On the Africa Hunting forum a member posted a test that was done on a number of knives for the safari huner and the results were quite mixed but there were over $5000 worth of production knives tested with most having issues of one sort or the other added to which the sheaths came in for criticism as well. The testing started in his back yard with only 4 knives going on to be tested on US based hunts then going to Africa and spending a lot of time in the hands of hunters, guides, and the hunt staff who all treated them to as many every day tasks as would normally be expected a good knife to perform from cutting sticks to roast the lunch time meats to skinning animals and cutting fine cigars. There was use and abuse and some very definate ideals were concreted on to a wish list. The Esee camp lore was the most ideal but didn't have removable scales as the guys wanted the ability to remove the scales to possibly replace them with bone, tusk, horn or antler from thier own trophies as time and or hunts provide and the sheath was not suitable for what was needed. Others tested were rejected for one reason or another so after consulting with him on thier findings, I have started on a 6 pack of the knives today after confirming the design and cutting a patern from some 15N20.

Steel is 4mm O1 HT to 59-60, with scandi grind in a horizontal carry sheath to be worn on the off side hip. Scales are olive canvas micarta secured with brass torx screws (2 only) and a lanyard hole. They have excellent reasons for each of the design criteria and I will send the first one to undergo the same series of tests that the other knives went through so am looking forward to seeing how mine stand up against the others.