Cold Steel Master Hunter 3V Review
You can find the Kydex fire steel accessory here and it’s now available in several colors: https://www.etsy.com/listing/12898655...
As usual I've broken down the video into segments to help you navigate to the desired portions if desired. Simply click on the timecode below to jump to that segment:
0:00 - Intro
7:02 - Batoning
9:58 - Splitting tinder
11:59 - Sparking fire
14:34 - Breakfast with the dogs (no knife stuff :)
15:27 - Feather sticks
21:56 - Sapling cut
23:44 - Working green wood
25:31 - Recap and edge retention
32:30 - Reconditioned edge and final thoughts
Written Evaluation:
Initial Sharpness (out of box): 3.5
After a stone sharpening and stropping : 5
Handle Design/Comfort: 5
Slicing/Notching: 4.5
Shaving/Feathersticking: 5
Batoning: 4.5
Drilling: NA though it should be noted that the tip isn’t exceptionally strong compared to other knives in this class
Rust Resistance: 4.5 (got pretty wet, but no noticeable signs of rust, coating is very helpful as is the rubber handle
Sheath Design: 4.2 (no frills, good case - no fire steel loop, but one can be added easily due to design)
Fire Steel Sparks: 5
Steel Durability: 4 (3V is usually superb, but this thinner offering here makes it a tad weaker in prying and overall durability)
Edge Retention: 4.2 (not as good as convex 3V with more metal behind the edge, but excellent given the geometry here)
Field Maintenance: 4 (3V is ok for basic stropping for minor issues, but its toughness makes it a bit harder to maintain remotely than other steels)
Ease of Restoring Edge: 4.2 (not bad at all because it’s a thinner profile, but not as easy as say O1 or 1095, etc.)
Availability: 5 (available from Amazon and most Cold Steel dealers)
Value: 5 excellent knife in general and a wicked value un the sub $100 category IMO
Overall Rating: 4.6 - EXCELLENT - (based on general experience, not a mathematical average of the other categories)