DP Knives-Outdoorsman

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bearthedog

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May 17, 2006
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DP Knives-Outdoorsman

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I always liked a large chopper with a 10-inch blade when I was a kid. When I grew up a little I was ok with a 9-inch blade, as long as I had a 4-inch fixed blade with me. These days I am gravitating more to the smaller fixed blades. A neck knife was ok as long as I had a chopper or beefy fixed blade. You know the reasoning we all go through to select our gear for a camping trip or hike. I like 4-inch blades so for me to pick a blade that was less than that was a real, coming of age moment for me. Yes the 1095 blade is 3 ¾-inch overall and sports the same cutting edge. I like a blade that starts right out of the handle. It says “let’s get to work” and that’s reason enough for me. Overall length is 8 1/8-inches. The handle- I saved this description for the end. It is the nicest looking handle I have. Coco Bolo wood with two 3/16-inch brass pins, and one ¼-inch black hole mosaic pin. Classy and hand filling, 15/16-inch thick, the length on the handle is 4 ½-inches.

Weight-6 ¾-ounces (knife only), 8 ¾-ounces (with Sheath).
RC 59-61.

The Outdoorsman was carried on a 17 mile day hike from Mt. Baldy to Lytle Creek in Southern California. If there is one place I wouldn’t want to go without a sturdy fixed blade its Lytle Creek. I can only describe it as rugged and unforgiving. Steep trails, snakes, and lots of fallen trees would sum up Lytle Creek. If anyone has ever seen that movie “The Princess Bride” then you will remember the fire-swamps, that is Lytle Creek!

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In hand shot
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Size comparison
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Left to right: DP Outdoorsman, Muskrat Man Puuko, JK Kephart, Breeden Kelly, RAT RC-3, Fowler Stone Mountain

Food prep consisted of cutting vegetables, fish, fruit, salame, and cheese.
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Using a knife 3/16-inch thick at the table is a little overkill. The reason for doing this is to see how it will cut different kinds of food without having to hold the knife in a strange uncomfortable way. The Outdoorsman is good for cutting food at the table but I don’t really like the idea of the nice edge hitting the plate over and over, yet I will baton with it. Does that make sense? I didn’t see any chipping or edge roll. There was no Patina or rust on the blade after about three weeks of use despite the somewhat rough finish, hand rubbed 220-grit. I only wiped the blade with a wet sponge and dried it with a towel, that seemed to be enough.
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Baton work with a smaller blade takes a little patience.
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It takes a little longer to split up a thick log with a 3 ¾-inches long blade. This is much larger than I would ever want to split with a knife this size, but if you really had to the DP would be just fine. For test purposes I used this 4-inch thick log but usually don’t use anything larger than wrist size pieces of wood for shelter poles and firewood.
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Splitting off some kindling was easy with the stout 3/16-inch blade.
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I did the fuzz sticks at the end of the tests this time. I had a feeling it would be ok. After the brutal baton work on a 4-inch thick log I decided to do some more delicate work. The fuzz stick was nice and curly.
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Tip Strength-I used the Outdoorsman to drill some holes in some thick wood; the tip seems to be good at this task. Normally I would drill a hole with the Awl on a Swiss Army Knife then make it wider by using a sharp pointed knife. This tip seemed just right for that. DP lists the Outdoorsman as a drop point, I agree but it is very close to a spear point.
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Sharpening
I used only a Lansky fine ceramic on the Outdoorsman throughout the entire testing of the knife. I have never really been able to put an edge on a knife that wasn’t scandi or convex as fast as I was able to bring back the edge on the Outdoorsman. It didn’t need to be sharpened much through the testing process. The edge would always pop hair right off my silly looking bald arm after a few licks on the ceramic. I was happy with the, out of the box sharpness and overall edge retention.

Photo Album
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Looking pretty
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DP Woodsman with Amazique, 3/16 1095 full tang full taper grind, 3 ¼-inches blade, 7 5/8-inches overall
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DP Hunter in Blood Wood
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Custom design by Larry917, 3/16-inch, 1095 full tang full taper, Amazique handles 5 ¼-inches blade and 9 ¼” overall
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DP Backpacker Backpacker 3/16-inch thick, 1095 full tang full taper grind, 4 ¼-inches blade and 9-inches overall. Black Cherry Fantasy marble for the bolsters and pommel and Buffalo horn for the scales
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Mtnfolk mike-photo
DP Companion, blade 3 ½-inches long, 7 ¼-inches overall
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DP Knives
Douglas Paul Dart
585-237-3987
585-905-1019
sales@dpknives.com
www.dpknives.com
 
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Feel free to post your DP Knives, I know they are out there. Larry got a few and designed one pictured below.
 
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:That was the review I was waiting for! :thumbup:Excellent job Bear as always. I am very happy with Dougs blades I feel they are great users. His new ones are getting real pretty as your pics show. I have 2 more coming from him soon. I believe that the Black cherry back packer might be mine:D

That would make 5 in total I own of his, well actually 4 now. I sent MtnFlk Mike a lil bugger as a gift and to get him to see the light on DP'S knives.;)
I will post some pics later.

Doug keep up the great work:thumbup:
 
Really nice knife, looks like a really practical overall design. That cocbolo grain is beautiful.
 
He does a good job on those handles...nice and smooth with tightly fitted pins.

A lot of customs I have gotten lately or handled suffer from a lack of finish on the handles. It doesn't take long to make a decent handle something extraordinary.

I like the curved handle on it. One of my main beefs with the recent "bushcraft" and Kephart knives is the straight handle. Straight handles just don't do it for me.
 
Do you have any of his blades Ilbruche?

Because your going to get to play with the Outdoorsman and the Backpacker since your making the sheaths for them when they are ready:D
 
Nice review there and thanks for the comparison pics, I really like that style drop point for general use and its tuff to beat for rougher work as well.
 
great review once again bear...:thumbup: i love the handle on that knife... :eek:

dougs work is looking mighty nice these days.. i definately see a busy future ahead of him...:cool:

thanks for throwing in my pic again..:o
 
Thanks Bear for the great review. Thanks to every one else so far for their comments and compliments. Doug
 
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I have just two of Doug's Knives but they are very functional knives that hold a good edge and come in handy on my camping trips. I look forward to seeing and buying more of his work in the future. Dandy guy to deal with as well.:D. Pardon the poor pictures. I will get some good outdoor shots next time I head out.
 
tonym said:
:That was the review I was waiting for! :thumbup:Excellent job Bear as always. I am very happy with Dougs blades I feel they are great users. His new ones are getting real pretty as your pics show. I have 2 more coming from him soon. I believe that the Black cherry back packer might be mine:D

That would make 5 in total I own of his, well actually 4 now. I sent MtnFlk Mike a lil bugger as a gift and to get him to see the light on DP'S knives.;)
I will post some pics later.

Doug keep up the great work:thumbup:
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Lets see them Tone! I thought you had a few getting leather. His knives really are Screaming for Leather.

mtnfolk mike said:
great review once again bear...:thumbup: i love the handle on that knife... :eek:

dougs work is looking mighty nice these days.. i definately see a busy future ahead of him...:cool:

thanks for throwing in my pic again..:o
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Great picture again Mike. You always have the best info on all the new makers way before I even do.:)
 
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