| |
Gear Reviews
Documents
Tools
|
Imlay Canyon Gear Canyon Knife - Long Term Report
October 31, 2005
Thomas Vickers
37 years old
Male
5 ft 11 in tall (1.8 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
redroach@pobox.com
Southeast Texas, Houston Area
Tester Background:
I grew up in
the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested
woods behind the house. My style has evolved
and over the last 4 or 5 years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking
gear (I still use sleeping bags and tents, just lighter versions). While I have flirted with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am
more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of comfort, while carrying the
lightest load possible
Manufacturer Information:
Manufacturer: Imlay Canyon Gear
Website: http://www.imlaygear.com
Material: 440-C Surgical Stainless Steel
Blade length: 1 1/8 in (35 mm)
Open length: 3 3/8 in (86 mm)
Weight: 0.7 oz (20 g)
Blade Type: Serrated
Cantilever lock for the open position
Firm Indent lock for the closed position
MSRP: $ 19.95 US
Information from Tester:
Blade length: 1 in (25 mm)
Closed length: 2 3/8 in (60 mm)
Open Length: 3 3/8 in (86 mm)
Weight: 0.7 oz (20 g)
Other Information:
Lanyard length: 18.5 in (47 cm)
Lanyard weight: 0.20 oz (5 g)
Testing Locations and Conditions:
South East and Central Texas: Temperatures between 40 F and 95 F (7 C to 35 C).
Testing Activities:
Day hikes and weekend trips
Long Hiking trips (5+ days)
Geocaching
Yard work
Opening boxes
And the fun never ends:
Every now and then I run across a piece of gear that really sticks with me. Usually
it is something that has everyday applications and I can justify using it no matter where
I am or what I am doing. The Imlay Canyon Gear Canyon Knife has become one of those
pieces of gear for me during this test. I still wear it on a lanyard around my
neck and unless I am overwhelmingly lazy, it is there pretty much all the time.
There is no fumbling in a pocket, pack, on a belt, or any other place to find this
knife. It is always around my neck and easy to get to with one hand.
This means that not only do I not have to worry about dropping it, or having it chafe
me in some way due to the waist belt on my pack, but it is accessible quickly and
easily. For me, being able to get to a knife and use it without spending several
minutes to access it is a great bonus.
As far as being a knife, the Imlay Canyon Gear Canyon Knife does
everything I have asked it to do and it has done it well. I have cut everything from
pack webbing to cheese and the Canyon Knife still has its edge. I have never
sharpened it during this test period and I don't think I will have to for quite some time.
Now I won't be cutting down trees or cleaning deer with this knife, but I doubt I
will carry any other blade with me on my future hiking trips. There is just no need for a
huge knife in my pack now that I know that something as small as the Canyon Knife can do
it.
One of my initial worries was that the folding mechanism would loosen
over time and make the knife difficult to handle. To my great surprise the knife
does open easily, but there is no "flop" to the blade when I open it. The blade
moves smoothly and locks securely in place despite rather heavy use from me. Not
only is it functional and light, but it is well constructed as well.
If anyone needs a light weight knife to carry on the trail or around
the house, I would not hesitate to recommend the Imlay Canyon Gear Canyon Knife.
There are times when I am going to want a larger blade, but for what I normally use
a knife for, the Canyon Knife is all that I need.
Pluses:
Light weight
Durable
Easy to use one handed
Minuses:
Small, easy to loose if not properly attached
Some people laugh at my "little knife"
Other people want to take mine when they realize how neat it is
Read more reviews of Imlay Canyon Gear gear
Read more gear reviews by Thomas Vickers
|
