well infact my better half took out her thumb with it cutting a Neep. If you've ever cut a turnip, you'll know it's like trying to chop through a log with only your other hand to get extra power.

I found the blade to have a nice square back, so it thrown sparks well from a fire steel.

Now to be fair I've never battoned using this knife. I have an axe for chopping. But 3.5mm full tang is more than capable, if for some reason my axe was at the bottom of a loch.

What I have to say about this knife is that I paid a wee shade over £100 for the knife. Bearing in mind it is made in Europe, with curly birch scales and is a full tang made in good steel, so the price is very fair for what you get.

What I've found in conclusion is that after hours of work, and miles upon miles of blister free shavings, I'm a very happy man. I don't think ill part with this one, it's now my main user.

[jus_young]

T^

Cheers bud, always good to have an honest opinion on gear. I have come across the range of knives from The Bushcraft Store (TBS) and wondered what they would be like as a 'stores own' brand.

[Midge_Fodder]

I don't know why but I recon there's more to this knife. There's design similarities to a maker they feature on TBS, making very high end blades. Don't want to put my neck out and end up with a nose out of joint, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was them.

[jus_young]

For those wanting a linky

http://www.tbsoutdoor.com/home/4579166012

[Midge_Fodder]

I knew I forgot something, cheers bud

[Monk938]

Great review thanks.T^

[Midge_Fodder]

Not a problem, cheers

[rawfish111]

T^

[Midge_Fodder]

Cheers bud

[FishyFolk]

Looks like it got most of what I look for in a knife. If I where to change my main user from the Enzo Trapper it would be for a knife with a longer blade. The Enzo blade is to short...
Th other fault on my Enzo is that it is not a wery good whitling knife. The handle is terrible, as it is to thin, and not comfortable at all. So I may re-build it on day and replace the scales.
I solve this by having a Mora 911 in my pack for longer time knife work, while the Enzo as my belt knife just do things like making tent pegs, open packs of sausages and act as a scareper for my fire steel....in fact the former is what I use it the most for...

But if I where to change it It would be for something like that. Thanks for the review.

[Midge_Fodder]

10mm isn't huge but you notice it when your using it. I had an Enzo for a while too, what I found with it was the same as you, not enough meat in the scale. I gave that one to mrs Shug, she seems to like it.

[Rasputin]

Great review thanks.T^

Hey Monk good to see you back T^, Ken

[Rasputin]

I dont use an axe so some weight and thickness in a knife is what I want for batoning etc. Great review Shugs T^

[Midge_Fodder]

Axes are great as if used right they are amazingly versatile. It's horses for courses, what method you go for, a lot can be said for "know your own patch", not having been to your region I couldn't say what the wood is like and say your wrong lol

[Rasputin]

Axes are great as if used right they are amazingly versatile. It's horses for courses, what method you go for, a lot can be said for "know your own patch", not having been to your region I couldn't say what the wood is like and say your wrong lol

Its not too different to your neck of the woods. Its a weight thing for me, I prefer a saw,lighter and less noise on stealth sites which is my norm. No right to camp here laddy,lol ATB Ken

[Midge_Fodder]

Fair point on the weight thing. I don't notice it myself but then it all comes down to what your full set up is. I save my weight in different ways.

[midas]

Shugs,"HAPPINESS is,TBS knife shaped"!,nice review!

[Midge_Fodder]

Yep, it's a great knife I'm a happy camper ....... Oh dear I had to

[Midge_Fodder]

Since I first made this review I've made a couple of changes. When I bought the knife it had a cordura pouch on the front, this was meant for the DC4. Now it holds my Opinel NO.6. I went onto TBS and I found that there was a new pouch option they offered, so as it's leather I bought it. This new pouch comes with a firesteel slip attached too. The next mod I made was to fix the ride height of the sheath, so I'm no longer getting poked in the ribs. It's a Lois Orford popper dropper and a pretty good colour match. Here's some pics, and the new pouch will show the newer pouch for the knife.

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[Midge_Fodder]

Incase anyone was wondering why there is 2 flaps on the pouch, it's so it's lefty friendly. It also has a belt loop at the back so it is stand alone. So with two flaps it can go anywhere on the belt, but I also found it helped to take the stone out as it's a really tight fit.

[GrizzlyGrant]

i have the smaller version of this knife, with the micarta scales - TBS Lynx. I have only had it for a few weeks, but have used it to chop wood, prepare food and cord cutting.

I can hand on heart say it was the best £100 i have ever spent on a tool (it has the dc3 and firesteel on the sheath too). it was supplied razor sharp and i only need to strop it after use to get the edge impeccable! I will also do a more indepth review after more use, but for now i find it perfect.

http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/tbs-lynx-bushcraft-knife---dc3--firesteel-edition---natural-micarta-21301-p.asp

I will eventually purchase either the boar or the grizzly to match it if the knife proves its worth over time with use.