bauchop knife id help

[crackerjax]

I was given a Bauchop folder recently it has a green mircata handle the overall length is 7 1/4 open and the blade is 3 1/4 inches long the blade is natural steel color with Bauchop Custom Knives RSA please give me as much info as you can about the knife what steel and worth it is also marked number 10 on the blade.

thanks in advance,
josh

[Tim-Gabz]

http://www.customknives.com/robert_b..._collector.htm

I have been trying to get further info on the Bauchop history and there is now a book out that I may add to my collection of reading matter. Otherwise the information tends towards vague. Rob is a member of Knife Guild of South Africa (www.kgsa.co.za) and is listed on their membership role.

The current line of knives are by Rob Bauchop. He tends towards using D2. I have been very interested in his father's work, Peter Bauchop, used by two elite forces of Southern African countries.

[crackerjax]

thanks for the reply mine almost looks just like that but mine has a drop point blade natural color and bauchop custom knives rsa laser etched on the blade but other that that its identical

thanks again,
josh

[Tim-Gabz]

thanks for the reply mine almost looks just like that but mine has a drop point blade natural color and bauchop custom knives rsa laser etched on the blade but other that that its identical

thanks again,
josh

Enjoy it. When you have some time and have had a chance to use it drop us a quick review on it. Edge retention, ease of use and comfort. It should be a premium blade although, with D2 a little hard to sharpen.

From where I sit I have access to Swiss Army Knives, the odd Kershaw & a ton of Chinese rubbish. Meaning I have to source through South Africa.

[crackerjax]

its a great blade iv been taking it with me everywhere every day stays sharp smooth action and lockup is strong and tight.... why do all the good knives come from SA? Bauchop..Chris Reeve? good things..

[Tim-Gabz]

South Africa never really stopped making good knives and using them. The Aparteid era meant that they were isolated while the rest of the world was moving on, forming guilds (and banning knives). They have a strong pride in their quality and returned in strength.

[Buffalohump]

I bought a knife just like that from Rob some years ago at a knife show that is held in my town every year over the Easter weekend.

Although it was quite a competent folder in its own way, it had a fundamental flaw for me - no pocket clip.

Plus, I could never get the edge quite as sharp as I wanted it, I think the grind was a little obtuse.

I eventually gave it away to a friend of mine. But I certainly didnt pay anything like $470 for mine.

I know Rob is still making knives and he's based not too far from me. I'd like to visit his workshop sometime and see how he's getting along.

I hope to find he's grinding his edges a little thinner these days.

[cmcampbell]

I think that is the Shaman folder.

[rooikat]

I cannot get that link to work here.

[Tim-Gabz]

Rooikat, I have pm'd their contacts. Their link has gone down. They sent some nice pics to me on great pieces including their folders. When my clients pay me for consultancy I am hoping to get a couple.


Having spoken to other guild members the general jist is that their work is excellent and errs on the side of perfecting the D2 they use. D2 is extremely tough and has excellent edge retention, something I appreciate for bushwalking and hunting.

I have tried using D2 in some of my work and it takes 3 x the effort to sharpen than 12c27. The edge retention how ever is very, very good. D2 cost me 3x the time, steel cost and belt wear so until I can find buyer that are interested in very high performance at the cost of longer sharpening times I am setting aside D2. (the local population is content to sharpen their Okapi on concrete, they love bling like magpies). South Africa has a knife using population, that appreciates performance.

[Samurai Stu]

South Africa never really stopped making good knives and using them. The Aparteid era meant that they were isolated while the rest of the world was moving on, forming guilds (and banning knives). They have a strong pride in their quality and returned in strength.

I think so too. Now if there were only more bladesmiths in SA.

[crackerjax]

Sorry for the delay and thanks for all the replys