master hunter or campanion

S

shaft

Joined
Jul 28, 2003
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121
my father has a cs master hunter its indestructable and still shaves after many years,but love the look of the BK&T campanion. I have a cs recon scout but hate the looks I get in the grocery stores:p want a tough little sob that will cut,chop and stay sharp
 
Well, I'll take a shot. I have a Master Hunter tucked away somewhere, and I have a few Beckers, though not the Campanion. The Master Hunter has a much narrower edge, so you won't get quite the same slicing ability out of the Becker. That said, the Beckers come very sharp, and if you want, some very basic file and stone reprofiling will close the gap. As they are, they're tougher than the Master Hunter. As both knives are made by Camillus (and some say out of the same stuff--in the ongoing debate about what Carbon V actually is), I think the quality is comparable. Now, take into account that Becker has a "you break it, we buy it" policy (that Cold Steel does not match) and I think the winner is clear. The only issue is weather the factory handle slabs from Becker fit you. I think they're great, but I also have big hands. Trying one out is the only way to know. :)
 
Well, it depends on whether you're looking at the stainless or Carbon V model, but if it's the latter, Camillus does indeed make the blades for them. Cold Steel is a pretty small company, and doesn't have the facilities/equipment to do it themselves, so they contract the work. Their stainless knives are made in Seki, Japan, and also someplace in Taiwan.
 
you do learn something new every day!!! I didnt know that was the case
so what is carbon v??? I carry a recon scout as an edc when im not at work:D
 
The companion is very thick behind the edge, and sharpening these means reprofiling the edge. I got rid of mine the day after I received it. The better comparison to the CS is the Crewman.
I would have a tough time choosing between the CS and the BK10.
I really like the TAK I traded for awhile back. Smaller blade than the CS or BK10 but has the nicest handle.
 
I'd pick the BK10 over the BK2 also, unless I wanted an extra thick chunk of shorter steel. The Campanion does have a nicer sheath. My hands generally fit medium gloves and the Becker handles are fine.

Carbon V is the flavor of the day at CS. The scuttlebutt is it has changed many times through the years, and now is 0170-6.
 
They are both good knives, but for me, the edge goes to the Camillus
 
I used to have a master hunter in carbon steel, it sliced great, but discolored (not rusted) when used to cut meat or citrus fruit. I guess I worried about rust, because I sold it.
I bought the BK campanion, but it was just too thick, I wanted to keep the coating, so I did not reprofile the blade to be thinner, so I sent it back.
I then bought the crewman, it is also carbon steel, but has a coating (paint?) protects the blade except the very edge from rust.

The crewman has a much thinner relief behind the edge than either the master hunter or the campanion.

I like the cordura sheath as it has a small pouch that I keep my diamond sharpener in. Haven't needed it yet, as the blade seems to defy getting dull.
BTW, I bought the bk101 - the desert tan colored one, love it.
 
I've used a Master Hunter W/Carbon V for years for deer and small game. It always has impressed me with it's ability to hold an edge, ease of sharpening, handle doesn't slip when wet, and just a WICKED slicer !! Hard to beat it, IMHO
 
I would go with the BK-10 Crewman, but then you might also want to take a look at the Spyderco Temperance, as that VG-10 steel is one of the best, and it has an excellent handle and a great sheath.
 
I've been using the Carbon V MH for a good number of years and have yet to find a better fixed blade hunting knife. It does stain which I don't mind but it takes and holds a wicked good edge. I am not just talking about gutting a deer but actually cutting them up and skinning them. I do not have to touch up the edge during any of this. Most Ihave done is 3 complete deer before needing to resharpen. It also has a very good distal taper and a nicely ergonimcally designed handle. If you are only looking for a hunting knife get the MH in Carbon V. Makes a good general camp knife too. THis year I am going to try a Puuko I purchased from Ragweed forge just for something different. Keep'em sharp
 
I don't own either knife but I do own Cold Steel knives with handles like the Master Hunter, plus a couple of BK&Ts. For defensive use I would definitely choose the Master Hunter. The BK&T scales are very slippery, whereas the Cold Steel krayton handles are sticky and have sufficiently long guards.
 
I like it very much, but it doesn't cut like my carbon steel trapper;) Can't speak of the trademark Becker handles, I got mine with 1/4" G10 scales from Bill Siegle:D

Frank
 
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