INSTRUCTIONS You are now the owner of the DPx HEST limited edition knife. I designed it to be a durable blade that will be your constant companion. The "DP" means it is designed to be used in the world's most dangerous places and is the title of my long running guide. HEST stands for "Hostile Environment Survival Tool". In my travels through over three dozen conflict zones and well over 100 countries I have needed a simple durable tool that is tough enough to accomplish big tasks but also get you out of a pinch when a sharp edge is needed. The DPx HEST will put you in command of tight situations whether they be urban or rural, remote or local, planned or unplanned. Your DPx HEST will serve you well in the wilderness as a light multipurpose point, edge, chopping, skinning, trimming and even shaving blade. The DPx HEST is also a handy everyday utility knife with its bottle opener, pry bar and rugged field-sharpenable edge. Best of all it's an excellent heirloom, gift and constant companion whenever a sharp edge or a no nonsense tool is needed. The DPx HEST knife-like every product from ESEE Knives-is guaranteed for life. If for any reason your knife breaks or fails, return it with your purchase information and address and a new one will be shipped. Numbered knives will be replaced with non-numbered knives. SELF DEFENSE I never advocate the use of violence in foreign lands. It's quite common for the victim to become the victimizer after you best your attacker. The DPx HEST is an ideal self-defense tool (it is not sold as a lethal weapon). Slip the tight compact DPx HEST into your palm with the edge just poking out. When in extremis use the fighting grip for extra punch and grip when things get slippery. Your DPx HEST will remain securely under your control due to its large fighting grip and triple "bite" (blade, point and "prybar") Unlike traditional knife fighting which assumes a longer blade and multiple sharp cutting and jabbing, the DPx HEST is a confidence builder and only for use in last resort. EVERYDAY USE The knife is one of man's most important and basic tools. A sharp edge and sturdy grip are the basic starting point. Your DPx HEST knife not only delivers unusually thick steel (comparable in thickness to blades of 12" or longer!) but a razor-sharp edge. The DPx HEST is designed with an optimum blade length to create maximum force and control of the cutting process. Get used to handling your knife, feel the balance and practice cutting, prying, concealed carrying, open fighting grip and hammer. You should be able to develop muscle memory to prevent cuts and attain comfortable movement. Most of all, keep your knife sharp. A small whetstone is ideal. WIRE BREAK NOTCH The wire break notch at the base of the blade also acts as the choil allowing you to keep a sharp cutting blade from point to base. The careful alignment of the choil and the opener also gives you two very stable lashing points for an improvised longer spear handle, axe or dead drop trap. BOTTLE OPENER You have a bottle opener and small pry on the top of the DPx HEST. You can also hook the prybar under a cap and pop it off. The 3/16th-inch-thick top area ahead of the bottle opener/pry allows you to hammer the blade through thick wood, creating a durable axe type tool PRYBAR It's tempting to use the knife point of your DPx HEST as a prybar, chisel or splitter. Don't. This quickly leads to damage to the sharp tip and requires regrinding and sharpening to keep the smooth razor-like curve of the blade. I have including a prybar/scraper tool that you can smash with a hammer or rock to split, open, shave off kindling or crack. When the pry bar tip gets dull, just sharpen it up. STORAGE You may have wondered why most knives don't provide a functional storage area. Some do and make the handle too light or weak for the blade. Your DPx HEST has an area hollowed up inside the open fighting grip and Micarta handles to store a wide variety of "must haves" that range from emergency "get out of jail" money to fish hooks and line. Brass slotted screws are provided to quickly remove or open the grips. The storage area is not waterproof, but can be easily made so by adding a bead of silicon on each side before reassembling. HANDLE WRAP Some owners may want to use their DPx HEST skeletonized. The knife is light and small enough to be carried as a neck knife using longer paracord for the sheath or to make your DPx HEST flat and more concealable. Others may like a personalized paracord or leather strip wrap instead of the Micarta handles. It's your knife, so make it work for you. The lashing holes in the back and front of the cutout are designed to start and end your paracord or leather wrap handle. Use plenty of paracord and it can come in handy in the bush. SURVIVAL The DPx HEST knife is designed to be part of a complete wilderness or expedition survival system. Not only can the open handle be used as a secure lashing point but there are four holes that are designed to be used as horizontal and vertical lashing points for use in dead falls, spears or heavier tools. The unusual thickness and rugged design is made for abuse. GENERAL USE The exposed steel of your DPx HEST will rust, the hard powdercoating will chip and the knife will show the effects of use. But that is exactly what a knife designed for an active lifestyle should do. Don't baby, it but always keep a good edge on your knife. SHEATH Your kydex sheath is heat molded to your DPx HEST and comes with a system that allows customization for belt, pocket, neck, MOLLE and other carry methods. The sheath will be tight at first and then wear in. You can also use the mounting screws to adjust the belt mount and tightness. SHARPENING Your DPx HEST knife has a 1095 high carbon durable edge with 57-58 on the Rockwell scale. Any blade - even ours - will wear after rough use. The key to putting the edge back is a consistent angle on each edge. Field sharpening requires a stone harder than steel and a smooth stroke. It's worth bringing a ceramic or stone sharpener into the field. One trick is to blacken the edge with soot and watch the new edge being laid down. Shave the steel down until you leave a thin burr, then flip it over and repeat. Ideally, start with a rough stone and switch to a fine stone. With some experience you should master a crisp straight edge. For harder work, create a beveled edge that becomes tighter, 18 degrees to 22 degrees at the edge. You can use water, oil or nothing on your sharpening stone. CUSTOM APPLICATIONS As you and your DPx HEST knife become constant companions you may want to make it uniquely yours. I encourage you to create a handle or sheath that makes the knife your own. You can use bone, wood, metal, plastic or any durable material to create a handle molded to your hand. Your knife can be refinished, engraved or painted in your own color. Commemorate a tour, trip or special event to make your DPx HEST knife a family heirloom. I designed the knife for my own personal use; why not customize it for yours?
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