Knives Illustrated – August 2019

SPECS

Blade Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel

Blade Length: 4.75 inches

Overall Length: 9.75 inches

Handle Length: 5 inches

Handle Material: Curly maple, black canvas

Micarta, or black rubber

Blade Thickness: 0.200 inch

Blade Grind: Flat

Blade Finish: Black oxide

Handle Thickness: 0.70 inch

Sheath: Kydex

Weight: 7.16 ounces

Weight with Sheath: 12.7 ounces

MSRP: $342.99

much rather carry a knife that allowed

me to easily touch up the edge in the

field and still have good edge retention.

The 80CrV2 seemed to fit the bill well.

To further test the steel and the Caswell

finish’s ability to deal with rust, I let it sit

outside in the rain overnight. The next

morning there were some darkened

areas along the edge, but that is all.

Nothing that a strop or simple use

wouldn’t take o™ with ease.

Dependable,

Reliable,

Workhorse

Although I have been an admirer of their

designs for years, this is the first Winkler

knife I have had the pleasure of using. I

have always considered the designs very

attractive, especially the more traditional-

looking ones with the curly maple scales.

After using the Hambone for several

days, I can honestly say that I am now

more of a fan than ever. Not only is it a

good-looking knife, but the Hambone

also lives up to its namesake as a

dependable, reliable, workhorse. KI

1:1

ACTUALSIZE

“A CLOSE INSPECTION OF THE

EDGE, AFTER DOING SOME CROSS

GRAIN BATONING, AND ALSO

SPLITTING SOME SEASONED

OAK WITH THE AID OF A BEATER

STICK, REVEALED ZERO NICKS

OR EDGE ROLLING”

Left: The Hambone is

named after a legend-

ary U.S. Army pack mule

who served a 14-year

military career, including

two combat missions in

World War II.

Right: The Hambone

comes with an attrac-

tive Kydex sheath with

a sturdy reversible clip

and is available with

either curly maple, black

Micarta, or black rubber

scales.

72 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • JULY/AUGUST 2019 knivesillustrated.com