Old Hickory Blade Thickness?

irona · Sep 17, 2016

I'm considering picking up an old hickory butcher knife to mod into a kephart after hearing so much about these knives. I'm kind of concerned about using it for bushcraft though, because I've heard the stock is pretty thin, but I can't find the actual measurement anywhere. Does anyone have any experience with these knives? Also, how thick is the stock?

Jason Herman · Sep 17, 2016

I've used and modified several. The stock thickness is rather slim, I would compare it to that of a mora 510. The steel is also quite flexible, they seem to bend pretty easy and remain canted without the use of an anvil. The handles are passable; quality control is minimal on such cheap products and the fit/finish of one knife might differ from another. I've had luck making leather sheaths for them for ease of transportation and storage.

irona · Sep 17, 2016

Jason Herman said:
I've used and modified several. The stock thickness is rather slim, I would compare it to that of a mora 510. The steel is also quite flexible, they seem to bend pretty easy and remain canted without the use of an anvil. The handles are passable; quality control is minimal on such cheap products and the fit/finish of one knife might differ from another. I've had luck making leather sheaths for them for ease of transportation and storage.

Is it thick enough for bushcraft?

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ocnLogan · Sep 17, 2016

I can't recall an actual stock thickness either. I for some reason want to say 1/8 or 3/32.

But I'd check with Ontario directly in the Ontario subforum. They should be able to set you straight.

irona · Sep 17, 2016

Jason Herman said:
I've used and modified several. The stock thickness is rather slim, I would compare it to that of a mora 510. The steel is also quite flexible, they seem to bend pretty easy and remain canted without the use of an anvil. The handles are passable; quality control is minimal on such cheap products and the fit/finish of one knife might differ from another. I've had luck making leather sheaths for them for ease of transportation and storage.

Is it thick enough for bushcraft?

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Jason Herman · Sep 17, 2016

It works great for cutting things, if that's what you mean by bushcraft.

Moondrop · Sep 17, 2016

There's a guy on youtube who did a series of videos called "The Adventures of Old Hickory and Me" where he used an Old Hickory as his bushcraft knife. You might find those videos interesting.

Blue Sky · Sep 17, 2016

The Ontario Knives website lists the 7" butcher knife at .10". This is plenty thick for bushcraft, at least how I would define it, which mostly involves wood cutting or carving chores. I have batonned Old Hicks (mostly to make kindling) and it can be done safely, as long as you have the discipline to work within their limits.

Edited to add: I checked some of my OH's and they seem less than .10", so either the website value is wrong or changes have been made recently. What I have is still adequate for bushcraft, even though thinner IMO.