Purchased one late last year and there now made from upgraded S35VN steel, i got the leather sheath version and much nicer. I have large hands and find it comfortable to grip in various positions, the blade grind is the most precise I have seen and quality control is amazing. Went on to purchase the ATK neck knife in S35VN from white river aswell and another beautifully finished/made knife that lays very flat to the chest to conceal. Amazing knife makers from a family company...highly recomend
Thanks for the review Joe. I tend to find yours useful because you focus on ergonomics and dive into the differences between how different grinds bite and slice for bushcraft - for my needs that is more relevant than seeing how many swings it take a blade to make it through something. Just a thought off the top of my head for ratings: divide into categories like ergonomics, edge retention, battening, slicing, etc. Some are subjective, like ergos, but things like edge retention you can always test against the same benchmark like the same kind of paper and seeing if it will slice without catching. You also have to decide your focus - clearly it is woodcraft. Important to note though that each knife may excel at different things, for example some knives that skin very well will not move through wood so well, and vice versa. So make it clear you may be evaluating your knives for woodcraft use and not all around bushcraft or primitive skills (which includes game processing and food prep). This knife to me, btw, feels similar in overall style to the Survive Knives GSO series. Clearly the handle here is more unique, and the steel is different, but the blade geometry and overall intent appears similar. I would prefer the 3V steel based on what I have seen, not that S30V is bad though (something you tend to see more in folders).
Nice review, and very useful. I note several features being incorporated from the Habilis line - bow drill, fire steel notch, and looks like maybe through holes in handle for lashing.
1 to 5 stars seems to be a standard. And Joe, you say this knife is well worth the 240 bucks. At that price, why would I buy this over any number of Mora's, including their most expensive, the Garberg full tang with an ultra sharp 90 degree spine, for about 80 bucks?? As far as a "fire knife" is concerned, I love my LMF Mora....26 bucks, that thing is a spark throwing beast, but not full tang of course and I also LOVE my Mora Companion HD, 17 bucks. And no jimping at all!!! LOL!!! To sum up, I just don't see why I would need to break my wallet when there are sooooooo many top quality bush craft knives out there. The three Mora's that I just mentioned buying all three, comes in at about 125 bucks total. Good solid review as usual, though!!! ;)
Thanks Charles! Well, my purpose here isn't to be a salesmen but to share my opinion. That said, I am not going to try and convince you. Value, much like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is worth it to me. Simply put, I don't trust mora for many reasons. But if you do, more power to ya man, no judgement here. Buy and use what you like my friend. If we all had the same preferences, the world would be a boring place :)
+Feral Woodcraft Fair enough Amigo, well said. I have knives from all over the world, a few that are worth hundreds of dollars, and some that I bought for 40 bucks or less. And they all do their job. I guess my point here is that I see a growing trend of ever increasing prices from the independent knife makers, with some prices starting to rival the price of a quality firearm. All I'm saying is that one does not have to rob a bank in order to baton, or do general bush craft. I would be really interested to hear why you do not trust Morakniv.....used as intended, they are in my opinion, simply a solid value.
Great review Joe. Been interested in what your take on this knife would be. I have to agree with Mr. Tanner on an aspect of this knife though. Get rid of the jimping and the ferro rod groove and make it a 90 degree spine. Other than that it looks like a great knife. Also, how about a 1 to 5 Bow Drill Spindle rating. I've heard you say that a Bow Drill Set is a good measure of a knifes ability so it just seems appropriate.
I had a benchmade saddle mountain skinner that was s30v and I loved that steel. I also LOVE that knife. I have fallen in love with it and i haven't even held it lol. With my smaller hands i wonder if it would feel good? But i am definitely getting one when they come out.
I saw that one at Blade Show too and was curious about it. Great review! I did a skills weekend and was never able to make the bow drill fire. Wore my shoulder out and got smoke, but never got an ember. I haven't practiced since unfortunately. Oh well.
It's a Genesis. It's already a winner ;) It is a few knives down the line. If my plan holds it will be: BRKT Matterhorn, William Collins Firebug, BRKT Mini Aurora, and then the Genesis. Thanks William!
Congrats! As soon as you trust your abilities with friction fire, nature will prove you a fool. This is an area that I am convinced that one never stops learning. Thanks Tac!
I'd prefer the rating scale to be one to 10, one being garbage, 10 being the best knife you've ever used/perfect in every way. And I'd love to see a video on the top few knives you'd recommend for bushcraft and firecraft
this knife seems like it's got aspects from survival knives and tactical blades. It's cool to have variance in knife styles, but not really my cup of tea. Great review btw!!
Rating system.... could be a bit subjective so maybe try a Postives/Negatives system? Something to form a number or a good/bad/ugly list? Anyways, great review, I am searching for my 'final' bushcraft blade.
Great review as always. I like a lot of the features of this knife. I don't know if a rating system is worth it. Would you put a video out on a knife that only got a 1 star out of 5? You can use the phrase "I give this a 5 star rating" but to rate ever future knife review, I think would be pointless.
Feral Woodcraft I've been watching Ambush for a while. I prefer the Brute for EDC/camp use because of blade length restrictions. Plus they are made by Mike Stewart and company
If you are going to move forward with rating equipment with stars, then I recommend basing your system on a 10-star system. Too often do I see rating based on 5 stars, with ratings that include a 1/2 star. If you use a 5-star system then offer ratings with a 1/2 star, then you might as well start with a 10-star system and not split stars. Just my 1 1/2 cents worth.
I had to leave the forums Too many collectors with heavy emphasis on aesthetics and folding knives. The strength and durability of a fixed blade is heavily needed outside of convenient city life
I LOOOvvve that knife. I am a smith and though I like alot designs this one is about the most practical with few exceptions. I hope this company gets bigger than Bark River. They make too many knives and most are meh with the exception of BlackJack.
Purchased one late last year and there now made from upgraded S35VN steel, i got the leather sheath version and much nicer. I have large hands and find it comfortable to grip in various positions, the blade grind is the most precise I have seen and quality control is amazing. Went on to purchase the ATK neck knife in S35VN from white river aswell and another beautifully finished/made knife that lays very flat to the chest to conceal.
Amazing knife makers from a family company...highly recomend
Thanks for reviewing the White River Firecraft FC4 knife. Great video!
Thank you for making such fantastic knives!
@@kpfagerberg I hope to find out for myself soon!
These are now made of S35VN, but they are tempered to a softer HR-59 so it should not chip
Thanks for the review Joe. I tend to find yours useful because you focus on ergonomics and dive into the differences between how different grinds bite and slice for bushcraft - for my needs that is more relevant than seeing how many swings it take a blade to make it through something. Just a thought off the top of my head for ratings: divide into categories like ergonomics, edge retention, battening, slicing, etc. Some are subjective, like ergos, but things like edge retention you can always test against the same benchmark like the same kind of paper and seeing if it will slice without catching. You also have to decide your focus - clearly it is woodcraft. Important to note though that each knife may excel at different things, for example some knives that skin very well will not move through wood so well, and vice versa. So make it clear you may be evaluating your knives for woodcraft use and not all around bushcraft or primitive skills (which includes game processing and food prep). This knife to me, btw, feels similar in overall style to the Survive Knives GSO series. Clearly the handle here is more unique, and the steel is different, but the blade geometry and overall intent appears similar. I would prefer the 3V steel based on what I have seen, not that S30V is bad though (something you tend to see more in folders).
One good looking knife! Great review!
Thank ye Sir!
Nice review, and very useful. I note several features being incorporated from the Habilis line - bow drill, fire steel notch, and looks like maybe through holes in handle for lashing.
Thanks Scott, I appreciate the support!
good to see you back joe, I think 1-10 makes for a fine rating system.
1 to 10 I think will be the standard, including halves. Now to get the graphics done :) Thanks Jeff!
I would love to get my hands on one of these... good looking knife, s30v? You can't go wrong.
I haven't used it long enough to put my full recommendation on the steel but thus far I am mightily impressed.
I recently bought the Benchmade Bushcrafter with s30v steel, I am really liking it so far.
Best video opening. Ever! Happy New Year and thanks for the review Joe.
LOL! Yeah I had fun making that haha Thanks! Happy New Year to you too Sir!
Excellent review Joe. Really well done as always.
Thank you very much Mike, that really means a lot coming from you my friend.
sweet little knife beautiful
It is! Thanks for watching!
1 to 5 stars seems to be a standard. And Joe, you say this knife is well worth the 240 bucks. At that price, why would I buy this over any number of Mora's, including their most expensive, the Garberg full tang with an ultra sharp 90 degree spine, for about 80 bucks?? As far as a "fire knife" is concerned, I love my LMF Mora....26 bucks, that thing is a spark throwing beast, but not full tang of course and I also LOVE my Mora Companion HD, 17 bucks. And no jimping at all!!! LOL!!! To sum up, I just don't see why I would need to break my wallet when there are sooooooo many top quality bush craft knives out there. The three Mora's that I just mentioned buying all three, comes in at about 125 bucks total. Good solid review as usual, though!!! ;)
Thanks Charles! Well, my purpose here isn't to be a salesmen but to share my opinion. That said, I am not going to try and convince you. Value, much like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is worth it to me. Simply put, I don't trust mora for many reasons. But if you do, more power to ya man, no judgement here. Buy and use what you like my friend. If we all had the same preferences, the world would be a boring place :)
+Feral Woodcraft Fair enough Amigo, well said. I have knives from all over the world, a few that are worth hundreds of dollars, and some that I bought for 40 bucks or less. And they all do their job. I guess my point here is that I see a growing trend of ever increasing prices from the independent knife makers, with some prices starting to rival the price of a quality firearm. All I'm saying is that one does not have to rob a bank in order to baton, or do general bush craft. I would be really interested to hear why you do not trust Morakniv.....used as intended, they are in my opinion, simply a solid value.
I'm with you on the jimping, don't see the need for it. I like your thought of using a 1-5 or 10 rating system. Thanks Joe.
Thanks Bill! Which do you prefer, 5 or 10?
I like the 1-5, makes it simple.
Great review Joe. Been interested in what your take on this knife would be. I have to agree with Mr. Tanner on an aspect of this knife though. Get rid of the jimping and the ferro rod groove and make it a 90 degree spine. Other than that it looks like a great knife. Also, how about a 1 to 5 Bow Drill Spindle rating. I've heard you say that a Bow Drill Set is a good measure of a knifes ability so it just seems appropriate.
Man, that's a really nice knife. Thanks for going over the features so thoroughly.
I do like the looks of that knife
Me too :)
i really like that. great job man im really realy liking that thing
Gunner!! I owe you a video! Sorry bud, I've been a wee bit tied up here lately. I'll get on that next week. Thanks for watching!
Feral Woodcraft awesome!!!! I can't wait
I had a benchmade saddle mountain skinner that was s30v and I loved that steel. I also LOVE that knife. I have fallen in love with it and i haven't even held it lol. With my smaller hands i wonder if it would feel good? But i am definitely getting one when they come out.
AND i just started doing a rating system on my videos. I just do a 1-10 rating
I'm not familiar with that one but I will certainly check it out :) I'd wager it would fit small hands fine. It is dwarfed in my hand. Thanks bud!
I saw that one at Blade Show too and was curious about it. Great review! I did a skills weekend and was never able to make the bow drill fire. Wore my shoulder out and got smoke, but never got an ember. I haven't practiced since unfortunately. Oh well.
oh and can't wait for your review on the aeb-l genesis. Just purchased that same blade and curious on your take on that one!
It's a Genesis. It's already a winner ;) It is a few knives down the line. If my plan holds it will be: BRKT Matterhorn, William Collins Firebug, BRKT Mini Aurora, and then the Genesis. Thanks William!
What do you think of the aeb-l? It comes very thin at about .097
Looks like an awesome knife. Great review Joe!
Thanks Randy!
KYDEX is standard. Leather is optional upgrade. Haven't talked to Larry yet.
PREPAREDMIND101 Their page on the fc4 doesn't even mention kydex and all it lists under sheath is "leather".
excellent review, thanks!
great honest video as always my man
Thank you sir, very much!
Feral Woodcraft youre welcome
Looks like a nice knife.
Thanks for the video
Thank you Mark !
its beautiful bro! i recently learned bow drill fire.. i like it but not enough to trust my abilities. looks like a great blade!
Congrats! As soon as you trust your abilities with friction fire, nature will prove you a fool. This is an area that I am convinced that one never stops learning. Thanks Tac!
Great review hope to see more
I'd prefer the rating scale to be one to 10, one being garbage, 10 being the best knife you've ever used/perfect in every way. And I'd love to see a video on the top few knives you'd recommend for bushcraft and firecraft
Excellent Review!
man that is a sweet knife!
this knife seems like it's got aspects from survival knives and tactical blades. It's cool to have variance in knife styles, but not really my cup of tea. Great review btw!!
Cool, thanks William! That is one of the things I really liked about it too. It's a mix in current genres and I think that approach is plain cool.
Love that intro! Great review - thanks
Cool man , I like your video and I also bought one but with leather sheath;)
Rating system.... could be a bit subjective so maybe try a Postives/Negatives system? Something to form a number or a good/bad/ugly list? Anyways, great review, I am searching for my 'final' bushcraft blade.
That my friend, is a search that never ends ;) lol Very good suggestion, and it has given me an idea. Thank you!
Excellent reveiw - Makes me want one lol:) BUT..... $240 is a bit spendy IMHO - I like the knife in general but the spine needs some work.
Still liking the Eberlestock?
Michael StJohn Yep..:) prolly be last pack lol... well.maybe not:)
Great review as always. I like a lot of the features of this knife. I don't know if a rating system is worth it. Would you put a video out on a knife that only got a 1 star out of 5? You can use the phrase "I give this a 5 star rating" but to rate ever future knife review, I think would be pointless.
I agree with you, and no I wouldn't do a 1 or 2 star video. They are a waste of my time, and yours. Thanks for watching and for the advice!
He sent me the fc5- i wish i had kept it. The new ones are better, but the old ones were...
Just cool because they were more uncommon.
I have extra large and fat hands, will this knife work for me? I really want it, but if I can’t handle it comfortably then…..
Joe, have you ever Reviewed the Ambush Knives Brute?
No but I just googled it and I think I need to. Have you seen their Alpha!?! Now that one is calling my name! Thanks Michael!
Feral Woodcraft I've been watching Ambush for a while. I prefer the Brute for EDC/camp use because of blade length restrictions. Plus they are made by Mike Stewart and company
Thanks!
If you are going to move forward with rating equipment with stars, then I recommend basing your system on a 10-star system. Too often do I see rating based on 5 stars, with ratings that include a 1/2 star. If you use a 5-star system then offer ratings with a 1/2 star, then you might as well start with a 10-star system and not split stars. Just my 1 1/2 cents worth.
i really like this knife, and may look into it! just recently got the "backpacker" from white river. vid on my channel of unboxing/first impression
I'd buy one in a minute if it didn't have the bow divot...I'd never use it, and I'm wondering how weird it'd feel against my palm...
I had to leave the forums
Too many collectors with heavy emphasis on aesthetics and folding knives. The strength and durability of a fixed blade is heavily needed outside of convenient city life
I think a 1-5 scale would work out just fine.
Thanks John!
Five Joe firebugs out of five that's the scale I want.
Oooooo, goood idear. I think I can work with that! Thanks!
I say 1 to 5 stars is a simple rating system. Wingman115 dose that on his channel.
I wonder if he'd mind if we shared the same boneyard? lol Thanks!
I LOOOvvve that knife. I am a smith and though I like alot designs this one is about the most practical with few exceptions. I hope this company gets bigger than Bark River. They make too many knives and most are meh with the exception of BlackJack.
when rating a knife I would say put it into a catagory like a Carver or a chopper then rate it 1 to 10 being the best
You guys are great! I have an idea forming. Thanks!
BWUAAAHAA!!! PYRO-JOE!!!
Guilty!
Feral Woodcraft
Haaahaaa!
Lmao
PREPAREDMIND101 Well said.
PREPAREDMIND101 he is pretty genious
Hahaha I thought you might get a kick out of that lol
Why does non of your audio sync with your lips?
Instead of 1o 5 stars, how about 1 to 5 flamethrower symbols. :)
meant to say flame symbols. Darn autocorrect.
Excellent idea! Flamethrowers work too ;) lol Thanks Robert!
Rating between Bear Grylls and EJ Snyder
LOL!! Oh the controversies that would start LOL!!! Thanks for watching bud!
Hahahahaha.