Big Paw AKA Bear Paw Bushcrafter size comparison and mini review

[thurin]

A few weeks ago Andy came out with a new model called the Big Paw Bushcrafter. I snagged one immediately as I thought it looked a lot like the Kephart, just with a bigger handle. So far, my initial opinion seems to be pretty close.

Here are some shots comparing it to some other knives in the same size range to give you an idea, with some one-on-one shots comparing it to the Kephart.

Knives shown (top down and left to right):
Camp Nessie
Hunter
Big Paw Bushcrafter
Kephart
Bushfinger

As seen in the below shot, Length-wise, the BP handle is pretty close to the Hunter. It has more belly in the handle that's pushed further toward the back. The handle is closer in shape to the Camp Nessie and I assume the Sneaky Pete. This similarity is probably why folks say the SP is comfortable for those with bigger hands. I'm liking these taller handles.

Some really nice contour going on with this one:

Here you can see the similarities to the Kephart. Blade shape is pretty close. In the handle you can again see the swell is push further back and taller:

Stacked. Perspective is a little screwy, the Kephart looks bigger than it is in comparison, but it hopefully gives a good idea of the differences:

So far, with my limited usage, I'm liking this Big Paw. The blade is Andy's classic pointy "karda" spearpoint shape that's a favorite of mine. You know any handle on a Fiddleback is going to be comfortable, and this one fits the bill for those it was designed for: guys looking for a larger handled knife to fit their "Big Paws".

I like the Kephart, I think of it as a great little knife. Even though it has a 4ish" blade, it's always felt very nimble and I use it for carving a lot. It's the one that carved open my finger. But it always felt a little too small in my hands for long usage.

The Big Paw feels like a much bigger knife, even though it's only slightly so. As Andy originally described it, this is a "job knife".

I'm looking forward to putting through it's paces.

 

[essublime]

Good stuff; thanks for sharing thurin.

 

[RRaconteur]

Thanks so much for this, Thurin. For perspective's sake, could you supply your own glove size as well as knife measurement comparison (oal, blade length, handle length, anything else appropriate) or point me toward where I missed that info somewhere else? Also, do you have a sense that "If your hands are larger than this, get a BPB; if smaller than that, get a Kephart"?

 

[Fiddleback]

Glad its fitting. You've got an old Bushfinger with my name on the pommel end. Butt. Hehe. At that time I just felt more comfortable carving thicker handles. My tastes have gone thinner and lighter for personal and its affecting all my stuff. I have tried to combat it by widening the piece spine to edge. And this model is just meant for big paws. Another big paw design is the Woodchuck, which has a very similar handle by chance.

 

[Mistwalker]

Awesome man, thank you for placing it between two models that I am very familiar with, that tells me everything I need to know about it...and want one even more than I did lol

 

[Joe Duder]

Very nice comparison, well done sir.:thumbup:

Me likey that Big Paw Bushcrafter. I'm gonna have to snag me one.

 

[VANCE]

makes my bushfinger look small

 

[thurin]

Good stuff; thanks for sharing thurin.

Thanks essublime!

Thanks so much for this, Thurin. For perspective's sake, could you supply your own glove size as well as knife measurement comparison (oal, blade length, handle length, anything else appropriate) or point me toward where I missed that info somewhere else? Also, do you have a sense that "If your hands are larger than this, get a BPB; if smaller than that, get a Kephart"?

Michael, I'll try to give you some specs tomorrow, I'm doing some late night work tonight. There's another thread in here I started a month or two ago that has comparison shots of a bunch of models with specs listed for blade and handle lengths, missing this new one of course. I'll post up my hand measurements as well. I wear an XL glove but I'll give you better details.

Glad its fitting. You've got an old Bushfinger with my name on the pommel end. Butt. Hehe. At that time I just felt more comfortable carving thicker handles. My tastes have gone thinner and lighter for personal and its affecting all my stuff. I have tried to combat it by widening the piece spine to edge. And this model is just meant for big paws. Another big paw design is the Woodchuck, which has a very similar handle by chance.

Yep, I used this Bushfinger as it's thinner than my super fat one, although I think it's still on the thick side. Thanks for making these models for us guys. I hope to checkout a Woodchuck someday soon.

Awesome man, thank you for placing it between two models that I am very familiar with, that tells me everything I need to know about it...and want one even more than I did lol

Glad I could help Mist!

Very nice comparison, well done sir.:thumbup:

Me likey that Big Paw Bushcrafter. I'm gonna have to snag me one.

It's a good one so far Duder. I'm guessing you wouldn't be disappointed.

makes my bushfinger look small

I think this Bushfinger is still a little on the wide side, especially given it's age and Andy's above comment. It's great that the designs morph over time.

 

[Mistwalker]

Glad I could help Mist!

Yeah, I think you just like to help Andy torture me The contours on that BP handle do look just phenomenal...but I still want a tapered Kephart so bad I can taste it...and a Shsnk much like the one Will got a couple of weeks ago...and...

 

[Omega Leather Works]

If I didn't just get a Kephart I'd be dying to get my paws on one of those. Looks perfect.

Funny thing about sowbelly style handles... They almost always feel better in my hand upside down, that is, with the edge up. The Kephart is a really good example. Love the way it feels in a normal grip, but my next grip was to flip it, and sure enough, it felt even better.

Must be my weird "piano fingers" hands. Or something.

 

[dcycleman]

Damn fine collection Thurin, especially that orange nessie

 

[thurin]

Bumping an old thread, but I finally got a chance to spend some more time fiddling with the Big Paw Bushcrafter today.

The handle is really comfortable. Even though it has the squarer butt similar to the Kephart, the little extra length makes a world of difference for me. The contour and height also contribute to making it fit really well.

The blade is probably a little big to be doing super fine detail work, but I can get my thumb pretty far down the spine and do thumb push cuts with the point. The super pointy spearpoint is a wonderful design for this kinda stuff.

I'll need to clean this mess up underneath my desk before the wife gets home:

I hope to get outside later today and beat it through some wood to see how it handles there.

 

[xxwjtxx]

Nice update Nathan; looks like the pigpaw is suiting you well! I'd say a quick zap with a shopvac should get those woodchips up in a jif!

 

[Joe Duder]

Nice bump.

I want one in 1/8" CPM-154 with a high grind.

 

[dcycleman]

That's one sweet blade

 

[thurin]

Thanks guys.

I'm trying to decide which knives to take on an outing this next week so I thought I better put the BPB through it's paces. I always like to do some backyard testing before getting out in the wild with an unproven knife - not that I'm ever concerned about a Fiddleback. Really, this is just an excuse for me to use my break time to get out and pound on a knife.

My standard routine:

Split up some seasoned firewood:

Some knots in this stuff:

Cross grain baton:

Working on the different sizes of prep:

Luckily my Hunter sheath from Heber fits or this guy wouldn't have any pants for the outing:

She passed (haha like there was any doubt)! Now comes the tough part, which ones to take? Bushfinger, Bushcrafter, BPB, Camp Nessie, Woodsman, KE Bushie, etc. etc. etc. they're all calling to me.

 

[catalystman80]

Nathan, thanks for yet again another informative post! Man, Kephart is on my wishlist as the next FB purchase (though not likely this year, I have to keep reminding myself that), well KE Bushie as well ever since I saw your try stick post, but I may go for the BP first/instead if the opportunity every presents itself as I have relatively large paws myself. Got a kick out of seeing one pic of all the shavings on the carpet. I clean myself up afterwards, but my girlfriend always yells at me whenever she steps on a little shaving that got away.

 

[NoFair]

Thanks guys.
Now comes the tough part, which ones to take? Bushfinger, Bushcrafter, BPB, Camp Nessie, Woodsman, KE Bushie, etc. etc. etc. they're all calling to me.

Bushfinger or Hunter is what I'd grab

 

[VANCE]

Bump for TripleT

 

[Tim the Wizard]

Thanks!