Lets talk small sheath knives for the outdoors.

F

frank k

Joined
May 8, 2001
Messages
2,548
So far my favorite is the Spyderco Moran drop point, but lately I have been lusting after others such as the Camillus Talon (seems like a great knife, but unfortunately, the cost is a bit out of the reach of my all to meager budget), the Fallkniven F1 (I like this one alot, but it needs a better sheath), the Gerber Yari (I have heard nothing but raves about this knife), the Gormann K1 (flat ground model 1) Camper (I wish the steel was something like VG 10 instead of .4110), the Marbles Sport with the Game Getter handle (I am realy drawn to this knife, but I would like to know a little more about the mystery "stain resistant" steel).
 
I like the Moran a great deal. Sharp, light, comfortable, great carry system. If you want a Marbles, some of the dealers still have 52100 models in stock. I have the Plainsman and Trailcraft. Another nice little outdoor knife is the Busse Basic 3. Very strong.
 
I really like the Fallkniven F1. For my small fixed blade knife, it needs to be stainless since I often use it for saltwater fishing. The F1 is strong enough to open a coconut (which is very tough on blades) and just the right length for cleaning fish.

I like the leather open sheath although not very practical for fishing. Thus I got an On/Scene Tactical sheath for it as well. This gives me the traditional leather one for hiking, camping etc, and a more practical one for messy events such as fishing.

All in all, I think the F1 is the perfect small fixed blade for my purposes.
 
I very much prefer carbon steel in an outdoor fixed blade, and the edge must be convex. For small blades, the 52100 Marbles knives are real winners, especially the ones with pouch sheaths. I'm looking to pick up a Marbles Sport sometime soon.

Also, the new small Busse fixed blade looks like a real winner, although I wish it had handle scales. Check out the contest in the Busse forum for details.

I also confess that the 52100 Blackjack Small is getting quite a bit of use.
 
Originally posted by frank k
So far my favorite is the Spyderco Moran drop point, but lately I have been lusting after others ... the Gerber Yari (I have heard nothing but raves about this knife
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I really like both the Spyderco Morans I have (drop- and trailing-point versions) for the reasons DWK listed, especially given their very reasonable price. I've written here on BFC of my affection for the Gerber Yari as a very affordable, high "bang for the buck" tactical EDC. There's not much to dislike (except the Yari sheath) on any of them. I think that both the Morans and the Yari are very good knives in their price field, with the edge for outdoor use going to the Morans.

WARNING: Busseholic approaching! ;) Busse has a brand new, very slim INFI steel 3-1/4" long clip point blade that looks like it will be a strong contender among small outdoors utility blades. Pictures of the satin 1/8" thick and coated combat grade 3/16" thick versions of this as-yet-unnamed knife are found in this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=203799 over on the Busse forum. Being INFI blades with Busse's extremely strong warranty behind them, these blades bring incredible value, especially the coated one at $67. The downside is that these knives lack handle scales which IMHO will be needed for comfort, especially in the 1/8" thick stock, and it lacks a sheath at present. However, I think this will make a fine little cutter for around the camp and cabin cutting.

(edited to add) I see Buzz beat me by being considerably more succinct with his comments on the new Busse. :) So consider this posting a seconding of his nominating that blade for consideration.
 
My fav. small sheath knife would be a Marble's Fieldcraft... in 52100 (accept no substitutes...;) ).
 
I am continuing to be impressed by the Fallkniven F1. The sheath is hideous, but I may be able to fix that.
 
I had narrowed the field to the Cold Steel Master Hunter and the F1. After doing a lot of searches and reading a lot of posts here I also considered the Moran and a couple Marbles knives.

My conclusion was and is the F1 with a Kydex/Concealex Sheath from Normark. It's an awesome little knife for $66

I haven't bought them yet and might actually buy a Marbles Plainsman or Campcraft first before the 52100 knives are gone. I was considering the Marbles Sport 2000, but 3 1/2" just seems too short.

The Busse Basic #5 through #6 (from the German site) and Satin Jack are also tempting, but my uses don't justify that kind of expenditure.
 
My favorite is the TOPS Laser Strike. It runs toward the large end of small sheath knives, but is a perfect all around blade. I also tend to carry the Gransfors Mini tucked in my belt, and it serves as both a knife and hatchet. It's also lighter than any sheath knife of the same size.
 
Two guys from Arkansas that I forgot to mention in my post above also come to mind as good makers of smaller bladed knives.

Bob Dozier knives in D2 steel enjoy a high reputation for being extremely sharp out of the box and being very function-driven knives. http://www.dozierknives.com/ His model called the Straight Personal looks like a nice small blade for outside work, as linked from http://www.agrussell.com/dozier/

Newt Livesay offers a number of small knives in 1095 steel, with the occasional foray into D2 as well. Newt is known for offering sturdy non-flashy knives at quite affordable prices. His neck knives and some of his other models (the US Marshal among others) would make good small blades for outdoor jobs. His new website is at http://64.227.169.223/
 
Originally posted by Dave Costin
So, no one likes the Talon in the 154 steel? Just wondering.
Thanks,
Dave
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I do. I like it alot, but I've got a little Rinaldi Gambit that I find myself carrying most of the time. There are some things I actually like about the Talon more. It has better grip security, since it has a longer handle with finger groove, and the narrower blade is better for some things, plus I like the way the edge angles back up toward the choil which makes it a great slicer. The Rinaldi is my favorite, though. Better in the kitchen because of its dropped blade, stouter and holds an edge better(5/32" BG-42), and is a little shorter. Just shorter enough to make it perfect for horizontal cross-draw carry, which I prefer. Both are stain resistant, both are very comfortable in the hand, and I think both are very good-looking knives (last priority, but it beats having an ugly knife:p).
The 154CM Talon is an excellent knife, IMO, and were it not for the Rinaldi, it would be my choice of the knives I've owned in this size range.
I'd like to have the F1, which made a very positive impression on me when I handled one, a small Dozier, a Marbles, or Blackjack small, but I can't see buying another knife in this size range right now. Lots of great choices out there.
 
I prefer short, relatively thin blades for most outdoors work. I've a Fallkniven WM-1 and a Benchmade Nimravus Cub that serve me very well. Both get sheathed in Normark's famous multicarry rigs and when worn are barely noticeable. When coupled with a good Victorinox SAK, I feel very comfortable with their ability to meet my needs in the northwoods.

Mike
 
Ditto RokJok's comments on the Dozier's. Bob makes awesome field knives for camping, hunting, and all around outdoor companionship. He knows that in the hands of a capable person a 3-4" blade will work wonders. Bob's knives are scary sharp, easy to care for, come with great sheaths, and are a real bargain to boot!

AJ
 
Thanks everyone for your replies!, please keep them coming.
RokJok - Thanks for the links to those wonderful knives! What don't you like about the Yari's sheath?
phwl, Robert H, & diletante - It seems like the thing to do with the F1, is to have a real sheath made by someone like Robert H or Normark.
numberthree - The Mora knives are great for the $, I should have mentioned these!
Dave Costin - I overlooked the 154CM Talon, it seems like a great knife also.
Thanks Again.
 
Well thanks to Owen I ordered a Talon in the 154cm on Friday. Thanks Owen.:rolleyes: No, actually I have been looking at this knife for a long time and just wanted half a reason to get one.:) I ordered a Dozier Master Skinner from AG Russell about a week ago but needed something to fill the wait. I will also use the Talon even after the Dozier arrives. I figure it will take me some time to bring myself to actually using the new Dozier.;)

Next stop, Busse! I'll have to really start saving now.:eek:
 
Dave, use the Dozier when it gets there...you will be impressed.
I'm looking foward to trying out my Marble's Woodcraft that I won.
Also I've had my eye on the Rinaldi TKK for a while now.
Check back in with a review of both of 'em :)
 
Dave : I've had a Master Skinner for several years and am very, very pleased with it. Originally I had one complaint. The micarta handle was quite slippery when wet and with no hilt I considered this a significant danger. At A.G.'s personal suggestion I had the handle checkered. This corrected the only fault I could ever find with this outstanding tool. Don't be surprised if you find yourself using this knife in preference to the Busse (once you have both). Use that Dozier !!! You won't wear it out, believe me.
 
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