Anyone have any experience with this knife?

Aias

Aias

Joined
Aug 1, 2012
Messages
5,188
Hello all,

I was looking at fixed blades and came across this:

http://www.knifeart.com/fieldknife.html

It looks nice enough, and seems like it can handle most tasks that such a knife was intended for; since I guess that walking into a shop and picking one up is out of the cards, I was curious to know if anyone has one or checked one out. I am looking for a nice knife (aesthetically), but also one that I will not worry about beating up.

Thanks
 
It's a sweet looking knife!

knifeart_2223_187508480


Not a fan of hollow-grinds on that kind of knife though.
 
No experience with it, but it looks like a competent general field knife. Shaped right for food prep, skinning, and general camp tasks.

Considering that it's in D2 with micarta with a kydex sheath, the price appears a bit high, but not by much. It may just be that the maker (with whom i am not familiar) commands a higher price than similar customs from other makers.

In all, a very nice knife that should yield excellent results in the field.

In a skinner, i prefer RC 62, but in a camp knife, 58-60 is perfect.

just my $.02

If you aren't too attached to that particular knife, i'd contact Darrin Sanders and ask him if he can make you something similar. His prices are very good, and i can personally attest to the fact that his heat treat is outstanding
 
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It is a nice knife, but I'm wondering if something from the RAT or Becker line would do the same things for, what, half the cost?

BePrepared is right: pricey for a part of the market which is rich in competent production knives at very reasonable prices. I would not be able to bring myself to actually use a $275 knife.

ESEE-4.jpg


Image is from ESEE's website, and all rights are almost certainly reserved by them.
 
Thanks guys--I had my eye on an ESSE 4 as well... the other I was thinking about was the BM 15005-2; I have the 15020 with the walnut and love it. The CRK Nyala was also on my radar, but I feel a little bad about beating that one up... but I always tell myself that is the point... to use it!
 
Hollow grind is fine for cutting flesh and shallow cuts on other materials. Not usually regarded as ideal for all-round outdoor work.
 
Do you think the maker could be Bob Dozier? He's in Arkansas and he uses d2. That would be pretty cool.
 
IMHO the esee knives pictured would do absolutely anything that the custom would do, as well or better, and you wouldn't have to feel guilt about using em hard

you're paying at least as much for the custom part as you are for the knife part.

I have looked at the Nyala more than once, and can never make myself pull the trigger for the exact same reason... there are excellent production knives that do EVERYTHING as well or better and 30% of the cost.

if you WANT a custom, get a genuine, made for you, custom, and pay less money for it.

Also, D2 really isn't the best steel you can get in that price range... not even close
 
"If you aren't too attached to that particular knife, i'd contact Darrin Sanders and ask him if he can make you something similar. His prices are very good, and i can personally attest to the fact that his heat treat is outstanding"

Thanks BePrepared, I am not attached to it and am interested in this option--especially if the cost is less and the quality is better; I too would like the RC over 60.

Is s30v/s35v a better steel for this type of knife or would you still go with D2; I have had great experience with both s30v and D2, and sharpening is not a problem.

Thanks again.
 
Shorttime said:
Hmmmm...

knifeart_2223_187508480.jpg


58AL.jpg
Click to expand...

Blade reminds me of a Buck drop-point skinner from the 1990's (see below - had to scan pic in from an old ad!), but let's face it, plenty of knives are ground like that.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Some good advice above. For general field use, I like drop-points, but I like them flat-ground. As other posters have said, you can find a more suitable field knife for less cash. Still a nice looking knife though.
 
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Thanks--steel suggestions other that D2... s30v? Or is 1095 the safe bet?
 
If you're really into D2, I remember seeing a RAT 4 in D2 on a certain auction site still, for pretty cheap as well. If your field knife is going to get a bit moist from use, that's certainly a nice avenue to consider instead of a 1095 blade. Everyone makes great points though, and you'll likely find a great blade for much less than $275.
 
sticktodrum, thanks; does that read right--you are selling the BM 15005-2? Would you mind sharing your thoughts on it--it was one of the fixed blades I was considering... Thanks again.
 
sticktodrum said:
If you're really into D2, I remember seeing a RAT 4 in D2 on a certain auction site still, for pretty cheap as well. If your field knife is going to get a bit moist from use, that's certainly a nice avenue to consider instead of a 1095 blade. Everyone makes great points though, and you'll likely find a great blade for much less than $275.
Click to expand...

In the production Ontarios, I'd go with the TAK-1 in D2 over the RAT4 -- full size handle fit my hand better for extended use.
Knives of Alaska Alpha wolf comes in D2 or S30V with a variety of handle materials all under $100.
 
Aias said:
"If you aren't too attached to that particular knife, i'd contact Darrin Sanders and ask him if he can make you something similar. His prices are very good, and i can personally attest to the fact that his heat treat is outstanding"

Thanks BePrepared, I am not attached to it and am interested in this option--especially if the cost is less and the quality is better; I too would like the RC over 60.

Is s30v/s35v a better steel for this type of knife or would you still go with D2; I have had great experience with both s30v and D2, and sharpening is not a problem.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Left up to me, i'd get one of the following steels.

In order of my personal preference
S35vn
CPM 154
CPM M4
CPM D2
M390

All of these steels are better than standard D2 in effectively every respect. You should be able to get a custom in the size and shape of your original post for less than they are asking for it, with a leather sheath.

Your best bet in selecting a steel is to decide what you're going to use it for, then select the steel based on that.

Wear resistance is better for skinners as it yields edge retention. Toughness is better in hard use camp type knives... i prefer a nice balance of both as it allows you to have a higher RC knife that's still not likely to chip an edge.

Knife-steel-chart-3.jpg


Of course, if you don't specifically want a custom, i'd go with something from Busse (you'd have to go to the exchange) or something from swamp rat which will be just as good, at half the price
 
Thanks--I was looking at the rodent 6 as well... came pretty close to pulling the trigger.
 
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