Owner Review by Josh Moffi

Browning Model 079 Pocket Knife

Owner Review

Name: Josh Moffi
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Height: 180 cm (5 ft, 11 in)
Weight: 95 kg (210 lb)
Email Address: joshmoffi AT gmail DOT com
City, State, Country: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Date: November 1, 2006

Backpacking Background

I have been backpacking since I was 3 years old, owned my first pack at the age of 4, my fist tent at 9. I have backpacked in various locations New York, Vermont, Ontario, Michigan, Oregon and Alaska. Once I introduced my wife to backpacking, we expanded our activities to anything that gets us out into the woods. I usually carry the heaviest pack in any party I hike with. I have recently started getting rid of some excessive weight from my pack. I am expanding my range of activities by to include winter backpacking and camping.

Browning knife closed

Product Information

Manufacturer: Browning
Year of manufacture: 2006
URL: http://www.browning.com
Material: Blade - 440 Stainless steel blade;
Handle – Laminated wood; Pocket Clip - Chrome
Blade Length: 7.62 cm (3 in)
Measured Overall Length: 19.68 cm (7¾ in)
Measured Closed Length: 13.97 cm (5½ in)
Blade Style: Drop point
Lock Style: Cross blade
MSRP: N/A
This knife is a Browning producte it is produced for and destributed through Big 5 Sporting Goods.

Field Information

In Seattle and Anchorage the knife has been used for many general day-to-day purposes around home and work. The knife has been used daily, including cutting paper, cardboard, 16 GA speaker wire, electrical tape, packing tape and rope. While backpacking on the Kenai Peninsula the knife was used for everything in and around camp from food preparation to cutting rope.
While working and hiking in and around Dutch Harbor, Alaska, the knife’s uses ranged from cutting cardboard, cutting line on commercial fishing vessels, electrical tape, to cleaning fish. While fishing salmon recreationally the knife was rinsed repeatedly in salt water. Not recommended, but it was that nothing or put it back in my pocket with fish slime on it.
I also use the knife while on an overnight camping and ice fishing trip in the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, about 120 km (75 mi) north of Anchorage Alaska. During this time the knife was used to cut fishing line at low temperatures. The knife was also used for food preparation and cutting rope while on this trip.

Browning knife clip

Product Review

The knife has a nice shape both open and closed. The laminated wood handle is black accented with layers of green wood. The gentle curve to the end of the handle compliments the curve of the blade when the knife is closed. The colors are distinctive. The chrome pocket clip is curved to match the overall shape of the knife and accents the handle curve nicely.

The Browning logo is cut right though the blade just in front of the opening knobs. The blade is finished with a flat finish. This gives the blade a toned down look that fits well with the colors of the handle. The blade tapers along the cutting edge as well as along the drop point, giving the blade a serious down-to-business look.

The pocket clip keeps the knife easily accessible at the top of one’s pocket. The blade has opening pegs on both sides to allow the knife to be opened either left or right handed with just a flick of the thumb. This makes it very easy to open the knife even with the other hand occupied. The knife has a curve cut into the handle for the index finger increasing grip in the handle. Once open the knife has excellent balance, it feels more like an extension of the hand than a tool. This increased grip and excellent balance allow for great control of the blade in all situations. The cross blade lock secures the blade while it is open, yet allows the lock to be easily released with the thumb, and the blade to be closed and stowed single-handed.

I have owned this knife for six months and it has become my main pocketknife. The knife was purchased in May of 2006 when I thought I had left my regular pocketknife at home. I was going to be away working on the west coast for seven months and needed a replacement knife. This knife was chosen for A) being a similar size to the knife I had been carrying, B) simple colors that were not flashy, C) available right away, and D) it was on special. I wanted a sturdy knife that I would not mind if I lost or had to replace due to excessive use and abuse.

After using the knife for a couple days, I realized that it was a bargain even at full price. I also realized that I had indeed packed my regular pocketknife, I just did not put it in its normal spot. I was so impressed with the Browning knife that I decided I would continue to use the Browning as my main pocketknife. The balance and weight were much nicer than the knife I had been using previously.

I have used this knife extensively and have been hard on it, to the point of rinsing it in saltwater to get the fish slime off of it. I waited a week before re-rinsing it in freshwater and oiling it. This knife has preformed great regardless of the temperature or what was being cut. The only thing I do not like about this knife is the opening knobs collect dirt and debris where they meet the knife blade. This is easily remedied by a little extra attention to these areas when cleaning the blade. Otherwise it has been a very nice knife.

Summary

My original reason for buying this knife was a quick replacement for my old pocketknife. This knife quickly exceeded my expectations and continues to be the knife I stick in my pocket each day, even after finding my old knife. I would gladly buy this knife again, even at full price. In fact, I regret not buying two when they were on sale. Browning has done an excellent job, producing a larger sized pocketknife that is still reasonably lightweight and has exceptional control. I now recommend to my friends that they consider looking at Browning’s line of knives before they make the purchase of a new knife.

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