The Hobbit Hole VII - But not yet weary are our feet...

[HairOfTheDog]

Welcome to The Hobbit Hole!

But not yet weary are our feet...

• First thread: New Zealander builds Hobbit hole
• Second thread: The New Hobbit Hole
• Third thread: The Hobbit Hole III - Journey to the Cross-roads! (Congratulations, we filled it up!)
• Fourth Thread: The Hobbit Hole IV - The Road Goes Ever On...
• Fifth Thread: The Hobbit Hole V - Where Many Paths and Errands Meet...
• Sixth Thread: The Hobbit Hole VI - And Whither Then? I Cannot Say...

New verse:

Upon the hearth the fire is red, Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet, Still round the corner we may meet A sudden tree or standing stone That none have seen but we alone. Tree and flower and leaf and grass, Let them pass! Let them pass! Hill and water under sky, Pass them by! Pass them by!

Still round the corner there may wait A new road or a secret gate, And though we pass them by today, Tomorrow we may come this way And take the hidden paths that run Towards the Moon or to the Sun. Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe, Let them go! Let them go! Sand and stone and pool and dell, Fare you well! Fare you well!

Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are all alight. Then world behind and home ahead, We’ll wander back to home and bed. Mist and twilight, cloud and shade, Away shall fade! Away shall fade! Fire and lamp, and meat and bread, And then to bed! And then to bed!

See also: http://freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net

Web page for our moot reports and troop support information!

[300winmag]

I'm looking at alternatives to our CRKT 5700s, although I will try calling both CRKT and Smoky Mountain on Monday, to see if they can do anything for us.

Meanwhile, I'm starting to think about alternative knives. Even with the great price we were getting, the knife cost about $27 ready to ship out of my basement. Do you know how hard it is to find a good pocketknife for under $30? Especially one that we can give with pride because it's a quality item that can give a lifetime of service?

I'm starting to look at the Camillus Arclite neck knife as an alternative. It lists for $27, but seems to be readily available in the $18-20 price range. At that price, we can still afford to have the knife engraved, while a $30+ knife would pretty much shoot down engraving.

A fixed-blade "hideout" knife has its advantages and disadvantages. As configured, it can be worn around the neck, under the shirt. Not as convenient as in a pocket, but it's always there. The chain is a good safety item, because the chain will break before you can get your neck broke, or stangled, with a cord. Camillus also makes an accessory kit to allow the kydex sheath to be hooked to a belt, web gear, etc..

Anyway, this is just my first pass at the problem. Camillus makes good knives, and I carry a Camillus, rather than a Hobbit Hole knife (sorry) myself. Suggestions are always welcome.

[RMDupree]

That's just bizarre and FRUSTRATING!

[Overtaxed]

and I carry a Camillus, rather than a Hobbit Hole knife (sorry) myself.

Gasp!

[RMDupree]

That's a nice looking knife! Isn't the fixed blade the bigger issue since most folks prefer a pocketknife?

[Wneighbor]

Only problem with that one would be that we are getting by with what we have now because they are a folding knife. Of course you know, *I* don't mind sending them. We'd just have to watch those regs and still list 'em as a pocketknife. A little more risky in being not-delivered if someone caught on to them.

[RMDupree]

Back in a bit...

[Wneighbor]

*lookin' around*

uh... okay...

[300winmag]

Gasp!

Well, carrying the 5700 point-up in my pocket (in Michigan, you'd probably go to jail if you used the pocket clip, and part of the knife was visible) carried the chance of the blade starting to open. So I chose a Camillus with real handles, which protect the blade stud much better. No more risk of accidental blade opening for me.

You've seen the Camillus EDC. A vey nice knife with 2.95" blade, and in the same general category as the CRKT 5700 as far as size goes. I remove the pocket clip, since I'm not using it, and that increases "pocketability" for me.

Now that I work weekend midnights alone in a hugh building, I felt my pocket needed an "upgrade". This is the special version of the Cuda "Dominator", made without the assisted-opening feature, so I can be legal in Michigan. It has a 3.65" blade made of a vey nice S30V steel, while the handles and locking mechanism is titanium, anodized to a medium blue, and not the "raw" color shown here. It's a hefty knife, and the lock snapping into place is about as loud as racking a pump shotgun. But it's flat, and doesn't print through my pocket. I'll be keeping this one around for a long while.

[Overtaxed]

Oh brother! Can't you just tell Michigan where to go? :)

So you can't use a clip if the knife is visible? The way I carry mine, only the clip is visible outside the pocket and then I have shirt tails over it.

[Wneighbor]

That is really a nice knife! Too bad about your assisted opening stuff.

[Wneighbor]

Hey, did you notice in that rodeo picture from Lone Star Moot that you could see my Hobbit Hole knife clipped in my pocket? hehehe

Almost had to use it there too!

[300winmag]

That's a nice looking knife! Isn't the fixed blade the bigger issue since most folks prefer a pocketknife?

That's exactly the issue. A folding knife can follow our troops back into civilian life much better than a fixed blade. But given the choice between doubling the cost of our folding knives, a fixed-blade, or no knives at all, I'd vote for the fixed blade.

When you're out there with your body armor and M-16, a fixed-blade knife is no big deal. They kydex sheath is safe, and the knife handle can be wrapped with 550 paracord to give a better grip, and tone down the bare stainless steel.

It's also obviously a utility knife, and not a "fighting knife". In fact, the blade is smaller than what most people would consider for a "hunting" knife.

Anyway, nothing is set in stone yet, which is why I'm soliciting opinions. Maybe we go with $30-$40 knives, and cut waaaay back on our efforts. I just don't know.

[Wneighbor]

I think it's a great knife. If we can't get the old standard then that one is prolly the way to go. I don't mind shippin' 'em if you don't! :-)

[300winmag]

That is really a nice knife! Too bad about your assisted opening stuff.

Other than the fact that the non-AO model is an exclusive through only one big dealer, and costs $20 more than the regular one, I really like it. It still opens easily with one hand, and has that great "snap" to it. Of course, it never leaves my pocket except for serious work, so I have a little knife on my keychain for opening boxes, etc.

A knife on a pocket clip is no big deal in rural Michigan. But in the cities and suburbs, you're just inviting a pat-down by the cops if they see a pocket clip. If they like what they see, they will either compliment you on it, or try to confiscate it.

[Wneighbor]

For me, as long as I can easily open with one hand I'm happy. No, not for weaponish reasons, but when you've got work to do, sometimes it's just inconvenient to have to use 2 hands. Got lots of knives, but only a few that I like to carry for exactly that reason.

[osagebowman]

Wn; like my HH knife for same reason, one hand easy open, carry a Gerber mulitplier instead of Leatherman; works easier for me.

300WM; much to ponder, my two cents include I like the folder better but recognize the utility of the fixed blade, sometimes change is inevitable. I'm glad you were able to corner the market when you did. :-)

[300winmag]

For me, as long as I can easily open with one hand I'm happy. No, not for weaponish reasons, but when you've got work to do, sometimes it's just inconvenient to have to use 2 hands. Got lots of knives, but only a few that I like to carry for exactly that reason.

One-hand-opening lockback knives have only been common over about the last ten years or so. Also one-hand closing. My Camillus is so solidly made, I have to use two hands to close it. But for its intended purpose, that's no problem for me.

A fixed-blade knife like the Arclite would be great for the troops, because they probably hang their HHD knives somewhere on the outside, anyway. But when they get home, the HHD can continue to live in pockets, while the Arclite would most likely be put away in a drawer.

[ecurbh]

Well folks, I is tuckered out... gonna hit the couch. Got a couple Netflix DVDs to choose from, once my honey joins me.

Good night!

[Wneighbor]

I have a couple of different multi-tool things that my kids have given me... I like keeping one in my tool pouch on the bike and one in the glove box of the pickup. But, definitely, one of 'em is easier to use than the other. That one's on the bike. :-)

[Wneighbor]

Still, it would serve the purpose in the field... and they'd still have the keepsake value on returning home. Might not be quite as utilitarian at home but some of 'em would find use for 'em occasionally. I hate that the CRKT seems out now. Really nice deal we had there. :-)