Are "Rambo" type knives practical?

Sam Wilson said:
I really like clip point bowies, but clip points have a thinner tip that just can't handle the abuse the tip on this knife can.
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100% agree, Sam. For strength, your modified spear point is the way to go.

Sam Wilson said:
I have been working on a smaller blade myself. This is a crappy pic, and I just drew the swedge line on there because I'm not sure if I'm going to put it there or not. I will also reduce the guard size to make it more proportional to the blade. What do you think?

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Swedge or no swedge - either way would look good. No swedge might work better with a baton. It's another nice design and reminds me of Jack Crain's "Skinning Kit" pictured here, top row, second from right. I always liked that knife with its short blade, finger choil, and short top guard. Hint, hint! ;)

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BTW, these are not my knives and neither were the CRKs.
 
Lol, I may have finally found someone who likes choils as much as I do. I'll do one with a choil, and I agree with you on the shortened top guard. This is the guard shape I was playing with to put on the shorter bladed knife. I put the dual lashing holes there on a whim, I think it would give it a neat look. This is just a rough illustration, but it's pretty close.

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I think you have the idea, Sam. :thumbup:

Curious - how difficult is it to have a lip at the end of the handle so the cord doesn't slip off when the buttcap is removed? I've always thought that was a good idea and finishing touch. Here it is on a Timberline...

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TAH said:
I think you have the idea, Sam. :thumbup:

Curious - how difficult is it to have a lip at the end of the handle so the cord doesn't slip off when the buttcap is removed? I've always thought that was a good idea and finishing touch. Here it is on a Timberline...

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I agree about the lip. I put it on all of my hollow handle knives. The reason it's not on the small knife pictured above is because that one is just mocked up with a handle to see what it will look like. It's not actually assembled. In the two pics below, you can see the stainless ring that prevents the cord from coming off, as you said. I also designed mine to serve an additional purpose: You can barely tell, but the ring extends slightly past the end of the handle, and when you thread the buttcap on, it serves as a protective "hood" if you will, to help shield the rubber "O" ring and protect it from damage. What I've started doing, and every customer I have offered it to has wanted it, is to put a very thin layer of micarta on the handle, and then cord wrap over it. It allows me to contour the handle more, and insulates from heat/cold/shock better than cord wrap alone. It also allows me to somewhat customize the size of the handle, depending on how many layers of micarta I put on it. And if you ever need to remove the cord wrap for an emergency or something, you still have a comfortable handle on the knife.

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Here, in this pic, you can see how the "O" ring is covered by the ring, to help prevent damage to the rubber, and also to give a cleaner look.

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Yep, I didn't see the lip on the handle. That's awesome! You have certainly done your homework and thought out every detail. While we're at it, I have one more quick question. I agree with you about not permanently installing a compass in the buttcap - a bad idea for many reasons. How about having a steel buttcap instead of aluminum? If you're going to be pounding, would a steel buttcap hold up even better, especially if it were hardened? Again, another feature that always made sense to me on the Timberline/Neeley knives.

Thanks Sam.
 
TAH said:
Yep, I didn't see the lip on the handle. That's awesome! You have certainly done your homework and thought out every detail. While we're at it, I have one more quick question. I agree with you about not permanently installing a compass in the buttcap - a bad idea for many reasons. How about having a steel buttcap instead of aluminum? If you're going to be pounding, would a steel buttcap hold up even better, especially if it were hardened? Again, another feature that always made sense to me on the Timberline/Neeley knives.

Thanks Sam.
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Thank you, TAH. I appreciate it. I tried to approach it from the angle of the end user, and make it as useful/logical as possible. And yes, you are correct, having the buttcap out of hardened stainless would definitely make it tougher for pounding or anything else. I wanted to do this, but it was notably more expensive, and additionally it changed the balance of the knife a little bit. The aluminum is not as durable, but it balanced the knife a little more blade heavy and that was what I was going for. I will just have to live with the difference in durability. I have pounded on wood, and tent stakes and haven't had any issues, so I think as long as the user is mindful of the difference, it won't be too big of a deal. YMMV.

And the compass in the buttcap, I agree with you. When I made the ferro rod to thread into the buttcap and actually tried it, I knew it was a winner, lol. Sometimes even I get lucky, ha ha.

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I understand about the expense of the steel buttcap. The ferro rod is another great idea and it turns the buttcap into a useful handle. Well done, Sam.

BTW, I enjoyed your YouTube video and I'll keep an eye on your Facebook page as well. :thumbup:
 
TAH said:
I understand about the expense of the steel buttcap. The ferro rod is another great idea and it turns the buttcap into a useful handle. Well done, Sam.

BTW, I enjoyed your YouTube video and I'll keep an eye on your Facebook page as well. :thumbup:
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Thanks, TAH. That means something coming from you. Im glad you liked the video, too. Im trying an "economy package" offer there right now. If its well received, I may make it part of the regular lineup. I appreciate all of your input. Maybe someday having a HH knife will be "cool" again, lol. :thumbup:
 
leghog said:
I wouldn't be carrying one. Too big. Too impractical
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Lol really ? So 9" blade is impractical ? Well than I guess Some of the BK's and Busses are useless together with million other knives with blades over 9"
 
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SENGVIN said:
Lol really ? So 9" blade is impractical ? Well than I guess Some of the BK's and Busses are useless together with million other knives with blades over 9"
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SENGVIN, they just love to hate, man. I saw you mentioned the Hibben Rescue knife earlier. Is it yours, or are you still thinking about getting one?
 
Very nice knife. I like Hibben's bowie for the movie, but always thought they should have gone with th HH Rescue knife.
 
Yeah, the R III bowie was very nice. The guard on there was really nice, and looked comfortable and well done. I just really liked the Rescue knife with the HH. You don't see too many of those around. And Gil Hibben does a very nice job with his mirror polish, it really enhances the look of the knife, to me. I'm sure you had to hunt for that one. Just out of curiosity, how do the finger grooves line up for your hand? I know everybody's hand is different, but I was just curious how it felt for you?
 
Finger grooves actually feel good they are not that deep so feels like they will fit any hand :-) . Yes he does make good job on mirror finish seems like he likes that challenge :-) I did mirror finished D2 knife at his knife class this year myself and let me tell u two hours of risking your life isn't easy task :D
 
SENGVIN said:
Finger grooves actually feel good they are not that deep so feels like they will fit any hand :-) . Yes he does make good job on mirror finish seems like he likes that challenge :-) I did mirror finished D2 knife at his knife class this year myself and let me tell u two hours of risking your life isn't easy task :D
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Ha ha, most people think of grinders and torches being the dangerous part of knifemaking, but I agree with you, the buffer is one of the most dangerous things in the shop. I let my mind wander only once after a long day, and next thing I know, the knife is stuck in the floor of the shop between my feet. A couple of inches to the right or left, and I would be walking with a limp now. When you get time, if you want, feel free to put some more pics of that Hibben Rescue up. I love that knife. :thumbup:
 
SENGVIN said:
leghog said:
I wouldn't be carrying one. Too big. Too impractical
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Lol really ? So 9" blade is impractical ? Well than I guess Some of the BK's and Busses are useless together with million other knives with blades over 9"
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Yes, impractical to carry. Plus many are little more than compromise tools trying to be knife, hatchet, ax, saw, machete, and shovel. Carry? No. Too impractical. Stuffed in a ruck is a different story as it's then available the limited times you really need it.


Sam Wilson said:
SENGVIN, they just love to hate, man. I saw you mentioned the Hibben Rescue knife earlier. Is it yours, or are you still thinking about getting one?
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No hate about it. Just my view, and I've spent my fair share of time really working and living in the bush.

To each his own.
 
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leghog said:
No hate about it. Just my view and I spent my fair share of time really in the bush. To each his own.
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Hate is just an expression for criticism or dislike in this context. I'm simply referencing the general disdain with which a lot of people commonly speak about hollow handled knives. If it's just the size, as SENGVIN and I both mentioned, people should stop carrying some Beckers, Busses, Lameys and a lot of other large knives. A lot of this is personal taste and relative. That's the great thing about having such a wide selection of knives today. People get to decide what's practical for them.

Please feel free to carry and use whatever makes you happy, and I mean that with no sarcasm. Obviously, some knives will be more practical than others, but frequently people pick on the hollow handle knives in particular. It used to be: "They will snap in two at the handle!" now it's "They're too impractical!" I'm glad you have at least made your decision based on experience in the bush. Which hollow handle knives have you owned/used? I'm always curious to learn from others' experience. Thank you,

Sam
 
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