"Ek preferred his knives without crossguards for ease of concealment and for quick withdrawal as there was no crossguard to snag on clothing or a soldier's equipment. The grips on Ek's knives had eight scalloped groves:four on each of two grips. This gave the user such a good grip that John Ek found that a crossguard was not necessary to prevent the hand from sliding onto the blade. When questioned about this by the War Production Board, Ek greased his hand and plunged one of his knives into the wooden floor with such force that no one was able to pull it out."
Thanks for the feedback! Same goes for the handles on the BK7/BK9/BK16 etc, They don't feel very grippy but nothing wrong with them either, especially if you use a very low grit sandpaper, and put some random scratches on them, they become very grippy and the feel turns out similar to unpolished G10 or Micarta, depending on the finish you put. (Just don't sand it down, because you'll change the ergos. I only used my thumb, and small piece of 120 or lower sandpaper, and put some "X" scratches on the plastic handle. Check out often, to see how it feels, to avoid overdoing it)
For a long time I needed a simple knife to use without care. I decided on a knife similar to the first Ek model (style 1 according to Your Silent Partner) shortened to 6 inches, with a thumb rest and chisel grind. . I made the scales from paper micarta, imitating the shapes. It was incredibly ergonomic and very difficult for the hand to slide towards the edge. I confess that I had my doubts about security but there is nothing to fear
For my short, gnarled up stubby fingers, this handle is a perfect fit! Managed to put an ulti-clip on it and it's now in my EDC rotation, carrying it more often than not! YES the clip point is the coolest (2nd to my EK-44 that is) and the knife is pretty easily carried. For my fixed blade needs, this knife is perfect... Excellent video Aaron!
Thanks for the video on this knife Aaron. I was curious about this knife. Just a FYI, Both of these new Ka-bar knives do not have same dimensions. The clip point has around 5” of blade length and the drop point has about a 4” blade.
As always I love your detailed comprehensive review of this knife. I feel like as a consumer I can always make an educated purchase. Thanks and keep it up!
The handle is patterned after the EK/Jarosz boot knife. I have an EK51 Drop Point that I like very much. It is a great small knife about the same size as my Esee PR-4 and my paracord wrapped Condor Kephart blade blank.
I don't think it would be a small knife anymore if it had a 5 inch handle. Looks like it fits good in Aaron's hands just fine. I love my ek50 its perfect size for carry. I think the handle on the bk16 and bk18 is more comfortable yes but it's too long and bulky in certain applications especially scout style in my opinion.
Thanks buddy looks like another great review. I do like the blade design. My hand is large like yours and the handle does seem to be a bit small. It’s workable but not comfortable as you say I’d be really interested to play with that one a little bit and put it through some hard use.
Thanks for the great review Aaron. Surprised the handle length is so short on the ek-50 - I have the ek4 and it has a super long handle with exposed pommel crusher. Was just about to pull the trigger on it for Cyber Monday but I'm going to look at that BK18 first.
If you haven’t tried the Cold Steel Drop Forged series in 52100 Steel they are the Toughest Fixed Blades I’ve used in a very long time and I’m talking Decades they are that Strong and hold an edge like CPMD2.
G'day Aaron, yep like the crossover in usage too, though personally I reckon this design would be more appealing if it were larger overall. Being the EK50 "short", I wonder if there's a long or large version, couldn't see one in a quick search on line. Btw; I finally pulled the trigger on the 18 and sooooo glad I did. Between the 18, Gator Premo and Moras, I now feel I'm adequately covered for fixies in the 4 in...-ish size range and without going nuts price wise. No knife stores around here that you can walk into and eyeball, so a quick thanks to you and the many commenters for all the info. Cheers Duke.
Great review! I always look forward to your review. You don't ramble like so many other reviewers. You are to the point and thorough. Also the competitive options are a.grst way to convey what is out there. Kabar is one of those companies that would be the best out there but they always do something to the knife that knocks below other companies like Cold steel, Ontario, or ESEE. Thanks
I like the knife but I would have the same problem you have with my hands. But it would work for somebody. And maybe you should put it on t-shirt I have large size hands. You have been saying it for years .
The old WW2 EK knives are cool. The quality has declined pretty much every decade since that time. I have a EK, fresh from them about 10 years ago, that has many scratches and imperfections that came from them brand new.
Well that’s a shame. My hands border on XL so that handle wouldn’t work for me. By the way, some people may not be getting notifications. I’m subbed and have all notifications turned on but didn’t get notified of the video being out. Thankfully I found the Instagram post
Thanks for the heads up. This one accidentally went live yesterday and I had to take it down ASAP because I wasn’t ready with links and thumbnail a few other search engine aspects. I think it kind of threw this video off. Let me know if you don’t get any notifications over the next week or two.
Heck yeah I'm only one state above ya in New York right on the PA border you really should swing thru here sometime brother in your travels as I live in Olean NY ie. (KABAR, Cutco, case XX, OKC & microtech all ate within 15mins of any direction and the factories here do allow and offer walk through tours!
Plenty of camping in the Allegany state park which you would absolutely love to explore! It is huge with tons of native american history and bear caves, gigantic limestone boulders the size of most buildings and you're free to climb on them and hike the trails around them it really is a beautiful area...
Ummmmm.....this is a backup defense knife.....if I want to bushcraft....I will get a buscrafting knife.... right tool for the job my man!! Utility means cutting the occasional piece of leather or... rope.... I feel this is an unfair appraisal of this blade....try using it for defense while grappling....I bet it excels. 🤣😂🤣
I honestly don't mind the short handle. Having smaller than average hands, the only thing I want in my knives' handles is a neutral shape, so I don't want finger grooves that force my hand into positions it's not made for. Heck I have the Bastinelli Mako fixed blade, which has identical dimensions (blade and handle lengths) as that one, and I love it. But hey, to each his own. I won't judge you for not liking the handles on that.
Aaron, you should review the new lionsteel T6 in bohler K490 incredibly clean and tough steel also only 999 made in black micarta and stonewash blade yes I bought one it is in route...
Have you seen the Lionsteel T6? It’s out now at DLT and Blade HQ. It looks like such an awesome knife, but is $$$. It’s running about $300, which does not coincide with Lionsteel’s normal pricing. Also, I don’t know much about the “K” steels, so I don’t know if it would hold up the way you would want it to for the hefty price tag.
Got myself one. It is an absolute beast of a knife. I have large hands & the handle still feels beefy, so people with medium & small hands might have issues. Not as good as the T5 handle, T5 has much better ergonomics. I thought the K490 steel would essentially be the same as CPM-3V but it is a lot harder to sharpen (takes longer) from the data I have seen it is both tougher & has better edge retention than 3V but I definitely prefer 3V. Just so much easier to sharpen. The K490 felt like elmax at 61-62hrc to reprofile & sharpen. Not easy. The good news is that after the initial 999 blades in K490 have gone they will be making the T6 in CPM-3V. While it is a good blade & steel I also have the survive knives GS0-6 & it is a better & more refined design overall in my opinion. Not sure why the T6 is so expensive, possibly due to the steel. Perhaps the future 3V version will be cheaper.
@david Thomson What data are you basing that on? Because the data & impact testing I have seen direct from both crucible & bohler. K490 is actually tougher than CPM-3V at the same hrc. K490 62hrc = 83 j CPM-3V 62hrc = 53 j K490 is clearly tougher & the softer steel gets the tougher it gets. So I don't see how 3V would be tougher at 60hrc than K490 at the same 60hrc.
Where are you at in Pennsylvania? I live in Pennsylvania myself lol. Greene county Pennsylvania down in the veery southwest corner of the state just above the mason Dixon line in a town called waynesburg pa.
The EK knives with the micrata handles are really uncomfortable to use. The paracord grip is much better feeling. The brass double guard on the old school models make it difficult to use for utility
Good vid as always. How would you compare this handle to the ESEE 4? I had the same thought as you about the handle the first time I ever held the famous ESEE 4. And yeah, please make that t-shirt 😁
Lol your large hand doesnt even cover all the handle soooo 😅 i actually have x large hands an love it!!! Woulldnt change a thing it actually helps with edc it which is what its made for....not to chop wood or stand in some trees like you actually used it the coating is not even begun to wear off so dont say i actually use it 😮😅
Perfect small task knife and defensive tool, I would prob fiddle with shape of handle and guard to offer better grip. This would be great with my Esee 6 and Izula II, but do agree, Id love an inch and a half or so more on handle, would also love a black handle and tan version!
So disappointing was gonna pull the trigger and get one till you said the size of the handle what a bummer if they ever add a couple inches to the handle I will buy
Yes sorry man. I am right there with you if it was just a little bit of their handle I think it’d be good and if they did something different with the guard.
The kabar Ek wasn't the original except in shape. It was nothing like the other companies who produced Ek knives. Hopefully you'll get to use one of those. Hands down better performance than the Kabar Ek.
What other companies made original EK knifes. ? I liked his knifes so much I bought five. I will never understand why they bought EK only to cheapen that great brand.
Pretty icky how Ka-Bar is exploiting the Ek name. As a collector of Ek knives, I have serious reservations about both this exploitation and their choice of materials/designs.
I was beyond disappointed when I read that EK was purchased by Kabar. The two knife-making approaches are antithetical to each other. Kabar should be ashamed of themselves.
Your hands must actually be tiny. I get 7 inches and 4 inches out of mine when I measure your way and I wear medium/large gloves because of some overweight. If I was thinner, I could get by with medium in a pinch. I appreciate that you really and honestly state the negatives in your reviews. It takes a gear junkie to inform others.
Handle is short to cancel it easy lol this guy should do some home work before he does a review lol not good review not a good channel but one heck of a knife for sure!
"Ek preferred his knives without crossguards for ease of concealment and for quick withdrawal as there was no crossguard to snag on clothing or a soldier's equipment. The grips on Ek's knives had eight scalloped groves:four on each of two grips. This gave the user such a good grip that John Ek found that a crossguard was not necessary to prevent the hand from sliding onto the blade. When questioned about this by the War Production Board, Ek greased his hand and plunged one of his knives into the wooden floor with such force that no one was able to pull it out."
Thanks for the feedback! Same goes for the handles on the BK7/BK9/BK16 etc, They don't feel very grippy but nothing wrong with them either, especially if you use a very low grit sandpaper, and put some random scratches on them, they become very grippy and the feel turns out similar to unpolished G10 or Micarta, depending on the finish you put.
(Just don't sand it down, because you'll change the ergos. I only used my thumb, and small piece of 120 or lower sandpaper, and put some "X" scratches on the plastic handle. Check out often, to see how it feels, to avoid overdoing it)
For a long time I needed a simple knife to use without care. I decided on a knife similar to the first Ek model (style 1 according to Your Silent Partner) shortened to 6 inches, with a thumb rest and chisel grind. . I made the scales from paper micarta, imitating the shapes.
It was incredibly ergonomic and very difficult for the hand to slide towards the edge. I confess that I had my doubts about security but there is nothing to fear
You have truly outdone yourself with RIGIOSITY😄
Haha 😂
That’s a t-shirt!
As a competitive option: the trusty Gerber Strongarm!!
Not any more it's way overpriced at 80-90.00
As a Strongarm owner, I have found it to be a better breaching tool than a knife. I'm retiring mine for a BK18! 👊🏼🇺🇲👊🏼
@@jimyocum9556 Let's go Brandon price increase.
I bought mine for $55 when they came out ...sheeeesh that's crazy now.
Prodigy is better then strong arm
Just get a crowbar from 1960, pound it flat, and put a edge (temporary) on it. Now you have a Strong Arm! :)
I’ll be honest it’s giving me cold steel srk vibes but with that short of a handle I’d just get the srk or srk compact.
Yes I would agree
The srk is my personal favorite :)
It's not, E K, It's EK as in John Ek who started building combat knives for soldiers during WWII. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ek_Commando_Knife_Co.
For my short, gnarled up stubby fingers, this handle is a perfect fit! Managed to put an ulti-clip on it and it's now in my EDC rotation, carrying it more often than not! YES the clip point is the coolest (2nd to my EK-44 that is) and the knife is pretty easily carried. For my fixed blade needs, this knife is perfect... Excellent video Aaron!
PA! A great yet rainy state!
Pennsylvania looks a lot like Kentucky! And I've been waiting for the review of this little blade, thanks!
The word you were looking for is "rigidity" lol Thanks for the review!
But “rigiosity” is better! 😂😂
Thanks for the video on this knife Aaron. I was curious about this knife. Just a FYI, Both of these new Ka-bar knives do not have same dimensions. The clip point has around 5” of blade length and the drop point has about a 4” blade.
Thanks and I appreciate you pointing that out.
As always I love your detailed comprehensive review of this knife. I feel like as a consumer I can always make an educated purchase. Thanks and keep it up!
The handle is patterned after the EK/Jarosz boot knife. I have an EK51 Drop Point that I like very much. It is a great small knife about the same size as my Esee PR-4 and my paracord wrapped Condor Kephart blade blank.
Thanks for the look at our old W. PA stomping ground. Say hey to the fam for us. And the knife is nice also.
I don't think it would be a small knife anymore if it had a 5 inch handle. Looks like it fits good in Aaron's hands just fine.
I love my ek50 its perfect size for carry.
I think the handle on the bk16 and bk18 is more comfortable yes but it's too long and bulky in certain applications especially scout style in my opinion.
Please, what do you mean with "scout style". Do you mean the carry style on your belt?
Mad respect for Kabar but based on the overall design of the EK50 I think I’ll stick with my Mora Garberg.
Fixed blade knives are some of the best way to add to your overall outfit they look great.
Love that blade! I think it would’ve been a great knife with the Becker handle.
I’m glad you test these knives before doing your videos. It’s the main reason I subscribed in the first place 👍
I’ve been wondering how that knife would perform. It looks good.
As someone with XL hands, you just saved me $100! (Well, you did convince me to buy a BK18, so let's call it "steered the right direction"). 👊🏼🇺🇲👊🏼
7:50 and im glad you brought up the handle, it won't work for me because of the handle length, thanks GT!
For sure!!
A different steel and I would definitely be sold. I may get one anyway, though.
I want the 2 models myself
I wear large gloves, handles good enough.
The hand size is why i didn't buy the dagger years ago.
Thanks buddy looks like another great review. I do like the blade design. My hand is large like yours and the handle does seem to be a bit small. It’s workable but not comfortable as you say I’d be really interested to play with that one a little bit and put it through some hard use.
This blade with the bk16 handle and you get a slicier bk17, cool looking knife
Always great videos 👍 thanks brother
Hello, you are 100%correct.Very interesting knife.But 1 big error=the handle!!!too short!!so I don't buy it.🤔😬
I really wanted these newer designs to be good...thanks for the review!
It looks like a good throwing knife.
Had the EK45, didn’t care for the weight imbalance on the handle.
This one’s definitely on my list.
I like it and the 51. I will say if I get them I will definitely be grinding the guard flush with the tang.
Yeah that would help with the woods craft capability but limited even more in “Tactical” use.
Looks like a combat version of the Condor Terasaur
The most impressive part of this video is your use of words that do not exist 🤣
It truly is a gift 😂
Love your honest and user based reviews 👍🏻
Thanks for the great review Aaron. Surprised the handle length is so short on the ek-50 - I have the ek4 and it has a super long handle with exposed pommel crusher. Was just about to pull the trigger on it for Cyber Monday but I'm going to look at that BK18 first.
I would take the BK18 or Bk19 over this blade 👍
Love the video; keep them coming.
If you haven’t tried the Cold Steel Drop Forged series in 52100 Steel they are the Toughest Fixed Blades I’ve used in a very long time and I’m talking Decades they are that Strong and hold an edge like CPMD2.
I can see the handle being that size for concealability for its intended purpose as a tactical fixed blade
Which do you like better, this one, or the Kizer Little River Bowie?
G'day Aaron, yep like the crossover in usage too, though personally I reckon this design would be more appealing if it were larger overall. Being the EK50 "short", I wonder if there's a long or large version, couldn't see one in a quick search on line.
Btw; I finally pulled the trigger on the 18 and sooooo glad I did. Between the 18, Gator Premo and Moras, I now feel I'm adequately covered for fixies in the 4 in...-ish size range and without going nuts price wise. No knife stores around here that you can walk into and eyeball, so a quick thanks to you and the many commenters for all the info. Cheers Duke.
In the class of KaBar USMC short...small hand knife
Look fine blade
Reckon that's why it has short in the caption. Good video Aaron.
If you're in PA you need to check out Raystown lake you won't be disappointed
Dude you got some big paws! I think this will work good for me. Average sized hands. If not I will change the scales.
Great work knife 👍, use it johnny
Your hand looks like it fits perfect on there, are you trying to chop or something?
Just don’t seem fit like I want.
Great review! I always look forward to your review. You don't ramble like so many other reviewers. You are to the point and thorough. Also the competitive options are a.grst way to convey what is out there.
Kabar is one of those companies that would be the best out there but they always do something to the knife that knocks below other companies like Cold steel, Ontario, or ESEE.
Thanks
Really appreciate the kind words 👍
Отличный нож . Жалко что нельзя сейчас купить из США .
Cool video. I will be getting one of these soon.
I like the knife but I would have the same problem you have with my hands. But it would work for somebody. And maybe you should put it on t-shirt I have large size hands. You have been saying it for years .
Excellent video title btw!
I was going to purchase this blade but my hand is 1/4" bigger than yours! That's from thumb to end of the palm! Thanks buddy!
Why don't they offer this sheath on the 16 ???
EK love 💘
I knew from the moment I seen that knife on Knife Center new knives that the handle needs at least an inch maybe just a half.
The old WW2 EK knives are cool. The quality has declined pretty much every decade since that time. I have a EK, fresh from them about 10 years ago, that has many scratches and imperfections that came from them brand new.
Reminds me war junkie recondo from white river Todd begg collab
Well that’s a shame. My hands border on XL so that handle wouldn’t work for me. By the way, some people may not be getting notifications. I’m subbed and have all notifications turned on but didn’t get notified of the video being out. Thankfully I found the Instagram post
Thanks for the heads up. This one accidentally went live yesterday and I had to take it down ASAP because I wasn’t ready with links and thumbnail a few other search engine aspects. I think it kind of threw this video off. Let me know if you don’t get any notifications over the next week or two.
@@gideonstactical will do
Looks nice overall
I love 1095
Im a sog seal pup guy.
Heck yeah I'm only one state above ya in New York right on the PA border you really should swing thru here sometime brother in your travels as I live in Olean NY ie. (KABAR, Cutco, case XX, OKC & microtech all ate within 15mins of any direction and the factories here do allow and offer walk through tours!
Plenty of camping in the Allegany state park which you would absolutely love to explore! It is huge with tons of native american history and bear caves, gigantic limestone boulders the size of most buildings and you're free to climb on them and hike the trails around them it really is a beautiful area...
Ummmmm.....this is a backup defense knife.....if I want to bushcraft....I will get a buscrafting knife.... right tool for the job my man!! Utility means cutting the occasional piece of leather or... rope.... I feel this is an unfair appraisal of this blade....try using it for defense while grappling....I bet it excels. 🤣😂🤣
Most knives I pick up feel like the handle could be longer the esse 6 needs a half inch on the handle with it's length of blade at least in my hand
I honestly don't mind the short handle. Having smaller than average hands, the only thing I want in my knives' handles is a neutral shape, so I don't want finger grooves that force my hand into positions it's not made for.
Heck I have the Bastinelli Mako fixed blade, which has identical dimensions (blade and handle lengths) as that one, and I love it. But hey, to each his own. I won't judge you for not liking the handles on that.
Aaron, you should review the new lionsteel T6 in bohler K490 incredibly clean and tough steel also only 999 made in black micarta and stonewash blade yes I bought one it is in route...
Hard to even find info on K490. Lionsteel needs to do better at hyping the steel.
The sheath is constructed of Celcon a.k.a. POM, a.k.a. Delrin. The BK18 sheath is constructed of the same material.
I love the knife, but the handle must go……
What part of PA?
Indiana
They make a a drop point version also. I would like to see a review on it
Me too
Have you seen the Lionsteel T6? It’s out now at DLT and Blade HQ. It looks like such an awesome knife, but is $$$. It’s running about $300, which does not coincide with Lionsteel’s normal pricing. Also, I don’t know much about the “K” steels, so I don’t know if it would hold up the way you would want it to for the hefty price tag.
Got myself one.
It is an absolute beast of a knife. I have large hands & the handle still feels beefy, so people with medium & small hands might have issues. Not as good as the T5 handle, T5 has much better ergonomics.
I thought the K490 steel would essentially be the same as CPM-3V but it is a lot harder to sharpen (takes longer) from the data I have seen it is both tougher & has better edge retention than 3V but I definitely prefer 3V. Just so much easier to sharpen. The K490 felt like elmax at 61-62hrc to reprofile & sharpen. Not easy.
The good news is that after the initial 999 blades in K490 have gone they will be making the T6 in CPM-3V.
While it is a good blade & steel I also have the survive knives GS0-6 & it is a better & more refined design overall in my opinion. Not sure why the T6 is so expensive, possibly due to the steel. Perhaps the future 3V version will be cheaper.
@@sgtfatrod8901 hmm, thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated. I will wait and see the prices on the 3v version.
@david Thomson
What data are you basing that on?
Because the data & impact testing I have seen direct from both crucible & bohler. K490 is actually tougher than CPM-3V at the same hrc.
K490 62hrc = 83 j
CPM-3V 62hrc = 53 j
K490 is clearly tougher & the softer steel gets the tougher it gets. So I don't see how 3V would be tougher at 60hrc than K490 at the same 60hrc.
Where are you at in Pennsylvania? I live in Pennsylvania myself lol. Greene county Pennsylvania down in the veery southwest corner of the state just above the mason Dixon line in a town called waynesburg pa.
So it looks like the BK16 and the bk18 are still the king of smaller KaBar knives.
Edit - nevermind you answered that further on in the vid.
The EK knives with the micrata handles are really uncomfortable to use. The paracord grip is much better feeling. The brass double guard on the old school models make it difficult to use for utility
They were not designed for utility. They were fighters.
I would like to see model 51 in your review.
Good vid as always. How would you compare this handle to the ESEE 4?
I had the same thought as you about the handle the first time I ever held the famous ESEE 4.
And yeah, please make that t-shirt 😁
Perfect
Lol your large hand doesnt even cover all the handle soooo 😅 i actually have x large hands an love it!!! Woulldnt change a thing it actually helps with edc it which is what its made for....not to chop wood or stand in some trees like you actually used it the coating is not even begun to wear off so dont say i actually use it 😮😅
I'll have to order one a try it out
Comical that you expect a fighting knife to be good at bushcraft .Buy a Mora !!!
$100+? :/
On the plus side, with that short handle its a great alternative to the Esee 4 in a chest rig, reverse grip.
I prefer my ak47! is very reliable and safe.
Perfect small task knife and defensive tool, I would prob fiddle with shape of handle and guard to offer better grip. This would be great with my Esee 6 and Izula II, but do agree, Id love an inch and a half or so more on handle, would also love a black handle and tan version!
So disappointing was gonna pull the trigger and get one till you said the size of the handle what a bummer if they ever add a couple inches to the handle I will buy
Yes sorry man. I am right there with you if it was just a little bit of their handle I think it’d be good and if they did something different with the guard.
I believe the word you were looking for is rigidity
The kabar Ek wasn't the original except in shape. It was nothing like the other companies who produced Ek knives. Hopefully you'll get to use one of those. Hands down better performance than the Kabar Ek.
What other companies made original EK knifes. ? I liked his knifes so much I bought five. I will never understand why they bought EK only to cheapen that great brand.
"Rigiosity" I like that :)
A Pennsylvanian here!
I've never heard much good about these EK knives. Cheap and junky.
Great video blade not for me
Pretty icky how Ka-Bar is exploiting the Ek name. As a collector of Ek knives, I have serious reservations about both this exploitation and their choice of materials/designs.
Absolutely. The original John ek knives were well made, simple, stylish and tough. Such a shame that no one is making a decent functional replica.
not much protection from the hilt....
I'd still stick with my mora craftline; I own two hatchets.
Rigidity?
Could u recommend some uk friendly folders?
Spyderco UKPK is great!
G'day Sam, what's the limit over there ? Cheers Duke.
Cold steel xl series this is America 🇺🇸 👌
Kabar still needs to work on their sheath game a bit.
I was beyond disappointed when I read that EK was purchased by Kabar. The two knife-making approaches are antithetical to each other. Kabar should be ashamed of themselves.
It's a fighter knife you don't want a lot of handle smart guy
Your hands must actually be tiny. I get 7 inches and 4 inches out of mine when I measure your way and I wear medium/large gloves because of some overweight. If I was thinner, I could get by with medium in a pinch.
I appreciate that you really and honestly state the negatives in your reviews. It takes a gear junkie to inform others.
Handle is short to cancel it easy lol this guy should do some home work before he does a review lol not good review not a good channel but one heck of a knife for sure!