As humans we often need praise or reaffirmation, even if we are completely soft pieces of shit
80% of the time.
And HX Outdoors understands that if other people wont do it, how about they just write
Mercenaries tactical Knife on the side of the blade as if you could be dropped into
the middle of nature with only a tanto blade and somehow actually survive more than 24
hours.
So lets look at the dimensions of the D-165 Mercenaries Fixed Blade knife in Khaki- named
so because people literally buy anything.
Like the overall length and weight.
With and without the sheath.
Blade size and cutting edge.
Or should I say edges, and no I am not going to measure each one.
Handle size and grip area.
Spine thickness and handle thickness And I dunno some side dimensions if your one
of those people who like asking for them if I dont include them.
The D165 has a Tanto Blade made from D2.
Its pretty stout and has quite a few grinds presumably because each one makes it look
more tactical.
The edges are uncoated and each one of the three has a flat grinds, and not 4 though
that would be excessive.
Tanto blades are known for their toughness all the way to the tip and the unique ability
to encourage Youtubers to treat knives in ways they arent meant to be treated.
This one has some really thick ridges up top, I dont know at one point it ceases to be called
jimping but this might be the limit.
If you like to keep your thumb from slipping by hard metal to digging into your hand, thats
a good place to start.
The handle and who said jimping was just for blade spines and traction sometimes its for
handles too.
The handle fits my hand well and its kept firmly into place by all the jimping and ridges
people have come to associate with the tactical lifestyle.
Which reminds me I need to find a tactical life sticker for my CRV.
The handle scales covering the full tang is made from G10 that would have probably provided
enough grip without all the ridges, but it wouldnt look nearly as impressive in those
glass cases in a police department where they collect weapons from uhh people.
You also have a hole in the back to accessorize with a lanyard sculpture.
And I know it sounds counter intuitive to everything the internet tells us about knives,
but the less busy a handle often times the more comfortable the knife is to use.
The sheath.
The sheath is pretty similar to that Survival knife I reviewed a few years ago now.
As in it is a kydex sheath with a button release system that rides high much like your least
favorite pair of underwear.
I like sheaths that dangle lower, and you might think it would be a good horizontal
mount, and I found the knife is so heavy I wouldnt trust it, because the Kydex holds
the blade in with friction.
Lets compare it to a few other blades.
First the Moschus Tanto I reviewed a few weeks ago.. keeping with the tanto theme.
This is a much more comfortable knife with tasteful logos and no unnecessary ridges oh
and a quality leather sheath.
The Moschus is also a tad lighter with a much larger blade.
This knife costs about $80 and the HX Outdoors cost about $50- both D2 steel allegedly.
One more favorite, the Vangedal Rover.
Prohbably my favorite reasonable size outdoor fixed blade that looks like a steak knife.
I love the sheath, the length, and most everything about it.
Its about $40
Ok, so if I understand correctly Tantos are popular because theyre thick.
I mean I think.
And since this thing is like a small heavy compact hand axe, but no where near as comfortable
Well lets see how it holds up to prying and chopping.
Now I know tantos are made for special types of dudes, I think even those dudes and a Youtube
knife video artist like myself can agree, that handles should be comfortable.
Maybe if you only take your knife out to stab something occasionally, like an extremely
tactical mind might do, the bumps and ridges, may give you that extra friction.
I dont know Im in an part of knife theory where Im out of my element.
If this knife kept the same handle shape, but made it smoother, thatd be great.
Also the blade is kind of stubby for larger batoning even though the blade is built for
it so really small hard logs might be the best type of wood Maybe.
The three and a half inch cutting edge for an over 12 ounce knife well, if the moschus
can do less weight with a 6 inch cutting edge.
Well you can figure it out.
Now after all that talking and feeling like once I got past the rotten wood I was going
to break the tip I didnt.
It isnt bent either, although it isnt as sharp up there.
The rest of the blade seems to hold its edge well for whatever youre giving a thumbs down
to here.
If you like this sort of video and want to support my channel you can buy it through
the link below, from Gear Best whompt provided this special knife for review.
Even if you dont do that subscribe, comment, give it a thumbs up- and share this with your
friends and family, and those you share extremely tactical relationships with.
Thanks for watching.