Osceola Companion Knife

Mannlicher · Jun 4, 2011

I designed this knife, and had my friend Tim Olt make it 2010. When I visited with Joezilla in July last year, I let him chop some cherry wood with it. It performed well.

I was out in my bushcraft 'studio' today (ie. back yard), and was messing around with it some more. The edge was done on my EdgePro Apex, the angle at 20 degrees. The 6 inch blade is made from S30V steel and has been cryo tempered. RC is 58-59. It holds an good edge, with no chipping or rolling. The handle is Bocote Wood. The name comes from my years of hunting and camping in the Osceola National Forest in North Florida.

I have bought several other knives since last year, <grin> and just did not get around to really using this one as I should. It is one heck of a performer, and makes a near perfect camp/bushcraft knife. Works well on those kitchen tasks also.

tinwiskers · Jun 4, 2011

Love the design of the blade and the wood handle. What kind of wood is it? Thanks for sharing with us!

Mannlicher · Jun 4, 2011

it's Bocote. Thanks for the kind words.

I have that re handled Busse CABS, Spyderco Bushcraft, Bark River, ESEE, several Scandi blades from Finland and Norway, a number of other custom made bush blades................but this one works as well as any of my other knifes, and better than most.

Shotgun · Jun 4, 2011

Gotta say I'm not thrilled with the finger choil but everything else is spot on. Nice.

Rockywolf · Jun 4, 2011

Shotgun said:
Gotta say I'm not thrilled with the finger choil but everything else is spot on. Nice.

I don't usually like them either, but it appears to be a way to choke up on the blade a bit here....is that why you put it in? Does he make more like this?

jw2n · Jun 4, 2011

Looks good, and I like the name as I used to go to the ONF during the late 60s and early 70s when I was a Boy Scout.

Mistwalker · Jun 5, 2011

Nice design, looks like a great companion.

Mannlicher · Jun 5, 2011

Rockywolf said:
I don't usually like them either, but it appears to be a way to choke up on the blade a bit here....is that why you put it in? Does he make more like this?

actually yes. The choil does allow me to use the blade tip for fine work, particularly carving, and with some delicate cuts in the kitchen.
Tim made several of these, I'll have to ask if he has any left.

untamed · Jun 6, 2011

Just subscribed to this thread. What a useful-looking and handsome design. It sort of reminds me of Okuden/Brian Wagner's designs but with a bushcrafty take, especially the handle. :thumbup: