LC200N / Caribbean SE torture test gauntlet of death

[ladybug93]

well, it looks great. that picture you shared of it made me want a caribbean even more. i’ll probably do something similar to yours and shave off a little of the hook like we’ve discussed in the past. i gotta wait until the cqi is done and they start rolling out again though.

I don't think you can make the butt of the handle as narrow as a Manix 2 but you should be able to round it off quite a bit before exposing the tip/edge becomes an issue, especially if you get the sheepsfoot version.

yeah, i know, but it’ll probably still help to take it down a little. or i could get the knife in my hand and realize it’s not that big of a deal.

[Evil D]

well, it looks great. that picture you shared of it made me want a caribbean even more. i’ll probably do something similar to yours and shave off a little of the hook like we’ve discussed in the past. i gotta wait until the cqi is done and they start rolling out again though.

I don't think you can make the butt of the handle as narrow as a Manix 2 but you should be able to round it off quite a bit before exposing the tip/edge becomes an issue, especially if you get the sheepsfoot version.

yeah, i know, but it’ll probably still help to take it down a little. or i could get the knife in my hand and realize it’s not that big of a deal.

Comfort wise I love it, and I'm also a big Manix 2 fan. Is your issue with how wide it is at the opening of your pocket or ergonomics in your hand?

[ladybug93]

well, it looks great. that picture you shared of it made me want a caribbean even more. i’ll probably do something similar to yours and shave off a little of the hook like we’ve discussed in the past. i gotta wait until the cqi is done and they start rolling out again though.

I don't think you can make the butt of the handle as narrow as a Manix 2 but you should be able to round it off quite a bit before exposing the tip/edge becomes an issue, especially if you get the sheepsfoot version.

yeah, i know, but it’ll probably still help to take it down a little. or i could get the knife in my hand and realize it’s not that big of a deal.

Comfort wise I love it, and I'm also a big Manix 2 fan. Is your issue with how wide it is at the opening of your pocket or ergonomics in your hand?

it’s a combination of the space it takes at the pocket opening and the way pinky hooks sit against/hang out of the corner of the pocket. it looks especially prominent on the caribbean because the blade doesn’t join the hook to make a cleaner line.

i’m sure it’s great in hand, but my knives spend more time in my pocket than they do in my hand.

[Evil D]

it’s a combination of the space it takes at the pocket opening and the way pinky hooks sit against/hang out of the corner of the pocket. it looks especially prominent on the caribbean because the blade doesn’t join the hook to make a cleaner line.

i’m sure it’s great in hand, but my knives spend more time in my pocket than they do in my hand.

I just had to put mine in my pocket and see for myself that the hook stuck out, I literally never even considered it an issue or really even noticed that. It really amazes me how we all have our little hang-ups and requirements about our knives.

I'm not a hardcore fan of deep carry clips now that the job I do isn't super anti knife. When I did have to worry about keeping it as hidden as possible I liked deep carry a lot more but now there are times when I need quick access and having a bit sticking out of my pocket is really helpful.

Just looking at the inside of the scales I think you can round off enough of the G10 that the hook part will be nearly gone but there will still be a good bit sticking out of your pocket unless you swap the clip out for a deep carry. If you did I think most of it will tuck onto your pocket.

[ladybug93]

it’s a combination of the space it takes at the pocket opening and the way pinky hooks sit against/hang out of the corner of the pocket. it looks especially prominent on the caribbean because the blade doesn’t join the hook to make a cleaner line.

i’m sure it’s great in hand, but my knives spend more time in my pocket than they do in my hand.

I just had to put mine in my pocket and see for myself that the hook stuck out, I literally never even considered it an issue or really even noticed that. It really amazes me how we all have our little hang-ups and requirements about our knives.

I'm not a hardcore fan of deep carry clips now that the job I do isn't super anti knife. When I did have to worry about keeping it as hidden as possible I liked deep carry a lot more but now there are times when I need quick access and having a bit sticking out of my pocket is really helpful.

Just looking at the inside of the scales I think you can round off enough of the G10 that the hook part will be nearly gone but there will still be a good bit sticking out of your pocket unless you swap the clip out for a deep carry. If you did I think most of it will tuck onto your pocket.

i don’t care about deep carry either (although it think i need one on my yojimbo now that i added a pokey copper backspacer). the hook really just bothers me. i know it’s probably weird to most people, but it’s true we all have our own hang ups. i remember a discussion where people were complaining about the manix lw feeling like a lego brick and i think it’s perfect. we’re definitely all different.

anyway, just taking it down a little would probably do it for me. the manix and resilience both have a bump for the pinky and they don’t bother me. the slight hook on the native bothers me a little, but not enough to not carry it. i think that’s part of why i’m so put off by the hook on the caribbean; because it looks way more pronounced than on the native.

sorry to derail a little. thanks for indulging.

[40mm]

Evil this thread is awesome and thanks for putting the effort in. Also I just realized that you have videos out! Woohoo! So in your serrated opinion, LC200n trumps SE H1 in all situations and you're just fine to never mess with H1 again? I had another moment of weakness and sold of my beloved SE H1 dragonfly ALONG WITH my Sharpmaker. Was NOT worth it by the way. So as I look to get back into the wonderful world of serrations I wonder if I give LC200n a try or go back to my tried and true Dragonfly. Thanks brother!

[Evil D]

Evil this thread is awesome and thanks for putting the effort in. Also I just realized that you have videos out! Woohoo! So in your serrated opinion, LC200n trumps SE H1 in all situations and you're just fine to never mess with H1 again? I had another moment of weakness and sold of my beloved SE H1 dragonfly ALONG WITH my Sharpmaker. Was NOT worth it by the way. So as I look to get back into the wonderful world of serrations I wonder if I give LC200n a try or go back to my tried and true Dragonfly. Thanks brother!

I think I'd pick LC over H1 if it were an option but I definitely won't avoid H1. I happen to just reprofile my Dragonfly Salt a couple days ago.

[Evil D]

I got some potting soil for a house plant the other day, I plan on making some muddy soup to cake the knife with just to play around with lock action and reliability. I also switched this knife to my main EDC (I usually carry the sheepsfoot) in hopes that I'll come across some bamboo growing somewhere that I can cut up. You can find it overgrown in yards sometimes where I'm sure the owners won't mind a random guy knocking on their door asking if they can cut some down with a pocket knife :rolleyes:

[ladybug93]

I got some potting soil for a house plant the other day, I plan on making some muddy soup to cake the knife with just to play around with lock action and reliability. I also switched this knife to my main EDC (I usually carry the sheepsfoot) in hopes that I'll come across some bamboo growing somewhere that I can cut up. You can find it overgrown in yards sometimes where I'm sure the owners won't mind a random guy knocking on their door asking if they can cut some down with a pocket knife :rolleyes:

i'm definitely interested in the outcome of this as it was one of my main concerns for carrying a compression lock in the ocean. thanks for all you're doing for the community.

[Evil D]

Got around to cutting some bamboo today and I'm not real sure what to think. It cut with a similar consistency as a hollow carrot. Cutting it at a 45 degree angle was extremely easy and I could cut off clean slices with ease. Cutting down the main stalk was a bit more difficult but mostly because of wedging (I'm betting even a 1mm blade would wedge into this stuff). The edge saw absolutely no damage at all and overall I found this to be much easier to cut than a 1/2 inch tree branch.












Now, I have no doubt that larger bamboo gets more difficult to cut since it'll get significantly thicker so maybe that's the explanation here? I'm also certain that dried bamboo is a completely different animal, I would expect edge damage from dried bamboo and I actually took a large stalk home with me to dry out and see what happens.

It's been a while since I saw the thread about bamboo and edge damage but if I remember correctly it was much larger stalks being cut so I guess that's the difference, otherwise maybe someone cut some dried bamboo and that's what wrecked the edge?

Anyway I didn't have any paper to test slice after cutting this but the edge feels untouched so I'm sure it'll still push cut with no problem. I can try it later tonight if anyone cares.

[TheGiant80]

This is easily one of my favorite threads on the whole forum, but good gravy does it ever make me regret selling my Caribbean two weeks ago!

[ladybug93]

thanks for the hard use testing and update! you’re making me really want to pull the trigger. i just found out i’m leaving hawaii though and moving to a place that’s less knife friendly. not sure it’ll be legal there.

[Mike Slayer]

I will say I am rather found of LC200N since getting my first Spydiechef last February. I take my edges to a 1 micron diamond spray yet LC200N still has a lot of bite with that fine of a edge. Edge stability has been excellent in my opinion. LC200N seems to be very tough and along with it’s decent edge retention I would say it’s a well rounded steel. I want to make a few test knives from LC200N in the future to see how tough it is in real world use. I could be happy with LC200N in my folders the rest of my life. Give me LC200N and CPM-3v then I would be a happy man in the bush.

[Woodpuppy]

thanks for the hard use testing and update! you’re making me really want to pull the trigger. i just found out i’m leaving hawaii though and moving to a place that’s less knife friendly. not sure it’ll be legal there.

You’re moving to a place more restrictive than Hawaii? :eek:
My condolences! I hope there is something to recommenced the place besides a job. Cost of living should be lower.

[Evil D]

I want to make a few test knives from LC200N in the future to see how tough it is in real world use.

What kind of "real world uses" would you like me to do?

[ladybug93]

thanks for the hard use testing and update! you’re making me really want to pull the trigger. i just found out i’m leaving hawaii though and moving to a place that’s less knife friendly. not sure it’ll be legal there.

You’re moving to a place more restrictive than Hawaii? :eek:
My condolences! I hope there is something to recommenced the place besides a job. Cost of living should be lower.

hawaii is surprisingly great for knives. terrible for everything else. maybe i can get a carry permit and still carry a caribbean though. laws can be so stupid.

[Mike Slayer]

Process some lighter knot/fatwood and baton across the grain on some hickory. Seriously I want to try LC200N in a 6” plus type field/combat knife format. Should be interesting to say the least. Numbers I have seen on LC200N lead me to believe it will do well in a larger blade.

[Evil D]

Process some lighter knot/fatwood and baton across the grain on some hickory. Seriously I want to try LC200N in a 6” plus type field/combat knife format. Should be interesting to say the least. Numbers I have seen on LC200N lead me to believe it will do well in a larger blade.

Not sure offhand where to get either types of wood but I'll see what I can do.

[James Y]

This thread has convinced me that SE LC200N is probably *at least* as good as SE H1, though I cannot personally attest to that, because the only LC200N knife I own is my PE Caribbean.

Jim

[Evil D]

This thread has convinced me that SE LC200N is probably *at least* as good as SE H1, though I cannot personally attest to that, because the only LC200N knife I own is my PE Caribbean.

Jim

The comparison is a bit of a moot point for me after what I've seen this knife survive. Whatever advantage H1/SE may or may not have is a fair trade off for the better slicing thinner ground FFG that LC is available in.