What is the point of the notch on the back of the blade? I saw a picture of it snapped in two where that notch is, so I'm hesitant on buying this.
1861642
Designed for campfire tool for lifting pots but also for scoring bone to get at the marrow. I too was concerned but have been using for past year for batoning on my backpacking trips. I recommend it. No issues with mine.
1861643
The notch is used to lift pots off of campfires, it's too small for what I have...I don't worry bout it breaking great knife and tool having proved it's worth here in the swamps of Louisiana [buy it] Ya Heard Me
1861644
The notch is for a couple of things 1 if you have a pot on a fire with a wire handle it can be used to lift the pot 2 it can be used to bend wire 3 it can be used to score or notch wood or bone. Ive owned mine for going on two years and have used it a lot in the outdoors to split and process wood with no issues. It is no a pry bar and like any knife will snap if abused in that manor. Go to youtube and check out Nutnfancy chanel for his review of this knife to learn all about it.
1861645
There are several uses for it, such as using it on the lip of a hot pot to remove it from a fire. Unfortunately it is a severe weakness in the blade durability and it's uses do not outweigh that shortfall. If that notch was milled instead of laser cut then it could be a different story, however. This is due to the laser cut method heating the metal and screwing with the temper of the metal near the cut.
1861646
The founder, Al Buck, designed the notch to get into bone and enable the user to get marrow out for survival or deep back-country purposes. I've had mine for nearly two years now without an issue and I probably use mine more and a bit harder than most. Lots of firewood prep and shelter building in the back-country. Love this knife!
192195
One Blade with the teeth for cutting as seen in picture, the blade is amazing. Not sure why people are saying two blades? that is a bit confusing.
831713
I bought the 71-22-200 last year, and it does *not* have the notched blades. The description appears to be incorrect.
2066645
It is possible that the blade is not all the way in. Mine had to be turned a little and carefully pushed in to the appropriate position. But once I got it on and tried to start it IT froze up on me. I could 't get it appear and ended up sending it back dirty. I DIDN't get another. I got a different brand. I hope you have a better experience than I did. Good luck.
1113147
the one i got is pointed. i think you can it get either way though. its your choice when you order. its a nice knife. comes razor sharp and very light do to the titanium blade.
729144
A. The blade is designed to pop right out.B. No; this knife is garbage. Mine lasted less than a dozen opens before the liner lock gave out and the blade had an inch of play.
978347
The quality of the blade appears to very good. The tip is extremely sharp and the knife is well balanced. I dont have the knife handy right now so i cant answer your question about the alignment. If it was mis-aligned it wasn't enough to notice. The sheath appears to be made of tough thick leather (a little stiff) and the stitching looks sturdy. Hope this helps
1843238
Brian, let me preface what I'm about to say by letting you know I'm no expert on knives and the like but after looking at the groove I really don't see any real practical use for it. I even used the back edge of my knife to see if you could slide it in and help you open it but it really wasn't that usefull. So my guess is that it is mostly cosmetic or it is there so you can feel what side has the stone in it - in case you're in a low-light situation when you want to use it. Sorry I couldn't be more helpfullTed
1961625
Like the previous answer I don't know myself. I am some what heavy on my blades it's holding up rather well. The clip is only part of the blade that is loosing some black coating. Other then that it's held up fine.
435708
I was looking at picture of blades and for some reason it showes a male notch on end, but what was sent to me have a female notch on ends.The ones I have are the 128281-13". I don't understand that. But they do fit my planer
1118487
As stated by MLEC, the blade does have a round in the center for the shaft. That is just, one, bad photo. I have ordered many from Amazon. The other holes at both ends are just wear indicators. The newer hardened blades are the bomb.
2015764
I think it's intended as a lower price entry tool to see if you like chip carving without spending the money for higher priced tools. I have both and still use my Flexcut knives most often. I've seen some knives go as much as $100.00 plus. Flexcut knives are fine but may need some modification to the handle to fit your hand. If you want something a little better and more expensive Wayne Barton knives are very nice. I'd get his book too, The complete guide to chip carving. Hope this helps...
2041912
Wish I could help, but I too, purchased a blade that would not cut. Lucky for me, that I bought two of them, the other cut just fine. But the one that didn't work, it was like it didn't have an edge on it. Perhaps it didn't. I tried and tried to use it, then finally gave up and put the other blade in and it cut through with ease, like a knife cutting through soft butter. I suggest you return that blade for another.
114141
If you watch the video included where additional photo thumbnails are located, you will see around the 1:02 mark that the blade metal goes the entire length of the knife but as someone else commented, it rattails down smaller. This knife is proven and solid. Buy it if you have not already. :)
298823
you remove the "inner" blade cover by twisting a knob in the back and it pop right off. Then there are 3 screw you'll have to loosen and remove in order to remove the blade itself. FYI, i was able to loosen 2 of the 3 screw and the last was impossible to remove. I called the customer service to see if i can't get that fix or exchange for another and they told me you're not suppose to remove the blade (they fear you'll hurt yourself by cutting yourself removing the blade). Not for cleaning, or replacing the blade for a replacement blade in case this one get damage. So really, i brought a "defective machine" but they see it as operational. Buyer beware! you remove the "inner" blade cover by twisting a knob in the back and it pop right off. Then there are 3 screw you'll have to loosen and remove in order to remove the blade itself. FYI, i was able to loosen 2 of the 3 screw and the last was impossible to remove. I called the customer service to see if i can't get that fix or exchange for another and they told me you're not suppose to remove the blade (they fear you'll hurt yourself by cutting yourself removing the blade). Not for cleaning, or replacing the blade for a replacement blade in case this one get damage. So really, i... » Read More you remove the "inner" blade cover by twisting a knob in the back and it pop right off. Then there are 3 screw you'll have to loosen and remove in order to remove the blade itself. FYI, i was able to loosen 2 of the 3 screw and the last was impossible to remove. I called the customer service to see if i can't get that fix or exchange for another and they told me you're not suppose to remove the blade (they fear you'll hurt yourself by cutting yourself removing the blade). Not for cleaning, or replacing the blade for a replacement blade in case this one get damage. So really, i brought a "defective machine" but they see it as operational. Buyer beware! « Show Less
2086767
The pic doesn't show but the handle is not shaped at all to feel comfortable in the hand. It's edges are square and very uncomfortable. I took a file and had to smooth down the handle. Don't think it would break though. They used nice wood, maybe Mahogany??? The blade is nice but when closed the knife edge rests on metal in the handle. They need to redesign this one. Other than the poor shape of the handle, it feels solid but I did buy another knife and will use this as a back up. Glenn
1085601
It has two blades. I haven't yet needed to change them so can't help with the second question. Sorry