I recently came across this knife in a prepper video. It's new to me and pricey at $299. Anyone have any experience -- opinions?
Posted on 08/16/2015 8:56:08 AM PDT by JoeProBono
In the Mid 1990’s, Mel Parry, a Warrant Officer QGM, and a veteran of the well known 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (British SAS) saw the requirement for a new generation of of professional blades that could replace the legacy of survival tools that had been standard equipment for decades.
(From the Manufacturer)
Mel Parry knew that these professionals deserved something better. Collaborating with both service members and retirees from elite special forces throughout the world, he began to design what would be recognized as a breakthrough in both functionality and quality of manufacture. This breakthrough took the form of the Perry Blade in 1995. Unfortunately due to various commercial considerations the production of the Parry Knife did not proceed after 1995 as planned, and therefore a period of some 13 years has elapsed since the current model, incorporating a number of improvements over its predecessor was re-introduced in 2009. The knife is hand crafted in Sheffield, England by Samuel Staniforth, a cutlery maker since 1864 and acknowledged as producing the finest knives available, being part of an industry that was first established over 700 years ago. The knife is fairly simple in design with a bellied Bolo/Bowie type clipped blade with a serrated back edge, and finished in a black Dupont Teflon coating. However, on closer examination the knife offers several different cutting edges and holds, making it extremely versatile.
The knife is strong and heavy, with a blade 9 inches long made from ¼ inch thick X46Cr13 420 Mel Perry, SASstainless steel. The main cutting edge is bevel-ground for strength, whilst the deep belly shape takes the weight forward, in the manner of a Khukri, giving the knife a powerful chopping stroke. The point looks clipped in shape but is ground to provide a spear point that accentuates its use for prying /levering and digging. Also near the choil is a hollow-ground section which is honed to razor sharpness for fine cutting and whittling, ideal for making fire sticks The serrated edge on the spine of the blade provides for a sawing action capable of cutting rope, webbing or gristle. The knife is of a full tang construction, with black linen micarta screwed to the tang providing for ease of replacement, resulting from either wear, damage or the choice of an alternative grip to be fitted.
Also in order to extend the survival attributes of the knife it has been found that by wrapping Survival Gear Reviewparacord around the handle, this provides some 2m of cord for use in either a survival situation or correspondingly as a means of restraint for when the role is reversed to one of combat.
The knife is also designed with relatively short guards so that one can choke up the grip for fine work, with the ricasso being extended and having linger grooves to make the choke grip firm and comfortable. The steel butt is squared off on two sides so that it may be used as a hammer in either direction, the flats being file-cut to reduce the tendency for the face to skid off the work on striking. The butt also incorporates a lanyard hole for additional security of retention of the knife as well as a means of securing the paracord, should this option be selected as an additional survival aid.
The Parry Blade – The Definitive Working Knife
Specifications: Designer: Mel Parry – Warrant Officer – 22nd SAS Regiment Country of Origin: United Kingdom Length overall: 13.75 inches (34.9cm) Blade length: 8.75 inches (22.2cm) Blade thickness: ¼ inch (6.4mm) Blade material: X46 Cr13 420 stainless steel coated black Dupont Teflon Hardness: Rockwell 57-58Rc Blade shape: Bolo/Bowie- type with serrated back edge Edge: Main edge bevel-ground; hollow ground section near Choil for extra sharpness Point is clipped in shape and ground to a spear point Grip: Contoured Micarta scales with leather underlay. Contoured double guard and butt, the butt squared off for use as a hammer. Construction: Scales screwed to full tang. Sheath: Cordura or Leather (more at source)
I recently came across this knife in a prepper video. It's new to me and pricey at $299. Anyone have any experience -- opinions?
its purty... buy it
Looks an awful lot like the Spanish military Chucila de Monte. I like my American made LanCay M9.
Nice knife, but $299 could buy a lot of ammo.
I have a very large collection of military/survival type knives and bayonets I’ve collected over 30 years. To me this embodies some of the qualities of many: nail puller/wire cutter slot for sheath like an M-9?, top/bottom short saw/serrations (pretty damn short if you ask me), top saw blade, handle pommel end stop like an issue Ontario Knife machete, etc.
Personally, for me unless this was able to bite through steel rebar with blows from a three pound short handle hammer, I don’t see where I’d spend $300 for it. I’ll be honest, I’m not a survivalist or an expert knife fighter so my opinion probably ain’t worth duck squeeze, but there it is anyway.
The clue for me was visiting the site where the article explains its features, etc. One would think that the writer would want to get the namesake’s correct spelling everywhere (e.g., the picture of the M. Parry (spelled Perry).
Looks like it would be a must carry for a muslum.
My philosophy on guns and knives is the same. Buy what works and spend as little as possible. Guns will be taken from you if you use them, so don’t make it a catastrophic loss. Also, if you lose the knife (for whatever reason) it shouldn’t hurt. They’re tools, not keepsakes.
I have several manufacturer makes of the standard US GI issue machetes made over the years. The cost for these is extremely reasonable and the quality has not diminished significantly even from ones made in the 60s. From what I can tell, the cost cutting operations have been made in the sheaths and sharpener areas. There are also versions with sawbacks on them for wood, bones, etc.
Bang for the buck as a survival type edge weapon, this is high on my list.
I have a kabar becker combat utility knife I love it, best knife i have ever owned.
“Bang for the buck as a survival type edge weapon, this is high on my list.”
Hey!
thanks. I’ll scurry off to an Army surplus store next time I visit a real city. (There isn’t one locally as it would offend the natives.)
I vote no.... But love my Randall Model 14 .
You can look on Cheaper Than Dirt or Midway USA or Brownells or any place like that.
The Ontario Knife Company ones are good and there are different degrees of steel hardness, but you ought to be able to pick up something nice for under $50 for sure.
My first surplus one in the 80s cost me like $5 at a hardware store. Still have it, still truckin....
I’ve got a K-Bar and a Fairbanks knife I’m rather happy with.
I will.
Thank you. I appreciate that. My experience with knives without a blade guard (correct name?) has been unfortunate. I’d like a chunk of steel between me and the blade. But you’re right, for most purposes that is a really good choice.
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