Folding Bushcraft Knife that is usable/comfortable - by Daniel Koster

Can a folding bushcraft knife compete with the fixed blade version?

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Ok, that is my vision of "coke bottle" handles. I have 2 of your bush craft knives. One is natural micarta with handle profile very "normal". The other is blue/black G10 and contoured as your drawing shows. I can only assume you've updated your handles a bit.

I like the drawing:). Folder is going to rock!
 
The pivot on this is stout and practically indestructible. Thanks for the info on Mors. I'd love to have him try out my folder once I've got it ready to go.

I've tested this folder practically every day from cutting paper/cardboard to outright abuse. It has yet to fail, thankfully, and even other knifemakers have hefted it and said, "Wow, that's nice". So, hopefully, this will live up to my expectations. The only way to know if it lives up to yours is to get one and try it out. I'll be very interested in feedback on the first run.

Stay tuned on this one.
:thumbup:

Dan
 
superfluities said:
Horrible post dude. What's the point? Already covered in earlier post, besides Helle isn't a Koster. I would rather have one Koster than a 100 Helle's...Made in America, ya know, your country...??
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Just because it's made in the country you reside in doesn't mean you should want it over products made elsewhere. :rolleyes:

It doesn't matter where it comes from, aslong as it's a good product for a decent price I'm sold!

The knife looks tidy, very well thought out and a good premise for a design too. When ever I read 'bushcraft knife' anywhere I instantly assume I'm going to see the fashion standard (little woodlore clone) and this one looks more modern, and really tough.

I have a question though, do you think the 59-60 hardness might be too hard? or will the steel allow for a decent degree of toughness?
 
You hit the nail on the head, TC7. I find myself in that position more often than not, as many of the events/camps I end up at with my Scouts are not fixed-blade-friendly.
 
Samon said:
I have a question though, do you think the 59-60 hardness might be too hard? or will the steel allow for a decent degree of toughness?
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Samon - 59/60 is the *ideal* hardness for 3V. Other steels....I might change the hardness level. But the charts on 3V show 59/60 HRc as the *sweet spot* for toughness and wear resistance. Plus...we're talking about 3V. It is literally 3-4 times tougher than most other carbon steels in the first place. :thumbup:
 
Yep - I would cover that usage under warranty. :thumbup:

Dan
 
2 more prototype blanks have been started! :thumbup:


I was doing some trail clean-up this morning with my sons and used my folder to cut away some overgrowth. Short version = I beat on it like crazy and it eventually ended up dropped in the mud (had my sons as well as some Scouts with me). I wiped it off, folded it up and stuck it in my pocket. That was around 10AM. I just now remembered it (duh...). I took it to the kitchen sink, scrubbed off the dried-on mud with warm soapy water and gave it a good rinsing.

No oil.
No WD-40.
No disassembly/reassembly.
No compressed air.
No "knifemaker tricks/cheating".

And no grit in the pivot action at all. It is as smooth as it was on Day 1.

THAT is the beauty of the loose ball-bearing pivot system. It is self-cleaning.

Also, no rust or pitting, of course. If this was an O1 or 1095 or 5160 blade...it would already have tarnishing and spotting. Nope, nothing. 3V is not stainless, but it will give you a good amount of time before rusting. Long enough to cover "oopsies" like mine above. ;)

Dan
 
Daniel Koster said:
The pivot on this is stout and practically indestructible. Thanks for the info on Mors. I'd love to have him try out my folder once I've got it ready to go.

I've tested this folder practically every day from cutting paper/cardboard to outright abuse. It has yet to fail, thankfully, and even other knifemakers have hefted it and said, "Wow, that's nice". So, hopefully, this will live up to my expectations. The only way to know if it lives up to yours is to get one and try it out. I'll be very interested in feedback on the first run.

Stay tuned on this one.
:thumbup:

Dan
Click to expand...

Is there a picture somewhere of it? I can find the post where you were sending it off to be cut out but not an actual pic.
 
Pic of.....?
Not sure what you mean. The prototype pics and drawings are all in the first post. I did just get the parts for the new design in from the waterjet. I'll post pics of those later.
:thumbup:

If you mean of the pivot I'm using, it's right here:
http://www.alphaknifesupply.com/hardware.htm
2nd from the top


Dan
 
I signed up on your list for a 3v folder just now. When are they to be available?
Will I be notified via email or BladeForum PM?
Have you determined the cost?
thanks, Don aka Sonnydaze
 
Sonnydaze - :D - I haven't nailed down the cost yet. I'll have a better idea once I finish the next prototype. It will be somewhere in the $300-400 range. Which, for what your getting (a knife that does the work of 2 - both a fixed bushcraft and a folding knife), that seems like a heckuva deal.

My folders have all been on average $250-350, including factory knives. And, it seems the average good bushcraft knife is around $200-250 with a sheath. So, at even $400, this is a steal (compared to $450-700 for both knives). That's my story and I'm sticking to it. ;)

I initially wanted to have something ready for June, but that's going to be a stretch. Probably more like July.

All those on the pre-order will get notified first. I'll take reservations on the first 10 or 20 and go from there. No deposit needed.

Dan
 
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