Just picked up a 1st gen bushcraft

milkyeye

milkyeye

Joined
Apr 14, 2010
Messages
349
Dan, I've been lucky enough to pick one of these up used. I did not realize how much difference in scale thickness there was between the 2 generations. Jimping is a little longer also, this one came from this run.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/507316-Bushcraft-knife-Pre-Order-thread. It's really nice, glad I had the opportunity to claim it. I'm beginning to think I like it better than my 2011 version, only time will tell. It's going right into my bag, and putting it to use. Now I just need to get a flat ground version.
Thanks for a great blade, Randy
 
Sounds great to me!

Pick up a stainless one too - get a full set! :D

Dan
 
no plans for a flat ground stainless bushcraft just yet - but I am definitely warming up to the idea.

Dan
 
I've got what I guess is a '1st generation' type Koster Bushcraft knife, or at least it has the thicker handles. (I didnt realize that the handles are thinner now, having not been on the forum for awhile.) My Bushcraft is one of my favorite knives. I wear XL size gloves and find that many knife handles are too small and thin. They get tiring to use. This is even more true when using gloves in the winter.
Of course, this is all an individual thing. I read a blog post not long ago and the aspect of the Bushcraft which the author didn't like was the size of the handle. He reshaped it to make it thinner & more contoured with a more defined palm swell ,and I thought " I liked it before he did that."

P.S. - - my knife has a CPM154 stainless blade. I'd like to get another in stainless (I already have quite a few bushcraft knives
including customs in O1.)
 
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No - I didn't start stamping until later.


I think a flat-ground stainless version would be very nice indeed!

Dan
 
Please post some pics from the Gen.1 to the newer made Koster Bushcraft knives.
 
Water said:
Please post some pics from the Gen.1 to the newer made Koster Bushcraft knives.
Click to expand...

dk1.jpg


This is my 1st gen one. But I had Dan send me one with unground 3/8" scales on each side and I did the handle myself.

koster1bh8.jpg

koster2md1.jpg



koster4kj3.jpg


This is a newer model, I'm not sure what one because it's an 01 blank I got from Dan. It had the longer built in finger guard but I ground it off ;)

You can see the older model had a more contoured handle with more swell. Dan said he did away with that because people said it was uncomfortable but for me maybe it's because I contour the handle more but I find it more hand filling and comfortable than later models.

pick6.jpg


Here is a profile comparison between the 1st gen Koster, a skookum and then the 2nd? Gen? Because the handle on the second gen was narrowe spine to finger wise, I had to put less contour on the handle to get a similar amount of hand filling grip.

pick5.jpg

arctic4.jpg

Also I like to have the handle wide and fat on back so the backward pressure cutting tough stuff is distributed over a wide area of your hand to avoid hot spots, but then it gets thinner where your fingers go around to allow for good manuverability.
arctic5.jpg
 
Probably my favorite and most used field blades are my Skookum Bush Tool and my Koster Bushcrafts.

The Generation 1 Koster would be my hands down favorite except the originals were thicker than 1/8" and the Skookum is 1/8 or even a little thinner so it's more suited to Buscrafty stuff and camp cooking than the thicker Koster. Then the more recent Koster I have pictured is 1/8 but it yeilds to the Skookum and the orignal koster in that I dont' like the handle design as well, although with the arctic birch it is MUCH lighter.

I don't know if you can see from the top pic but the original in my mind just was so much more stylish and the long finger groove really gives it a nice appearance.

The things I like about the Koster is that it is not a huge blade. It's very compact yet suitable for anything you'd want to use it for so you don't look like a greenhorn on the trail with this huge knife hanging off your belt. Then the 3V is probably the very best steel for a scandi. It can take a polished edge like 01 but is much more durable. I've used mine over and over in the woods. I'm not sure about any of the newer models with the straighter blades and boxier handles but the 2 I have I'd rank up there as some of the top woods blades you can buy and I have a LOT of difft blades!

bd2j.jpg

kostbreakf.jpg



rampck3.jpg

tf3.jpg
 
Great pics!

You did a great job putting a handle on it, hollowdweller.



I have a couple extra sheaths that only fit Gen 1 bushcraft knives if anyone is interested - I'll let 'em go cheap! 2 are by Martin Swinkel and 1 by Wilson leather. I'll see if I can get some pics up later.



In the meantime, here are some quick shop pics of the Gen4 bushcraft - just to add to your line-up. The blade/guard is the same as Gen3, and the handle starts with 3/8" material, but I put palm swell in this time. (note: the steel on these is 0.100" 12c27)

http://kosterknives.com/2012/01/19/works-in-progress-shop-pics-of-the-bushcraft-12c27-handles/

Dan
 
Pics from the link above:

You'll notice the knife has liners - meaning it's going to be slightly thicker than the others. But you get the idea.

Bushcraft12c27-Detail01.jpg


Bushcraft12c27-Detail02.jpg


Bushcraft12c27-Detail03.jpg


Bushcraft12c27-Detail04.jpg


Bushcraft12c27-Detail05.jpg


Bushcraft12c27-Detail06.jpg
 
For those watching that are on the Bushcraft 12c27 list - keep in mind that G10 material is slightly thinner too...so, handles will be thinner. But yes, the contouring and palm swell is the same. :thumbup:

Dan
 
Mr Koster, I've got a question that I just have to ask about the 3 gen bushcraft I have: is it possible to get some contours on the handle? In all honesty, I think I am at least 2nd owner of it. It is a beautiful knife. I keep it by the fireplace and regularly use it for fuzz sticks with my firesteel to get the FP going. (you are not exaggerating about the jimping throwing some mean sparks!!) For me, it's the perfect, compact size. I look forward to taking it camping this coming year. The only, and I mean ONLY, thing I wish was different are the lack of handle contours.

Do I have any options? Could I shape it myself or would I be voiding the warranty? (since I am not the original owner, do I even have a warranty??) is it possible to send it in for some reshaping? What would you charge?

I hope you don't mind these questions. Like I already stated, I am extremely happy with your knife and I plan on keeping it indefinitely. It is a beautiful design and I'm happy to finally own your work.

image.jpg
 
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