General Utility Knife`

N

NickM

Joined
May 1, 2002
Messages
43
Hello,

I know this has been done, and I have done searches, but I like to be certain before I spend my money. Currently I have a CS SRK (which I bought out of despiration), D2 arc lite, BK9 on the way, Swamp Rat Ratchet (on the way),leatherman sideclip, and super tool, and a Benchmade 100 R&R. I know some will say I'm fine, but I want a general utility all purpose blade like the SRK that is about 6 inches (I'm not the biggest fan of CS). I don't want rubber handles, and really don't care what it costs as long as its under $250. I also prefer a high carbon steel rather than stainless. I've been looking into the Satin Jack, but want a more unbiased opinion here in the general forum. Other options in my mind are the Dozier Wilderness, or even the becker companion so as you can see price doesn't really bother me, I want performance. Please keep in mind that it will be a general camp knife, and prying and chopping won't really be an issue, but I want it to be able to handle both of the above if need be. Sorry to ramble, but I just wanted to be specific. Thanks for the assistance.

Nick
 
For a do everything take all the sh!t you can give it look at the
Kevlar handled Buck Nighthawk.

I own two , a 6.6 " and special run 5" plain blade clip points that are
very dependable companions. The 6" has opened more than its' share
of 55 gal drums ,dug more roots out and generally got the sh!t used
out of it more than once. The Hawk an't pretty but like my supertool
it always delivers. I've split logs for fire, felled sapplings for a rain lean
to and cut wire off my drive shaft . :eek:

One tough SOB of a good field knife. :D
 
A couple of factory knives with carbon steel blades and non rubber handles I can think of are the SOG Bowie and the Mission MPK in A2 steel. Both have blades slightly over six inches, though.

The knife everybody recommends for your purposes is the Fallkniven A1, but it has a stainless blade and rubber handle.

If you can drop down an inch on the blade length, there is a new Blackjack with a carbon steel blade. You might also want to check to see what Marbles has in your size range. It is hard to get Marbles knives from internet dealers, however. I had good luck recently with DLT Trading.

John Greco makes a tactical style carbon steel knife with a six inch blade. It looks pretty rugged. Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works makes some tough 5160 custom knives of about the size you want.

I would think one of the Randall Mades would make an excellent camping knife, but the price would be more like $350.
 
If I'm doing serious outdoor work, I almost invarably pick up a knife with a convex grind. It's great for cleaning game and fish, and whittles wood with ease. As long as the edge is decently thin, the rest it just icing on the cake. With that said, many people dig flat grinds or the Busse combination of the two. I guess I'm just an old fart.

For the price range and blade size you-re looking at, you could probably do very well in the custom knife arena. Letting the maker know the knife's intended uses, and clearly describing your hand size and shape will assure that you get something just right for you.

So what custom maker is best for the job? Got me. I'm just cutting my teeth in the custom arena. I have tried Bob Dozier's convex ground D2 prototype, and the thing is just wickedly sharp. The prototype also held up to some serious abuse. If you like, you can read about it on Bob's web board. I'm just in love with Bob Dozier's handle ergonomics and D2 steel, so he gets my nod in the "non-chopper/non-prybar" facet of the outdoor knife world.

There are lots of great makers out there, so look around at different designs until you see somebody who thinks like you do. You'll know the knife for you when you see it.
 
I've got a Livesay Air Assualt and Allen Blade knife that both fit this type of role very well.

My suggestion, check the Makers For Sale forum and look for someone like Dennis Riley who make good using knives in your price range. I'm sure you will find something that exceeds your expectations there.

Others to consider, CRK Shadown IV in additon to the MPK. The Busse SJ will most likely prove too thick for your needs.

~$150 to $175 will open up a lot of good "custom" or "semi-custom" blades and bladesmiths.
 
If you are already eyeballing the Dozier Widerness model, my suggestion is to bite the bullet and get it. I have several Doziers(Pro Guide, lg. Elk Skinner and a 3 1/4" bladed drop point kit knife) and they are all worth more than I paid for them IMO. They are pure cutting machines. Since the Wilderness was designed by Steven Dick and made by Dozier expressly for the purposes you state, sounds like you are on the right track to me.:)

The 7" Becker is also a good choice(IMO again) since you are not particular about whether the knife is stainless or not.

All the best,
Mike U.
 
Try the Kabar #1246 Camp knife. It is 1095 steel, comes with a Kydex sheath and costs well under $100.00 It is a very utilitarian blade. I use one and it performs very well.
 
Thanks guys,

I'm going to take everything under consideration. Probably the Dozier sticks out the most. I'll have to do some research and keep thinking.

Nick
 
Ya need to change your name to "faux-pas"...;)
The Dozier wilderness model wasn't designed by Steven Dick, it was a modification of a current Dozier model. Mr. Dick mentioned that a longer handle would work better out there in the wilderness, especially if one was wearing gloves. Gotta give credit where it is due. Having said that, I will chime in with my recommendation for the Dozier. He designs his knives to cut, not pry and other assorted non-knife functions. If you are looking for a small sharpened pry-bar, the BK-T Campanion is a good choice, if your needs tend towards a larger do many things well kinda camp knife... get one of the BK-T magnum camp knives. Designed by Mr. Jerry Fisk himself. A very under-rated knife that sadly has been recently discontinued.
My .02,
Mongo
 
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