I am considering buying a knife from Eight Dollar Mountain Foundry. Their Bowies look awesome as do some of their other knives. I'd like to hear from anyone who has one or has had experience with them. How do they perform? I am looking for large knife for camp work that can take abuse and perform well. The price on these knives looks good. Steel is supposed to be like L6? I have serveral Him. Imports AKs but hate to use them for what I intend this for. Anyone have any thoughts on how they compair?
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Eight Dollar Mountain Foundry's Bowies
- Thread starter Old Salt
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Hi Old Salt
I live about 35 miles from Dale Sandburg here in Oregon and the EDMF. I own 3 of his knives, and purchased them just after Desert Storm. All 3 are of the knuckle knife variety. Two have 10" blades and one an 8" blade. These knives are pretty much indestructible IMO. I just cannot see one being able to buy so much tough-ass blade for the money than from Dale. I'm sure that his knives are even better than they were when I bought mine for something like $75 each.
While I have not put mine through destructive torture tests (hope that's not the assesment you were looking for....), they have gone on camping trips where they cleared brush, and chopped some firewood. My models are not as efficient a chopper as an HI Khukri - also own several of those - but they are more than adequate, and hold an edge quite well. One man's opinion, and again I remind you not based on comprehensive knife-writer testing, but on just "Ordinary Joe" type of usage.
I might add that Dale is as fine a gentleman as you'd ever want to meet, and stands by his blades 100%.
I live about 35 miles from Dale Sandburg here in Oregon and the EDMF. I own 3 of his knives, and purchased them just after Desert Storm. All 3 are of the knuckle knife variety. Two have 10" blades and one an 8" blade. These knives are pretty much indestructible IMO. I just cannot see one being able to buy so much tough-ass blade for the money than from Dale. I'm sure that his knives are even better than they were when I bought mine for something like $75 each.
While I have not put mine through destructive torture tests (hope that's not the assesment you were looking for....), they have gone on camping trips where they cleared brush, and chopped some firewood. My models are not as efficient a chopper as an HI Khukri - also own several of those - but they are more than adequate, and hold an edge quite well. One man's opinion, and again I remind you not based on comprehensive knife-writer testing, but on just "Ordinary Joe" type of usage.
I might add that Dale is as fine a gentleman as you'd ever want to meet, and stands by his blades 100%.
Bill Siegle
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Dale makes some awesome knives. I have a couple of his Samtchets and love em both. His prices don't reflect his knive's value. You get WAY more than you pay for 
I ahve chopped up a weekend's worth of firewood and still had a nice sharp edge on mine when I was done. The steel holds it's edge well,is plenty tough,and sharpens easy. Have fun with whichever one you order 
I ahve chopped up a weekend's worth of firewood and still had a nice sharp edge on mine when I was done. The steel holds it's edge well,is plenty tough,and sharpens easy. Have fun with whichever one you order I have to jump in here. I have one of Dale's 10" blade smatchetes. It's my favorite big knife in my collection. It came with the old leather sheath. I understand that Dale uses Kydex now. I wore the finish off digging with it. I just dunked it in some parkerizing solution and the problem was solved. I took the cord wrap off and used a leather wrap. I wanted the cord for something else. The blade sharpens easily, holds an edge for a while, and chops adequately. Its not quite blade heavy enough for excellent chopping, but it works fine on 2x4's and fence posts. The blade is slightly crooked w/ respect to the handle. Its canted about 3 degrees. Of course, it took a year to notice this, and it hasnt affected the performance. I tend to view this one as a fighting knife of sorts. Its got a more neutral balance and moves easily, almost as quick as my folders. The thickness behind the edge is slightly more than a 3" hunter I have. The only nicks I've managed to put in it were cutting metal.
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TK staff writer and friend Chuck Karwan had some of these up at the OKCA show last month, and I was just blown away by the value for the dollar....a good, solid using knife for sure!
Mel
Mel
Cliff Stamp
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Old Salt :
They should definately be able to take very heavy use considering the steel thickness and very short grinds (~0.5"), however the cutting and chopping ability isn't going to be very high for pretty much the same reason.
I have used knives with that type of shallow grind before, the HI khukuris will easily out cut and out chop them significantly, easily double or more. What exactly were you planning on doing that you would hesitate to use the HI khukuris for?
-Cliff
They should definately be able to take very heavy use considering the steel thickness and very short grinds (~0.5"), however the cutting and chopping ability isn't going to be very high for pretty much the same reason.
I have used knives with that type of shallow grind before, the HI khukuris will easily out cut and out chop them significantly, easily double or more. What exactly were you planning on doing that you would hesitate to use the HI khukuris for?
-Cliff
Hi Bill,
One of those wasn't an EDMF Smatchette you traded some guy for a Firestone Belt Axe at the Fall NWNC Show in Puyallup, now would it? LOL!!!! I never used it to chop, cut or anything... and it was a wee bit too heavy for me... But I still think I want to own one. However, the Belt Axe is just about right.. Glad the trade worked out both ways!
Cliff... this was the source of my question over on the gransfors thread on the review forum... Thanks for the words on the Firestone...
All around, I feel both the EDMF Smatchette and the Belt Axe totally fulfill the niche they were designed for.
One of those wasn't an EDMF Smatchette you traded some guy for a Firestone Belt Axe at the Fall NWNC Show in Puyallup, now would it?
LOL!!!! I never used it to chop, cut or anything... and it was a wee bit too heavy for me... But I still think I want to own one. However, the Belt Axe is just about right.. Glad the trade worked out both ways!Cliff... this was the source of my question over on the gransfors thread on the review forum... Thanks for the words on the Firestone...
All around, I feel both the EDMF Smatchette and the Belt Axe totally fulfill the niche they were designed for.
I have the smatchet. I have had it for a few years now. Its an awsome blade. If i bought another one though I wouldnt get the knuckle guard. The knuckle guard hurts the back of my fingers when i chop also gets in the way. I do like how the knife looks with it though, thats the reason i got it on it.
Thanks for all the great info and the thumbs up . Cliff, I have HI AKs 18", 15" and 12". I have used all three while camping and doing yard work but lightly and have managed to keep the polish pretty much in original condition. I know have the 15" and a Randall hanging on my office wall in a display box and the 12" and 18" hanging on another part of the wall. What I am looking for in Dale's knife is something that I can stowe in my backpack in the closet or truck tool box and always have available when I'm out camping, traveling or working, without leaving an empty spot on my wall.
Thanks again.
. Cliff, I have HI AKs 18", 15" and 12". I have used all three while camping and doing yard work but lightly and have managed to keep the polish pretty much in original condition. I know have the 15" and a Randall hanging on my office wall in a display box and the 12" and 18" hanging on another part of the wall. What I am looking for in Dale's knife is something that I can stowe in my backpack in the closet or truck tool box and always have available when I'm out camping, traveling or working, without leaving an empty spot on my wall. Thanks again.Cliff Stamp
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The Becker Combat Bowie is a decent blade for that type of use. A relatively high cutting ability with a decent chopping ability, about half that of the 18" AK. The only real drawback is the blade doesn't make a good prybar, low flexibility. The handles are also a bit slick but this can be fixed with a bit of grip tape.
The Swamp Rat Battle Rat is a direct upgrade in regards to chopping (about 75% of the 18" AK), and cuts just as well as the Becker Bowie. The Battle Rat is also much stronger and more flexible, and with a much more secure handle, ergonomics may vary.
At a much lower price point, the Martindale Golok is also a solid choice. The initial edge profile will probably need some optomization, but with a little work will chop and cut as well as the Becker Bowie and has a lot more reach, and a more flexible grip configuration. It does lose some point versatility, and doesn't have the edge durability or edge retention.
-Cliff
The Swamp Rat Battle Rat is a direct upgrade in regards to chopping (about 75% of the 18" AK), and cuts just as well as the Becker Bowie. The Battle Rat is also much stronger and more flexible, and with a much more secure handle, ergonomics may vary.
At a much lower price point, the Martindale Golok is also a solid choice. The initial edge profile will probably need some optomization, but with a little work will chop and cut as well as the Becker Bowie and has a lot more reach, and a more flexible grip configuration. It does lose some point versatility, and doesn't have the edge durability or edge retention.
-Cliff