camp knife

M

magnum .44

Joined
Jun 12, 1999
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i'm making my neighbor, Lou a set of hunting knives, a skinner and a camp knife in 1/8" thick d-2. they're both gonna be flat ground. the skinner is 8", and the camp knife is ten, my question is should the camp knife be larger then 10". i thought it wouldn't have enough lenght to it to be a real bone breaker. and what rockwell hardness should i tell rob to make it?
 
What type of jobs will the camp knife be doing? 1/8" thick seems pretty thin for a knife that long and that may be used for heavier jobs. If the knife is going to take the place of a hatchet, for example, I would think 1/4" would be more appropriate, with a dropped handle design for better chopping power. If it is intended to be more of a machete, then again 1/8" may be more appropriate. I would think something like 5/32" would be a good in-between size for a large jack of all trades blade. As far as hardness goes, D-2 can easily be taken to 61 or 62 without a lot of blade chipping, but if it will be for chopping and that type of impact work, I would go more for 55-58.

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I like my camp knives nice and heavy. I either use 3/16" or 1/4" stock, full flat grind and at least a 7" blade. 1 1/2" or 2" wide for great chopping potential.

Since you are providing two knives I would make the camp larger. I always carry a smaller blade with my camp knife anyway. If I am car camping I take big bertha... 2" x 12" blade 18" overall. Too heavy to carry hiking though.

Steve
 
thanks for the advice guys, it will be used to break bones of deer. i heard one writer say he liked his knives 1/8" thick that are used for chopping and slicing. it's 1 1/2" wide, and he says 10" is a big knife, i don't think he likes to carry a very big knife. again thanks for the advice guys, when i make a personal one i'll put a few more of your suggestions in it, but these helped, and i can post the design if you guys would like something to base your tips on, besides my description i tend to leave things out.

[This message has been edited by magnum .44 (edited 06 October 1999).]
 
For the camp 10 inches is plenty 3/16 thick is in between . This thickness will chop and do other chores if fully flat ground. As for the skinner maybe a 3-4 in blade with a 1/8 thickness would be great..
Hardness on the camp 55-58 max//
on the skinner 56-58
This will work for the purpose and sharpen easy in the field..

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My camp knife has a 12' x 1.5 blade. Distol taper, 5160 forged, double quenched and tripple drawn. It is a little over 1/4" at the recosso and is convex ground. I wouldn't want to pack it around much as it is a little heavy, but it do cut! It gets used to split fire wood alot!

Skinners: I am not a hunter so I can only report what my customers want. They don't want an 8" skinner! most want to be able to reach the tip of the knife with there index finger while holding high on the handle. Keeps them from severing the "gut sack". I get asked for skinners from 1" to about 4.5" and each user has his own idea of what he wants! Check back with lou and see what he really wants. He may want an 8" utility knife. I think Luo is lucky to have you as a neghbor!!

Doug
 
thanks, i'll ask him, and if he wants the skinner smaller i'll modify both. i'm buying and 18" peice of d-2, i don't want to waste it, so i'll make the camp knife 11- 12". thanks for the tips, i'm sure lou likes having a knifemaker as a neighbor, i usually give em' to him for free to, if he pays for the materials.
 
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