Couple of comments on two new toys

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Treated myself to a little order from knifecenter.com .....

1. Lost my Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn combat folder (the big one). Hopefully the old one will turn up , but in the mean time this new one is an improved version - it's has a liner-lock (additional) locking mechanism which locks the liner lock - very very nice - presumably "stolen" from CRKT (same/similar as their LAWK mechanism). OD Green color. I like it.

2. Got my Cold Steel Assegai too - impressive, sharp chunk of steel & wood. Initial impression are great - very formidible weapon. Best of all worlds of these things: (a) Stick/club/cane/bat, (b) double-edged sword, and (c) spear.

More later.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Some links for ya:

http://www.google.com/search?q=cold...=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz=1I7GPEA_en

http://www.google.com/search?q=gerb...=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz=1I7GPEA_en

Note: It would appear to me that this double-lock for the liner on the Gerber is a fairly recent addition, since some of the sale websites do not tout this feature - so obviously it would behoove you to order from a place that has newer inventory and shows this feature, if you're interested in this knife.

Here's the exact one and site I ordered (from):

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=GB1608

See, it says "Patented Roto-Lock", and it's OD Green.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Any comments?

Got the other edge on the Gerber sharpened now - it comes dull from the factory (on the standard model anyway).

Anyone want pics?

 

[Fergy35]

I'd like to see some pictures of the Applegate. I have long admired them, but do not own one yet. I think they are very nice looking knives.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

OK. Although it looks just like the picture there, it *would* probably be of some benefit to see the Gerber A-F to scale with some other object like my hand - it's a big ol' boy. So I'll try to get some pics taken.

Also, I just spent the last couple of hours "making" my own variation on this weapon from the Cold Steel Assegai spear tip, as follows:

-Westlake/Ace Hardware - bought a high quality (Ace brand) thick short wooden shovel handle with steel & wood D-handle.
-Whittled & whittled the end of it down until it fit into the Assegai tip. This took awhile. Dulled 3 knives.
-Using hand soap as lubricant on the wood, slammed tip down onto wood handle as far as it would go.
-Using the 2 small wood screws supplied by Cold Steel, screwed them into the wood through the two holes on the side of the spear tip round portion. No drilling necessary as the shovel handle came with a split in the center of the shaft the last 4-5". Very secure now.
-Whittled the rest of the handle to a nice taper.
-Using a large heavy fixed blade knife, did my own "poor man's checkering" all over the wooden handle with just hundreds if not thousands of little chops to the wood handle at all different angles, and on the wood part of the D-handle, and yes even on the painted steel portion supporting the D handle. So now it's grippy all over, not smooth.

Plan to spray paint it with a textured spray finish of some sort this evening.

I think I've created the ultimate non-firearm home defense weapon. You can block in multiple directions, swing with two hands on the shaft, swing with one hand on the D-handle and the other hand free, jab with two hands on the shaft, jab with one hand on the shaft and one hand on the D-handle for a little more extension as well as more positive retention, or throw it like a spear (well-balanced). Quite versatile.

I'd like to borrow a vid camera and show you guys (via YouTube) me working over some straw bales, but at a minimum, I will be posting pics of this one when finished.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Pics:

#1: The completed "Shovassegai" or "Shovelassegai". (which name should I give it?)

#2: Same

#3: Comparison of this new weapon with two other non-firearm pointy home defense weapons, a British 1907 bayo/short sword, and a Cheness, Inc., 20" 9260 steel chisa katana.

#4: Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn combat folder.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

More closeups of the Shovelassegai (kinda sounds like Snauffalofagous, so I'm running with that):

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

If you're interested, send me $150 or so for my time & parts, and I'll make one for you (that's the total shipped). I'd lose money considering my time value at work, but what the hey, it's fun.

Or better yet, make one yourself; it's pretty easy.

Man I'm fired up about this thing - any comments?

This is probably the ultimate tool for the untrained - think I'll loan it to the girlfriend for her home protection.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Some videos of spears in action (not me):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOhPD5g7VYU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkLJgM5OPOc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TkIuYmMf00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq1EFWVV3C0&feature=related

Really weak vids, but you start to get an idea. From my perspective, throwing is a last resort / least desirable option. The point of the spear is the thrusting attack - much easier to do than with a sword.


Tangent: Look at this short vid of a Ka-Bar knife demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYbEf-JKZnA&feature=fvw

 

[hso]

Sorry, but I don't see the merit in a "D" handled spear. There's many merits to a short handled spear, but I perceive more negatives in the "D" handle than merit. I look forward to your Youtube videos of putting it to the test.

Also you'd have saved yourself a lot of time and trouble if you'd used a coarse abrasive sander or even a plane than trying to "whittle" the shaft down to fit. There are much better tools that would have saved valuable time.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

What negatives do you see with the D-handle? I see only positives: (a) Preventing rear hand from slipping off to the rear, if holding the shaft traditionally, and if the attacker tries to take your weapon, (b) ability to swing with much more force one-handed, albeit this would certainly be un unconventional use/attack, (c) ability for more positive retention and more rapid follow up attacks when using the D handle for thrusts (rear hand on D handle, front hand on shaft traditionally), because you can push and pull it easily, just like rowing a rowboat, which is a "muscle memory" you can train for easily with machines at the gym - particularly, these 'retention issues' could be important for someone with arthritis (like my girlfriend). Possibly others.


Yeah, I don't have all the tools I need, and 'sides, whittling is fun.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

LOL, I've got to agree with Hso, that D handle is ridiculous.

If you want grip retention there are buttcaps that fit the bill without interfering.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Applegate-Fairbairn

Boy, that Applegate-Fairbairn is a serious hunk of iron.

What are the length stats for that thing?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

If you want grip retention there are buttcaps that fit the bill without interfering.

In what way does it interfere? I'm not seein' it. Function before form. Form follows function, and all that. I've touted 3 specific advantages, and no one yet been able to explain a single disadvantage. I'm tellin you, it doesn't interfere or detract in any way from traditional use by hangin onto the shaft.

There's many merits to a short handled spear

Right. And this one has all of those, plus a few more. Hey it's not pretty; I ain't sayin it is. I'm saying it's very useful for retention purposes. If I want something purty, I'll grab that katana, but if I ran out of ammo for my shotgun and all other home defense guns, I'd grab the Shovelassegai next.



AG, that blade length on the A.F. - C.F. is 4.5" (4.48" to be exact). Overall length is 10.0" (10.06" to be exact).

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Later in the week, I will post this contraption to "a thread of its own", to give it a chance for full discussion.