Bushknife/Leafblade Evolution

Rick Marchand

Rick Marchand

Donkey on the Edge
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After my recent wilderness training session I found that I was not happy with the way my knife felt. Not when is came to performance but rather from a "personal preference" point of view.

Here was that knife... the "Keeper" Tanto...
IMG_0122-2.jpg


And another model I had been using... The "Dweller"...
IMG_0166-1.jpg


A year ago I started drifting toward longer mountainman type knives. Then fell in love with my "Keeper" Tanto model and made one for myself. Up to that point, my original Bushknife had gone through some design changes but the overall concept remained the same. Leaf-shaped blade, wrapped handle, not too big, not too small.

Here are the various Bushknife models I have made...
newleafknife.jpg

Leafblade.jpg

bushknife.jpg

BushKnifeRoughGrind.jpg
 
finishedbushknife1.jpg

CoyoteBushknife1.jpg

Heattreatpic-1.jpg

MiniBushKit202.jpg

IMG_0133.jpg

IMG_0091.jpg


On this trip, several times, I felt a longing for my Bushknife... like I had forgotten to bring it or something. That was enough for me break open the sketchbook and start drawing. I brought some of the features from my recent knives into the original Bushknife.

Here's what I came up with....
IMG_0128.jpg


I was so excited, that I dedicated yesterday to making it happen...
IMG_0127-2.jpg

IMG_0124-2.jpg

IMG_0125-1.jpg


Hopefully this will be one step closer to my ideal Bushknife.


Thanks for looking.
Rick
 
Badazz blades brother. I really like the Dweller. All of them just seem to call out to my out to my woods wandering side.
 
Very nice, and interesting to see the evolution of the project. Personally, I'm very much an un-fan of cord wrapped handles, expecially on a heavy use knife. That's pretty much personal preference though, and does not detract fror the nice job you did on both the knife and the wrap. :thumbup:
 
Looks great. :thumbup: For me I think the one above the pic of the sketch, with the leather lanyard/thong is the cats pajamas.

The finish on your latest is gorgeous.
 
dang i like the looks of the dweller model, very nice stuff all around.

whatever happened to that short sword you were toting a few weeks back? I liked that one too.
 
Your work always looks awesome Rick but I can't help thinking that I'd quickly develop hand and forearm fatigue using a cord wrapped knife for prolonged bushcraft tasks.
Even narrow micarta/wood slabs cause me grief ! Have you ever thought of putting some chunky rounded scandinavian style slabs on your bush knives or do you not find it an issue ?
 
just a beautiful and functional blade. The europeans love the spearpoints for good reason and leafed is even better. Really like the centered tip for drilling and such.
 
Good question, Pit. My previous Bushknives were meant as more of a back up knife rather than an EDC user. The cordwrap had a purpose as both handle material and potential cordage. The handles were thinner so the knife and sheath would lay flat on your hip and stay out of the way. Recently I've been wrapping with epoxy soaked hemp. I beef the handle up with leather slabs and then wrap it. These newer handles are full size. They are basically hemp micarta. After wrapping and while the epoxy is hardening, I pound it with a mallet and smooth it with my hand. These handles are very comfortable and secure.

I may send that first knife in the pics, the "Keeper", as a pass around. You wanna be first?

Rick
 
Rick,

Heattreatpic-1.jpg


Is this knife discounted? ;)


I love your blades man - I am interested to see what you think of this blade as you use it. Leaf blades are not anything I had even considered.

TF
 
Very nice blade,That wrap and turks head knot really make for a beautiful looking package.Looks as if it would preform very well for any task
Dan'l
 
Good looking blades, Rick. I think they look defective, though. Mind sending them to me for a small fee of free? ;)

Good work :thumbup:
 
I love the look of leaf blades, especially long, slender leaf blades. I've never used one, so I'm also interested in how well the design works as a GP knife. I've been drawing leaf blades for a while now, and nothing has just instantly flowed well on paper. Your latest creation flows well, and looks comfortable in the hand.
 
I love leaf blades. Very nicely done Rick! gimme a few months to get the trucking contracts going and i'll drop you a line......
 
Holy crap your stuff is awesome. If you are seriously considering doing a passaround, count me in, bro.
 
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