- Joined
- Dec 5, 2005
- Messages
- 27,801
When it comes to handmade knives, the most alluring ones to me are those oriented towards performance cutting. Like competition cutters.
When I'm building trails, I am often confronted with plants that are springy, fibrous and tough, with dense leaves that are like leather. Salal, Scotch Broom and Salmon Berry are everywhere, and due to the terrain are often unavoidable. Getting through without cutting is not easy.
To remove this stuff from the trail, I've used power brush saws, bypass and anvil style shears of various sizes, machetes, scythes- you name it. But I've found that nothing fits the bill like a forged, 10-12" bladed knife with a secure handle, a light point, a fine, convex edge and a subtle belly. Because I'm usually riding my mountain bike to get there, overall light weight is also an issue. Right now what I'm using is a Valiant golok, http://www.valiantco.com/java/GolokJagal.JPG whose handle I've modified to be ergonomic. I have a knife in the pipe by Burt Foster as a replacement. A good bush knife cannot be beat, especially when you have to carry it out there on a bicycle.
So, I'm here looking to learn what kinds of experiences and advice people had and have with 'performance' knives. Especially any input by those makers who are part of this forum and who've competed in cutting competitions. What considerations do you take when trying to achieve maximum knife performance?
When I'm building trails, I am often confronted with plants that are springy, fibrous and tough, with dense leaves that are like leather. Salal, Scotch Broom and Salmon Berry are everywhere, and due to the terrain are often unavoidable. Getting through without cutting is not easy.
To remove this stuff from the trail, I've used power brush saws, bypass and anvil style shears of various sizes, machetes, scythes- you name it. But I've found that nothing fits the bill like a forged, 10-12" bladed knife with a secure handle, a light point, a fine, convex edge and a subtle belly. Because I'm usually riding my mountain bike to get there, overall light weight is also an issue. Right now what I'm using is a Valiant golok, http://www.valiantco.com/java/GolokJagal.JPG whose handle I've modified to be ergonomic. I have a knife in the pipe by Burt Foster as a replacement. A good bush knife cannot be beat, especially when you have to carry it out there on a bicycle.
So, I'm here looking to learn what kinds of experiences and advice people had and have with 'performance' knives. Especially any input by those makers who are part of this forum and who've competed in cutting competitions. What considerations do you take when trying to achieve maximum knife performance?
) on a cutting competition rig. The experience was informative, to say the least. Learned more about handle designs that day than in the previous 10 years.
). 
