TBS Grizzly Knife Review

Time for the big daddy of the TBS knife range. Its our TBS Grizzly Knife Review.

Ok, before I start this I we get on with this was the last thing on my mind the night before, and all I could think about through-out the morning. I was so excited for this knife but, fearful it would not be everything that I had hoped. The thing is, it was so much more.

I don't usually mention unboxing because it's quite standard, but the plain brown box with a small white sticker saying Grizzly was underwhelming yet, by far the most pleasing I've encountered. You know that they aren't bothered about making fancy boxes for you to pay for and then discard within a minute. The plain box re-assures you that this isn't some fancy show piece. This is an honest, hard working knife.

It's made from K720 high carbon tool steel, and this particular knife has mircata scales(others materials are available). The blade is 5 inces long, 6mm wide and has a Scandinavian grind with a firesteel cutout on the spine. It's just shy of 10 inches in total, and comes with a very functional and customisable leather sheath. You can choose to have a firesteel, or a firesteel and sharpening stone in a detachable pouch. This is the version with both the firesteel and sharpening stone, and I must say that as a full package, looks really beautiful.

The leather sheath is quite plain but very functional and the contrasting cream stitching looks fantastic.  It allows you to carry it as a standard drop down blade, or horizontally across the belt, while still giving the option for attaching the firesteel and sharpening stone to the outside.  As a complete package it's still very pleasing though, and I think, more impressive by not having any fancy designs sprawled across its face. The fastening loop is much larger than i am used to but again is very beautiful and functional. The knife does not move. Not even a wiggle.

The Fallkniven DC4 sharpening stone is just prefect for this blade with the diamond and ceramic stone surfaces. The stone requires no lubrication which makes it far more practical to take into the field, and the firesteel came with a matching mircata handle and a striker, so you don't have to use the blade.

The handle is superbly designed and crafted for a knife this size. This really is a big knife. I mean if it was a kid you'd tell it to stop eating cake and go for a run. It has presence, yet even with my small hands, it felt instantly comfortable. There is plenty of grip and security and with the mircata scales having hex bolts just makes it look more heavy-duty. The other choices of wood are all very beautiful though and are definitely worth considering.

Finally I can talk to you about the blade. Although the other TBS knives come in stainless this is a high carbon tool steel only knife. The Scandinavian grind is lovely. It's angle makes even this fat blade very effective for chopping, batoning, slicing, pretty much any task you require from a   knife. The extra width and weight of this blade compared to its smaller brethren just gives it the utility needed for heavier tasks when required. I never use knives for chopping or batoning, that's what axes and hatchets are for. But if you want a knife that can do all of this very effectively in a pinch, or if you just want something to carry as a one knife does all, then you wont be disappointed. There is also an indent into the spine of the blade for a firesteel, but if you check out The Bushcraft Store's knife care section, even they advise you to not use blades for batoning or fire starting, unless you do so very infrequently. But if you buy one of these you are likely to be using them regularly so just remember you can replace a flintsteel for a few quid, and you can baton with knives, but you really shouldn't.
If it broke would I buy another one?

Yes. Just absolutely yes. The only problem for me, is that I can't get it in stainless steel, otherwise it would be the only knife I ever carry. At least they make the TBS Boar in stainless, so I guess ill be raiding the wedding fund later tonight, and hoping she's not keeping count.

 

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