A knife for a outdoorsman

Jason B.

Jason B.

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Messages
11,196
In february I will be headed to florida to visit my aunt and uncle. My uncle (mothers brother) is avid hunter and fisherman and also the person who educated me on hunting, knives, steel, and how to sharpen a knife. I would like to pay him back for all the years of knowledge he has given me. Now that he lives in florida he does a lot of ocean fishing, so a filet knife was first on the list. I have that covered but I would also like to get him a nice pocket knife, I'am not sure of his taste in knives these day's but I know his favorite knife years ago was a sod buster. I am at a real loss here, I want it to be something special but I don't know what, Please help.
 
Tricky one without a price range. I'm thinking something traditional, or at least pretty with a nod at tradition given the sod buster bit.

I think the Fällkniven TK3 series look rather good and are in a traditional lock back design. Yet under that it is a very modern bit of kit. This one is in black quince.

tk3-11-10_160751491.jpg


If you wanted to go old school there's a legion to sift through here

If you wanted something really unique and probably a small pocket fixed blade it might be worth having a look to see what is coming up at auction somewhere like here.

To give an idea of my thinking on that – below is just some random example that had a bid of $130

bid-11-10_162205159.jpg
 
I would be very happy if somebody gave me one of those TK3s, they're great looking knives.

If you think he'd like something even more traditional and with non-stainless blades, check out some of Great Eastern Cutlery knives. 1095 steel and they make some neat knives. Been carrying the scout model for a while, it's a pretty neat knife.
 
For a lot of ocean fishing I think a knife in H-1 would be nice from spyderco. Mine has never rusted and it holds a great edge for just fishing. spyderco has both folding and fixed blades in H-1 steel. H-1 is treated with nitrogen instead of carbon, so it can't rust.....ever. The only trade off that I could find is that it can't make a spark :o (although that might be a good thing while on a boat).
 
H1 would be a great gift for someone who is in and around salt water +1 for that idea.

More traditonal, I say go with GEC.

Money no object? Sebenza!
 
$150 would be about the max, that TK3 in black quince is very nice and is looking nicer the more I look at it. I was also looking at spyderco's sage and CF caly 3 for a more modern style, my mom is down there visiting this week, I got her on a secret mission collecting some info for me. The TK3 is about perfect though and the blade steel is a big selling point, any thoughts on 3G steel?
 
If you stick with wood panels you can get a nice S30V or 420HC bladed Custom Shop Buck 110 (with engraving) for under $150 U.S.
 
I wasn't going to mention this, but since th brought up Buck, I have to mention the Buck Alpha Dorado. I love this little knife, in fact I love it so much I bought another. It's very people friendly but is still quite sturdy. I EDC it and use it every day, at work and otherwise. These are mine:
ForPhotobucket1.jpg


I don't know if that's the kind of thing you had in mind, but you can see it here at the Buck web site. Also, there is a Buck sub-forum here at BladeForums.

It's available in 420HC, 154CM and, I think ATS-34. I guess you could also get a custom. Anyway, good luck in your quest. A very nice gesture, BTW. :thumbup:

Doc
 
knifenut1013 said:
$150 would be about the max, that TK3 in black quince is very nice and is looking nicer the more I look at it. I was also looking at spyderco's sage and CF caly 3 for a more modern style, my mom is down there visiting this week, I got her on a secret mission collecting some info for me. The TK3 is about perfect though and the blade steel is a big selling point, any thoughts on 3G steel?
Click to expand...

Spyderco's are great knives, and the Caly 3 is one of my favorites.

Since you asked for thoughts on the 3G steel.... I got a TK3 in red quince a few months ago. I thinned out the edge, well, because that's just me... :D Anyway, 3G has really amazed me. It's every bit as good as well-heat treated D2, and the ergonomics are great. The edge holding is great, I cut well over 20 ft. of heavy 4-ply cardboard with it, and it would still easily shave arm hair. It's one of my favorite pocket knives, and I don't think you could go wrong with it. I'm thinking of getting another. I wish they would offer it in micarta, but I'm not a traditionalist when it comes to handle materials.

Anyway, you can't go wrong with the TK3. It sold me so much on the steel that I'm seriously considering an H1 just because of the steel.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/sodak_photos/p1010003-3.jpg

If you want to try it out, shoot me a pm with your address, I'll send it to you for a couple of months.
 
When I think of the great outdoors, Randalls come to mind. I've never owned one, but Iv'e handled them and someday I'll have one.If you want a nice outdoor knife get a Randall.They don't make pocket knives unfortunately, but they do make them for salt water.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
I wasn't going to mention this, but since th brought up Buck, I have to mention the Buck Alpha Dorado. I love this little knife, in fact I love it so much I bought another. It's very people friendly but is still quite sturdy. I EDC it and use it every day, at work and otherwise. These are mine:
ForPhotobucket1.jpg


I don't know if that's the kind of thing you had in mind, but you can see it here at the Buck web site. Also, there is a Buck sub-forum here at BladeForums.

It's available in 420HC, 154CM and, I think ATS-34. I guess you could also get a custom. Anyway, good luck in your quest. A very nice gesture, BTW. :thumbup:

Doc
Click to expand...
Doc i like that design but i've never seen one in real life.
The Buck site says 2.5 inch blade and 4 inches OAL.
Is that a typo, are they really that small? thats almost SAK size.
Just out of curiosity do you have a pic of your Dorado(s) next to a SAK or Buck 119/110 or even next to a ruler?

The blade pattern kinda looks a little like the Buck Crosslock.
 
coaldigger said:
You say he is a hunter & outdoorsman then he might like this -
http://www.coldsteel.com/61lps.html
Click to expand...


Thank's for the suggestion but coldsteel is one of the last companies I would ever buy from.


Sodak, Amazing offer I might take you up on that. Thanks for the little review on the steel too, I'am a steel junky so something new and exotic always sounds good.
 
Here you go, th. The flashlight is a Fenix L2D, the multi is a Vic Spirit and it's also with a Spyderco Manix and a Benchmade AFCK.

largerEDCresized.jpg


Doc
 
tholiver said:
Doc i like that design but i've never seen one in real life.
The Buck site says 2.5 inch blade and 4 inches OAL.
Is that a typo, are they really that small? thats almost SAK size.
Just out of curiosity do you have a pic of your Dorado(s) next to a SAK or Buck 119/110 or even next to a ruler?

The blade pattern kinda looks a little like the Buck Crosslock.
Click to expand...

The OAL is off. If it was correct, it would mean the handle is 1.5" long. The actual size is: blade: just shy of 2.5" and overall: right at about 6.5". If you want a shot next to a ruler, let me know and I'll dig out the digicam.

I know it's on the small side, but I wanted something people friendly, that I could carve fireboards with, etc., if I happened to finish work early and found time to get out for a quickee. (I must be getting old - a quickee didn't used to refer to a hike :() Did I say I really love this knife? I DO! Along with the Bravo-1, Vic Spirit and Cincinatti Machax, it comprises the 'Doc 4'. :thumbup:

BTW, I'm feeling kind of festive tonight. I just got back from the liquor store where I picked up some Bah Humbug Christmas Ale, some Pumpkin Ale (would probably brighten up Halloween :rolleyes:), and some Alexander Keith IPA and Red Amber. PARTY NIGHT!! (too bad there's work tomorrow :() What do they say? Cross that bridge.............

Doc
 
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