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#274596 - 03/15/15 03:37 AM Solar Knife - What will they think of next?
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Just encountered this and couldn't resist posting - more for grins than anything else - http://www.soloscientific.com/soknbysoscpp.html?gclid=CKCk6KS3qcQCFYhgfgod0V

Maybe this gadget is great,but I will reserve judgment for a bit. But just think of potential embellishments - a luxury steel (at least S90V), partially serrated blades etc. - maybe a folding variant. The mind reels as we enter the solar age of survival and bush craft....
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#274601 - 03/15/15 04:03 PM Re: Solar Knife - What will they think of next? [Re: hikermor]
Ren Offline
Addict

Registered: 11/05/07
Posts: 522
Loc: Wales, UK
Think I'd trust a SAK with a magnifying glass over that.

Pity Victorinox discontinued the Woodsman.

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#274602 - 03/15/15 04:36 PM Re: Solar Knife - What will they think of next? [Re: hikermor]
boatman Offline
Addict

Registered: 03/10/03
Posts: 424
Loc: Michigan
The mirrored handle scales on that would get scratched up in no time at all. It is a useless novelty in my opinion. A BIC Lighter,ferro rod and a 5X glass or fresnel lens is cheaper and more useful than this trinket.Just my not so humble opinion.

BOATMAN
John

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#274603 - 03/15/15 04:54 PM Re: Solar Knife - What will they think of next? [Re: boatman]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
Originally Posted By: boatman
... A BIC Lighter,ferro rod and a 5X glass or fresnel lens is cheaper and more useful ...

Agree. All four are already in my EDC backpack.

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#274604 - 03/15/15 04:57 PM Re: Solar Knife - What will they think of next? [Re: hikermor]
bws48 Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 831
Loc: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
If you want your knife and fire starter all in one, IMO the "light my fire knife" is a much better alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Fire-FireKni...t+my+fire+knife

No affiliation---just really like it.
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#274607 - 03/15/15 06:56 PM Re: Solar Knife - What will they think of next? [Re: bws48]
barbakane Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 03/12/09
Posts: 205
Loc: Florida
Originally Posted By: bws48
If you want your knife and fire starter all in one, IMO the "light my fire knife" is a much better alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Fire-FireKni...t+my+fire+knife

No affiliation---just really like it.


what he said.
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Audaces fortuna iuvat...fortune favors the bold
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#274609 - 03/15/15 07:01 PM Re: Solar Knife - What will they think of next? [Re: bws48]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
I agree heartily. First of all, the LMF is a great practical knife and the fire making capability comes at no increase in weight or bulk, and it can spark 24/7! I don't think I have ever been in a situation where I really needed to light a fire when the sun was shining brightly...Which leads me to ask,what is the lowest sun angle at which any solar lighting technique would be effective?
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#274614 - 03/16/15 02:00 AM Re: Solar Knife - What will they think of next? [Re: hikermor]
Alex Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 03/01/07
Posts: 1034
Loc: -
At any rate - great integration design! I disagree that LMF adds a firestarter at no consequences at all. It is adding weight and complexity to the system - no doubt. The solar mirror on the knife is truly ideal device (when inventor solves a problem - the ideal solution would be "nothing new added, but problem solved") as it is factually nothing you could break or lose. Compared to a fresnel or typical 5x loupe (usually small and thus quite useless) it has much more light concentrating potential than either (the surface size is ruling here). I agree, it can get scratched with time, but if so - you can polish it back as well easily enough. Overall it could be perfect for a minimalistic kit, which is not constantly in use, but waiting for an emergency.

A question to knives gurus. Is it good enough as a knife? (does it worth $60 regardless the mirror?)

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#274615 - 03/16/15 03:05 AM Re: Solar Knife - What will they think of next? [Re: hikermor]
Alex Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 03/01/07
Posts: 1034
Loc: -
Wow! That's the same guys, who's invented the magnesium impregnated firesteel! I have one and it's truly well made device.

The mirror is actually a composite one, like the fresnel lens - made in parabolic flat sections. So the hand grip was not compromised. The only caveat - it's aluminum, so - definitely quite easy to scratch, even though it's coated.

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#274616 - 03/16/15 05:27 AM Re: Solar Knife - What will they think of next? [Re: hikermor]
Mark_R Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 863
Loc: Southern California
I'm going to put my money on the Tool Logic SLP2 or the Adventure Medical Kits SOL Original Survival Tool. A parabolic mirror is good in concept, but the practical problems just makes it survival bling.


Edited by Mark_R (03/16/15 05:28 AM)
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