It "looks" like a very nice knife BUT, I've used one Buck 110 since 1979 and although the locking function is shot (worn out), I know what it can do and how it feels in my hand is good.

The latest and greatest is not always the best route, using the tools that you know best is more important, IMHO.

I agree wholeheartedly -- those cutouts are a serious pain. That's the first thing I noticed about this knife. And this is for people who are going to be handling lines and such? Uh-uh.

If I understand correctly, these notches hold the blade in a jig as it is being ground. It is possible to carefully file the notch to a 45 degree angle that's sharpened. But a custom knife-maker should do that for you.

My other concern is that the handle looks like a blister-maker. A little sandpaper will help with the hard edges on the scales; but if that exposed pommel/lanyard attachment piece is anywhere near your pinky while you're doing woodcraft, you're going to curse it over and over.

Just my 2 cents' worth.

I believe the notch is to facilitate even sharpening of the edge.

It eliminates the chamfer or shoulder between the primary bevel and the ricasso area. A flat stone would ride up on this shoulder and consequently grind too heavily on the other edge of the stone.

I insist on having the notch (correctly placed) on all my knives.

Bear

Interesting. I’ve often wondered what that G*******d, stupid, annoying little f****** notch was for..... I had thought it was there for the annoyance and inconvenience of the user.

I use my knifes extensively at work for cutting heavy strapping, sheets of hessian etc and as I try and slide the blade under the material it binds up in that little notch every time.(actually cut myself good because of it once). Every knife I use that had this notch has had an appointment with my dremmel tool or a bench grinder to get rid of it, and I will avoid buying knives with them now........stupid notch

Okay don't shoot me for beating this one to death but I noticed 2 more knives which are very similar looking but one is custom and one is not.

Gerber Big Rock Camp Knife and Chris Reeve's Pacific.

http://www.chrisreeve.com/pacific.htm
http://images.google.ca/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=gerber+big+rock&spell=1

Obviously different steel, blade grinds, scales, etc but very similar looking.

the big rock is a good knife i picked up acouple to compare to the harsey hunter the blade is 4.5" made of 440a steel price is good can be picked up off ebay cheap

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gerber-William-Har...1QQcmdZViewItem

evil grin in Hacksaws direction

I already have a Big Rock. It's a solid knife but I like my Freeman S30V Hunter better so the Big Rock lives in one of my car kits now.

@$£%^~? Hacksaw he has me buying a Freeman S30V now

It took me forever to get the right edge on it (S30V is so tough!) but once I did I totally fell in love with it.

I've only ever seen them for sale at Cabela's...I think they're exclusive.

have seen it at several online stores but none that inspired me to order from them so ordering from Cabela's as they have a good rep. now all i have to worry about is getting shafted with import duty