BK&T Combat / Utility vs Magnum Camp

T

Tightwad

Joined
Jul 22, 2001
Messages
1,417
Will, I'm gonna kinda put Camillus (you) on the spot with this question.

I've poked around with the search function just now trying to understand
the difference in design thinking between the new Combat / Utility and the
Magnum Camp knife. Both claim to be a do it all knife and they might be
within the design intent. What I'm curious about is how the blade shapes
and other features of both knives where arrived at since they seem to be
aimed squarely at different ,but the same, uses.

This question has merit only because we all pick "the wrong" knife all
to often because we don't understand the thinking that went into the design.
That and our chioce of knives is based on our individual tastes and uses.

So can you share with us a bit of how Camillus came to offer each design??
 
If I remember correctly, the Magnum Camp knife is for the civilian market. And the BK-7 was made for the military in mind , since the blade was based on the marine combat/utility knife design.


Anybody out there correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Tightwad,
I've contacted Ethan Becker, the designer of the C/U7, and Jerry Fisk, the designer of the MAGNUM CAMP KNIFE, and asked them to share their design philosophis regarding their respective knives. Jerry is out of town, and Ethan is in transit, but I expect reponses within another day or so....

I will say this, the 2 knives were both designed to handle multitude of tasks that one will encounter in the outdoors. But they both cam from different perspectives;) They both perform very well, but they have slightly different performance/design parameters.

You know what my answer is Tightwad.....get them both:)
 
Tightwad
The Magnum Camp knife is designed to be an overall midsize outdoor knife. The blade is designed for slashing and slicing more than any other cut. With its design of the blade it will also fillet fish well. It is also excellent for butchering up game animals. The crowned spine will also double up to use to crack bones etc that might ruin your primary cutting edge. It will not thrust as well as the clip point on the CU7. In my opinion you would just to look at the end use.
Though the CU7 is basically for military and the Magnum for civilian use both will work fine. I heard it said one time the the Military is the ultimate campers/hikers. And, like they say BKT knives work for a living.
I agree with Will for no more money than they are get both. You have it covered. Anything else I can help with just let me know. I will keep an eye on this forum for a few days to get back with you.
jf
 
Will / Jerry, Thank you so much for your replies. They do answer my
question very well.

As to which knife is more useful of the two it's as Jerry said "it's the end use"
that's important. I've been partial to the Fisk designed Magnum Camp for
a long time but then the Combat / utility came along and confused the issue
a bit. With the information share here I will re-think my needs one again.

Yes, you are correct in saying that for the money buy both. Thing is I can
only carry one at a time. Darn! Never the less I may just do that anyway.

Thank's one again for taking the time to respond to my question. I'm sure
others will benefit also.
 
Tightwad
Now I am probally going to muddy up the waters a bit but hope you can gleen something from it.
The Becker has a straight handle. With the designs of knives the straighter the handle the more speed. When the handle curves down you get more power. Both the CU7 and the Magnum have no curve. The knives are quick but both remain medium duty due to being straight.
When I hit the bush for more than 2 days or I am outa state/country on a hunt I have a canvas bag that I throw in my possibles bag. In this canvas bag I have a axe/tomahawk, a clip point, a straight back camp knife, a small Sendero drop point and a swiss army knife. This bag allows me to do anything from mouse to moose and build a shelter if need be to do it in. These pieces cover small and large game animals, fowl, fish and my own comforts. I never have to worry about do I have the right piece. It is literaly in the bag. It is an old bag that I sewed years ago and is a part of my hitting the door to get out for awhile. All of this is just to say again, I would get both plus their Patrol machete. Dang that is the best Machete I have ever used. There is other stuff I need to say but am running short of time.
jf
 
Tightwad,
Ethan is in the woods of Va. assisting in teaching a primative firemaking class. I got him on the cell phone while he was on the way to the class last week, and he was able to send me this note over the weekend to reply to your question. So, the reply below is from Ethan, if you have any other questions for him, it will be about a week more before he is home to the computer.

Begin
----------------------------

Hi, Tightwad,

Will asked me and Brother Fisk to give you our input. I will begin by saying that these are two very different knives. Jerry's blade design is one of his favorite high-speed slicing design for around camp, and I wish to go on the record that in my opinion, any one who feels under knifed with one of Jerry Fisk's field designs is way more than paranoid enough. They work!

The CU-7 is based on updating or refining, if you will, the USMC MKII
fighting knife, at the same time trying keep the inherent good qualities of this entirely different, but effective, style. The MKII is based on a Webster Marbles design, I believe. The Marines wanted a knife for field craft first, and fighting second. A wise decision, I think. A soldier is an armed camper and he must be skilled and have the equipment to be crafty in the field. His knife is most unlikely to be used as a weapon, but it must be good at this also. Most European military knives, the Glock comes to mind, are modified bayonets, and not ideal at fieldcraft, or are like the modern
MK4 useless except as cold chisels and awkward spades. (I based the
Campanion largely on the Mod4, and I was right. There was a good knife in there begging to get out!)

Anyway, the CU-7 has little touches like the skull popper cum tank doorbell, thumb ramp, and an in-line point for effective sticking not normally called for around the hunting camps I usually frequent.

Jerry's design is ground all the way up to maximize the slice, while I left a reinforcing rib at the top of the blade on the CU-7 because adrenaline in large enough quantities will break all but the strongest things! Also the CU-& has to be 7" or under to satisfy a lot of commmanders' dictums on blade length.
A soldier needs a light, compact, multipurpose tool. The hunter/camper usually can afford more space and weight.

All Best,
Ethan

-----------------------

End

There are some additional design parameters that Ethan worked through, that I will address in a separate post. Thats all for now.....
 
Will / Ethan/ Jerry,
Thank you all for sharing what can be considered some invaluable design
thinking with all here at the forums. I personally have learned a great deal
from your responses.

I am using the information that has been offered to re-think just what type of
blade / handle that I do need for the application I will put it to. So far it's
turning out that one of the other knives in the Becker line might better serve
that need. Time will tell.

Once again, Thank you. I'm really glad this information is recorded here in the
forums for all to read.
 
Very interesting. Thanks alot, you guys. Let's see some more thoughts from knife designers and makers on their knives once in a while.
 
Wow,

I am glad this question was asked.

The answers did a great deal to differentiate.

And, they also revealed some of the principles behind, even better.
 
Will, When you answer a question , you answer a question!!!!

Bravo!!! Your photo of the C/U 7 is worth the proverbial thousand
words and then some. Have you ever considered using your photos
on the camillus web site. I'd bet Camillus would sell more knives
because your photos let you SEE the knife in question.
 
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