Camp Knife Challenge Knives Thus Far !

[Karl B. Andersen]

I'm sorry I just now caught this thread.
I'll have one in the next time around.
There will be a next time - right?

 

[RoyalM]

Out of a great bunch of blades this one for me is the winner. Combines great design, palette of materials, grind lines and attention to detail. My resistance to buying one of these knives is fading fast.

 

[Rick Marchand]

Final pics of SCurve knife with sheath.... will ship tomorrow..

 

[KuRUpTD]

Rick, that SCurve knife looks wicked - good luck bro.

 

[valcas1]

I think it is going to be really tough for Brian to come up with a clear winner. There are some good designs in this group of steel.

I can't wait to see the reviews and testing posts.

 

[Mack]

Final pics of SCurve knife with sheath.... will ship tomorrow..

You still have my address don't you.

It is amazing looking at these working works of art. I feel humbled that so many of my "friends" are so talented in their field!:thumbup:

 

[desmobob]

Gosh, what line-up!

Nice stuff, nice work....



Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[Bruce Culberson]

I'll be mailing mine tomorrow too.

Here is a better close up pic:

 

[Noshtero]

If you make a calendar I'm in for like 6 of them!

 

[hdglock]

Awesome blades guys :thumbup:. I am anxiously waiting to see the results of the tests.

 

[JCavSD]

Wish there was a good way to wager on the outcome...category winners and overall winner. I have some ideas about category winners...but overall would be tough to call.

 

[Daniel Koster]

Ok - sheath came in!


Here are some pics...and a write-up.



The Spec Ops Combat Master is an excellent sheath and the 6" size is very manageable. Plus it has a ton of nice features = no leg slap, tons of tie-down options, large pouch, multi-carry options, etc.


BUT....I didn't want to just get one and stuff my knife in it and send it off.


So first up is to custom-fit the kydex insert. You remove it by loosening the screws at the bottom.



This is what it looks like with the insert removed. Which, you can see...is a bit wonky.

So, into the kydex oven it goes and a custom fit is born.

Remove the insert, reattach with the screws and you're set!

Now the knife slides in/out very smoothly - much like a leather sheath. You don't get the "snap" of kydex because the insert doesn't go up far enough (would need to go past the guard on this knife). But you do get a tough, lined, lightweight sheath that draws easily and holds the knife securely.


Here's a finished-up pic:

The large flap on front covers a significantly sized pouch - big enough for a sharpening stone AND a firesteel AND some tinder AND a Swiss Army Knife.





And now the backside:

Gives you a good idea of the mounting/lashing potential of the sheath.



Like I said - I've been impressed with these sheaths since the first time I saw one...and have been wanting real bad to design a knife to fit the 6" sheath *just right*.



Let me know what you guys think!

Dan

 

[SDS]

Mine is getting closer to completion. Close enough for pictures. I still need to mark the blade, make the sheath, finish sharpening and clean up the blade. I'll post up all of the specs when it is finished and ready to ship. This one is made of 3/16" D2 with a full flat grind. Natural canvas micarta handle. It will have a pouch style leather sheath.

sds

 

[koyote]

What's the length - oal and blade on that one, SDS?

and damn, dude, that is one hell of a handle. REALLY nice birdshead, especially for micarta. and the drop edge is about right. Nice.

 

[SDS]

Koyote, here are the specs. Thanks for the comments. This is a tough lineup to be compared to.

3/16" D2 heat treated by me
OAL = 9 1/4"
blade length (tip to front of handle) = 4 3/4"
blade width = 1 9/16"

It looks like I'm going to have one of the shorter blades in this race. I really like large knives but around camp I find that I'm more likely to have a knife this size on my hip than a larger knife. This is one of those "compromise" knives. A larger knife would obviously be better at chopping but this one handles kitchen chores and whittling pretty well.

My pictures aren't very good so you can't see the the slight swedge at the tip or the thumb grooves along the spine. The swedge helps with peircing and the grooves, for me anyway, are nice when I need to choke up.

I have to say, there are some outstanding looking knives in this competition. I was torn between making something with natural handle material, like the SCurve, or going with micarta. In the end I let practicality win out.

I'll try to list a more concise spec/reasoning sheet when I'm more awake.

SDS

 

[koyote]

I had the same debate with micarta. And I'm still half thinking I should have gone with ipe. But the micarta FEELs right on the handle of my entry, and that is what won me over.

I'm really glad to see more and more people contouring and working with the micarta when it is used, for a while there it was all looking die cut or jet cut with machined angles!


I debated a shorter entry myself- I am glad to see a couple smaller knives entered! Even if it makes the rest of us lose. I don't think of 4.75 as a compromise- 5.5 to 6.5, give or take, but just shy of 5 inches? that's perfect for my idea of a woodsie utility :thumbup:

 

[Bruce Culberson]

Good one John! I like how you shaped the handle!

What does that put us at? 11 for 12?

I was going to use micarta too becuae of its grippiness (is that even a word?), but I had some bocote that was calling to me to be used! Don't tell anyone that my wood talks to me

 

[Noshtero]

I'm with everyone else on the micarta. The poisonwood I used may end up being a little slippery.

I REALLY like that handle shape SDS. I'm a sucker for the birdshead design that wraps around the pinky. Nothing feels more secure, imho.

 

[Rick Marchand]

John..... quite honestly, your knife is my favorite... and I'm kicking myself for not going with my gut and making a simple small blade. The bird's head/pinky grip is the bee's knees, brother. I think this one is the David to our Goliaths... you PRICK..... lol


Rick

 

[Big Mike]

As others have stated, the contours of that handle and pronounced Bird’s Peak pommel look like the real deal to me.

A real user all the way. :thumbup: :thumbup:





Big Mike

”Scaring the tree huggers.”

Forest & Stream