THESE ARE THREE AMAZING KNIVES, AND YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH ANY OF THEM. MY INTENT IN MAKING THIS VIDEO WAS TO BE AS HONEST AS POSSIBLE ABOUT EVERYTHING I WAS FEELING AS I COMPARED THESE KNIVES. NO DISRESPECT MENT TOWARDS ANY OF THESE THREE BLADES. THEY ARE THREE OF THE VERY BEST.
I picked up the AK 4.5 in Magnacut when it first released and finally got a chance to really test it properly during a week long camping trip. The first few days were rainy at a campground with cut firewood, so I really beat it up batoning through big rounds of birch, maple, spruce and pine, both wet and dry, with a heavy wood baton I made with it. It performed flawlessly with hardwood rounds that were bigger than the length of the blade, wood it should never reasonably be used on, and the only affect besides making it dirty with resin was the handle scale screws needed to be tightened slightly after 3 days of beating it relentlessly, which was probably my fault to begin with as you assemble it yourself when you order from Architect Knives. After all that it still slices paper cleanly and can shave hair off my arm, I've never had a knife hold up so well and remain so sharp.
Thanks Dan for the comparison. As a boy my three brothers and I all hunted squirrels for the pot. None of our rifles fit us as we used what we had, but we all put meat on the table.
I’ve carried and used the esee rb3 for a couple yrs paired with a victorinox outrider and they have done everything I need a knife in the back country to do. I do carry a small folding saw if I need to process a little wood, but otherwise my RB3 does everything I need a knife to do.
I am going to purchase AK 4.5 , the only thing that causes some doubts is the lenght of the handle itseldf. I got an average palm size. What is your opinion on handle length? Isn't it a bit too short ?
I recently received my AK 4.5 in s35vn. I really like the blade style and weight. I would give the handle to my BK16. But the AK is close. Thanks for the video.
I was thinking that might be the winner lol cuz it looks like the 4.5 has a little more width (how tall the blade is more or less) over the bk 16 giving it a little better geometry for slicing, I also agree that all of them are good knives and it's mainly user preference but again that ak4.5 handle looks the most comfortable to me. Thanks for showing!
Thank you! Architect knives has done an amazing job on their knives, and I have been blessed to offer input from time to time. I'm currently testing out the 5.5, and all I can say so far is WOW!!!
Hey Dan. Great video. As far as carving knives,go, what's your opinion on the debate about scandi grind vs. The other grinds for carving in bushcraft? I've heard so many say scandi is the way to go. I have a Mora Garberg and I love it but I'm thinking of getting a BK16. Not sure what to do.
There is a lot of personal preference when it comes to finding the right grind for you. I've spent plenty of time trying them all, and for me, the scandi is my least favorite. I prefer the high sabre, followed by flat. BK16, is an awesome knife, as long as you take the black coating off. Mine has a patina from white vinegar after removing the black coating. The coating really does cause a lot of drag when carving.
Dan, I've got two questions. 1. It seems pretty clear from the types of knives you review that you're a 1095 steel guy, but would you consider reviewing one of the AK series knives in 3v or S35vn? 2. If you are just using the AK series to carve, not baton or heavier work, do you need the 4.5, or would the 3.5 do fine? I see you reviewed one of those in another video. Thanks! Great video, as always.
The 3.5 would work perfectly for what you want. As far as testing another steel, I could only do it if someone provided me with the blade. I bought these with my own money and am keeping them. Am actually carrying the AK 5.5 now as my primary knife. I absolutely love the way good 1095 performs. My budget won't allow me to buy something that I probably wouldn't keep and use. I have tried a few other steels in the past, and was not happy after awhile, so sold them.
I came back to this video because I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a knife from architect. I'm a big fan of the esee pr4 and I thought I should point something out: the other two knives have a thicker blade stock than the pr4, which could explain why they are taking off more material in your wood carving contest. The pr4 is actually more of an all-around "camp" knife, and I would bet that if you compared the three of these knives doing some finer tasks, particularly slicing food, the pr4 would prevail. Maybe something for a future video? Great video, as always. Thanks for doing these. Dont give up on the pr4!
man! you destroyed the PR4, even though you say you will still used it. I got mine and been using it and like it, I remember you gave it a great review once upon a time… Nice video, I will still keep my PR 4, it can do everything maybe not as good as other knives but it is the one I have. As long as it keep you going out take any knife you have, again thanks for the video.
The PR4 has been a favorite of mine for years. In fact, I was a little biased towards it. But the number one most important thing to me in doing this video was to be as completely honest as I could with everyone. The PR4 is an amazing knife! Love the design.
@@ochocobushcraft1742 Many thanks, I believe that everyone appreciates honest reviews! Again thanks… I am planning on getting two new knives…one small and one about 5 inches. I do own a few esee’s: PR4, Izula II, 3 and the CR 2.5, and the Darien!… A few Victorinox, and of course a Buck 110!… I now I can do a lot with just the Izula II, but…
Try the bk 19. It's the knife that made the bk16 kinda obsolete. Its a better slicer, tactical, lighter but heavy enough, and a nessmuk kinda design for skinning. Comes with a polymer sheath too although the handles still are plastic. I have the 16 and now that i have the 19 the 16 gets almost no woods time at all
THESE ARE THREE AMAZING KNIVES, AND YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH ANY OF THEM. MY INTENT IN MAKING THIS VIDEO WAS TO BE AS HONEST AS POSSIBLE ABOUT EVERYTHING I WAS FEELING AS I COMPARED THESE KNIVES. NO DISRESPECT MENT TOWARDS ANY OF THESE THREE BLADES. THEY ARE THREE OF THE VERY BEST.
I LOOOOVE these comparisons. I tend to buy all of them anyway, but knowing the comparative differences is important to me. Thanks Dan!
Appreciate that, thank you!
I picked up the AK 4.5 in Magnacut when it first released and finally got a chance to really test it properly during a week long camping trip. The first few days were rainy at a campground with cut firewood, so I really beat it up batoning through big rounds of birch, maple, spruce and pine, both wet and dry, with a heavy wood baton I made with it. It performed flawlessly with hardwood rounds that were bigger than the length of the blade, wood it should never reasonably be used on, and the only affect besides making it dirty with resin was the handle scale screws needed to be tightened slightly after 3 days of beating it relentlessly, which was probably my fault to begin with as you assemble it yourself when you order from Architect Knives. After all that it still slices paper cleanly and can shave hair off my arm, I've never had a knife hold up so well and remain so sharp.
That is an awesome testimony as to the quality of their knives! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Dan for the comparison. As a boy my three brothers and I all hunted squirrels for the pot. None of our rifles fit us as we used what we had, but we all put meat on the table.
Nice! I remember my Dad letting me carry his deer rifle when it took everything I had to hold it study to my shoulder.
I Have The BK 5 And The BK10 had Them for 5 years Now Both Of Them Still Going Strong. Good Vidio For Other Options On Nives.
BK10 is still one of my all time favorites!
I’ve carried and used the esee rb3 for a couple yrs paired with a victorinox outrider and they have done everything I need a knife in the back country to do. I do carry a small folding saw if I need to process a little wood, but otherwise my RB3 does everything I need a knife to do.
It did look better in your tests. Nice knife
All the Architect Knives are soo nice!
Agreed!
I am going to purchase AK 4.5 , the only thing that causes some doubts is the lenght of the handle itseldf. I got an average palm size. What is your opinion on handle length? Isn't it a bit too short ?
@@kalka79 The 4.4 has the same handle as the 5.5, 6.5, and.8. It is full size.
I recently received my AK 4.5 in s35vn. I really like the blade style and weight. I would give the handle to my BK16. But the AK is close. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching! Glad you are liking your AK4.5.
I was thinking that might be the winner lol cuz it looks like the 4.5 has a little more width (how tall the blade is more or less) over the bk 16 giving it a little better geometry for slicing, I also agree that all of them are good knives and it's mainly user preference but again that ak4.5 handle looks the most comfortable to me. Thanks for showing!
Thank you! Architect knives has done an amazing job on their knives, and I have been blessed to offer input from time to time. I'm currently testing out the 5.5, and all I can say so far is WOW!!!
@ochocobushcraft1742 I have the 5.5 first run in cpm-3v and it's a great knife as far as im concerned lol, can't wait to see your review!
Good vid. I would like to see you do a similar video with your folding picket knives if you ever get the chance
Hey Dan. Great video. As far as carving knives,go, what's your opinion on the debate about scandi grind vs. The other grinds for carving in bushcraft? I've heard so many say scandi is the way to go. I have a Mora Garberg and I love it but I'm thinking of getting a BK16. Not sure what to do.
There is a lot of personal preference when it comes to finding the right grind for you. I've spent plenty of time trying them all, and for me, the scandi is my least favorite. I prefer the high sabre, followed by flat. BK16, is an awesome knife, as long as you take the black coating off. Mine has a patina from white vinegar after removing the black coating. The coating really does cause a lot of drag when carving.
Dan, I've got two questions. 1. It seems pretty clear from the types of knives you review that you're a 1095 steel guy, but would you consider reviewing one of the AK series knives in 3v or S35vn? 2. If you are just using the AK series to carve, not baton or heavier work, do you need the 4.5, or would the 3.5 do fine? I see you reviewed one of those in another video. Thanks! Great video, as always.
The 3.5 would work perfectly for what you want. As far as testing another steel, I could only do it if someone provided me with the blade. I bought these with my own money and am keeping them. Am actually carrying the AK 5.5 now as my primary knife. I absolutely love the way good 1095 performs. My budget won't allow me to buy something that I probably wouldn't keep and use. I have tried a few other steels in the past, and was not happy after awhile, so sold them.
I came back to this video because I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a knife from architect. I'm a big fan of the esee pr4 and I thought I should point something out: the other two knives have a thicker blade stock than the pr4, which could explain why they are taking off more material in your wood carving contest. The pr4 is actually more of an all-around "camp" knife, and I would bet that if you compared the three of these knives doing some finer tasks, particularly slicing food, the pr4 would prevail. Maybe something for a future video? Great video, as always. Thanks for doing these. Dont give up on the pr4!
@@kculbert7789 The PR4 is definitely the winner for food prep!
man! you destroyed the PR4, even though you say you will still used it. I got mine and been using it and like it, I remember you gave it a great review once upon a time… Nice video, I will still keep my PR 4, it can do everything maybe not as good as other knives but it is the one I have. As long as it keep you going out take any knife you have, again thanks for the video.
The PR4 has been a favorite of mine for years. In fact, I was a little biased towards it. But the number one most important thing to me in doing this video was to be as completely honest as I could with everyone. The PR4 is an amazing knife! Love the design.
@@ochocobushcraft1742 Many thanks, I believe that everyone appreciates honest reviews! Again thanks… I am planning on getting two new knives…one small and one about 5 inches. I do own a few esee’s: PR4, Izula II, 3 and the CR 2.5, and the Darien!… A few Victorinox, and of course a Buck 110!… I now I can do a lot with just the Izula II, but…
Nice collection of knives! @@toto29er
I highly recommend a Reiff F4, Thank me later
3 times the price!
Try the bk 19. It's the knife that made the bk16 kinda obsolete. Its a better slicer, tactical, lighter but heavy enough, and a nessmuk kinda design for skinning. Comes with a polymer sheath too although the handles still are plastic. I have the 16 and now that i have the 19 the 16 gets almost no woods time at all