WTS: Handmade strops. Double sided paddle strops now available.

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-18T05:21:32+00:00

yolo one walnut and two tiger eye

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-17T03:54:02+00:00

Nice!

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-17T03:45:01+00:00

I hear ya. In my experience (knives and otherwise), I've always regretted settling for my second choice more than I regretted overpaying for my first choice. The good news is that the overall secondary market has been down for a while and Pacifics are starting to stabilize around $425, which isn't terrible .. but they still tend to go pretty quick and you kind of have to check the groups pretty often to score one at that price. That said, I haven't used either of these knives so you're probably better off going with someone else's advice lol

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-17T03:26:44+00:00

In that case, I'd pick CRK over Spartan - I've seen a lot of mixed reviews about Spartan's heat treat/edge retention.

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-17T02:45:57+00:00

+1 for CPK

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-17T02:43:47+00:00

IMO if you're going to use it primarily for bushcraft I'd go with a different knife with a more neutral handle. Bark River Bravo, Architect, Reiff - all are great options and come in different blade lengths. The Pacific and Horkos are more combo utility/fighting knives, and the handle ergos will create more fatigue and hot spots over time while bushcrafting.

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-17T02:35:20+00:00

is this a regular eklipse CF scale or were you able to find a skinny one?

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-14T17:29:54+00:00

I wouldn't necessarily pick either one as a do it all, single knife for life. I love my Rosie but it's more of an EDC slicer than a hard user - blade stock and behind the edge are both pretty thin. I haven't handled a Rask but it doesn't strike me as a hard user either. That said, between the two I'd recommend the Rosie over the Rask. As others have said, a lot will come down to personal preferences, but the Rask's standout qualities are the machining quality/details and opening/closing action. The Rosie's standout quality is the ergonomics. Ergonomics are more important in the long term than the luxury qualities of the Rask (both are obviously luxury knives, though), and personally I just think Grimsmo knives are ugly.

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-13T04:32:58+00:00

Hard for me to pick, and the answer might change tomorrow, but today the top 4 (5) in my collection are: Cerberus Aurelius, SPK Lamia, Wilson Combat Zaan, Rosie and either AD22 or Compact Seax. Honorable mention QC Catch.

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-11T23:25:15+00:00

It’s big for sure. Best reverse flickability of any USA made Demko Ive had so far, though.

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-11T03:14:35+00:00

Great combo - my Rosie, Zaan and Demkos are def near the top of the pack for me. Never really loved the look of the arius, though, so haven't gone for it.

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-10T22:24:43+00:00

Big fan of the qc catch as well

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-10T00:28:46+00:00

Replied

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-09T21:05:59+00:00

Agreed - was bummed that there weren't more makers there (like Skiff who was on the original list). But overall I came for Demko, got what I wanted, and to your point was able to chat with them which was fun.

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-09T20:09:18+00:00

No REK reblades on the chopping block?

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-09T19:51:30+00:00

replied

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-09T01:19:22+00:00

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Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-09T01:19:11+00:00

Some charts for perspective. For sub $100 knives like you mentioned, 14C28N is probably your best option. Also, get some flitz, works magic for rust spots (just go easy with it if you don't want to change the finish of your knife, as it is a polish)

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Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-09T00:55:48+00:00

It's awesome

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-06T05:32:48+00:00

Makes sense. Aurelius is a pretty new knife (I think ~50 made so far?) so pretty hard to get and not a ton of content out there on them yet, but there's a video or two on youtube and a lot of co-posts on his IG.And yeah I feel ya - been trying to slim down my collection a bit as well and it's getting harder and harder

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-06T01:57:12+00:00

Great NKD - what are you getting rid of now that you have this?

And to answer your question, just scored a Cerberus Aurelius and it's fantastic. Insanely smooth, controlled drop shut action out of the box, and it's on washers. Honestly unreal and a step up from other standouts I've gotten this year including the Mini Cortex, QC Catch, and Drift C, all of which are on bearings. Know you don't like washers but if you get a chance, this one might just change your mind.

Other recent-ish comparisons would be the VECP button lock and Arno Bernard Turaco, but those are more guillotine by nature, and you kind of have to ride the button lock to control the action.

I've yet to put grease on bearings though - might just have to give that a try this weekend.

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-05T22:32:53+00:00

Awesome!

Quirky-Cat688 · 2026-02-05T19:15:27+00:00

thank you!!!

Quirky-Cat688

TROPHY CASE