i kinda think any knife should be able to get thru an elk. my Mora got thru an elk. it did exactly what it was supposed to do as expect.
there are fails..but i dont consider a sharp knife a success..just status quo.
by your logic, all of our gear is tried and true. like i said, maybe i dont understand the terminology.
I think people are so used to buying something they EXPECT to be excellent- I.e. durability, performance, longevity, quality etc only to find out their expectations are not met, or the item falls drastically short of the way it was advertised.
When people buy something nowadays (insert old man leaning on porch saying "they don't make em like they used to" ) and the item is actually made of quality construction, exceeds performance expectations, is durable, easy to use, a good value etc. I would say it probably then earns the title "tried and true"
or else I don't know either and we are both in the same boat...
Mike.
For myself , tried and true, ill add:
Zeiss scopes ( conquest and Terra )
Hanwag boots
Outdoor edge razor knife
Smartwool merino products
Sako rifles
Ill add to the dissapointments / avoid list:
Vortex scopes ( diamondback and Viper FFP HSLR 4-16)
any type of chemical attractant
Primos calls