Narrowed camp knife choices to three. Please compare and contrast!

Andrew Colglazier

Andrew Colglazier

Joined
Sep 14, 2006
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I've been looking at a lot of fixed blade knives over the last few weeks, and have my choices narrowed down to three;

1. CS Master Hunter in their new San Mai offering, or;

2. the Ontario TAK 1, or

3. the Bark River Northstar, if I can locate one

I've chosen these three from many based on several things. First, price. All three can be hand for about $150 or less.

Second, quality. I haven't read anything negative about any of these knives on this list. If there is anything, I've missed it.

Third, general size. All are good, handy lengths and designs.

Deciding factors could be quality of sheaths and availability.

Please give me your input! If you can suggest another choice of better quality, etc. for the same general price, I'm all ears.

Thanks,

Andy
 
Ranger Knives. (e.g. RD4)
Fallkniven (they are made even with micarta handles but for awful price) (H1, S1, F1)
 
Good choices... any of them would do. You could also consider Helle knives (laminated blades, high carbon core with stainless sides), Grohmann, Marbles, for a start.
 
Bark River's got my vote - full convex grind's the reason! (I'd go with BRKT Mountain Man myself)
 
Bark river here as well, I own RAT's and they are good knives, I would suggest a RAT5 over the TAK1 as it seems to be just that little bit more. I like the bark rivers for the Convex Grind as well.
 
Sorry to complicate this for you, but if you look around you can find Bob Dozier knives close to your price point and there are none better. His D2 is the best as well as his kydex sheaths. All come standard with micarta handles and the fit and finish are second to none.

I do like the CS Master hunter in carbon V, the RAT 5, and BRKT products, but they all got put in the knife box when I got a Dozier. I picked up a Pro Guides knife on one of the forums for 175.00 and I'm sure there will be some bargains come along if you are patient. Hope that helps, Jim
 
i'd get the bark river as well. great steel in A2 and convex edge just can't be beat. the sheath is a "regular" leather sheath but it is more than adequate.
 
Another vote for the Bark River- any of 'em! I currently own eight of them, including a North Star and a Mountain Man. I'd consider the Northstar to be the better of the two for all around use, even though the Mountain Man is an absolute delight in how well it cuts.

Another real sweetheart is the Lil' Nessie beautiful little knife that can handle most anything you throw at it.


Can't go wrong with hardly any BRK though. (although admittedly my Mikro Slither isn't the most versatile camp knife I own....);)
 
prices pulled from knife center

Tak1: 64.95
rat5: 84.95

CS website.
CS master Hunter: 124.99

knifeworks.com
Bark River Northstar:104.95


If you were looking at a CS Master hunter I agree with tidefan when he says Dozier is the way to go. For 50 dollars more you get a piece of D2 that holds a wicked edge. I like Doziers pieces but it all comes down to what you like and your style.
 
scrap yard knives scrapper 6 with sheath shipped 122.85---scrapyardknives.com----WOOF!
 
I own the scrapper and have used the heck out of it latley, its over 1/4 inch thick and can easily be used to chop with. The resperine handle is very comfortable to use. The only thing I disliked about it was the edge grind was very thick. After my initial testing I reprofiled the edge and now it slices much better but before it was not much of a slicer. I guess it depends on what you need Andrew. Do you need a knife that is very good with slicing food and meat or do you need one that is going to do alot of hacking or prying.
 
BRKT makes some good stuff (as has already been mentioned), the TAK is nice, and the master hunter is also a good one. Fallkniven H1,S1,A2,F1 would all be good choices. (I guess I am just seconding what others have said)......Here's a loop for ya, go to http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html , and get yourself a Frosts of Sweeden Craftsman in carbon steel for $10.00 and try it out. It doesn't look like much, but the handle is comfortable, it cuts/slices well, and holds it's edge pretty well also....all for $10.00....The sheath sucks but that can be easily remedied....$10.00....worst thing that happens is that you throw it in the back of the car for a utility knife. I am in no way saying that the craftsman is in any way comparable to the aforementioned knives, but bang for the buck....it whips them all.
 
Thanks, everyone! I'm going out of town shortly for a shooting match, and will come back and look at everything suggested closely when I do. If I don't answer until Monday, don't let that hurt your feelings or keep you from adding your input. I value it all!

Thanks!

Andy
 
tidefan said:
Sorry to complicate this for you, but if you look around you can find Bob Dozier knives close to your price point and there are none better. His D2 is the best as well as his kydex sheaths. All come standard with micarta handles and the fit and finish are second to none.

I do like the CS Master hunter in carbon V, the RAT 5, and BRKT products, but they all got put in the knife box when I got a Dozier. I picked up a Pro Guides knife on one of the forums for 175.00 and I'm sure there will be some bargains come along if you are patient. Hope that helps, Jim
Click to expand...

I have looked at Dozier knives, and they are great. I am looking for a matching pair, though, one for me, one for my wife, and they are pretty far over my price range, especially if I want two.

Thanks, though!

Andy
 
barrabas74 said:
I own the scrapper and have used the heck out of it latley, its over 1/4 inch thick and can easily be used to chop with. The resperine handle is very comfortable to use. The only thing I disliked about it was the edge grind was very thick. After my initial testing I reprofiled the edge and now it slices much better but before it was not much of a slicer. I guess it depends on what you need Andrew. Do you need a knife that is very good with slicing food and meat or do you need one that is going to do alot of hacking or prying.
Click to expand...

I have looked at the Scrapper, and it looks like a lot of knife for the money. Probably I would be using the knife for more slicing and general cutting than chopping. I have things to chop with, so not so important in a knife for me. I also don't have much in the way of grinding tools, so to reprofile the edge, I would likely have to have someone else do it.

So, I guess I'm looking for more of a slicer than a chopper, and one that comes from the store with an already useful edge and bevel.

Andy
 
Just to let you know alex to reprofile an edge I just use sandpaper and a mousepad and I get good results. I have used a beltsander before but it takes off a bit more steel at a time than I like and slip ups can be easy to make.
 
I wouldn't buy any of the three you list myself,I'd sooner have something like a Benchmade CSK, but if you must have one I'd go with the Bark river.
If I was going to have a Master hunter I'd just get one in Carbon V- it's cheaper and you don't hear negative comments on this either.
The Ontario's are pretty good but you often hear of problems with the grinds and minor quality complaints!
 
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