Looking ahead....Stepping up to a larger knife....

TPVT

TPVT

Joined
Feb 14, 2012
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most of the knives that i have received since i have joined BF (and have rekindled my interest in knives) have been of the EDC size...i.e. 3-3.5" blade.

i had an order in to John for a Potawatomi for June. He was nice enough to let me push my July custom to June and rethink my Potawatomi order. I think i have enough small blades for now. I would like a larger blade, at this point. Believe me, i have spent some time researching. but now, i need some help.

I have narrowed my list down to a JK Kephart, Trapline and a Viktim. I also like his old Bushcrafter and the Canadian Belt Knife.

This will be my go-to knife for all knifey things in the field. i would want it to perform bushie tasks, as well as be a camp knife and be versatile enough to skin.

so whatcha think? i don't think i could go wrong with any. but, i am looking to hear from the JK stalwarts, who might have multiple knives of the ones i have mentioned.

thoughts?

(thanks)
 
Both my sons have the old bushcrafter knife John made. One of their buddies has my old JK kephart. These knives are fabulous tools! You know I'm a fan of the Viktim, as evidenced by my recent review. Have you considered the Lobo? I used to have one of them...it's awesome as a camp knife.
 
hi rockywolf. thanks for the quick-hit. the lobo seems like a great knife. BUT...i should have been more specific.... i am looking for a blade length at 5" or less (i think). probably the 4-5" length.

Soo...you are actually just who i want to talk to. Bushcrafter, Kephart and Viktim go into a pit....Who comes out?
 
Tough decisions as i think all the knives mention would perform excellent. I have an older Hiker, which has the4 " blade, 1 inch tall and it's amazing, an EDC that's amazing, and a Kephart that is Amazing. These, to me were similar and close. I think the Viktim is a larger knife than those, and is the one I would go with. I have the VikTim on order, as well as a Roach belly. I think both of those are a little more substantial than the Kehart or Hiker I already have and would be a little more general purpose sustantial knife.
I also have an 8 inch scandi grind Camp from John that is a beast of a knife, and i use it more than I thought I thought I would. If you're trying to cut small limbs etc off a branch and you don't have a hatchet or camp axe, then a larger knife is way more effective and easier than trying to baton a smaller knife through what you could chop with a larger knife. just my thoughts, good luck!
Dan
 
Don't have any of them, grumble grumble, but it you wanted to keep your choice and still get a larger knife I got that Potawatomi Plus and love it, here are some bad pictures of a good knife ;):
100_7652.JPG

Next to a Baby Kephart and the Hiker
100_7816.JPG

in hand:
IMAG0144.JPG
 
Did anyone think I'd let this go without advising a Rule #9?:D
1rule9.jpg
 
All the models you mentioned are good choices as are the other suggestions you've received. Of your original choices, I have two (Trapline & Kephart) and I am on the list to test the ViKtim. Of the two I have, I was going to recommend the Kephart because the Trapline has a 4" blade which I don't think is really too different than the 3-3.5" blades you mention already carrying. The one thing you said that would put me more towards the Trapline would be using it for any kind of skinning. The Kephart would work but I find it a bit lacking when it comes to field dressing or other processing of game. The point is not quite right and the overall ergos are not that well adapted to the task. It will do it but not as easily IMO. I guess it depends on how much you would use it as a hunting knife.

I have not received the ViKtim yet but it may be a good choice kind of in between the two, longer blade and more point?
 
I haven't gotten to hold a roach belly yet but to me, it looks like the perfect hunter's knife. It has the fine, pointy tip that is very helpful on the intial opening the animal, an then you have the large curved blade for cutting the meat, trimming back the hide etc. also it looks like it would be a great blade to use in the kitchen, and it's larger than the hiker/Kephart at 1.5 inches tall, but not as tall as a hudson bay or lobo. I think someone else here has one, they might chime in on their thoughts too.
 
good feedback guys....thanks. i prob wouldn't use the knife for much skinning, but wanted it to be at least an option. i'll tell you what....i keep finding more knives that i like ... the KY Woodsman, scout, etc. and i do like the #9 protourist....like the shape of the handle.

outdoorsfan...that's a good point regarding blade length on the trapline. i really do like the look of that knife though. i like the blade shape and love the look of the handle. looks like the ergos would be awesome. so hmmm....now i'm starting to wonder about a trapline knife ... same overall shape, but extended. 4.5" handle and a 4.5-5" blade.

so far, john has been very considerate with my hairbrained ideas. ;)
 
I think the Trapline would scale well. I've actually talked to John about a necker or more EDC sized version.
 
outdoorsfan said:
I think the Trapline would scale well. I've actually talked to John about a necker or more EDC sized version.
Click to expand...

I thin that sounds awesome, the smaller Number 9 idea that has been kicked around before sounds good to.

TPVT: the Trapline is a very popular one in the category your thinking of, since it was made first, not so long ago, I think it has ground its way into many peoples hands. Scaling it up or down is a good idea and remember John has done that a lot and knows how to do it well, i only mention it because when he scaled up the Plus for me he widened the steel to accommodate the design, and that's something I never would have thought of.
 
gentleman...i have made a decision. Hint...check the "Limited Run" thread. thanks all.
 
I think you'll be very happy with your decision, I hope so, I am on board too!
 
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