TimboKhan
Member
So, I ordered a Shirley/Owens CD II from Sam1911, waited for it, got it, then immediately got struck with a number of things that kept me from writing a review on it sooner. Jshirley wrote a better review than I can't add much too on the CDII HERE, and I am not going to attempt to do better than that. What I will do, is add my two cents.
First, I feel like it is important to point out that I got excellent, proactive customer service from Sam. Long story short, he made a mistake by not applying the finish to the blade that I had requested, and he sent an email out practically before I had even received the knife offering to fix it and pay shipping. It worked out, because I really liked the way it looked, but it was nice too know that he both admitted his error proactively, and offered to fix it for free. Thats the kind of customer service that earns a customer, and I will order knives from Sam in the future at least partly because of that.
Second, I haven't had a chance to test it extensively, but I chopped some rose bush's down (I hate my friggin' rose bushs), prepared a meal using only the CDII, and showed my wife the knife. The chopping was successful, the meal was slightly less so only in the blade shape doesn't allow for precise slicing (a point covered recently by John in Shooting Reviews, in fact), and my wife actually liked it, which is different than the normal eye roll I get when I show her some new knife/gun that I purchased. This summer, I have about 7 trips planned already and it will get a workout. In my limited testing so far, I can see no reason why thats not going to be successful and delightful. Frankly, I ordered this knife to use and it will not be babied. Cared for yes, but not treated with kid gloves. Johns earlier review is what sold me on the knife, and my uses will be similar.
Third, it is worth pointing out that while this is a big knife, it isn't at all unwieldy. In fact, I would go so far as to say it is lively in the hand. In the rose bush test, plus swinging it around, I have discovered no hot spots, nor do I suspect I will. Time will tell. The handle is shaped perfectly for my hand, but that's obviously subjective.
Fourth, the sheath. Let me first state, I like it. Sam had warned me that it was easy to cut yourself due to the way the sheath was designed. Probably this is true, but if your careful and pay attention, it's doesn't seem like an issue, and certainly not one I intend to face. Sams kydex work is satisfactory, retention is great, and the teklok is a nice addition. I don't plan on carrying this on my belt for a few reasons, mostly due to it's size, but I see no reason why I can't lash it to my daypack and be happy as a clam.
Things I would change: First off, let me state that the "things I would change" are my own personal preferences, and are not meant to be indicative of any kind of design flaw or lack of craftsmanship. Had I thought about these things before ordering, I feel absolutely certain Sam would have happily incorporated them into my knife. They are minor: I would like a bigger lanyard hole, because I like bigger lanyard holes. I would have liked mosiac pins just to add some bling. Thats it.
The pictures are a regular view, the spine, the bottom and Sams stamp...
First, I feel like it is important to point out that I got excellent, proactive customer service from Sam. Long story short, he made a mistake by not applying the finish to the blade that I had requested, and he sent an email out practically before I had even received the knife offering to fix it and pay shipping. It worked out, because I really liked the way it looked, but it was nice too know that he both admitted his error proactively, and offered to fix it for free. Thats the kind of customer service that earns a customer, and I will order knives from Sam in the future at least partly because of that.
Second, I haven't had a chance to test it extensively, but I chopped some rose bush's down (I hate my friggin' rose bushs), prepared a meal using only the CDII, and showed my wife the knife. The chopping was successful, the meal was slightly less so only in the blade shape doesn't allow for precise slicing (a point covered recently by John in Shooting Reviews, in fact), and my wife actually liked it, which is different than the normal eye roll I get when I show her some new knife/gun that I purchased. This summer, I have about 7 trips planned already and it will get a workout. In my limited testing so far, I can see no reason why thats not going to be successful and delightful. Frankly, I ordered this knife to use and it will not be babied. Cared for yes, but not treated with kid gloves. Johns earlier review is what sold me on the knife, and my uses will be similar.
Third, it is worth pointing out that while this is a big knife, it isn't at all unwieldy. In fact, I would go so far as to say it is lively in the hand. In the rose bush test, plus swinging it around, I have discovered no hot spots, nor do I suspect I will. Time will tell. The handle is shaped perfectly for my hand, but that's obviously subjective.
Fourth, the sheath. Let me first state, I like it. Sam had warned me that it was easy to cut yourself due to the way the sheath was designed. Probably this is true, but if your careful and pay attention, it's doesn't seem like an issue, and certainly not one I intend to face. Sams kydex work is satisfactory, retention is great, and the teklok is a nice addition. I don't plan on carrying this on my belt for a few reasons, mostly due to it's size, but I see no reason why I can't lash it to my daypack and be happy as a clam.
Things I would change: First off, let me state that the "things I would change" are my own personal preferences, and are not meant to be indicative of any kind of design flaw or lack of craftsmanship. Had I thought about these things before ordering, I feel absolutely certain Sam would have happily incorporated them into my knife. They are minor: I would like a bigger lanyard hole, because I like bigger lanyard holes. I would have liked mosiac pins just to add some bling. Thats it.
The pictures are a regular view, the spine, the bottom and Sams stamp...
