Sanrenmu 710 - Limited Quantities For Sale

**Knives are No Longer Available for Sale**

Sanrenmu 710 in Black and Silver

Back in June of this year I did a review of the Sanrenmu 710 folding knife.  You can read the review here: Sanrenmu 710-The Perfect Pocket EDC.  I continue to carry this knife on a regular basis because it is such an excellent knife; I'm confident that you too will find that it is the Perfect Pocket EDC.  I have been so pleased by this knife that I recently acquired 22 brand new Sanrenmu 710 knives; 11 each in Black and Silver.  I know that you can very easily find a cheaper price from other sources, however, you will most likely have to wait several weeks for your shipment to arrive.  But...  If you want one now, I have these knives available for $14.99 including immediate free shipping (USA Domestic only).  So why wait?  The price isn't unreasonable, the gift giving season is pressing upon us and if you order now you'll have the knife in just a few days.  These would make a great gift, stocking stuffer or personal purchase. Supplies are very limited, so don't miss out on this opportunity! I expect that these will go fast so send me a comment with your email address, full mailing address, and which color you want and the quantity so that I can verify the inventory.  I'll then send you a PayPal Invoice for payment.  After all of the knives have sold, I'll post an update.  ~Keep it Sharp.

Straight Razor Shaving with a 3-Blade Disposable?

Is it possible to get a straight razor shave from a disposable triple-blade razor?  While the experience is definitely not the same; for, after all, there is a sense of manliness, nobleness and nostalgia associated with shaving with a straight razor; however, it is possible to replicate a pseudo-experience.  Now, I personally own several vintage straight razors which have been honed with a precision edge and each of these razors give the classic baby face closeness; so, don't misunderstand me...  I'm not saying that shaving with a disposable provides the same pleasure and experience.  Even so, I believe I have found a way to provide the same, consistent "close as a straight razor-like" shave with a disposable razor.  Especially when time and convenience is necessary, this technique is a winner.  And, there is a bonus from this setup, but first...

Here's the recipe for success:

Gillette Mach 3 (Sensitive) Disposable Razor
Shaving Brush
Shaving Soap
Soap Mug
Cotton Webbed Guitar Strap

The real secret and success to this setup is simply stropping the disposable razor with the cotton webbed guitar strap.  By stropping the razor 20-25 times before shaving, I have been assured a very close comfortable shave and dare I say, "as close as a straight razor-like shave".  So, here's the bonus...  I've been stropping and shaving with the same disposable razor since January 1, 2012.  With more than 10 months of using this technique, I am very comfortable and confident in recommending this method of shaving.  I purchased a 3 pack of the the Gillette Mach 3s for under $7 and having only used one razor, so far, I would consider this a real bargain.  Plus, there's no indication at this point that this same razor is anywhere near the end of its useful life.  By the way, this technique even works great for reviving razors previously used on your wife's legs.  So give it a try and let me know what you think.  ~Keep it Sharp.

McAfee's Knob and DIY Tarp Project

I had been planning an overnight camp trip for a couple of weeks and was finally able to make it happen this weekend.  My goal was to try out a new homemade plastic tarp, sharpen up some bushcrafting skills and techniques; and most importantly, spend some time with one of my boys. The outing took place near McAfee's Knob which is located near Roanoke, Virginia.  The hike is about 8 miles round-trip but worth the effort once you get to the Knob; revealing one of the finest views in Virginia.

Having seen this DIY tarp on a YouTube video a few months ago, I was convinced that this was a project that had the potential of being very cost effective and easy to pack.  Completing the project was really quite simple and can be completed in less than two hours.  The material list in putting this project together is inexpensive and includes the following items:

1. Husky 9 X 12 Plastic Drop Cloth (2mil) from Home Depot ($2.98)
2. Duct Tape-40yards from Home Depot ($4.89)

So, there you have it...  for under $8, I was able to make  a reasonably lightweight and reliable homemade tarp that provides for more than adequate shelter.  The whole project took about 1.5 hours to complete. The most time consuming
portion was in reinforcing the plactic with the duct tape; this included both sides of the edge, the center line and the diagonals.  By adding the diagonal reinforcement, it seemed logical that this would reduce the stress of the plastic when putting on a load when staking and tying down.  In addition I decided to use duct-tape straps instead of grommets on the tie ends.   The hexagonal shape provides excellent coverage and the whole tarp weighs about 22 ounces.  The entire tarp rolls up to approximately 5.25" X 7". With the cost of sil-nylon tarps and the like, this really is a remarkable and cost effective alternative that won't let you down.  While the durability is yet to be determined, I can't think of a reason why this tarp wouldn't find a place in my pack on every overnight outing going forward. By the way, this was the first overnight with a hammock  Besides not having to sleep on the ground, there are definitely some pluses in selecting this type of sleep system.  I need to spend additional nights trying to optimize this method, so it may be awhile before I post my thoughts.  On the other hand, the DIY tarp and hammock combo complimented each other very well.  ~Keep it Sharp.

Enzo Trapper Knife Review

Back in March of this year I purchased an Enzo Trapper Knife kit from Curtis at Omaha Knife.  This was a straight forward knife kit that turned out exceptionally well.  The knife purchased was in O1 steel with Curly Birch handles.  While I never got around to posting pictures of the completed project, the Blue Ridge Survival Blog header has had a picture of this very knife.   I’ve been so impressed by this knife, I ordered and received my second Enzo Trapper earlier this week. 

Specifications:

Blade:  Full tang O1 tool steel with Scandinavian Grind– The Trapper is also available at Omaha Knife in D2 (both Scandi and Flat Grind), and 12c27 Stainless.  I have no doubt that D2 and 12c27 are excellent steels, especially since the Enzo brand represents high quality.  I purchased the O1 because I find it works well for me; I like the carbon steel and in terms of quality, ease of sharpening and edge retention the O1 steel has performed flawlessly.  From the factory this blade arrives hair popping sharp.  This type of grind lends itself especially well to bushcrafting tasks and is one of the simplest edges to sharpen.

The Trapper in Curly Birch was the first
acquisition.

Overall Length:  8 1/4” from tip to heel.  Blade length is 3 3/4".  Blade thickness is 1/8”.

Handle Material/Scales:  Burgundy Linen Micarta

Sheath:  The leather sheath is excellent and of very high quality.  The leather used to form the sheath is thick and comes with a dangler.  

Putting it all together...

As I said, this is a straight forward kit.  The kit was packed very well from Omaha Knife with the contents having the blade, handle material, corby brass bolts and a leather sheath.  The customer service from Omaha Knife is excellent.  I ordered the knife on Sunday and received it Wednesday.  I consider that very fast since the order could not get processed until Monday morning at the earliest. 

The scales that I 
ordered came pre-formed and pre-drilled, so the handle material is simply epoxied to the handle end of the blade, bolted and clamped.  The epoxy that I used is T-88 Structural Epoxy and it has a cure time of about 24 hours.    The next day after the epoxy cured, a Dremel tool was used to remove as much of the excess length from the brass bolts as possible.  I then used a small file to finish the brass pins flush with the handle.  The Dremel was also used to remove the excess handle material so that it's flush with the tang; I then followed up with 400 grit sandpaper on the handle material to smooth everything and round sharp corners.  Boiled Linseed Oil was then put on the handle and allowed to dry overnight.  Even with the Micarta handles, the Boiled Linseed Oil worked well.  Since this knife has the Micarta handle, I intend for this to be my primary workhorse.  I know all of this seems over simplified, but it really is a very straight forward knife kit.  I’ve been very pleased by the overall results and it’s satisfying to have built such a high quality knife.  This is a great weekend project that won’t take all weekend, so I highly recommend it.   ~Keep it Sharp.

Becker BK14 Neck Knife-Survival Kit

Whether I go out on a back woods camping trip or a simple day hike, I think about being prepared for the possibility that I might be out longer than intended.  So anticipating the challenges associated with spending a few more hours, an additional overnight or even a few more days, should be part of our physical and mental preparation. 

With that in mind I think along the lines of Shelter, Water, Fire, Signaling, Navigation and Food.  One of the basic kits that I carry is a Becker Bk-14 Neck Knife to accomplish this philosophy of survival.  By utilizing ranger bands (or bicycle inner tube) it is simple to create a personal survival kit.  Here is what is in my kit:

Shelter:  With a personal survival kit such as this, whatever clothing we have on would be considered our basic shelter.  Hopefully we have dressed appropriately to anticipate the season and any changes in the weather.  

Water:  I’ve included a Plastic 1-gallon storage bag.  This can be used to retrieve or collect water in multiple ways.  I always carry a water bottle so even if it becomes necessary to treat the water by boiling; a plastic bottle will do.  

Fire: The fire steel and Vaseline charged cotton ball (in tin foil) will easily initiate a fire.   Of course the Becker knife is excellent for making feather sticks and processing wood to build the fire.  

Signaling:  A small proton light and signaling mirror meets this requirement.  The signaling mirror is made from an aluminum can and has been highly polished. 

Navigation:  A simple button compass will provide the means for navigation in the general direction to safety.  




Food:  Fishing line and a fly from my fly-fishing gear will provide the means for food if I’m near a stream.  Included is a safety pin, just in cases I need to use live bait. 

The para-cord used around the neck and the knife handle provides for about 10 feet of cordage which can be used for a number of items including fishing and trapping.  All in all a very basic, concise and lightweight kit that has a survival form factor that will facilitate success when necessary.  ~Keep it Sharp.

Knife Review of Sanrenmu 710 - The Perfect Pocket EDC

For the past few weeks, I have been trying to find the perfect folding knife that conveys function and style; and one that is easy to pocket for everyday carry (EDC) whether in my suit or on the trail.  While I know that no folding knife is perfect; at least for me, I believe I have found one that most certainly meets the requirements.  So, let me introduce to you the Sanrenmu -SRM 710 Pocket Folder.

Specifications:

Blade-8cr13MOV 57 HRC

Satin Polished Stainless Steel

Lanyard Hole

Razor Sharp

Thumb Studs Opening

Stainless Steel Pocket Clip 

Open- 6 1/2"

Weight- 3.25 oz.

Ease of Deployment – Deploying the blade is accomplished with one hand.  Out of the box, deploying the blade was stiff and slow.  However, after adding a touch of silicone lubricant to the pivot point and flipping the blade about 50 times, the deployment is now lightning fast and very smooth.   The stainless clip is particularly functional and easy to slip onto the front pocket of a pair of dress pants or jeans.  I’ve read that some have used the pocket clip as a money clip.  The blade is secured by a frame lock while in the deployed position with no blade play whatsoever.

Ease of Getting a Sharp Edge – I found the blade edge to be sharp out of the box; however, with the use of a Japanese waterstone and Leather strop, I was able to get a super sharp edge.  I prefer a convex edge on my knives; and this was easily accomplished with my sharpening setup.  The steel on this blade is quite incredible; in fact, I was able to get the edge to straight razor sharpness; where I was able to perform the hanging hair test successfully.  (See Video Below).  The  8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade is an excellent steel and it is amazingly reliable.  The edge retention is simply superb.

Edge Retention – Edge retention is always a concern for me because I want a blade that will be able to hold the edge throughout the day while being used in a variety of tasks.  With this particular blade I was able to create several feather sticks with little to no effect on the blade.  The edge developed no nicks or chips; nor was there any edge roll.  Even after cutting the feather sticks, the edge was able to slice through a piece of paper without getting hung up.

Style/Comfort – I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder; however, I really appreciate the aesthetics of this knife.  The combination of weight and size makes this knife especially comfortable to hold while doing routine tasks.  The overall look and satin finish of the frame presents a classic style whether in a suit or out in the woods.   The overall design, coupled with the sharp blade provided comfort as I worked on the feather sticks.  The rounded edges of the frame made it so that hotspots were virtually unnoticeable.

The Sanrenmu 710 is available in a Satin Polished Stainless steel, Black TiNi Finish with Laser Etching. and a Camouflage pattern. Having reviewed the Sanrenmu 707 folding knife previously, I must say that I am impressed with the quality of both of these knives. Quality and economy go a long way, especially these days; and with these knives, there is no lacking in both function and style.  I'm pleased to say that the SRM-710 is now my everyday carry..  ~ Keep it Sharp.

My Everyday Carry Load

Keeping things light and simple has been the driving principle in my philosophy of everyday carry.  As you can see, I attempt to carry only the essentials.  Whether in a suit at work, or in jeans/shorts when not at work, this has been my typical load for several years.  Of course, individual items will be switched out from time to time.  So here's what I'm carrying today:

• Glock 26 - Extremely comfortable to carry IWB and most important; a very concealable, reliable and accurate companion.
• Timex Expedition Chronograph - Stylish and Bold.  I love this watch, especially since it was a gift from my kids.
• Esterbrook J Fountain Pen - A vintage pen that is more than 60 years old.  I have several vintage fountain pens that I rotate routinely, but this is definitely a favorite.
• Moleskine Softcover Notebook (not pictured) - This has been, by far one of the best notebooks I have ever used.  The Private Reserve ink I use with my fountain pens works exceptionally well with the paper. 
• Black Leather Wallet by Stafford - Nothing fancy here, except to say that this particular wallet  wears well and has improved with age.
• SRM (Sanrenmu) 710 Knife - I just started carrying this knife and have found it to be perfect whether wearing a suit or in other attire.  I've been able to get the edge on this super crazy sharp.  I will most likely post a review on this knife in the next couple of weeks.
• Motorolo Droid 4 - I very much like the Android platform.  This is a recent acquisition; switching from the HTC Incredible.  So far I've been satisfied with the change. 
• Braided Lanyard with Keys - On the ring is a Victorinox Classic and Fenix E01Light.

Perhaps in another post I will comment on the content of my two ready bags that I keep in the car at all times.  In the meantime ~Keep it Sharp.

EDC Carry - Vintage Fountain Pen

There are some things from the past that I really appreciate; and, at least from my perspective, helps me to slow  the pace of life down.  One of those things that have helped me to keep this perspective is a fountain pen.  Now I know that for most of us, thinking about such an utilitarian item seems inconsequential, particularly with the advent of netbooks, laptops, tablets and smartphones; however, part of my EDC includes a vintage fountain pen. So, let me try to convince  you (or at least peak your interest) that there is a nostalgia and nobleness related to carrying and using a fountain pen. While there may be a stark contrast in carrying say an Esterbrook J vintage fountain pen with a Glock 26, there is also a synergism that exists which complement one another.  There is a feeling that is difficult to describe when using a fountain pen, and can be understood only after writing with one.  In fact, most who use a fountain pen on a daily basis regard all other writing instruments as ink sticks.  While my preferred personal notebook is a black softcover Moleskine, my black Esterbrook J (which boasts a 9048 writing nib) writes exceptionally smooth on most papers with nary any bleed through.  The ease in keeping the pen filled with ink is accomplished through a lever filler and bottled ink; so; since I keep bottles of ink in a variety of colors at home and work, I never have to be concerned about running dry.  There is a style and elegance in writing with such a vintage instrument with some who will claim that their penmanship has vastly improved and is attributable specifically to using a fountain pen.  I have received many astonished looks when I pull out the Esterbrook to sign papers or while I take notes.  A conversation starter for sure, my vintage Esterbrook J fountain pen is a classic EDC that will never go out of style and does not disappoint.  Incidently, the Esterbrook J is more than 60 years old. ~Keep it Sharp.

Knife Review of Sanrenmu 707 - EDC

There’s been a lot of discussion and speculation on the quality of inexpensive knives coming out of China.  Notice that I used the word inexpensive and not cheap;  because after doing a fair bit of reading and research on the build quality, fit and finish of the Sanrenmu brand of knives, I finally decided to purchase one a few weeks ago.  One major positive on these knives, is that they are reported to be manufactured in the same plant with the Spyderco Tenacious, CRKT Drifter and some models of Benchmade.   Speculation or not, I have been very much impressed with the overall quality and the attention to detail of the Sanrenmu 707 which I purchased from a USA Ebay Seller. Even more impressive is the sticker price at around $11.00 shipped.    By the way, the Sanrenmu looks identical to the CRKT Drifter which retails at around $23.00 plus shipping.  Any of us would be hard pressed to find a knife of this quality at even double the price.  I own the excellent and affordable Ken Onion designed Kershaw Vapor and the Sanrenmu 707 easily compares in terms of workmanship, ease of sharpening and ease of deployment. Here are the specs:

Blade-8cr13MOV 57 HRC

G10 Handles

Lanyard Hole

Razor Sharp

Thumb Studs Opening

Stainless Steel Pocket Clip 

Open- 6 1/2"

Closed-3 1/2"

Weight- 2 3/8ozs.

The blade locks firmly in the deployed position; and, there is no noticeable blade play.  The edge came super sharp from the factory.  However, after re-profiling using a Japanese waterstone (1000/6000 grit) and using a leather strop, I was able to achieve a convex edge on the blade; I prefer the convex edge for sharpness and edge retention.  I was able to get this particular blade sharp enough to shave facial hair.  Now I’m not hard on my knives, but, to see how good the steel and edge retention would be, I spent some time making feather sticks and just doing some general whittling.  The Sanrenmu performed these tasks effortlessly, and it was really quite enjoyable.  The blade retained a reasonable amount of sharpness still able to slice through paper without hesitation.  After a couple of strops on the leather paddle, I was able to get that hair shaving sharpness again.  I’ve been carrying this knife as my EDC for about a month now, and I am confident that it will fulfill any needed task.  In terms of quality workmanship, style and price this knife is highly recommended.  ~Keep it Sharp.

DIY Knife Review - Woodcraft Knife Kit Assembly

So I’ve wanted to make a knife for some time and was looking for an easy kit that wasn’t going to require a huge investment in new tools. As it happened, I was at the local Woodcraft store and found a knife kit that seemed easy enough. The cost of the kit was $20.99.

Here’s the product detail from the Woodcraft.com site:

These knife kits are constructed from 1/8" 440C Stainless Steel with a hollow ground and highly polished blade section. Just shape, mount and finish your custom handles for a one of a kind, high quality knife kit. Kits include blade, aluminum scale pins and instructions. Made in China.

•  440C Stainless steel blade 
•  Custom fitted sheath 
•  3 aluminum pins 
•  3" 3/4 inch blade 
•  8 3/8" overall 

Since the kit did not include the handle material, while in the store, I picked up a pair of Rosewood Bolivian knife scales which measured in at 3/8” x .5” x 5” each. The scales come packaged together at a cost of $4.99. Total cost for the material to make the knife was $25.99 plus tax. After getting home, I used the knife blank to trace the outline of the handle. Using two sided tape, I put both scales together and made my preliminary cuts with a reciprocating saw. I know that this was not an ideal tool but this was what I had available to me and my plan was to not buy any new equipment. Once I cut the scales to the general shape, I drilled the required holes and then epoxied and pinned the scales to the knife. Here is when things got very tough… Trying to remove so much handle material to be flush with the tang was a nightmare… even using 60 grit sandpaper.

Regretfully, I went out and bought a dremel; however, this made life easy and in no time I had the scales flush to the handle. The dremel was also handy in removing the extra length on the pins. Once this was accomplished, I proceeded to shape the handle to my desired width. After getting the grip to my liking, the last step before sharpening the blade was to soak the handle in boiled linseed oil overnight. Sharpening the blade was a challenge due to the factory edge being uneven. However, after about an hour on my Japanese water stone (1000/6000 grit) I was able to re-profile the blade to have a convex edge. Finishing the edge with a leather strop gave the blade a super sharp edge. I had my doubts with this Chinese steel, but, overall the edge retention on this 440C steel seems acceptable. After spending 2 hours, making feather sticks, cutting and whittling wood and cutting up vegetables—camp related chores—the blade was still sharp enough to slice through paper.  I was quite pleased.

The leather sheath was formed simply by wetting the leather, sticking the knife in the sheath and then forming with my fingers. Now after the leather has dried there is very good rention of the knife when sheathed. To finish off the sheath I lathered it with shoe grease and then buffed it by hand. The knife comes with a mirror like shine, but, you can see that I added etching to the knife blade. This was an interesting process that I will go into at another time. Overall, not bad for less than $26 and about two days investment. Now I have another full tang knife that is functional, looks attractive and one that I would not hesitate to carry. I highly recommend this project to anyone. ~Keep it Sharp.