Recommendation? Non-manufactured Fixed-Blade Hunter/Camp Knife?

D

DekeDirt

Joined
Sep 24, 2013
Messages
14
Hope you can help!

Short version:

  1. Who's a good knife maker, currently operating, who specializes in or at least makes a high quality hunter/camp fixed blade?
  2. Is there a website where I can search for such a thing, which has customer ratings?

Long version:

I love "roughing it" / camping and get excited when I get an opportunity to go, so I really want to pick up a high quality knife that can handle just about any related task (NB- I haven't gotten into bushcrafting just yet). I'm thinking in the 4" blade range, give or take. And I'm not going to lie, I'd really like something with a cool handle. Money is an object but let's pretend it isn't for now. I realize there are some superlative manufactured blades that will handily take care of the worst abuse I can dish out but I just kind of want something special -- why not, you know?

I've done a bit of research and I've seen some dynamite knives but I thought I'd check with y'all.

As for the website, I've seen a few but, again, I just wanted to see what you all think. Also, none of the ones I've seen have ratings, so I'm kind of in the dark about who's got the goods. I should add, I live somewhere, where browsing in a bricks-and-mortar shop isn't an option.

Thanks in advance!
 
If money really is an objection, then any actual custom blade will likely be out of budget... recent inflation over the last few years seems to have hit custom blades at double the rate of non-custom.

Your best bet is getting something 'production' made by a good designer/mfg'r
For fixed blades in that category (hunter/camp) - I like bradford a lot, and there are many others...

If you really do want to stick with custom, look at the forums here:
https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/for-sale-custom-knives-individual.748/

(also, read about steel... for camping/bushcraft I would stay away from D2, it's not very tough but seems to be popular because it holds an edge)...
old style plain carbon steels like 1095, 1085, 1075 and 1065 should be the lowest cost options... but they are prone to rust

https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/for-sale-fixed-blades.754/ good place to see what is out there
 
You say you did some research. How about sharing what you’ve learned and folks might be more forthcoming with what they carry. You did say that you’ve done a bunch of research and have some ideas of your own. Please share your opinions. I’d be interested in your opinions as well before offering up mine.
 
Find a style of maker you like in the knife maker for sale area under fixed blades, and see if they will make a custom for you with the specs you want. You will find some pretty great people! Some make knives at some pretty amazing prices too, especially for a handmade knife.
 
Thanks for the great advice!

If it helps, I've seen some knives I really like in the $300 range -- I can do that, for instance. I could probably go as high as, say, $600 without having to rearrange my financial situation too badly. (Of course, my wife would bust a knocker if she found out I spent more than about $50 but nevermind.) But, as I mentioned, I will actually use this knife as a sort-of "camping EDC," so I wouldn't want to spend anything really nuts (I have seen, as I'm sure you all have, knives in the six-figure range) or buy something that's too "FANCY" to be practical.

>>>How about sharing what you’ve learned

OK, I'd say I really like some spear points I've seen and I've always liked clip points -- for this particular knife, I'm really into the ones I've seen that have a "fat belly" and I think it would very much suit the application.

I've seen a lot of individual pieces I like and have seen numerous items from the same talented bladesmiths -- but, again, I wouldn't know for certain whether it was the right quality for what I want. One fellow whose name I recall because his work really jumped out at me was Randy Lee. I've looked on Arizona Custom Knives and, of course, AG Russell, as well as Cutting Edge.

Thanks again!
 
I don't think you've done near enough homework for someone who has been here for 5 years.
Here's my humble version of a Kephart made by a maker here on these forums.
3V steel with a square spine. I have a leather and a Kydex sheath (set up for survival) for her. Price, around 300.
 
Om28v said:

This. Fallkniven S1. 5" blade. I believe they make a lot of different handles that are quite beautiful still in different materials that are semi custom. I made this from Sambar stag myself, so it's one of a kind.
Click to expand...

Sweet looking handle on that S1 brother. I always did like those and that's the nicest one I've ever seen. :thumbsup:
 
Kootaga13 said:
Sweet looking handle on that S1 brother. I always did like those and that's the nicest one I've ever seen. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Thanks man. I thought so too. I got it years ago and it was very expensive then ~$100 iirc. I don't think you can get Sambar anymore because of a change in import laws. Each side of the scales don' match texture perfectly, one side is a touch smoother. I put that one on the palm side and the course one on the finger grip side for more traction. They had master grade back then for like $300, but I didn't really want that. Fits my hand perfect. Drilling holes for the nickel guard was a bear. I went to 3 machine shops until I found an old guy that could get through the blade without it getting too hot. He told me to not come back with steel like that...hehe
Two nickel pins peened and epoxy, that guard will never ever budge.
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Just discovered this via instagram and thought of this post. Looks like some great blades fitting exactly what you are looking for at a reasonable price.

Check out free hill blades dot com

 
Without getting too expensive, in the 4" range, you have:
Tim Hartman:
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Koji Hara:
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W.C. Davis:
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Over 4" the following guys should be able to do what you want:
Hankins:
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Mooney:
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Patton:
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Bailey:
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I like Bob Dozier's stuff.

Dozier Slim Outdoorsman or Buffalo River Hunter for a bit under 4 inches of blade...

His Professional Guides Knife gets you a beauty with a clip point just over 4 inches...

Or for that "really cool handle" look, scope out his Personal Utility.

Bob's D2 will fit the bill.
 
I can build a custom with those parameters 4 inch blade spear point. I use a lot of modern steels. All my knives Are designed to be used. So depending on what you it for I can build it around that intended purpose or need.
I have quite a bit of handle materials to choose from as well, from G10, to shokwood and shokres, to exotic woods. Im very active on Instagram for my builds. ( ShannonSteelLabs ShannonSteelLabs )
Unfortunately i dont have a website at the moment.

Let me know if you are interested, if not good luck on your search!
 
Give Landi knives a look, good bargains, as well as Nicholas (?) Crawford knives. For the price you mentioned, definitely look at Fiddleback, or any of their cousins. I would stick to something tried and true as far as blade steel, they may not hold as long an edge as the super steels, but at least you can sharpen them in the field. I really like JK knives, and I have been fond of the Kephart pattern lately. I have also liked the look Fiddleback production versions of the their Kephart.
Lastly, not custom but good variety and styles are LT Wright or Battlehorse.
A lot of good makers in the exchange here, good prices too.
 
Wow, thanks a lot to all of you!

There's a lot to take in here and I'll continue with the research but I'll definitely at least check out everything recommended.
 
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