The South Pole is everything I expected from reading reviews, and watching videos, but it is so much more. It's difficult to gauge how a knife will feel in your hand and its actual size just from reading the specifications and watching videos of others using it. ... My first impression of this knife, of course, was the amazing fit and finish for which TRC is justifiably famous. ... The knife seemed a bit smaller than I'd expected. I believe that was because of the surprising things it was capable of accomplishing on video reviews. It looked larger than life! There is plenty of handle for my large hands. ... I'd not thought of this knife as a hunting/field dressing game knife before purchase. In hand I see that it more than meets my personal preferences for a medium to big game blade. The dropped point is ideal for opening the abdomen, there's enough belly for skinning, there's plenty of straight edge for slicing, the textured micarta scales offer plenty of traction even with wet hands, the choil insures total control of the edge, and the thickness of the Elmax blade stock is more than adequate for quartering deer sized game. ... Even though it has thicker blade stock than many knives of this size, the high flat grind gives it relative thinness just above the edge of the secondary bevel. The blade arrived hair shaving sharp. ... The spine of the blade is full thickness until it meets the even flat grinds, just above the belly of the blade, about 1 1/4" from strong appearing tip. This is a very strong blade. ... The TRC kydex sheath has firm retention, without play or rattling. The area of the sheath, where the blade rests inside, has a very subtle convex curvature to it, that keeps the kydex from scratching the blade. I've never seen that design detail in any other kydex sheath. It's a genius level innovation from TRC. Bravo! The thumb break is unique to me and indicative of TRC thinking outside the box. I am very happy with the attached 1 3/4" wide, heavy webbing belt loop. It makes the knife comfortable on the belt when seated. ... Should the user choose to remove the offset kydex belt attachment's two screws, for lashing to a pack, or harness, to be carried as a neck knife around camp, or with a static cord, inside the waistband, the thickness of the package, including the kydex, is only about 3/4". ... Everything that was not knife or necessary for the sheath, was designed out. ... I bought this knife to be an everyday field companion. It is more than adequate for hunting, fire starting, food prep, utility use, defense, whittling, and bushcrafting. It is everything I ask of from a knife. As such, it will replace many of my once treasured, but less capable and versatile knives. ... The South Pole is not an entry level fixed blade. It is designed for the seasoned user who demands the best performance. My South Pole makes me smile proudly. I know it will never let me down. It is a gem, a keeper and was a wise purchase.
