Grohmann #1, “The Canadian Belt Knife” how good ?

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
923
Hi all,

I realize that this knife has a long history and is said to be one of THE best Knives ever made. Does the #1 fair well when compared to other (smallish) fixed blade Woods knives such as (for example) the Izula ll ? Of course I realize the Izula ll has a much shorter blade length than the Grohmann #1. If you were choosing between these two knives, which one would you rather own ? The Grohmann #1 or the Izula ll (or something else) ? I do have an older Schrade PH1 (Loveless design) drop point I've yet to use but, I'm feeling the need to buy something! I'd like to keep the knife's O.A.L. shorter and a blade lenght of no more than four inches. Thanks for you're thoughts and suggestions.

Regards,

HARDBALL
 
I've never used one, but I've talked to the factory rep at the NRA show and handled their knives. You don't say what you want to use the knife for. The Grohmann looked to me to be an excellent all around camping knife. It is a historic design. The factory rep recommended the carbon steel versions over the stainless ones. The rep said Grohmann believes carbon steel is best, but their customers demand stainless.
 
I have two of the Grohmann knives that you have mentioned in your posting. From my experience I can tell you that they are GREAT knives. They are not for heavy work or prying though...they are chiefly slicers. I feel like the handle design is superb. While the steel is nothing fancy, the grind lines are on the fine side which is what I favor in a hunting/skinning blade. The look of the knife seems notable to me. Good stuff! Mine still get used in the kitchen on a regular basis.
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies. Brownshoe, I am more or less interested in just what you wrote, an "all around/general purpose/camping/hunting knife". I have only seen pictures of the knife but, the blade shape looks great for "food prep" as well as hunting (gutting,skinning, etc.) I too have heard that the Carbon steel is the way to go. Stubai, yes indeed, the handle design (although odd looking) makes me think it would feel excellent in the hand and excell for many "food prep" duties. It does indeed look to be a superb slicer! I must admit, I am interested in the #1. The Bark River version looks beautiful but, it's just to rich for my blood when I have other knives. Thanks guys.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
brownshoe said:
I've never used one, but I've talked to the factory rep at the NRA show and handled their knives. You don't say what you want to use the knife for. The Grohmann looked to me to be an excellent all around camping knife. It is a historic design. The factory rep recommended the carbon steel versions over the stainless ones. The rep said Grohmann believes carbon steel is best, but their customers demand stainless.
Click to expand...

I would second that. I have a couple of the no. 3 boat knives and a folder of theirs in stainless, and it is pretty disappointing stuff. Perhaps the carbon is the better choice.

I can also tell you that the grohmann sheaths are top notch. I have one of their overlap "army" sheaths and one of their standard type, and they both work extremely well and are made of good, thick leather. That might not be a factor for some folks, but I find that I don't even carry a knife if I don't like the sheath it comes with.
 
I've had a couple, and found the carbon steel flat ground ones to be the best. But they are the hardest to find.

Bark River makes their own interpretation of the design, too.
 
I've had one in the 70's , paid $25, but lost it "over board", in the river. I missed it, so I bought a second in the 90's, and the sheath was heavier, and the blade was thicker but harder to sharpen. I also have the large "survival" knife. I used it at work and beat it up pretty bad but held up for me. I gave it to my son for a hard use, knock around knife that performs! The number one works great on fish and game. I take mine camping and I am surprised how many people never saw one before. Not everyone likes the handle shape.

I remember my survival instructor used the "smaller" one and he used it for everything! I thought it was too small as a survival blade but it did every job he needed done. So it is not the size of the knife, but how you use it.

I used the Schrade No 1 and 2 Pro Hunters and think they were a great value and great knives. I like the Loveless style but there is no comparison of the Grohman knife, they are just knives. Each style work, just different shaped grips. :-)


http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/outdoor.html
 
Last edited:
I have yet to encounter a carbon steel model available and in stock anywhere at regular knife shops I do business with. Any recommendations? I've looked for close to 5 years now.

I typically don't use Amazon or E-bay. If any knife companies that take internet orders from the states carry the carbon steel version please PM me. Thanks.

Joe
 
Hi all,

Wow, five years searching for a Carbon Steel #1 and still no find! One would think the Grohmann Company would take a CLUE! I too am ONLY interested in the Grohmann Carbon Steel knife. Should someone find a source, please post!

HARDBALL
 
I snagged an old No.1 Grohmann on ebay a short while ago that's stamped '1958'... It's really rusted, but the handle is in great shape. Seems to use aluminium rivets in the handle, as opposed to brass... I'll see if I can get some pictures of it soon. :thumbup:

The Mastiff said:
I have yet to encounter a carbon steel model available and in stock anywhere at regular knife shops I do business with. Any recommendations? I've looked for close to 5 years now.
Click to expand...

HARDBALL said:
Wow, five years searching for a Carbon Steel #1 and still no find! One would think the Grohmann Company would take a CLUE!
Click to expand...

You used to be able to buy directly from Grohmann's website and submit custom orders...I can't remember when they took that option off their website, but it wasn't too long ago now...I used to think it would be the bee's knees to get a flat-ground no.3 in carbon steel with water buffalo handles.

Also, I don't mean to insult anyone's intelligence, but I went to Grohmann's list of online dealers, clicked on the very first link, and found a no. 1 in Carbon steel for sale. The second link has them, too, in a huge variety of configurations. The fourth link also has them, with better prices. The seventh link also has them, with a couple neat variations and shipping from the states.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top