Best of the Best

I like convex the best because it is the strongest, and I think it excels in wood, and flesh too. Plus, the sharpening equipment is the easiest to pack into the field. I've got a ton of Barkies, and have had several Gossmans, and they were all really well done!

My least favorite grind is hollow. Its the weakest, and its the most common. I get so tired of seeing it everywhere.
 
One goal for me is to have a knife that is not only sharp, but stays sharp. I used to think you needed three knives to finish one animal, now I just go for one. Once I began using a dozier ( yes it's a hollow grind) I will never go back. It excels at gutting, skinning and butchering. And for me, survial knife uses. I won't buy a knife that I need to field sharpen, what's the point? Get one that stays sharp and will remain sharp through many animals and all camp chores. .
 
I've got several Bark River and Dozier, very different grinds, and I try to vary the size and blade shapes as well. I go by the principle that the smallest knife that can do a job is the largest knife that's right for it. But I still grab a big knife now and again, partly for fun and partly to see that I know how to handle them.

So frequently I grab a Jarvenpaa leuku, flat grind with a convex edge, Bark River Rogue Bowie, and yesterday, Dozier Wilderness knife. Not really surprisingly, any well-made knife has a good range of competence.

I have a koyote with a longer blade than I technically "need" but it's so thin and the convex edge so effective, that it works like a giant paring knife: totally under control even for small tasks.

This brings me to the Mora, another thin blade. When you start with thin stock, you're well on the way to a sharp knife. The particular grind is less important. I do like the puukko style with a "Scandinavian" short sabre grind, but on a thicker, sturdier blade. This gives a good edge for woodcraft while preserving the strength that a single knife in the wilderness needs.
 
Oregon Knife Guy said:
One goal for me is to have a knife that is not only sharp, but stays sharp.

...I won't buy a knife that I need to field sharpen, what's the point?
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly!!! :thumbup: :D :thumbup:

The days of sharpening knives in the field to complete tasks is over for me.

Sure, it use to be the norm, but now I have better knives. :cool:



Dozier D2, Bark River A2, Koyote 15N20, Koster 3V; blades like these have passed my tests,

...l little stropping now and then is all that’s needed to keep them performing like they’re supposed to.




"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

Forest & Stream
 
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