The DoubleStar Pathseeker is a bit of a departure from DoubleStar’s more tactical offerings, being more oriented towards bush use. Of course that isn’t to say it wouldn’t make an excellent weapon in trained hands. To quote retired Master Sergeant Green Beret and designer of DoubleStar’s Chico Diablo- Kim Breed, “If it is just you and me and all I have is a stick, it is a “tactical stick”.
The DoubleStar Pathseeker is our Day 84 (Friday 8/23) offering in our 100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway.
If you want to win this or other knives from our 100 Days Giveaway, you must Register for a free account, and leave a comment on our official contest thread (here) – Your single comment remains good as your entry for the duration of the contest.
We are also giving away a Filo Bladeworks 1MS. Filo is the private custom label of Rob Cabrera, the man behind the blade division of DoubleStar Corp., a Kentucky based firearms manufacturer. The drawing for this Pathseeker will be from entries on our official contest thread linked above, while the Filo will be drawn from a pool of comments on the Filo post rather than the primary pool.
Back to the Pathseeker. DoubleStar has this to say about their bushcraft chopper:
In the world of bushcraft cutlery, functionality and indestructibility are the name of the game. DoubleStar presents the Pathseeker, designed by Hakim Isler, a contestant on the first season of Naked and Afraid. His design brings innovation to the field of primitive survival. Constructed from 80CRV2 the Pathseeker possesses strength in all places needed in the field; chopping power, grip comfort, and a unique ferro rod striker placement for ease of fire starting. For the confidence needed in bushcraft you only need to know one name. Pathseeker.
Specs: As provided by DoubleStar:
Product Weight 14.56 oz.
Blade Length 6″
Over All Length 11.25″
Blade Material 80CRV2
Color Black
Features Baton area on the spine at the head of the blade, Ferrocerium rod scraper on the back to preserve edge retention, Forward leading profile for chopping, Lanyard Hole, Thick for wedging, copping and durability
Handle Materials .187” thick coarse textured G10
Sheath Boltaron with Tek Lok
Brand DoubleStar Corp.
Manufacturer DoubleStar Corp.
Country of Manufacture United States
Personal Observations:
There isn’t much subtlety in the Pathseeker. It is a basher. But it is a basher with several well thought out details and rock solid construction. Of particular note is the ferro-rod striker notch. While any suitably sharp edge will work, the notch more closely resembles and edge than just a sharpened spine, and is in good position in relation to the handle. One needs only turn the knife sideways and pinch the flats of the blade between the thumb and index finger, and you have a well stabilized platform against which to draw your rod. (Ferro rods work best when you draw them past your edge, not drawing the knife past the rod. Not only do you have more control, you are less likely to knock over your constructed fire bundle).
The overall ergonomics are very good. The texturing of the G10 might be a bit aggressive for some, but will provide excellent wet grip. It is the same as on the Chico Diablo, and it has never really bothered me. I am a big fan of the forward lanyard holes. There are 4 total lanyard holes on the Pathseeker, which would aid in hafting, but the forward upper hole makes a great anchor point for a safety lanyard.
If you watch a Bladesports competition, you will see that they are strapped in the front, not the rear, which keeps the knife from swinging on its tether if released from the hand.
Construction wise, the Pathseeker seems to be fairly bomb-proof. If anything it is overbuilt. I cannot fathom a situation short of pure destructive abuse that would significantly damage this knife. The plunge lines are good, the parkerized finish should help with stain resistance in the 80CrV2 carbon steel (80CrV2 will rust in a drawer in Tennessee if left untreated), and the contrasting color liners help add a touch of flare to what would otherwise be a pure brute of a knife.
Outside Review:
I am not familiar with the reviewer, TheNinjaEveryday, but the review is an actual use review. He gets the knife dirty as opposed to just talking about it on the table top. Everything I witnessed in the video I expected to see. It looks like the Pathseeker handles chopping tasks with relative ease and batons wood with the best of them.