Bushcraft Knife challenge - Interest?

[Rockywolf]

Let's get some of the newer makers involved too. Iz Turley makes a good product.

 

[koyote]

Let's get some of the newer makers involved too. Iz Turley makes a good product.

+1

+10


If we had the response, we could have "categories". from kit/assemble through "new" and "established" or something. Or draw straws and have ray, rick, or one of the other Names be forced to do the testing.














kidding, Rick. I can't do a contest without you.

 

[Codger_64]

I'd certainly like to see it. The Camp Knife Challenge was great! Perhaps set an "envelope" size the knife has to fit into. That would limit the size without overly limiting the design, IMHO. Of course the previous challenge was really "made" great by the reviewer's work, i.e. the format, tests, descriptions and impressions, photography, etc. Very informative and enjoyable at the same time. In the past six years I have seen some makers here go from beginners to reliable craftsmen. I am sure there are more than those that have caught my attention. :thumbup:

 

[PayetteRucker]

I think the machete and camp knife challanges inspired some truly revolutionary designs, and as much as I'd like to see more, there's already a HUGE field for bushcrafters. I'd love to see a SERE knife or "one survival knife" challange!

 

[PayetteRucker]

At the same time I'd like to see a necker/backup boot contest as well.

 

[Bruce Culberson]

Blade width up to 1 1/2 inches with a straight spine.

But sometimes they warp when you quench them

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I'd like there to be only a blade length restriction, and do like the "no added tools/firesteels" addition. Otherwise my 2 Ht blanks may not qualify!! (I'm not quick enough to start one from scratch)

I think that adding categories would not be beneficial to the overall feel of the challenge- just a bunch of knives. I don't think that my knives made with a 4x36" grinder can compete well against the real makers here, but would like to get feedback as how mine stack up in direct comparison. That is unless the real makers don't want me to pollute the pool:barf:

I'll be interested in the thread even if I don't/can't enter!

 

[wildmike]

Bruce that is when you wind up with a trailing point bushcrafter.....

If it bends sideways its a crooknife bushcrafter.


and if it spirals ya sell it as a winetasters bushcrafter...

 

[pitdog]

I think the machete and camp knife challanges inspired some truly revolutionary designs, and as much as I'd like to see more, there's already a HUGE field for bushcrafters. I'd love to see a SERE knife or "one survival knife" challange!

Yeah I'm inclined to agree with ya. When someone mentions Bushcraft blade comp I just envisage a row of Woodlore clones although with Rick and Koyote in the contest I could be pleasantly suprised by some interesting variations.

A ' Survival knife ' contest would, I think, create a greater number of design variations as a Survival scenario could throw up some crazy tasks that the knife has to perform.

 

[SouthernCross]

Out of curosity, is the contest to design a "Bushcraft knife" or a knife designed to use in Bushcraft?

Is the meaning of Bushcraft (& therefore the use of the knife) to be restricted to the modern idea that it only involves working wood with a edged tool?

Or will it take a more traditional meaning where the knife needs to perform well in a variety of tasks encountered when outdoors?




Kind regards
Mick

 

[Gossman Knives]

I would say try and not be too restrictive. Let the makers be creative with the knives and sheaths. Maybe go with blade length, 3" to 5"? Seems to be the general blade size for most so called "bushcraft" knives.
I agree with getting some of the newer makers involved.
Scott

 

[6shooter]

I think making it stand out will involve the task list. And, to some extent, the users.

We talked a little bit about this with the camp knife challenge, but if one of the groups - (like tonym and bigmike and suchlike up in the frozen east. Or any other group) did a weekend of tasks, with various people assigning points to average out, it could be good.

There's quite a few of us up here on the west coast of BC.......just sayin

 

[SouthernCross]

BTW, I forgot to add to my previous post.

If wood working is a major test criteria, will the wood be green softwood or seasoned hardwood?




Kind regards
Mick

 

[Myakka]

Here is what I think makes up a good Bushcraft Knife

1. Full Tang

2. The blade should be made of good quality carbon steel. Carbon, unlike stainless steel can be used as the striker in the flint and steel method of fire lighting.

3. An overall length of 8-9

4. The knife’s spine should be squared off to be able to spark a FireSteel/ferrocerium rod.

5. Comfortable and easy to hold oval handle with no guard.

 

[Rick Marchand]

I think we should keep it simple... Scott had it right... 3" to 5" cutting edge. Makers just need to know this will be used for any task one might be required to do while in the wilderness. Some might slant their design more in the direction of woodworking, others toward food prep.... that's the beauty of these kinds of challenges.

Give the makers some freedom as see what they come up with.


Rick

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I'm in the less is more camp. Why not just call is a 'wilderness belt knife' competition. Just a basic, easy-to-carry blade. Then a blade size limit as discussed. I do think some consideration could be given to a whole setup, like sheath and firesteel design/arrangement.

 

[Rick Marchand]

I'm in the less is more camp. Why not just call is a 'wilderness belt knife' competition. Just a basic, easy-to-carry blade. Then a blade size limit as discussed. I do think some consideration could be given to a whole setup, like sheath and firesteel design/arrangement.

That is not a factor in making a good knife. A sheath is... not the bobbles attached to it. Personally, I think mounting anything on a knife sheath is a bad idea... but that is just my own perspective. You might as well say that part of the judging will be on finger guards... I don't make them and don't think they are necessary for most knife applications. If we change it to a "Knife Kit Challenge" then I would have to respectfully bow out.

 

[koyote]

I agree with my canuckistanian buddy up there.

No requirements on squared spines, edge style, spine style, steel type, handle shape.

I do not want to make "an interprative copy of an Official Woodslore Knife"


knife, sheath, blade limited to 5 inches long, max. -


I still like the idea of a task list, it really brought out some creativity in the camp knife challenge, I thought. Here's the thing, and one reason I'm clubbing this baby seal to death. The responses in this thread have shown that there's a huge spectrum of opinion on what makes a bushie (including the name!). I don't, personally, ever use my knife for fire steel work. Doesn't mean I don't make them that way, I don't see a problem with it. But all I seem to be any good at other than a bic lighter is bowdrill. And that ain't steel.

and I think, whoever is putting the time and effort into running things should decide on that. Give them input, feel free to make suggestions and requests. But someone who is going to give us 20 hours of work (or more) needs to be in charge of himself.

 

[tonym]

I think making it stand out will involve the task list. And, to some extent, the users.

We talked a little bit about this with the camp knife challenge, but if one of the groups - (like tonym and bigmike and suchlike up in the frozen east. Or any other group) did a weekend of tasks, with various people assigning points to average out, it could be good.

Sorry, I just saw this thread. I would be honored to beat the crap out of all of you knifemakers knives. I would be happy to throw a detailed list of duties that will be performed.

Let me know

 

[tonym]

I agree with my canuckistanian buddy up there.

No requirements on squared spines, edge style, spine style, steel type, handle shape.

I do not want to make "an interprative copy of an Official Woodslore Knife"


knife, sheath, blade limited to 5 inches long, max. -


I still like the idea of a task list, it really brought out some creativity in the camp knife challenge, I thought. Here's the thing, and one reason I'm clubbing this baby seal to death. The responses in this thread have shown that there's a huge spectrum of opinion on what makes a bushie (including the name!). I don't, personally, ever use my knife for fire steel work. Doesn't mean I don't make them that way, I don't see a problem with it. But all I seem to be any good at other than a bic lighter is bowdrill. And that ain't steel.

and I think, whoever is putting the time and effort into running things should decide on that. Give them input, feel free to make suggestions and requests..

I couldn't agree more! Let the knifemakers make their own interpritation of a bushcraft/woodcraft knife in the 3-5" bladed range. That should be the only restriction.

But someone who is going to give us 20 hours of work (or more) needs to be in charge of himself.

Ha! tell that to my wife