Ideas for a hard use field knife

I've not had a CPK but you've already read about the reputation. For me, it would be swamp rat ratmandu or an LT Wright bushcrafter Mark II, the latter being my favorite knife in that size category. If I had a CPK field knife, I may have changed my opinion, but these two are easier to get and much cheaper, from what I see on the exchange.

One I'm starting to really enjoy as a slightly smaller knife, is the Fiddleback bush hermit. I really like the handle, but that's the same reason I like the other two mentioned above.
 
rollintent said:
Give me ideas for a "If I only had one knife forever" fixed blade for hunting/big game processing, bushcraft tasks, general use, what I would realistically carry on a backwoods hunting trip, hiking/backpacking adventure. I would like to keep the blade somewhere over 3.5" and under 5.5". Im willing to spend some bucks and go full custom if need be to get a very high quality knife. I'm more of a quality before quantity guy. I'm looking for something that's going to have the best blend of toughness and edge holding capabilities available. Looking for a knife that will have tightly controlled heat treat processes and high performance steel. A knife that I've looked at so far is Carothers field knife. Id like to stay somewhere above the ESEE's and K-bars.
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I think you may find that the broad use general purpose woods knife is probably a different knife than the one you would use for "hunting/big game processing". Carothers knives seem to be the "thing" these days here in terms of recommendations. Many do not want a 5.5" or larger knife for backpacking and feel it is generally un-necessarily large for the normal tasks and only in a survival situation would the larger size become potentially important. That is something you will have to figure out for yourself depending on the kinds of things you typically do when you are carrying everything on your back. It boils down to experience and personal preferences.

I have generally recommended a 5"-6" knife for a general purpose field knife. But I honestly have seldom ever needed one over about 4 inches in blade length. But I like bigger blades, buy them, and occasionally use them. My current favorites are a Bark River 3.8" Mini Kephart (3V) and a handmade Eastland 5.1" Kephart in CPM-154 steel. I would take different knife for hunting chores (probably the Sypderco Moran or a Dozier) and honestly often have just used a folder for those tasks. But I could easily use either Kephart for those tasks with the smaller one being more handy.

The "hard use" aspect is the more difficult criteria to address as generally that means thicker blade stock and longer blade lengths. I have found that I seldom use any knife hard and thinner blade stock generally cuts better. What does hard use actually mean in the real world? Does hard use just mean frequent use? The knife I would carry for a 30-60 day survival adventure is a different blade than I would carry hiking or camping.

My suggestion is that you seem interested in the Carothers Field knife model. Get one, and go from there based on your actual use. I doubt you will regret buying the Carothers knife (~4.6").
 
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My field/hunting fixed blade is a Spyderco Bill Moran drop point which I bought many years ago when they first became available. I could not afford one of his great custom knives. Bill Moran is a icon in the classic knife maker arena. This knife is not a big heavy fixed blade. It comes with a light weight sheath, perfect when you are logging miles on the trail or needing a good field dressing knife.

 
Pics people...!
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Lots of great makers this forum. CPK is just one of them.
 
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rollintent said:
Is the bark river kephart really just .093” thick?
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It (mini kephart) is. Photo of mine above. It feels like a paring knife in your hand which makes it really handy to use. It is probably a little small for your sense of a general use woods knife. It would be for me also if that was the only knife I had. CPK stuff is good.

Added: Here are a few of my woods blades. The one on the right is another Bark River called the Wilderness Explorer. Then, Becker BK-15, Becker BK-62 Kephart, and the White River Back packer Pro (from right to left) As you can see, none of them have been used frequently.
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The Wilderness Explorer was purchased to be my go-to woods knife with a 5.75" blade last year. Then a bunch of Kepharts appeared and well.... I got more knives.....
 
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bikerector said:
I've not had a CPK but you've already read about the reputation. For me, it would be swamp rat ratmandu or an LT Wright bushcrafter Mark II, the latter being my favorite knife in that size category. If I had a CPK field knife, I may have changed
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Before I got my first CPK I would have recommended the Swamp Rat Ratmandu. I still love mine, but a CPK field knife has inched it's way onto my belt to stay. Buy one of each and see for yourself.
 
Cant go wrong with a CPK.
Delta 3V is awesome. And the factory edges are absolutely scary.

If you want something different, I'd offer up my Camp 1 model. 5 or 5.5 inch blade. Zwear (62or 63HRC) or 4V(63HRC). Or 3V at 61HRC with low temper. But if you want 3V Carothers has that on lock.

Best of luck!
 
rollintent said:
I’m having trouble finding pics of that particular model. Can you help me out?
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Here you go!
A few examples.
The one with ghost black is 4V.
The one with carbon fiber is San mai 52100/410ss. (Leather sheath is by 3rd party).

Sorry for the cropping did my best.
Blades shown are 6.5 and 7 inches respectively. Shortest blade for the model is 4.5/5 inches.
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The CPKs have really caught my eye, maybe worth saving up to get one. I like the idea of getting one of the fine makers here on the forums to make you one, or find one as they come up. I like large blades too, but I think the 3.5 to 5 inch range would be very practical for most chores. Ths is why I like Kepharts lately. LTW knives, the Genesis or thereabouts, or the GNS? If you also want custom, Fiddleback Forge have a lot of good models, I got a production Kephart meant to try for awhile as a go to blade too. Not as high as the custom from the shop, and the s35vn steel is something I wanted to try. I guess trial and error is the best way to figure it out and listening to others.
 
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