Dawson Knife ID

Texpatriate · Mar 2, 2015

Anybody know what model of Dawson Knife this is? Has kind of a "bushcrafty" look to me, and blade is 5", with an oal of 10". Seller does not know the model. Thanks!

The Zieg · Mar 2, 2015

Near the handle on the forte of the blade should be a two digit number. Not all Dawsons have this anymore but yours should. If you can get this number you can then look up or contact the Dawsons themselves and they will answer your questions about it.

Zieg

Texpatriate · Mar 3, 2015

Thanks, I emailed them some pics. I don't have it in my possession yet, so not sure if its got the number or not. It's a similar design to the Spyderco Bushcraft that I already own or the Benchmade Bushcrafter that I've looked at. My first name is Dawson, so of course it's cool to have a Dawson bushcraft knife! Anyway, they responded that it's called the "Camp Knife" and is made with 440C. I was kind of bummed to hear that it's a stainless as I was wanting something high carbon like most of their knives, but I'll check it out and see what I think. Apparently 440C is a high carbon stainless, but I have no experience with it that I'm aware of, and not sure how well it will hold an edge or it will sharpen easily, which is generally a requirement for a true bushcraft knife.

The Zieg · Mar 4, 2015

It is definitely a bushcraft style blade as they are commonly built nowadays. I like its lines very much. And you will have a knife engraved with your name--how cool! As for the steel, don't dismiss it too quickly. Dawsons are thick and beefy blades with notoriously hard edges. My Sheffield Bowie, the 58 in the pic I posted, is so hard that I had it professionally sharpened. Since then, I've cut hundreds of strands of baling twine, skinned and quartered game, limbed and batonned some small pines, and opened some boxes and bags of grain. Only had to give it a bit of attention on a fine ceramic stick. You may, however, be better at sharpening than I am (I'm mediocre at best!).

So we're all gonna want some report when you get your hands on it! And welcome to the Dawson world, Dawson,

Zieg

Texpatriate · Mar 4, 2015

The Zieg said:
It is definitely a bushcraft style blade as they are commonly built nowadays. I like its lines very much. And you will have a knife engraved with your name--how cool! As for the steel, don't dismiss it too quickly. Dawsons are thick and beefy blades with notoriously hard edges. My Sheffield Bowie, the 58 in the pic I posted, is so hard that I had it professionally sharpened. Since then, I've cut hundreds of strands of baling twine, skinned and quartered game, limbed and batonned some small pines, and opened some boxes and bags of grain. Only had to give it a bit of attention on a fine ceramic stick. You may, however, be better at sharpening than I am (I'm mediocre at best!).

So we're all gonna want some report when you get your hands on it! And welcome to the Dawson world, Dawson,

Zieg

Thanks for the welcome, but it's not my first rodeo

. I've also got a 4" Dawson Raider that is typically the knife that resides in my EDC bag with all my other junk. I was nervous about actually using it and carrying it at first since it was expensive and my brother gave it to me, but in the end I figured what's the point in having it and not using it.

She looka jus like a dis:

The Zieg · Mar 4, 2015

Nice one! I'm glad you, too, started using it. I was pretty reluctant to use any of mine when I came into them from my brother, but I have gotten some good use out of the Sheffield. It's certainly the most robust knife I own! When I get the chance I'll post some pics of my others. They won't look as good as the images on the Dawson website, but I'll do my best.

Zieg

Texpatriate · Mar 6, 2015

Sounds like we both have good brothers! When you say "came into them", did you inherit them, or is he just a really generous guy?

Robust is definitely a good word. I also own an Esee 5 and an Essee 6, and the Raider is closer in thickness to the 5. I don't have a set of calipers to measure it accurately, but to my eyes when comparing them the Raider spine looks just as thick as the 1/4" Esee 5 spine, which has the reputation of being a sharpened crowbar. Not sure if all Dawsons are like that, but the Raider is an absolute beast.

The Zieg · Mar 12, 2015

My older brother passed away in '93 and left behind a trove of outdoor gear, firearms, and knives The gear got parted out between my younger brother and me and I kept the guns and knives (younger brother isn't a knife knut and doesn't want guns around until the kids are out of the house). Four Dawsons were in the trove.

I almost sold them all at one point for various reasons. Glad I didn't. One, the American Bowie, I'm keeping unused. A safe queen, if you like, but the Sheffield gets use whenever possible. Lately I've taken to carrying the little #34 tanto patch knife. It's useful and light and sharp and also robust as hell. Older brother went after it too hard sharpening once and put grooves in the ricasso, but that's what made me decide to get it repolished, sharpened, and use it like it's meant to be used.

At some point we'll have to talk about sharpening Dawsons. It is a tough job to me and I'd like to hear others' experiences.

Zieg

The Zieg · Mar 12, 2015

The scales are micarta with a brownish ebony hue, pins are simple brass. Not related to the blade stamp 34, the steel is ATS-34. It dates to Barry Dawson's time in Durango CO. I gave it the caveman-wrap with some black hemp cord because I needed some purchase at the end of the handle. It helps with drawing it from the leather pouch-style sheath and with the small cutting chores I set it to. If it ever needed to be a self-defense tool, the wrap would help keep it it steady in the hand.

Zieg