This is such a descriptive review of winkler knives that most knife don’t reviewers understand. Thx for the meticulous explanation, especially explaining the way he grinds his blade before heating it. I have never understood this, hopefully I said this correctly. Thanks again!
You can use 000 steel wool to remove the coating. Winkler suggests this if you prefer not having the coating. I think the steel is worth the money and more so because he grinds the blades before heat treatment, which is not a common practice. I own and carry a Blue Ridge Hunter. I do however think the Highland Hunter is the nicest one of the bunch. I was about to buy a General, and had one in my hand at Mast over the summer but I bought a Primitive Woodsman instead. I may grab a General this year though. But..... That Highland Hunter is just perfect!
80crv2 is fantastic steel and Dan makes a fantastic knife he is a very traditional man a dam good man I must say. Karen does do the sheathes and she is a supper lady also. I live down the road from his shop and was fortunate to get him a hand-forged hunting knife he made it is one of my favorite knives I own that was about 20 years ago and it still dresses out my game every year with it. The knife he made me isn't coated but on the regular line he makes if you don't like the coating use steel wool and wear it off I think that's what he recommends to do but I do agree and wish he would offer them non-coated. Dan and Karen live in Boone NC and that's where all his knives and hawks are made. I personally think most folks make too big a deal on the steel most people couldn't tell the difference if it wasn't stamped on the blade. Not all but most. Nice review enjoyed watching it.
@@J27-usa If you read my post I have his hand forged customs and Karen made the sheath for it. I doubt she can keep up with making sheaths for their production lines.
I love my Crusher Belt knife. I think it is the ultimate weapon, bushcraft, camping, survival, processing wood, and taking care of the cardboard. It has a really AWESOME Rubber handle! My old neighbor, and friend has been in NSW for 30 yrs, and he said it was the best knife he ever used. Have a great day
Very comprehensive overview of the brand. I always appreciate your thorough reviews, keep up the great work! And congrats on cresting 1K subscribers, cheers! 🍻
Just got the combat axe sculpted , contingency,blue ridge in sculpted micarta & blue ridge G10 camo hamer Hawk in G10 camo been buying winklers for years I only buy from this brand
I’ve had the blue ridge hunter for about a year now. I wear and use it often. Perfect knife for anything and keeps its edge very well. I agree with you Marco, on the quality of the sheaths although i do wish they had an option to carry it lower with a more slimline sheath.
Winkler does offer slimmer kydex (lined) sheaths for a number of their models, they just don't advertise them. I have these for my Operator and SD2, and they are slimmer and really nice for IWB carry. If you contact them, they should be able to give you details on ordering.
What would be your thoughts, if you had to make a comparison between Winkler knives and Fallkniven? While I do like the aesthetics of Winkler knives, as you mentioned in the video, I do think the steel is somewhat subpar and also the black coating is not my taste.
I have not tested Fallkniven yer but I agree with you on the coating. I do think that even though the steel choice appears sub par, the performance is fairly impressive
I believe that FallKniven outsources to Japan…not that it’s bad because I have a couple, love the look. But I have 8 Winklers for a reason. And where they are made is a important ingredient in my decisions. Thanks
I called their shop a while ago to ask some questions, among them if they plan to make any knives in 3V. I was told they prefer to do 80CrV2 because they can do the what treatment in house rather than outsourcing it with 3V.
Thats the same message I got from Dan Winkler. I am not sure what is required for them to be able to treat 3V in house, but I would very much like to see it happen
@@KnivesoftheRoundTable 80CrV2 is a lot easier to heat treat very well and I believe their current setup would have to be totally revamped to heat treat CPM-3V. While it bothered me at first buying such an expensive knife in a basic carbon steel, winklers’ 80CrV2 has more than exceeded my expectations for my uses and outperformed many CPM steels I own in the process. I believe he had an interview on the ridge runner blades channel explaining his reasoning for 80CrV2 over CPM-3V and how he gets the absolute maximum performance out of the steel if you’re interested. My only real issue with it is the rust when I’m out in the rain for days on end but it’s not a deal breaker for me.
How did you get the general? Apparently you have to buy them at the actual general store in store locations? I really want this model , I’ve been a winkler super fan for years and this is for sure my new favorite design from him
@@KnivesoftheRoundTable, I doubt it would only be up by $50 especially the likes of 20CV, M390, and Magnacut etc. More like around $100 - $150. Anyways, congrats on the 1K subs!
@@darinjenkins7954, you know how it works. I don't like the trend of new/better steel = price increase but that's what everyone is doing. As for me, I got me some ESEE 5 with the good old 1095 and we good. Heck, even my Buck 119 is still doing serious work.
@@KnivesoftheRoundTable I have not personally removed the coating from a winkler, but I’ve removed black oxide coating from others and you can usually just use steel wool and a bit of oil, if that doesn’t work a fine grit sandpaper.
I semi-agree. Its geared toward that but with traditional wood scales, traditional designs etc. I think some of his designs are geared towards woodsmen, hunting, etc. Those could be plain blades
Supersteels arent necesarry for most working knives. They tend to chip much easier. Look at Esee and how they talk crap about their own S35VN knife lol. They didnt want to make it. Even 1095 will out last most of these "supersteels" in terms of toughness.
I would agree with the supersteels not being necessary. That said, at this pricepoint, most people, including me, expect a more modern steel. I do think this steel Winkler uses does very well, but like I said in the video, I can only imagine what he could do with a more advanced steel
You’ll have to take into consideration that he might of tried other steels and his process ended up working better with 80CrV2. All steels react different with different elements.a more knowledgeable blacksmith would know better.
I am the first to admit that he knows more, but I also see that othet very knowledgable people use "higher end" steels and I wonder what Winkler could achieve with a Cruwear
This is such a descriptive review of winkler knives that most knife don’t reviewers understand. Thx for the meticulous explanation, especially explaining the way he grinds his blade before heating it. I have never understood this, hopefully I said this correctly. Thanks again!
Thank you for the kind words! And yes, you said it correctly
You can use 000 steel wool to remove the coating. Winkler suggests this if you prefer not having the coating. I think the steel is worth the money and more so because he grinds the blades before heat treatment, which is not a common practice. I own and carry a Blue Ridge Hunter. I do however think the Highland Hunter is the nicest one of the bunch. I was about to buy a General, and had one in my hand at Mast over the summer but I bought a Primitive Woodsman instead. I may grab a General this year though. But..... That Highland Hunter is just perfect!
80crv2 is fantastic steel and Dan makes a fantastic knife he is a very traditional man a dam good man I must say. Karen does do the sheathes and she is a supper lady also. I live down the road from his shop and was fortunate to get him a hand-forged hunting knife he made it is one of my favorite knives I own that was about 20 years ago and it still dresses out my game every year with it. The knife he made me isn't coated but on the regular line he makes if you don't like the coating use steel wool and wear it off I think that's what he recommends to do but I do agree and wish he would offer them non-coated. Dan and Karen live in Boone NC and that's where all his knives and hawks are made. I personally think most folks make too big a deal on the steel most people couldn't tell the difference if it wasn't stamped on the blade. Not all but most. Nice review enjoyed watching it.
I agree that most people could not tell the difference in steel. I still would like to see him try his hand at one of these supersteels!
Thank you for the kind words!
@@KnivesoftheRoundTable Never say never one day he might id be up for a stainless model if he would make one.
Fingers crossed
@@J27-usa If you read my post I have his hand forged customs and Karen made the sheath for it. I doubt she can keep up with making sheaths for their production lines.
I love my Crusher Belt knife. I think it is the ultimate weapon, bushcraft, camping, survival, processing wood, and taking care of the cardboard. It has a really AWESOME Rubber handle! My old neighbor, and friend has been in NSW for 30 yrs, and he said it was the best knife he ever used. Have a great day
He makes outstanding knives for sure. Thank you very much for watching!
There's a cutting test video where it doesn't hold edge retention
Very comprehensive overview of the brand. I always appreciate your thorough reviews, keep up the great work! And congrats on cresting 1K subscribers, cheers! 🍻
Thank you so much, I appreciate the kind words. It took a minute to get to 1k but we got there! Thank you for watching
Just got the combat axe sculpted , contingency,blue ridge in sculpted micarta & blue ridge G10 camo hamer Hawk in G10 camo been buying winklers for years I only buy from this brand
They make outstanding stuff for sure
Wow such a thorough and thoughtful review. Really liked the way you explained your thoughts on these knives.
Hey! Thank yoi so much, glad you liked it and found it useful!
I’ve had the blue ridge hunter for about a year now. I wear and use it often. Perfect knife for anything and keeps its edge very well. I agree with you Marco, on the quality of the sheaths although i do wish they had an option to carry it lower with a more slimline sheath.
Agree on the sheaths, I think I may get a piece of thick leather and build a loop and use the 4 screws to attach it.
@@KnivesoftheRoundTable great minds…
Winkler does offer slimmer kydex (lined) sheaths for a number of their models, they just don't advertise them. I have these for my Operator and SD2, and they are slimmer and really nice for IWB carry. If you contact them, they should be able to give you details on ordering.
What would be your thoughts, if you had to make a comparison between Winkler knives and Fallkniven?
While I do like the aesthetics of Winkler knives, as you mentioned in the video, I do think the steel is somewhat subpar and also the black coating is not my taste.
I have not tested Fallkniven yer but I agree with you on the coating. I do think that even though the steel choice appears sub par, the performance is fairly impressive
I believe that FallKniven outsources to Japan…not that it’s bad because I have a couple, love the look. But I have 8 Winklers for a reason. And where they are made is a important ingredient in my decisions. Thanks
I called their shop a while ago to ask some questions, among them if they plan to make any knives in 3V. I was told they prefer to do 80CrV2 because they can do the what treatment in house rather than outsourcing it with 3V.
Thats the same message I got from Dan Winkler. I am not sure what is required for them to be able to treat 3V in house, but I would very much like to see it happen
@@KnivesoftheRoundTable 80CrV2 is a lot easier to heat treat very well and I believe their current setup would have to be totally revamped to heat treat CPM-3V. While it bothered me at first buying such an expensive knife in a basic carbon steel, winklers’ 80CrV2 has more than exceeded my expectations for my uses and outperformed many CPM steels I own in the process.
I believe he had an interview on the ridge runner blades channel explaining his reasoning for 80CrV2 over CPM-3V and how he gets the absolute maximum performance out of the steel if you’re interested. My only real issue with it is the rust when I’m out in the rain for days on end but it’s not a deal breaker for me.
Belt knife is my favorite.
Ive heard this comment from several people!
How did you get the general? Apparently you have to buy them at the actual general store in store locations? I really want this model , I’ve been a winkler super fan for years and this is for sure my new favorite design from him
I didnt go there in person, I bought it online at their website
@@KnivesoftheRoundTable hmm . I tried and it says only for in store purchase. Do you by chance have that website still?
I would like to have them in 3V, too. But I expect a jump in price if that happens.
You could be right, but an extra $50 for 3v could be very much worth it indeed.
@@KnivesoftheRoundTable, I doubt it would only be up by $50 especially the likes of 20CV, M390, and Magnacut etc. More like around $100 - $150.
Anyways, congrats on the 1K subs!
@@0rinthe steel itself is not worth that increase.. don't give them any ideas..
@@darinjenkins7954, you know how it works. I don't like the trend of new/better steel = price increase but that's what everyone is doing.
As for me, I got me some ESEE 5 with the good old 1095 and we good. Heck, even my Buck 119 is still doing serious work.
Are the small knives in production?
I was told that the General will still be made, in small batches. The Jaeger probably not but I dont know for sure.
Which one do you like more the general or jeager?
General for sure
@@KnivesoftheRoundTablehow much do you want for your field knife?
Great video. Did you ever sell that winkler jaeger!?
Nop, still have it. Shot me a msg on instagram if you are interested
@@KnivesoftheRoundTable sent you a message.
Do you still have that general? and if so is there any chance you would sell it?
I still have it but I like it quite a bit. In conversations with the Mast General Store they told me that more are coming. Keep an eye out
Thanks for a great review! Sounds like this steel is tough to sharpen, what does everyone do for sharpening?
I would say its more dificult to sharpen than 3v, in the vicinity of S90v. I do the same thing I always do, it just taked longer.
Glad you enjoyed it!
You’re also doing yourself a disservice if you haven’t used the belt knife or blue ridge hunter.
Yeah, thats been the consensus
They're made in the mountains of NC
Thank you
I edc the small knife u have there and it's terrible about rusting. I swest a lot in the south during summer
Yeah, 80CrV2 is not great at corrosion resistance
You could patina it or blue it. That would definitely help alot if the coating is gone.
You could very easily remove the coating
Have you removed thr coating on these knives? Would you mind sharing how?
@@KnivesoftheRoundTable I have not personally removed the coating from a winkler, but I’ve removed black oxide coating from others and you can usually just use steel wool and a bit of oil, if that doesn’t work a fine grit sandpaper.
Thank you!
I don’t think non coated, shiny blades are the Winkler way. They are more geared for special ops teams.
I semi-agree. Its geared toward that but with traditional wood scales, traditional designs etc. I think some of his designs are geared towards woodsmen, hunting, etc. Those could be plain blades
any winkler for sale?
Yes. Contact me on instagram
Supersteels arent necesarry for most working knives. They tend to chip much easier. Look at Esee and how they talk crap about their own S35VN knife lol. They didnt want to make it. Even 1095 will out last most of these "supersteels" in terms of toughness.
I would agree with the supersteels not being necessary. That said, at this pricepoint, most people, including me, expect a more modern steel. I do think this steel Winkler uses does very well, but like I said in the video, I can only imagine what he could do with a more advanced steel
You’ll have to take into consideration that he might of tried other steels and his process ended up working better with 80CrV2. All steels react different with different elements.a more knowledgeable blacksmith would know better.
I am the first to admit that he knows more, but I also see that othet very knowledgable people use "higher end" steels and I wonder what Winkler could achieve with a Cruwear
He said " when I find a better steel I will use it".