Are you Tech or Trad? - My takes on the bushcrafting knife...

defaultuser

defaultuser

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May 3, 2006
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Hello all,

After reading the forum on bushcrafting knives (thanks all for the great info), I've been messing around with the design of this type of knife.
I was torn between the "Tech" route (space-age material, flat grind, distal taper) or the "Trad" route (wood and leather, more traditional grind).
Not being able to choose, I thought it would be cool to pursue both at the same time, on two different but similar-sized blades.

On top of that, I wanted to make my first recurve blade, and give a try to the time-proven scandi grind. Neither were easy to make,
but learned a lot in the process...

Here's the result of my "knife study": Are you Tech or Trad?

TechTrad002.jpg


TechTrad003.jpg


TechTrad004.jpg


TechTrad005.jpg


TechTrad007.jpg


TechTrad008.jpg


TechTrad009.jpg


TechTrad012.jpg


Thanks all for looking - let me know what you think (design, execution, like/don't like)!
 
Both are nice. I like the wood handle and leather sheath of the "trad" but prefer the blade on "tech".
 
They both look great but neither blade to me looks either really techy or really traditional !

I think I prefer the looks of the Micarta version but would have gone with a straight edge rather than a recurve. Which do you find cuts the best ?
 
Pit: Just wanted to try to make a recurve, for a change. Even if the recurve is light, it was kinda harder to grind the bevel...I do it by hands, with files. I prefer a straight edge personnally, although I don't mind a recurve if it's subtle. Thanks! :thumbup:
 
Those both look great, I like both knives and both types of sheaths too. I like the scraper area you put on the wooden one. I tend to lean more toward "modern" like Micarta but like leather sheaths better.
 
Both are beautiful knives.... and great sheathwork! Very impressive!!

I'm having a hard time distinguishing the Trad from Mod. Yes, leather and wood materials are traditional... but the designs themselves are both modern. When I think of traditional, I'm thinking no modern tools or finishes and profiles more intune with the period.

That said... I'll take em both!!!

Rick
 
Point taken, Rick. I agree. Let's say then that one is a modern interpretation of a modern design, and the other is a modern interpretation of a traditional design...just kidding :D You're right; the material used for the handle and sheath distinguish them more than the design or the steel.
 
Both are great work.
Beautiful blades and nice sheath work.

I am a Trad in that I am sucker for natural handle materials and a nice leather sheath.
 
wow..:eek: both of knives look great man... nice work...:thumbup: i really like both sheaths as well... i prefer leather, but like the option/simplicity of kydex...:)
 
They look great, and it looks like you had a fun time experimenting too. A double plus!
 
Love the traditional. Even has a lefty sheath! :thumbup:;)

The recurve is sweet too. The brushed finish and red liners set it off nicely.
 
modalnot said:
Why the cut/indent about halfway on the spine of the blade on the trad knife ?
Click to expand...

tknife spotted it right away :) it's a sharp scraper area for the ferro rod, as the edges on the Trad are somewhat rounded. The Tech one has a sharp squared back blade for striking the ferro rod. I did try a lot of ideas I had in those two blades; some I'm happy with, others not so (my scandi grind is crappy, to say the least, but usable and very sharp nonetheless)...
 
Ooh, very nice! My vote is for the trad!!!

Although, I would trade the tubes for pins, and just square the spine instead of the notch, but that's just my preference of course.
 
I'm with you stringray! I didn't have 3/16 pins around when I glued the cocobolo; of course, the day after, when the glue was solidly set, I "discovered" my stash of brass rods under the many layers of mess on my workbench... :p
 
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