Camp knife challenge

udtjim said:
I would have liked to seen more than one guy do the tests, that is the weak point of all of this to me. This only tells me what one person thought of many different knives, just picking up several different knives, one will tend to favor the feel, however everyone will think differently....
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As others have pointed out, there are logistics to this. Don't forget, the review with just a single person doing the review took over a month to do. Adding two reviewers might have tripled that time - shipping back and forth etc. There is of course a well established venue for multiple reviews on a knife - thats called a passaround, which John has been generous in the past in participating in. Obviously, passarounds can't entail multiple knives for security and shipping issues.

Overall John's knife did really well. Brian is clearly happy with John's work. After all, Offthemap outfitters was a retail outlet for many of John models for a while until Brian start selling his own blades. In fact, because Brian has handled so many different knives via his company, was also making them, and is an avid outdoors person, I think he has a unique set of experiences to complete the review as well as he did. He has an incredible eye for picking out details, but at the same time doesn't get so bogged down in fit & finish parts that he looses the goal of evaluating performance. Brian is also one of those guys who really does use a knife the way he projected. Having watched him when we were camping together, he actually does switch his knife holds frequently.

Anyhow, my thoughts are that every knife in that line up had to deal with compromises and it was made even more difficult given that the set of tasks at hand weren't explicitly stated beforehand. I think all the knives performed well given those constraints. Johns did well at many of the tasks. I'll agree with his assessment that a more rounded handle would have increased his points on some of the tasks. However, as Udtjim points out, this is largely a reflection of the way the tester uses a blade.

Great job John.
 
machine26 said:
The only chore it didnt do superbly on was chopping, I dont use my knives to chop that much. Thats why Ive got a machete or hatchet.
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I also wanted to make a comment about this, and possibly should have elaborated a bit more in the review.

I did mention that I don't consider "any of these knives good choppers." I was serious. Even with the biggest, heaviest blade of the bunch, getting through a simple 2x4 was a laborious task. And that was just pine!!!!

The fact that the straight back design puts the weight closer to the spine, than forward of knife center line made it chop less well. We are talking shades of grey. The difference between good and okay. Still, I really wouldn't look forward to doing a lot of chopping with any of these knives. Still, I did have to rate the knives against the task.

Since I have mentioned chopping not being high on my own personal priority list, drop that score right out. That is one of the reasons I scored it that way.

My comments about handle shape are my picky preferences. It may not be others, and I know there are people that have used those finger features without issue. However, I do like the knife handle you posted earlier in this thread, and I REALLY think that would be a cool combo (that handle, competition blade shape). I would not hesitate to take that knife anywhere.

I also like the thickness you selected in your knife. Not too thick, not too thin.

I know I did point out a few things in the "fit and finish" area on yours John. However, you have to remember, I was just "pointing out what I saw." Another thing that was probably not emphasized enough was price point. Performance to price ratio on your knife is extremely high! Had you worked out all the nit picky details that I did point to, you could very well be charging 3x the amount for your knife due to extra time. I personally am not sure you want to do that.

Finally, one of the things I really liked about your knife is the final grind geometry. If it were my own personal knife, I would probably feather it a touch with a 400 grit belt, then 600, then hit with a couple leather belts and compound. That is just the way I like them. BUT, the appropriate thickness is there and great! I have seen a lot of convex knives left way too thick in that area dropping the performance exponentially. Yours is nice!

B
 
Thanks, Brian! As I mentioned earlier, I am pleased with how my knife compared to others. What brought it all up was the fact that I am getting orders cancelled right and left.
 
Stomper said:
Thanks, Brian! As I mentioned earlier, I am pleased with how my knife compared to others. What brought it all up was the fact that I am getting orders cancelled right and left.
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Orders for the Camp Knife specifically or orders in general?





Dave
 
That is really too bad to hear John. I really can't see anything in the review that would cause somebody to pull the plug on an order. Unless they stated that as the reason, I would chalk it up to extenuating circumstances. In any event, I think citing a highly positive review like that as a basis to cancel an order would be a rather jerky thing to do.

If it were me in a circumstance where the review brought up something I didn't like or wanted change, I'd write you and use the 'your design or mine' clause and ask about opportunities to tweak things in a way that met my criteria. That of course may involve re-negotiating a price point, but that at least would be how I'd go about it.

I'm still super happy with my custom kephart I received from you and following the torture test your bare blade went through via J. Williams, people should recognize the amazing performance of your heat treats!

Stick in there John - I think over time this review will generate many more orders rather than affecting them!
 
Stomper said:
2 for the camp knife, 1 Lobo, 1 Scout Jr.
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General economy, maybe??

I can't see any other good reason. Your designs are good, your knives are good, your prices are good.

I read Brian's review 3 times and I see no reason to cancel an order for any Stomper knife.:confused:
 
After reading the report, I was actually worried that orders would increase to the point that the knives would be priced out of my reach.
Selfish?
Maybe.
I just drew up two new designs that I hope can be built.
Ceasing production is unthinkable.




Dave
 
It would have been interesting to see how my Knatchet design performed in the camp challenge eh !

There is always going to be a compromise of sorts with any knife and I think you made the best choice with your camp knife John. Had you gone to 3/16" stock it would have chopped better but the performance on the other tasks would likely have suffered !
You could have widened the blade a little toward the front to throw more weight up front but I'm not sure that would have made too much difference.
 
MidwestDave said:
After reading the report, I was actually worried that orders would increase to the point that the knives would be priced out of my reach.
Selfish?
Maybe.
I just drew up two new designs that I hope can be built.
Ceasing production is unthinkable.




Dave
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Agreed. I have 2 coming and ideas for others, or at least others for leather work. Did you get my emailed pics, John?
 
Rockywolf said:
Agreed. I have 2 coming and ideas for others, or at least others for leather work. Did you get my emailed pics, John?
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Yes I did, but with the excitement of the baby, and these orders being cancelled, I`ve not had a chance to email you back. I`ve got some questions.
 
Brian did a really good job on his review and I know how much time he must have put in doing it. I was just pointing out how much difference their can be in how a knife feels in the hand of the user and that is bound to have a bearing on the all around judgment. This is evident on any of these favorite knife post's.:D
 
jgdonnarx took one of your knives over to my shop. I didn't get to use it or anything but could tell it was a well built TOUGH knife. Those guys who are cancelling orders are making a mistake but there will be others.
 
I still have to pick a handle and pins for my Camp knife. John has so many choices.:confused:

I was just looking at the handles on the heavy duty hunter that rksoon just posted.
 
Let's also remember that John's knife costs $160 and the winning knife of the challenge costs $500 !!!!

That's a heck of a lot more dollars for a very slight increase in performance or whatever !!!!
 
MidwestDave said:
Holy Smokes:eek:



Dave
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Exactly ! Rick is a great guy and his work looks awesome, if I ever win the lotto I'd buy one of his knives for sure but for $500 I could buy these 3 camp knives by 3 of my favourite makers......

JK Camp Knife:$160

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Dave Farmer Side Arm:$145

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And an ML Large Camp Knife:$179

MLCampKnife-1.jpg


And still have change for a Kentucky family feast and a couple of beers !:D
 
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