Blackwood Camp Set by Brett Gatlin

RogerP

RogerP

Joined
Feb 28, 2002
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One solution to the big knife versus small knife debate is to simply say “Yes!” to both. Let’s face it, a big knife can do small knife jobs only passably well, and a small knife can’t do the more onerous big knife chores at all. This is the basic idea behind this set which I commissioned from Brett Gatlin a little while ago. I gave Brett only very broad parameters for my order. 1) give me a full size camp knife that will be more than ready to take one any of the big-knife duties – brush clearing, shelter building, Grizzly bear fighting, etc. 2) make the hunter / utility a bit on the smaller side – something easy to control and wicked sharp. I selected African blackwood for the handle material for its toughness, stability and density as well as its understated good looks.

(For those on dial up, you can find a album of the photos here: http://www.fototime.com/inv/63879669C9462E3 )

The rest was up to Brett.

When I received an image from Brett of the blades forged to shape, it was clear that he was on the right track:

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The rough ground blades confirmed this initial impression:

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And when the package arrived [Brett had threatened to lable it “adult love toy”!] there was no question that he had absolutely nailed it.

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The big camp knife features an 11” blade of forged 5160H, 1 ¾” wide and ¼” thick. That’s a lot of sharp steel to be sure, but the knife has a nice heft and good balance, due in part to the distal taper of the blade and the loooong swedge grind on the spine that helps take some weight away from where it’s not needed. That swedge isn’t sharp, by the way – there is still enough thickness to the spine to comfortably rest your palm there for a push cut, should you choose to do so. The handle is nicely sculpted with a satisfying palm swell and slightly flared butt. Grip is comfortable and secure. Immediately upon picking this knife up I wanted to have a go and some free hanging rope and maybe a few 2 by 4’s – this thing would be a mean competition cutter, I have no doubt. (Though the 11” blade length and absence of a lanyard hole would keep it out of a sanctioned event.)

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As pleased as I was with the big knife, I was utterly charmed by the little one. This slick little hunter features a 4 ½” blade of forged 1084 and is approximately 3/16” thick. The clip-point blade is thinly ground and razor sharp and the overall feel of the knife is one of surgical precision. The single guard is of stainless steel and the more gently contoured handle of matching blackwood. Brett was so happy with the way the hunter turned out that he plane to make it available as a standard model. Matching black leather sheaths by Kenny Rowe complete the package.

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As always, it was a true pleasure working with Brett on this project. I look forward to many more down the road.

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Roger Pinnock
 
What a great set, Roger! I have to thank you, again, for your posts and pictures, I find them to be most informative. I wish I had your collection.too. :eek:

Win
 
very nice! these 2 are my favorites so far from Mr. Gatlin, great work. The large one looks like a great cutter without being too heavy, im bettin it feels 1/2 its size in the hand, and cuts like its much larger etc.
 
That's a set to be proud of!

Interesting point re: the thonghole, personally I never use them, do others commonly really put one to use?

Nice set, great evolution pics!

Frank H.
 
That is a nice set of cutters! I know these knives are deceptively simple. There is more planning there than meets the eye. It shows in the way they handle, the edge holding ability, and if you cant take your eyes off them! :D I'm happy for the both of you. :) Lin
 
Interesting point re: the thonghole, personally I never use them, do others commonly really put one to use?
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I find a thong hole comes in real handy when skinning game and when using over water, like on a boat. When your hands are wet, cold and tired, a thong hole can keep you from dropping your knife. It can also allow you to free up a hand when you are doing a lot of work. In Alaska once when helping helped skin numerous bears, my hands were so tired that I dropped my folding skinning knife more than once. I switched to my hunter with the lanyard and was able to let it dangle ocassionally to give my hands a rest.

On a boat, a lanyard can keep you from dropping your knife into the drink.

I almost will not chop with a big knife unless I am using a lanyard.
 
Frank-H said:
Interesting point re: the thonghole, personally I never use them, do others commonly really put one to use?
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Anthony's points are entirely valid and well taken. Here is a different point of view from Reggie Barker in a thread on camp knives / competition knives:

Reggie Barker said:
Going out on a limb here but I never use a thong on a knife except in competition. It is too much trouble to take it off my arm every time I need to when I need to move a limb or small tree that I have cut. On a hunting knife I don't need it and it just gets bloody if it hangs on the handle in the way . As far as being too heavy one of my camp knives in a sheath straped to a backpack would not be noticed until needed then it would be greatly appreciated.
Reggie
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The great thing about custom knives is that you get to have it your way. :)

Roger
 
I love that big blade. The choice of blackwood for understated elegance worked out well, and I think the black sheaths are a good match. Congrats Roger. I know you must have quite a few great matching sets in your collection. You should do a thread of matching sets.

(About the lanyard, I usually feel safer with one on when handling a big knife. It's half psychological, but with that feeling of security I end up not checking up on my swings and being stiff; and I swing more relaxed, which is more efficient and I think is a safer way to swing too.)
 
Not to drift from this thread but lets be realistic. A thonghole usually is somewhat aesthetically detracting as it adds an unwelcome symmetry to the look of the handle and draws attention away from the look of a fine wood or stag handle.

Most makers do not like doing them for that reason and additionally since 90% of custom knives are collected rather than used it is really a non-issue for most and an extra step for the maker.

But I still demand them on users. :D

(Once I laid a knife down in the woods and couldn't find it afterward!)
 
Anthony Lombardo said:
(Once I laid a knife down in the woods and couldn't find it afterward!)
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I'm thinking you should have all your using knives made with hot pink G10 handles! :p :D
 
Stick your knife in a tree then its easy to find. I did it once squirrel hunting by a small lake and left it there and came back in the spring and got it.You should have a knife set up to make you feel good using it and what works for you. I set mine up for me.I like the look of Bretts set.
Reggie
 
These type of sets are the business, and this is Fortune 500 stuff ....... congrats to both of you. I really like the blade profile on the big'un!

Stephen
 
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