XSF, Yes or No?

XSF, Yes or No?

Not long after starting the Chisel Tip project the Beshara XSF-1 knife showed up on the market. Well that was disappointing because here I was working on a new concept and this knife threatened to preempt it. I waffled back and forth like a politician, should I buy an XSF-1 or not. The Titanium ones looked very cool but the price was a bit staggering. As time passed I just forgot about it.

One day I was cruising Ebay and came across a used, like-new, Beshara dagger complete with the original box. The opening bid was reasonable and I bid that, plus a small margin. At auctions end I was the winning bidder. As luck would have it the knife showed up while I was out of town on business.

Conceptually, the knife is extremely interesting! One of the first things I noticed is that it is made in the USA. The workmanship is very good, and other than the typical modern tricked-out sheath I am generally impressed. Remember though what I always say. A knife has only two functions, to cut and to stab. If it can’t perform those two functions it serves as a very short, ineffective club.

Well, this particular XSF-1 does not XCL when it comes to cutting. Despite the brightly honed edges it refuses to even cut post-it notepaper. No, I am not surprised, because the blade bevels are way too steep to permit the forming of any sort of edge. I hope that it will perform better at stabbing. Because of the thickness of the blade, and the fact that only half as much material is ground away during the shaping process, the knife ends up blade heavy, but incredibly strong.

If you were to purchase an XSF-1 knife with the intent of using it in UDT or EOD work I am confident it would be more than suitable for any prying tasks. The short serration on the model I bought also cut somewhat effectively. For any serious cutting chores like rope etc., I would suggest buying the version with the four inch serration. To be honest, our experimental Chisel Tip F/S knives perform much better at cutting and stabbing. If you are looking for a readily available, reasonably priced, multi-functional, serious combat dagger then I would suggest looking into an Ek Knife. In fact I have a new Ek F/S model on order right now and when it arrives it will be the next knife reviewed. Over the years I have purchased many Ek Knives and I have never been disappointed. I am not saying that I am disappointed in the XSF-1, nor am I surprised. It is what it is, and what it is not, is a fighting knife.

Smith's Gun Shop

Smith's Gun Shop

I keep writing blogs that I do not post. They tend to be more about moral issues than knives and swords. I have bought several knives since my last review of cutlery but my mind keeps gravitating back to other topics. One reader suggested I was too blunt and he was probably right. So I will try to remain on track with this review.

Yesterday I went wandering in a Mall in Corpus Christi, Texas. I happened to be here for work and in my spare time I have tried to hit all of the gun and knife shops. A long drive to a shop called "Mac’s Knife and Gun" was fruitless. Despite a lot of signs on the highway, when I knocked on the door, there was no sign of Mac.

By accident I found Smith’s Gunshop located right in the Padre/Staples Mall. Phil Smith is a very pleasant man originally from Pennsylvania and he has a shop full of rifles. Weatherbys, Remingtons, and Rugers line his gun cases along with numerous handguns. I was amazed to see several shelves stocked with Weatherby ammo. At $50 a box you don’t normally find a shop that keeps a lot of it on hand. When I mentioned how surprised I was to find a gun shop in a mall he said he was told they might be the only one left in the nation. The walls are lined with beautiful mounts of deer, antelope, gazelle, and a full mount of a cougar. Phil said he had hunted all over the world. In one case Phil has a large selection of antique Winchester lever guns. There were also several display cases with knives of various makes. We talked for a while and I bought a Glock 17 magazine. I also decided to buy a Benchmade 710 McHenry & Williams folder he had. This is one of my favorite Benchmade knives and my old one is getting pretty weary. I looked at the price tag of $165 and immediately wondered what it would sell for on the internet. Just as quickly, his comment, "the only one left in the nation" ran through my mind. I cannot imagine the cost of store rent and insurance in a mall. I might have bought this same knife for less on the WWW. Maybe my purchase will not make any difference in paying Phil’s rent because he seems to be doing a good business. But you know what, I walked out with the knife in my hand and I felt better about the purchase. I am not even going to look at what I might have saved. I’m happy with my knife and the fact that I met and spent time with Phil Smith in Corpus Christi, Texas. If you ever get down this way stop in and see him. Spend some time talking old guns, history, or Revolutionary War with him. If you’re looking for a top of the line hunting rifle or a quality knife spend some money with him too. I bet you walk out feeling better for it. Maybe the next time I have to come to Corpus Christi I won't complain as much.

New Web Site

Check it Out

http://www.whiteshadowsecurity.com/

I have written several new blogs but before I post them I want to tell all of our regular friends and new visitors to the blog about our exciting news. We have our website up and running. There are some things we will be changing and improving but basically it is functional and ready to serve your needs.

We will be offering several services as our business gets established.

As always we are blade focused and offer our books and mini-manuals for sale. We have a diverse selection of swords and knives for sale. Need training in the use of a katana or a fighting knife, knife defense or offense? We can help you out there as well. Gwynne has nearly completed her training with ESI and is looking for work in the field of Executive Protection. Do you have concerns about violence in your work environment or your site security plan? Contact us for a review of your site, facilities, and procedures. Then there is our service called blade search.

If you are tired of waiting a week for an auction to close and then getting sniped just four seconds from the end, so are we! Come look at our site. If you’re tired of putting in a high bid and then wondering if you’re bidding against the seller or one of his friends, come see what we might have that interests you. Check out the knives and swords we have listed, if you like something buy it without the waiting and the angst of bidding and losing. Your purchase ships USPS in the next day or two. Its that simple. If you need better photos email us and we’ll oblige. In the end you know what you’re getting and exactly how much you’re paying with no nasty surprises. Remember the last auction when your bid rocketed from something comfortable to the max in seconds.

Another thing, we will always tell you where a product is made! For example, we are trying to limit our purchases and sales of Chinese goods but if we find something of truly excellent value for your dollar, like the Hanwei Forge Paul Chen swords, then we carry and sell them at prices well below full retail.

Also check out our new page dedicated to high quality Indonesian knives. Still can’t find exactly what you want, ask us to find it for you. Our finder’s fee is a modest 10% over our actual costs, plus shipping.
If you are on active duty or an affiliate of ESI ask us about a discount. While you are on our website please follow some of the links to our friends whose products we endorse. Remember, if you don't see what you're looking for let us know how we may be of service to you. This is not just a business, it’s also our passion. http://www.whiteshadowsecurity.com/