Female Backpacking Knife - With no name yet

[Brian Andrews]

Thanks all for the comments. Lots of questions! I will try and get them all.

Has Michelle seen it yet? She is gonna love it dude:thumbup: You had better bring that one by as well. It looks perfect to me, you really nailed this one Brian. If I didn't know different, I'd say I made it.

Nick

Thanks Nick. That is a real compliment.

She has not seen it yet. Probably tomorrow.

Looks great! What is the hardness?

I do my small knives (which is all of them ) at 60.

How much does it weigh?

I knew someone was going to ask that. I don't have a scale, but one is in my near future for just that reason.

Love the entire knife - although I have to wonder about your choice for a secondary bevel that is then convexed. Why not simply convex the entire blade? Either have the ease of a fairly large secondary bevel - or convex the entire thing - why did you choose that?

TF

Have you never used one like this? It is a beautiful thing. Here are the main reasons; First, let's assume you could get the same cutting edge with a full convex. I think it would be very difficult, but let's assume you could. Now, if you move 1/2" up the blade, on a convex the steel will be wider than the high flat. I didn't want that.

The goal for this one is more towards slicing than chopping. Especially in a knife this size, and full convex is not going to help durability. If either grind were to take damage of some sort, it would be the first few thousandths of an inch of the grind, and the steel 1/2" up the spine is not going to matter. I don't need the convex geometry for chopping either.

For slicing, if you cut deep into a rigid object (even think cardboard) the knife is going to have to push that medium apart. If there is more steel higher up (like the convex) It will have to push harder. The flat grind just slides through better. If the convex was ground to give similar slicing performance, then it would be darn near flat anyway. Slicing was the name of the game with this knife.

The secondary bevel is only mildly convex. Many knives are like that, and it is the result of slack belt grinding the final edge on. I find that even though the convex is mild, it seems more durable than your typical v-grind secondary. Yet, it cuts like mad.

It is easy to sharpen, and easy to keep polished.

Besides, the most important reason, it was the end user that decided. I set a pile full of knives in front of her, and a bunch of sticks. I asked her what she liked, and this grind was it. I can't blame her. As much as I like my scandi grinds, and convex grinds, if I were FORCED to pick just one grind, this would be it.

 

[Big Mike]

Looks like a winner to me Brian…

…I like the His and Hers suggestion.


A family that hikes together, stays together. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:





"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

 

[kgd]

Looks great! Maybe you should offer "His & Hers" matched sets?

Ah buddy - now you've pissed off any female users who have read this. They will be saying - they don't need no stinking male to make their knife legitmate. This blade is all about EMPOWERMENT baby!

 

[tknife]

Looks awesome, for a guy too!

 

[Runsalone]

A backpacking knife and we dont know the weight!!!!!

O the humanity!!!

 

[Brian Andrews]

All good questions. I will try and answer these too. BTW, I am a backpacker too, so I will share my thoughts at the end too.

How much does it weigh with the sheath?

I wish I knew. I don't have a scale :grumpy:

Are we talking about long distance backpacking or more the weekend warrior types? (Qualifies next questions...)

Pretty serious backpacker. Longer distances, not just weekend trips.

What kind of stainless you thinkin bout? (oops what kind of "other steels")

Haven't got that far. It would be a more rust resistant steel, but not a stainless (I will get back to why later).

Is the sheath kydex?

There is no sheath yet. I am going to make it tomorrow. Originally, I was going to send it to one of our makers here for kydex. But, she decided she wanted to try leather first. So, I have some thinner 4/5 leather, that I will mold for it, and wax impregnate.

All I would add for thoughts is that if were talking about longer trips, we know what the O-1s gonna do when, not if, it gets wet, as well a leather sheath might not be best if exposed to long periods of wetness.

I hear what you are saying. But, the nature of the backpack, this one will go in the pack, which is pretty water resistant, and have a pack cover on in the rain. With all that said, I know it is still going to get wet, and so does she.

Honestly, I do not have a problem at all with O1, and it is one of my top choices. If you even make a moderate attempt to keep it dry, you are fine. If that doesn't work out for you, letting it naturally patina will take care of nearly anything you can throw at it.

Worse come to worse, let it soak in water for 2 weeks and rust, and I can just hit with a scotch brite belt.

As an aside, I recently did an O1 saltwater experiment. I took a piece of scrap steel and "finished" it like I would a knife. I soaked in a HIGH concentration of salt water for 24 hours. Ocassionally dipping it and letting it dry. After 24 hours, I cleaned with nothing but a scratch pad and water. The surface rust, left stain and nothing more. I did this over and over. After several days I started getting board with the experiment and I had perfectly fine piece of steel. I don't see how you can treat one much worse than that.

Besides, stainless is a rather recent invention.

Also a serious backpacker intent on making miles isnt neccessarily going to want to tote sharpening supplies or something to keep the steel from rusting.

Most backpackers carry a very small notebook. 600 grit glued on the inside cover, and strop compound rubbed on the back cover. Sharpening supplies, with virtually no weight.

Besides, O1 holds an edge WAY better than most stainless backpacking style knives. Sharpening is not likely needed.

Just for the sake of healthy dialogue; Does a serious backpacker intend to use a knife? Any knife will have to be sharpened eventually. However with the convexed edge, all one would have to do is apply some fine abrasive compound to one's belt and strop as needed. Do you mean an UL backpacker? One is not necessarily always the other.

A lot of backpackers do not regularly use a knife, except for food. Some use them a lot for that.

However, this particular backpacker is also smart enough to realize shit can happen! You never know when you might actually have help someone or help yourself. I can't believe that even and UL backpacker will sacrifice safety for just a few ounces. IMO, the weight is more than worth it for ONE decent knife on any backpacking trip.

Anyway, my thoughts on backpacking is that I tend to leave a lot of unnecessary stuff behind. Just the basics, and nothing fancy. I have seen people packs LOTS of stuff that I would NEVER consider carrying. However, some of these same people don't carry a knife.

I don't consider myself a long distance or super crazy backpacker. I go for fun, and would rather hang out and enjoy things than be constantly obsessing over mileage. I am also in great shape for this type of thing. I figure no matter how hard the trip, I can sacrifice a few ounces for ONE good knife, if nothing else, for emergency.

Great conversation on the backpacking. I know everyone is different on that, and IMO that is great! It would be boring if we were all the same

B

 

[Brian Andrews]

A backpacking knife and we dont know the weight!!!!!

O the humanity!!!

I hear you!!!!

But bear with me. We drew the blade length we wanted. I minimized the width from edge to spine. And then made the hand fit.

After all that, the weight was going to fall where it was going to fall.

The only thing more I can do is slim the handles more, and I can still do that. I am going to wait to get feedback from the user first. I figured I couldn't put more handle back on

 

[pitdog]

Big question Brian, when are ya adding these to your line up ?

 

[Runsalone]

All good questions. I will try and answer these too. BTW, I am a backpacker too, so I will share my thoughts at the end too.



I wish I knew. I don't have a scale :grumpy:Send me one I will weigh it for you!!

There is no sheath yet. I am going to make it tomorrow. Originally, I was going to send it to one of our makers here for kydex. But, she decided she wanted to try leather first. So, I have some thinner 4/5 leather, that I will mold for it, and wax impregnate.

I hear what you are saying. But, the nature of the backpack, this one will go in the pack, which is pretty water resistant, and have a pack cover on in the rain. With all that said, I know it is still going to get wet, and so does she.That pretty much covers that question. I figured it would go on a belt.

Honestly, I do not have a problem at all with O1, and it is one of my top choices. If you even make a moderate attempt to keep it dry, you are fine. If that doesn't work out for you, letting it naturally patina will take care of nearly anything you can throw at it.

Worse come to worse, let it soak in water for 2 weeks and rust, and I can just hit with a scotch brite belt.

As an aside, I recently did an O1 saltwater experiment. I took a piece of scrap steel and "finished" it like I would a knife. I soaked in a HIGH concentration of salt water for 24 hours. Ocassionally dipping it and letting it dry. After 24 hours, I cleaned with nothing but a scratch pad and water. The surface rust, left stain and nothing more. I did this over and over. After several days I started getting board with the experiment and I had perfectly fine piece of steel. I don't see how you can treat one much worse than that.

Besides, stainless is a rather recent invention. I think my mouth may have outrun my experience on that one. If O-1 get wet does the edge go? Cause I dont want to carry anything much for sharpening, not even the little notebook which was an AWESOME idea by the way. I might need to rethink my opinions on carbon steel for hiking I think. I know it holds its edge longer but I always figure it would lose it to rust before it had a chance to do so, making a stainless the lighter option in the longrun.


Besides, O1 holds an edge WAY better than most stainless backpacking style knives. Sharpening is not likely needed. Unless it rusts?


However, this particular backpacker is also smart enough to realize shit can happen! You never know when you might actually have help someone or help yourself. I can't believe that even and UL backpacker will sacrifice safety for just a few ounces. IMO, the weight is more than worth it for ONE decent knife on any backpacking trip.



I don't consider myself a long distance or super crazy backpacker. I go for fun, and would rather hang out and enjoy things than be constantly obsessing over mileage. Me too, but maine aint gonna hike me to itselfI am also in great shape for this type of thing. I figure no matter how hard the trip, I can sacrifice a few ounces for ONE good knife, if nothing else, for emergency.

Great conversation on the backpacking. I know everyone is different on that, and IMO that is great! It would be boring if we were all the same

B

Thanks for answering all that Brian, I just took a look at your homepage, and WOW I like every dang thing I see, and the pricing seems so reasonable.

Im intrested to learn more about O-1 in this catagory. Ive always gone with stainless, for the above reasons but I may be shorting myself needlessly

Truth be told on my long hike I only carried a leatherman micra and a spydie delica, which served me very well. A FB would be a better idea, and when I got back I got a mora 545 for just an ounce more.

And yeah im one of those obsesive compulsive UL'ers, though not as of yet on the fringe outsides of that movement

I hope im not coming off as argumentative or "know it all" Im very interested and passionate about the subject matter, and have been trying to answer the enigma of weight vs. enough knife for myself. So Im very intrested in the one you and your friend have come up with and how it goes! I hope all my comments are recieved with the good intentions ive meant.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Brian - thanks for the feedback - now that I see it was 1/8th inch thickness I think that your reasoning for this type of bevel makes total sense. I was thinking it was thicker (think BRKT) and I don't read to gud theese days...

What is the handle material - I LOVE the look of the contours.

TF

 

[Runsalone]

What is the handle material - I LOVE the look of the contours.

No kidding huh? WOW:thumbup:

 

[PB Wilson]

Once again you make a stunning knife! I love how clean everything is. You really have the touch.

 

[BOOMSTICK]

great blade brian, my girlfriend wants one.. she said it was pretty. she said name it
Artemis..
I had too look that up but this is what it means... I hope your friend loves her knife.

Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and the twin of the famous god Apollo. This Greek goddess is shown armed with a silver bow and arrow, sometimes with the image of a crescent moon above her forehead. She is the goddess of the wilderness and wild animals, as well as the hunt.

 

[Brian Andrews]

I hope im not coming off as argumentative or "know it all" Im very interested and passionate about the subject matter, and have been trying to answer the enigma of weight vs. enough knife for myself. So Im very intrested in the one you and your friend have come up with and how it goes! I hope all my comments are recieved with the good intentions ive meant.

Argue away! It is how we all learn new stuff. I hang out with people with the exact opposite opinion as me on a lot of stuff. Friends don't always have to agree. I was just stating my own rationale for carrying at least a good fixed blade. I know a lot of other won't.

It is very interesting to hear others opinion on it.

Brian - thanks for the feedback - now that I see it was 1/8th inch thickness I think that your reasoning for this type of bevel makes total sense. I was thinking it was thicker (think BRKT) and I don't read to gud theese days...

TF

That makes sense. Yeah, it is not Aurora thickness or anything like that.

What is the handle material - I LOVE the look of the contours.

TF

Well, it is G10. But it is one called "midnight tiger" which is layers of black and grey. This is my first time using it and I like the way it came out.

 

[go2ndAmend]

Beautiful.

 

[sicily02]

Brian, very nicely done. Iam sure your freind is going to love it.

Bryan

 

[Rockywolf]

Heck, I love it!

 

[Fiddleback]

You're developing at quite an astonishing pace Brian. Thats a sweet piece!

 

[Stormstaff]

Awesome!

 

[ROCK6]

Im intrested to learn more about O-1 in this catagory. Ive always gone with stainless, for the above reasons but I may be shorting myself needlessly

Truth be told on my long hike I only carried a leatherman micra and a spydie delica, which served me very well. A FB would be a better idea, and when I got back I got a mora 545 for just an ounce more.

And yeah im one of those obsesive compulsive UL'ers, though not as of yet on the fringe outsides of that movement

I hope im not coming off as argumentative or "know it all" Im very interested and passionate about the subject matter, and have been trying to answer the enigma of weight vs. enough knife for myself. So Im very intrested in the one you and your friend have come up with and how it goes! I hope all my comments are recieved with the good intentions ive meant.

Good dialogue Runsalone and you bring up several good points. I've been backpacking for several years (even excluding my Army rucking fun) and still working on getting the loads lighter. Now, you'll never get too many knife guys into ultra-light backpacking by sacrificing their blade-wear, however, you are correct that backpackers typically don't need a whole lot of blade. We just did a little trip this last week down here in TX...fire ban in effect, so it was stoves and stove cooking; not much need for a knife at all unless you do a little camp whittling.

My wife's favorite two backpacking knives are the simple Mora 2K and Spyderco's little Moran. She too leaves here fixed blade inside the pack, but she does have a little yellow mini Griptilian in here pocket though.

I like the design. I wondered if you added some holes in the tang if that might help reduce the weight a little. Also, I think a simple kydex sheath is pretty light and has been draining for a high-carbon steel knife. I've never had a big issue with carbon steel...specifically O1 while in the field. My son's Mora Clipper did have some significant rusting when we were in GA backpacking...he put it away wet and the next day, it had a few lines of rust that were easily scrubbed off (a good, inexpensive lesson for my son as well:thumbup.

My idea of shaving ounces for backpacking are more tuned to deciding whether I stick with my 21 oz Bulldog in .44 SPL or do I convince myself that the Kahr PM9 at ~15 oz is worth it

The good news is that when family backpacking, I've been carrying the majority of the weight for the past several years...now my kids are carrying all their own stuff, my wife and I split the stove/fuel and food. We do a pretty good layout inventory and try to pair down a lot of duplicate or unnecessary items in all the packs. It's a continual work in progress, but we'll get there; I just won't sacrifice a solid fixed blade (or sidearm) though...it's that insurance policy that you pay for all the time and even if you don't really need it, it's nice to have when you actually do need it.

Good discussion though with the intro to a nice little backpacking blade...looks great Brian!

ROCK6