Advice sought for my first CPK

somniloquist

somniloquist

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
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Hi folks,

As the title states, I am looking to pick up my first CPK to see what they are all about. I have had good luck with most of my 3V knives in the past (with one notable exception) and I'm curious to see how the Delta heat treat compares to my production pieces.

I'm looking for something around 5" or so. I am a backcountry camper and canoeist and would like a decent sized but still relatively light knife to bring with me for wood processing, food prep and camp chores. I have a Busse BME2 that I love that serves as my big chopper and I'll probably stick with that for now for my "big" knife.

I've been doing some reading on the forum and the FK2 seems like it could be the right model for me. What do more experienced folks here think of that? Should I be considering any other models? You thoughts are most welcome. Thanks in advance!
 
Welcome.

The FK2 sounds perfect for what you described.

An FK1 would serve that role very well too if you happened upon one.

The BFK would also do, at a slight weight penalty.

Good luck in your search.

For now, only on the secondary market, but I think Nathan has tentative plans to run the FK2 next year.
 
The FK2 would be a great choice, and the lightest with a 4 1/2” blade, 3/16” thick, and skeletonized tang. The basic FK is heavier with a 5” blade, which is thicker and non-skeletonized tang. The HDFK is a great knife with a 6” blade, less thick than the basic with a shallow S grind, and skeletonized tang. There’s a 7” SDFK coming out soon, which might be a little too heavy if you’re looking for something light.

FK2
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EDC is a super handy camp knife, but you're on the right track with the field knife, (either version, gen 1 is slimmer). DEK1 is worth considering, as is the upcoming DEK2 which might be your goldilocks option. Kephart is also a great knife, slim and light for its size and a versatile shape for a lot of things
 
somniloquist said:
Hi folks,

As the title states, I am looking to pick up my first CPK to see what they are all about. I have had good luck with most of my 3V knives in the past (with one notable exception) and I'm curious to see how the Delta heat treat compares to my production pieces.

I'm looking for something around 5" or so. I am a backcountry camper and canoeist and would like a decent sized but still relatively light knife to bring with me for wood processing, food prep and camp chores. I have a Busse BME2 that I love that serves as my big chopper and I'll probably stick with that for now for my "big" knife.

I've been doing some reading on the forum and the FK2 seems like it could be the right model for me. What do more experienced folks here think of that? Should I be considering any other models? You thoughts are most welcome. Thanks in advance!
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Kephart would be perfect for what you described. I recently got one in buffed green micarta. Kephart is an ugly looking knife but with that fit and finish, even the look becomes tolerable :) It is very functional of course :)
 
All of this information is very helpful. A big thanks to everyone who has provided their thoughts so far.

I was not aware that the HDFK existed. My inclination would be to go slightly longer than 5", not shorter. Does anyone have both a FK2 and an HDFK? If so, how do those two compare in camp-type use? I would be curious to hear more if someone is willing to provide their views.
 
trevitrace said:
Not very helpful regarding your question but your avatar cracks me up every time I see it.
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You know something, it still cracks me up too! I am a big TPB fan and my wife grew up in Halifax and knew some people involved in the show. I don't know what it is but people from Halifax all know each other. Anyway, Canada exports a lot of comedians and this show is a good example of that. I guess it's not rocket appliances...
 
There is a CPK encyclopedia sticky that is very helpful when narrowing down what you might want.

CPK Encyclopedia

CPK Encyclopedia Basic Field Knife BC – Behemoth Chopper Behemother Boot Dagger Competition Chopper DEK1 DEK2 DEK3 Double-Edge Fighter EDC / EDC1 – Every-Day Carry EDC2 EDC3 FK – Field Knife FK2 – Field Knife 2 (AKA UFK) HC – Heavy Chopper HDFK – Heavy Duty Field Knife HDMC - Heavy Duty Medium...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
The HDFK is an awesome blade and what I would take if you were only going to have one knife for back country hiking. But if pairing with a chopper I’d probably take one of the above suggestions. The BFK and FK2 share the same handle dimensions. This is the most comfortable handle for extended use in my experience. Followed by the DEK1 and then the FK1.
I don’t have the Kephart.
HDFK has also been out of production for a while and will likely be hard to find (and expensive). The SDFK will be for sale soon. There will be two versions of this knife. Basic and signature series. The signature will be slightly lighter than the basic due to it being minimally skeletonized and the tip swedged for balance. There will only be one hundred signature series.
Good luck!
 
somniloquist said:
I was not aware that the HDFK existed. My inclination would be to go slightly longer than 5", not shorter. Does anyone have both a FK2 and an HDFK? If so, how do those two compare in camp-type use? I would be curious to hear more if someone is willing to provide their views.
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I have both and they are both phantastic knives. The HDFK is more of a chopper, the FK2 more of an all-rounder. If you do kitchen stuff, the FK2 is more useful.

Now if you are undecided between the two, and you want a little longer knife, consider the UF2 as well. 6" blade, similar blade thickness as FK2, light and easy to carry, and really good knife in the camp kitchen. Also much easier to find as they still sold on Fri sales a couple of weeks ago.

i-ZFKNVWD-X3.jpg


From left to right: Dek1, FK2, UF1 (almost identical to UF2), and HDFK. Can't go wrong with any of the four. UF2 in action:

i-9DckT8R-X3.jpg


Roland.
 
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I don't think you can really go wrong with anything that's been suggested. The Basic Field Knife is what I'd grab for that, and might be a bit easier to get your hands on one (and cheaper) than the FK2 or HDFK. Nathan's doing a run of SDFK soon (two weeks?!) that will be similar to the HDFK.

Here's a picture of FK1's alongside a HDFK (disregard the swedges and torx hardware, I did/had those done). The FK1's and FK2's are very similar in size to each other, the BFK's slightly longer than the FK's, and then the HDFK larger yet.

3XXFcXL.jpg
 
Guys, I can't that you enough for all the great information and photos in this thread. This seems like a very friendly, welcoming corner of BF and I hope to spend a bit more time around these parts.

Ferider's post above with the comparative photo of the FK2 and the UF has got me thinking a bit. Am a right in thinking that this knife has a similar feeling in hand to a standard Kabar? Maybe slightly thicker blade stock? I have one of those and it seems like a pretty common reference point. It looks to me that the handle profile is a bit different though and that the FK's may be preferable for camp type chores. Am I right in thinking that?

Also, perhaps a silly question but are WTB posts in the Carothers buy/sell thread ok? I feel like I may have better luck there than the general WTB forum. Once I make up my mind, I'm planning to begin my hunt.

Finally, those textured and machined scales look pretty great. I hope whatever I end up has some of those in burlap micarta. They look amazing!
 
somniloquist said:
Ferider's post above with the comparative photo of the FK2 and the UF has got me thinking a bit. Am a right in thinking that this knife has a similar feeling in hand to a standard Kabar? Maybe slightly thicker blade stock? I have one of those and it seems like a pretty common reference point. It looks to me that the handle profile is a bit different though and that the FK's may be preferable for camp type chores. Am I right in thinking that?
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Don't have a Kabar, but maybe pictures help .... Note that my hands are larger than most:

i-qftth3x-X3.jpg


i-9r9WP9p-X3.jpg


i-655QMZz-X3.jpg


If I had to pick one it would be the UF. But the correct answer on your conundrum is to buy both of course :)

I have many fixed blades, just no Kabar. CPK ergonomics are extremely well thought out, really good, IMO.

somniloquist said:
Also, perhaps a silly question but are WTB posts in the Carothers buy/sell thread ok? I feel like I may have better luck there than the general WTB forum. Once I make up my mind, I'm planning to begin my hunt.
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That would be completely OK, that's what it's there for. Good luck !

Roland.
 
somniloquist said:
...

Ferider's post above with the comparative photo of the FK2 and the UF has got me thinking a bit. Am a right in thinking that this knife has a similar feeling in hand to a standard Kabar? Maybe slightly thicker blade stock? I have one of those and it seems like a pretty common reference point. It looks to me that the handle profile is a bit different though and that the FK's may be preferable for camp type chores. Am I right in thinking that?
...
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I have a KaBar and a UF2. Similar only in intended use. The KaBar is a true classic and perhaps everyone should have one for that reason alone; it's also perfectly functional for purpose and if someone told me the KaBar checks all their boxes I'd say rock on.

But to me it feels comparatively clumsy and leaden -- a straight line pipe with a pointy tip that doesn't sing or flow in hand nearly as naturally and fluidly as the UF2. The specific geometry and overall balance, and especially the time and thought put into the scale design, makes the UF2 for me several orders of magnitude superior to the KaBar; add to that the quality of materials and individual attention to the finished product and there's no comparison.

As to your original question, I think the BFK is one to consider. Has all the attributes of the FK but the over 5" blade you're looking for and the BFK will be more easily found and for a little less money than FK 1 or 2.

If you can accept a little under 5" blade, what I truly think is that the DEK is the sweet spot, having a scale design similar to the UF2 (the BFK and FKs are comparatively beefier grip-wise) with a blade design a little more FK-like. It's a great set-up.

Some terrific pics in this thread have been posted that give a good idea of how the different offerings compare side-by-side. I'd look at them closely and you'll get a sense of what might work best both for your hand and for your purposes.
 
somniloquist said:
Guys, I can't that you enough for all the great information and photos in this thread. This seems like a very friendly, welcoming corner of BF and I hope to spend a bit more time around these parts.

Ferider's post above with the comparative photo of the FK2 and the UF has got me thinking a bit. Am a right in thinking that this knife has a similar feeling in hand to a standard Kabar? Maybe slightly thicker blade stock? I have one of those and it seems like a pretty common reference point. It looks to me that the handle profile is a bit different though and that the FK's may be preferable for camp type chores. Am I right in thinking that?

Also, perhaps a silly question but are WTB posts in the Carothers buy/sell thread ok? I feel like I may have better luck there than the general WTB forum. Once I make up my mind, I'm planning to begin my hunt.

Finally, those textured and machined scales look pretty great. I hope whatever I end up has some of those in burlap micarta. They look amazing!
Click to expand...
Your right the KA-BAR and UF2 are utility fighters but that’s about the only thing they have in common. The UF2 has much better ergonomics, blade steel, points naturally, easily transitions between saber and reverse grip, and conceals well. I agree regarding the the Field Knife handles being better suited for camp chores. The FK2 and Basic FK handles are interchangeable, and so are the HDFK and SDFK.

EE8B2164-FDF9-49FD-92CF-6246BB6EC44B.jpeg
 
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Wheelhouse said:
I have a KaBar and a UF2. Similar only in intended use. The KaBar is a true classic and perhaps everyone should have one for that reason alone; it's also perfectly functional for purpose and if someone told me the KaBar checks all their boxes I'd say rock on.

But to me it feels comparatively clumsy and leaden -- a straight line pipe with a pointy tip that doesn't sing or flow in hand nearly as naturally and fluidly as the UF2. The specific geometry and overall balance, and especially the time and thought put into the scale design, makes the UF2 for me several orders of magnitude superior to the KaBar; add to that the quality of materials and individual attention to the finished product and there's no comparison.

As to your original question, I think the BFK is one to consider. Has all the attributes of the FK but the over 5" blade you're looking for and the BFK will be more easily found and for a little less money than FK 1 or 2.

If you can accept a little under 5" blade, what I truly think is that the DEK is the sweet spot, having a scale design similar to the UF2 (the BFK and FKs are comparatively beefier grip-wise) with a blade design a little more FK-like. It's a great set-up.

Some terrific pics in this thread have been posted that give a good idea of how the different offerings compare side-by-side. I'd look at them closely and you'll get a sense of what might work best both for your hand and for your purposes.
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This is an interesting reaction. I share similar feelings. The Kabar is a classic and a sort of "reference" pattern for me. They have been around a long time, many people have them and they are certainly decent but maybe not ideal. I don't think a Kabar would be anywhere in the same league as a Carothers, but it's a sort of familiar starting point or comparison.

The UF2 has really got me tempted and I like the fact that I may be able to buy one from the maker directly. I prefer the length of the UF but wonder if I may prefer the handle of the FK.

It may all boil down to which one I can get first!

A big thanks to everyone who provided photos and comments regarding the kabar and UF question! I'm going to keep my eyes peeled on the sale thread and also for any upcoming sales direct from the maker.
 
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