An overlooked knife that I now think is awesome

[bladeprince]

I never write this sort of thing but the knife made such a positive impression on me I sort of feel obligated.

Since most of us never get to handle the knives we buy, sometimes we find that we don’t like the knife after it arrives. Sometimes it's the opposite and the knife gets overlooked. I’m sure many have overlooked this knife but it's time to it to "come out of the closet".

The knife is the Camillus CQB "Close Quarter Battle" designed by Robert Terzuola. Very thick full tang of ATS-34. Blade length is 5 3/4 inches. The canvas micarta handle is big enough for a great grip. Men with large hands will love it. The blade is a slight hollow grind for good cutting but not enough the weaken it any. A false edge on the spine makes it a great thruster. A multiple carry Kydex sheath system is a requirement for a knife like this and the CQB has one.

It’s mainly designed as a tactical knife but it would also be a great camping/survival knife. In a pinch it could also be a hunting knife but I would prefer something smaller and with more “belly”. That’s it. There are a few pics for those that might be interested

Click on image to enlarge.

 

[dennis75]

yeah, been eyeing that lil' bugger for years

nice fighter-knife, great ergo's, kydex w/tek-lok.......hmmmm.

nice pics! :thumbup:

 

[bladeprince]

yeah, been eyeing that lil' bugger for years

nice fighter-knife, great ergo's, kydex w/tek-lok.......hmmmm.

nice pics! :thumbup:

If you ever hold one of these in you hand, you better have your wallet in the other one.

 

[JPD1998]

I have the black-coated carbon steel version,after owning it for a while, I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of all my other fixed blade knives....

 

[pinetree]

I have been eying the small one for a long time in CDNN, never got it and now they are gone. After seeing this I am kicking my self.

tjg

 

[WadeF]

I got one of the carbon steel blade versions as well. I beleive the handle is micarta, at least it is on mine. It's a solid knife.

 

[Flashpoint]

I have been eying the small one for a long time in CDNN, never got it and now they are gone. After seeing this I am kicking my self.

Me too. You live you learn, at least that's the way it's suppose to go.

 

[bld522]

Please don't spam the discussion forums with ads, whether it's your own auction or someone else's. You can post about bargains in The Good, The Bad, The Ugly but not in the discussion forums.

-Cougar :{)

My apologies for violating forum rules, Cougar. I was just trying to let people know that the knife is still available.

-bld522

 

[huugh]

Nice knife. It's a pity Camillus has gone under.

However I have been eying Al-Mar SERE Operator (silly name, but nice knife) for a while and this one reminded me of it. Only 5" blade but handle looks IMHO better than CQB's.

 

[bladeprince]

Nice knife. It's a pity Camillus has gone under.
However I have been eying Al-Mar SERE Operator (silly name, but nice knife) for a while and this one reminded me of it. Only 5" blade but handle looks IMHO better than CQB's.

I have both knives. Yes, the Operator is a fine knife but after using both to perform the same jobs, how the feel in my hand, etc., my opinion is that the CQB is the much better knife. Not a little better, but a lot better.

Some of the differences. CBQ feels has a more comfortable, "beefier", grip. They Prylon scales on the Operator are "slippery" compared to the canvas micarta and tang file work on the CBQ. CBQ is a better slicer because of blade geometry, CBQ is a tougher, heaver knife with a thicker blade/tang (but still slices better). That 1/2" longer blade of the CBQ make a difference and seems to be the perfect length.

I owned the Operartor long before I bought the CBQ. I thought it was a great knife then and I still think so now. But after I puchased and handled the CBQ, I hardly ever pick up the Operator anymore and am seriously considering selling it. Come to think of it, when I need a medium to large fixed blade, I go for the CBQ almost all the time. My Rat-7 I still use but that's for bigger jobs like chopping. There are about 10 FB's I guess I'll be selling soon.

BTY, I now have 2 CBQ's, one plain and one combo. For those that have one of the older ones in carbon steel that really like it, try one in ATS-34. You'll fall in love all over again. And selling the older model will help pay for the new one. Win/win situation.

Regards....

The preceeding opinions are my own and no else needs to agree with me.

 

[huugh]

I have both knives. Yes, the Operator is a fine knive but after using both to perform the same jobs, how the feel in my hand, etc., my opinion is that the CQB is the much better knife. Not a little better, but a lot better.

Some of the differences. CBQ feels has a more comfortable, "beefier", grip. They Prylon scales on the Operator are "slippery" compared to the canvas micarta and tang file work on the CBQ. CBQ is a better slicer because of blade geometry, CBQ is a tougher, heaver knife with a thicker blade/tang (but still slices better). That 1/2" longer blade of the CBQ make a difference and seems to be the perfect length.

I owned the Operartor long before I bought the CBQ. I thought it was a great knife then and I still think so now. But after I puchased and handled the CBQ, I hardly ever pick up the Operator anymore and am seriously considering selling it. Come to think of it, when I need a medium to large fixed blade, I go for the CBQ almost all the time. My Rat-7 I still use but that's for bigger jobs like chopping. There are about 10 FB's I guess I'll be selling soon.

BTY, I now have 2 CBQ's, on plain and one combo.

Regards....

The preceeding opinions are my own and no else needs to agree with me.

Cool, thanks for the comparision :thumbup:

 

[bladeprince]

I got one of the carbon steel blade versions as well. I beleive the handle is micarta, at least it is on mine. It's a solid knife.

Thank you for the correction. It was late when I wrote the post. Handle slabs are canvas micarta and I corrected my original post.

Regards

 

[eug2120]

I've got the CQB JR and found the handle too narrow for a proper grip. :grumpy:

Liked the blade and coating (dont know the substance) but the lack of a choil and straight handle shape made me wary of accidental slippage and severe hand cuts. :thumbdn:

Any opinions or experiences with the smaller version?

I still have it sitting in the drawer but have been thinking of selling it...

E

 

[EDCeeker]

I have both knives. Yes, the Operator is a fine knife but after using both to perform the same jobs, how the feel in my hand, etc., my opinion is that the CQB is the much better knife. Not a little better, but a lot better.

Fascinating. Going just by the specs and the pictures, I think most people would believe the Al Mar SERE Operator to be the better knife--particlularly fromthe pictures. That's why reviews, even mini-reviews like yours, bladeprince, can be invaluable to those looking for a new knife. The comparison between the two roughly similar knives was particularly interesting, I thought.

While neither of them appeals to me, still I found your comments an interesting read. Thanks!

 

[Bob W]

I bought one of those Camillus CQB knives too, $30 on closeout. Great knife that arrived scary-sharp. I don't think mine is ATS-34 though, and it has a black coated blade.

I like it very much, but I can't imagine a time that I'll actually use it for anything (like most of the knives I own).

-Bob

 

[bladeprince]

Fascinating. Going just by the specs and the pictures, I think most people would believe the Al Mar SERE Operator to be the better knife--particlularly fromthe pictures. That's why reviews, even mini-reviews like yours, bladeprince, can be invaluable to those looking for a new knife. The comparison between the two roughly similar knives was particularly interesting, I thought.

While neither of them appeals to me, still I found your comments an interesting read. Thanks!

Thanks, Ceeker. Appreciate it. I still like the Operator and will probably keep it.

Bob W: My understanding is that the coated ones are a carbon steel, not ATS-34. But for $30, you got a great deal even if not ATS-34.

Also, I must agree with you about usage. I always say, "the knife I use the most is the one I'm carrying". And I don't carry these large fixed blades that often.

However, I do carry one while hiking because a big folder in my pocket gets uncomfortable after about 30 minutes. Also, if something happens and I need to build a shelter, I want a large knife. I also want one for animal (and human) defense. Not many times but there have been some cougar attacks where I live.

When camping or backpacking, one is almost always on my belt. I'm also one of those "survival" nuts and I like to build shelters, start fires with "fuzzy sticks", set up snares (never caught anything in one yet), etc. It's just for the fun of it but I also like knowing that I would know "what and how" if I ever need it. I use a large knife for that type of work.

Regards

Regards

 

[Bob W]

Bob W: My understanding is that the coated ones are a carbon steel, not ATS-34. But for $30, you got a great deal even if not ATS-34.

That's probably right, about the steel types. On closeout they were available in 6" and 3" for the same price. Naturally I ordered the 6", and when it arrived and the quality was evident I tried to order the 3" too, but of course they were sold out by then.

While it's a great knife, it's just too darned large and heavy to carry backpacking. I'm not in the shape that I used to be anyway, so trimming every ounce gets more important each year, if I'm to make any real mileage at all. Animal attacks aren't a viable jutification for the weight, not in New Mexico anyway. we've had exactly one fatal bear attack and one fatal mountain lion attack, ever. I think it would be too large to clean any game small enough to catch in a snare? A small paring knife would be ideal for rabbits and other rodents.

I'm also one of those "survival" nuts...

I took a survival class in college, 21 days in the desert. Our instructor carried an opinel. But that's the point of "survivalism", to learn to make do with what's at hand. An Opinel or massive tactical fixed blade, I'm confident I could make good use of either.

Best Wishes,
-Bob

 

[Walking Man]

Okay, first let me admit to NOT having read any of the posts in this thread other than the first one.
NOW>...... This knife was not overlooked. When it first came out, there was a lot of talk about it, but now that it's out, it's been out, and has kind of dropped by the wayside since lots of new knives come out all the time.
But, YES! You are absolutely right, it's a very good knife, and a great value for the money. enjoy!

 

[bladeprince]

Bob, Agree. I didn't proof read what I wrote. My wife was pushing me to go to the store. I would carry something lighter for backpacking also. I like to carry this (among others) around the camp when we use the RV or go "car camping". ALso take it on hikes.

As far as cleaning small game with it, I didn't mean that. I meant I used it to help build the snares and deadfalls. Cut small saplings for the "spring" part of the snare and the sticks and notchings for making the deadfalls.

And also agree that you (and I like to think myself also) could survive on a much smaller knife but to me, that's part of the fun of "playing with knives". Being able to use the different ones, buy them, sell them, trade them. If I could afford it, I'd probably have over 50 guns too. Would I need them? Heck no.

Quote for the day: "When a hobby stops being an obsession and starts being rational, it's not a hobby anymore. It's a passtime."

Regards

 

[Unsub]

I prefer carbon steel(especially black coated) to ats34 anyway.