Help deciding on a camp fixed blade...

T

tique

Joined
Oct 28, 2000
Messages
970
I'm looking for a medium sized knife that will perform well in a camp/outdoor environment for tasks such as cutting ropes, shaving sticks for fires/shelters/roasting sticks/whatever else I shave sticks for, food prep, that sort of thing. I'm looking at picking something up as soon as I get some cash on hand, but the price and the wait aren't that big of a deal to me. Currently I am carrying a Busse BA-E as my daily outdoor knife, and it's nice, but it's too thick and a bit cumbersome IMHO... I was looking at something along the lines of a Lightfoot Night Strike or a Brend 6.5" Model 2, but I'm far from making a decision and don't know what else is out there along these lines, plus something a bit more utilitarian than fighter would be preferred. I'm looking for a pretty high performance stainless blade, something along the lines of BG-42 or 420V...

This will be carried for lighter tasks as there will be a Busse BM-E carried to take care of the more rugged tasks:D

I'm not familiar with what is available in a good 5"-6" flat or hollow ground camp knife in sub .25" steel. I'm hoping we have a nice custom maker on BFC that would have a good offering:) I'll be at the southeastern custom show looking around, so if something gets mentioned, I'll keep an eye out for it.
 
Hey Tique,
Check out Trace Rinaldi's Talmadge Tactical Kitchen Knife (TTKK is less of a mouthful).
Sounds like it might be perfect for what you want. Got one of his smaller FB's on order, now.

I like the Camillus Talon for stuff like you describe (mine's 154CM). Hard to beat for a hundred bucks.

Here's a link to Trace's site:
http://www.pe.net/~thrblade/
 
Just ordered up a small amount of 420V for a custom order #10. Had to order enough for two knives. Check out the photos. 5" blade, 3/16th stock.
<img src=http://www.imagestation.com/picture/pdbead506110b5890d2bf3480d88f00c8/fe5948aa.jpg.orig.jpg>
<img src=http://www.imagestation.com/picture/pc62d56aa5b1f0e083d3d18a0634d4c25/fe59489c.jpg.orig.jpg>
 
I would agree with Traces Tactical Kitchen: I just ordered one in talonite but I don't have extensive experience with it.

But you know what? That R W Clark above looks amazing!! Really amazing! And 420V sounds ideal for the intended use.

I would choose that one if the price is in your range.
 
..a chris reeve one peice knife. I like the mountaineer 2, but he's got a few to choose from. They're really nice knives that are made out of a solid piece of steel. The mountaineer 2 has a 5.5 inch blade, but he's got longer ones and shorter ones too.:)
 
Just bought one of these.
Great price, very comfy handle, unbelievably sharp and easy to resharpen, wonderful kydex sheath, and Bob and Linda Dozier are some of the nicest people to deal with.
Lenny

DOZIER.JPG
 
Originally posted by R.W.Clark
Just ordered up a small amount of 420V for a custom order #10. Had to order enough for two knives. Check out the photos. 5" blade, 3/16th stock.
Click to expand...

Where can I have a sheath like that made for my Colorado Cutlery "hunter"?

coc1.jpg
 
Michael:

Given the photography and look of the sheath, I'd say you're looking at one of Mike Sastre's sheaths ( www.rivercitysheaths.com ). I know his photos, own four of his sheaths, and definitely will own more.

Even if the photo doesn't show one of Mike's sheaths, I still recommend him!
 
Originally posted by eda-koppo
I'd say you're looking at one of Mike Sastre's sheaths
Click to expand...

Thanks, I was hoping that was one of his. I have one of his "mousetrap" neck sheaths for my Spyderco and the quality is great.

I shot them an e-mail.

Mike
 
Originally posted by OwenM
Hey Tique,
Check out Trace Rinaldi's Talmadge Tactical Kitchen Knife (TTKK is less of a mouthful).
Sounds like it might be perfect for what you want. Got one of his smaller FB's on order, now.

I like the Camillus Talon for stuff like you describe (mine's 154CM). Hard to beat for a hundred bucks.

Here's a link to Trace's site:
http://www.pe.net/~thrblade/
Click to expand...
I'll second the vote for a Rinaldi, the TTKK sounds perfect for your needs, the new Gambit looks awsome as well. Either way the quality of the knife will be excellent.
In a lower price range the Buck Vanguard is a good performer as is the BM Nimravus. Dozier and Marbles also make excellent knives that would fit the bill.
Take care and stay safe,
Chad
 
The sheath on the Model 10 in the photo was done by Blade Tech. It is carbon fiber concealex and is equiped with a TekLok. Let me tell you, that is one fantastic sheath.

BTW, the price on the Model 10 is $225 in ATS-34 and $290 in 420V. That includes choice of handle materials and either a tooled leather sheath or a Kydex sheath by On Scene Tactical (with both the J-clip and mini TekLok). Add $25 for the Blade Tech as seen above. And take off $25 if you want just slabs with no bolsters.
 
I just received mine today, and what a knife!

It has a 4 1/2" talonite blade, and black G-10 scales, and fits my hand perfectly. Sharp as heck, and cuts beyond compare. The workmasnship is awesome. I got mine for a camp knife also, and it definently fits the bill.

My wife and I are going on a weeks camping trip up in the Sierra Nevada mountains next week, and I was looking for a good camp knife also, so a few months ago I ordered the TTTKK from Trace Rinaldi, and it came just in time for our trip. I am really looking forward to using this knife, and compare it to some others I have in A-2, D-2, and 440-C. Should be a good test, but I have a Camillus Talon(talonite), Tom Mayo talonite so I am familiar with talonite, and I think it will beat the others in the other steels.

Just my .02 cents rounded off to a buck.

Larry
 
Steve Mullin should be about done building his house (shop?) and back to making knives this Fall. His "Pack River" line is no frills, very good quality. I own one like this:






It's of D2, flat ground, convex final edge, very comfortable, no frills, just right. This is 7", but he probably makes them to other lengths. $175.

I know he does ATS-34 and 440V. Unless the maker has upgraded his furnace to handle the high austenizing temps for BG-42 and 420V (2125F), look for one that sends out for heat treat of these two. (440V is ~2050F).

http://www.mullin-custom-knives.com/
 
By the way, if you are going to use the knife significantly, for the money, the Fallkniven A1 is a nicely done piece and of decent steel (VG-10), arguably near +/- ATS-34.

http://www.fallkniven.com/a1f1/a1_en.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dozier's KS-3 Pro Guide has already been pic'd.

Dozier's Ranger is about $315 and comes in the solid/weighty full tang version (KM-1) and in the plenty-durable stick tang version (KM-2).

I've owned both, great knives, I like the light one for reasons of wearing in the woods (I'd skip the finger grooves, personal opinion), but the full tang model has a really hand filling feel:

Go to "Tactical" section. http://www.dozierknives.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are SURE you'll have the Busse around for heavy duty use, and won't abuse the knife, BG-42 and CPM420V are great and also my favorite stainless "slicing" steels. D2 fits same bill, cheaper, right with BG-42 in edge holding, just not in corrosion resistance. If you want D2 edgeholding and corrosion resistance levels at approx double the toughness, have a knife built out of CPM3V.
 
The TTKK looks like almost exactly what I was looking for:) I'll have to see about getting some cash rounded up and putting one on order or buying one... probably go with BG-42

I've had several of the Reeve OPR knives, and they just don't do it for me like some other blades do.... I also looked at the Camillus Cuda, but it is a bit small for my tastes.

I was debating getting something done in 3V for this application, but I will probably always have the Busse with me, and I also have a larger blade due in June that will be in 3V(hopefully stainless 3V even:D )
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top