Camp knife advice

xxwjtxx said:
This :thumbup:
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:)

To expound a little further, I'd say get one in 3/16", full tang, and a burlap handle.

You're going to use this hard. In my opinion you want a synthetic handle. I want it to hold up to hard use. Full tang for some extra beef.

Whitty's would be great example.
 
shaving sharp said:
I was able to get LightGuy to sell me that knife in the review . . .still have it plus two others. The camp knife is one of my favorite knives. I have bought and sold way over 1000 custom knives and currently have a collection larger than I would like to admit. The Fiddleback camp knife is in my top five list of all the knives that have gone through my hands and in my collection. The one piece of advice I will give you is if you are going to get one get it in 3/16 thick steel with a full width tang and saber grind. I had one made from 5/32 and full flat grind and I felt that it was too lite for a camp knife.
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Its funny, I have kind of settled on 3/16 and full thickness tang for this knife. Lighter just didn't make much sense to me after a couple of uses. Love this post. Thanks for the compliments!

willic said:
I do love the Camp Knife! I use one every time I am in the woods and not backpacking. I also love the Duke for an all purpose knife! Early this winter, I only carried a Camp Knife on a camping/fishing trip. I cleared limbs to hang my hammock and fly, I prepared fire wood, I dressed trout, I even filleted a trout, just to see if I could, I prepared and cooked dinner, I turned my trout on the open flame, heck, I even used the back edge to pop the top on a beer bottle!

In regard to thicknesses.... I have and use 5/32" tapered and SFT and 3/16" tapered and SFT. All the knives are VERY capable... VERY. Unless you use is as a pry bar, 5/32" would do just about whatever you wanted it for! I do like weight forward in a knife I plan to need power in my swing/chop, so I have to say my favorite is either thickness in tapered. I think I have shavingsharp's flat grind 5/32" Camp Knife, and it is SUPER light, but it is a FANTASTIC knife! As a matter of fact, I think I have used that Camp Knife more then any of my others!

-Will
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I quoted just to say how neat it is to follow the knife from user to user. Thanks for posting.
 
thurin said:
My advice on the Camp Knife? Get one.
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I'll echo this.

Though it's nice to get advice and other people's thoughts and experiences with and about a particular model (it's a forum that's what we're all here for or should be here for anyway), you'll never know how it's gonna feel in-hand and work for you until you hold it and use it. I think a 5/32" ladyfinger is the perfect knife for pretty much anything e.g. game prep, food prep, carving, feather sticking, batoning, heck I can't find an area (except chopping) that a Ladyfinger wouldn't excel or carry it's own weight in. But, just because I think the Ladyfinger is a "sliced bread" of a model doesn't mean it's gonna work for you. So buy what appeals to you. Shoot, you should actually buy two. Certain blade characteristics like grind, blade geometry, handle materials and thickness may not work for you on your first camp knife go-round. If you like a certain model, you should try it a few times. The flea market has proven to be a great remedy for buyers remorse as well as "it just isn't for me" type purchases.

Once again, good luck on your quest.
 
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I told myself for a long time that i didnt need one/ didnt WANT one. Totally impractical i says to myself. Then Andy started making them again. Friday after Friday they'd pop up. So i finally broke down. The Camp seems over the top, too bulky etc. But i find myself using it time and time again. Even for the simplest of tasks it just becomes a natural extension of your hand. Great Balance and packs a wallop with minimal effort.
 
Thanks again for all the input. Definitely will be keeping my eye out for one this year. Hope to see more at Dealers from time to time as it is not likely I'll be able to snag one from the shark infested waters.
 
They pop up in the fleamarket from time to time and are often not the ones that go first on fridays. Hope you manage to get one :thumbup:
 
Yes, The one from usamadeblade, originally came from a Fiddleback Friday thread, unsold, then it sat at usamadeblade for like 5 days, until I couldn't take it any longer. My first Camp Knife was a near matching one in 5/32" Tapered Tang. Quite often, the Camp Knife from Fridays will be the slowest seller in the bunch!

Heck, if you are ready to buy one now, go to the fleamarket and post a Camp Knife wanted post!

-Will
 
I'll put in my .02 worth. I've owned quite a few Randall's over the last thirty years, and I still have a few. Great fighting style knives, and the #5 Camp and Trail is a classic. My opinion is get the Fiddleback.
 
There are some really nice pics around of older camp knives with really heavy spalting, I hope to see more of these in the future.
 
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If anyone wants to part with a 3/16 model, lemme know. Have a very good trade offer (non knife, but outdoor related).
 
There is a bolstered 3/16" thick Camp Knife with emerald burlap scales in this weeks batch.;)
 
willic said:
EASY Peesy

At home I use a Flex Strop, the big mama one mounted on wood. Scott at usamadeblade keeps them in stock! No matter what I have put my Camp Knives through, a little stop has maintained the edge. The convex edge is VERY strong! It's a little thicker "behind the edge" which helps support and add strength. A little grey compound, then a good polishing on green and the big beast is ready for the next adventure.

I have been recently using a bludback Camp Knife, I really enjoy the super grippyness of the micarta!

-Will
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I brought mine home from Scott on valentine's day.
My girlfriend said "ooh, we're gonna have fun tonight!"
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