Quatermaster for bushcraft?

B

Bare Rib

Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
589
Hey folks, just wanted to get your opinion on the Ontario Quatermaster and if you think it would be good for bushcrafts and other wilderness needs/chores.

http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com.../product/db400276e6885de1ccf1abd0f7ae8ca8.jpg

Here are my intial thoughts:
Its a nice looking knife and seems like it would be a a great user as far as functionality goes.
-nice broad blade to put some weight forward to aid in chopping & batoning
-while not having a true coil there is a slight notch under the edge and the guard extends out enough that it would be functional as a coil
-guard does not extend past the back of the blade

I'm not sure about the 440A stainless used for the blade though.

So there are my thoughts let's hear yours.
 
I have an original Cattaragus 225Q that is the knife that is a replica of.

Cattaraugus-225Q-Pile-FINAL.jpg


The originals can be found in used condition for the same or even less than the replica, and being forged 1095 carbon steel are probably much better for outdoor use than 440A.
 
The Last Confederate said:
The originals can be found in used condition for the same or even less than the replica, and being forged 1095 carbon steel are probably much better for outdoor use than 440A.
Click to expand...

Any idea where to look for the used originals?

As the idea of 1095 is far more appealing to me, as I said I'm not to sure about the 440A.

Have you used it for bushcrafts and other W/S chores? If so how does it do?
 
If they had the leather handled quartermaster in 1095 instead of 440A i'd buy one.
Its funny that the traditional looking version uses stainless and the tactical version uses carbon steel, kinda backwards isn't it?
440 series stainless is not inherently useless, it can be functional albeit uninspiring.
The real question is do any forumites own/use and have impressions of the 440A Quartermaster or any Ontario 440A knives?
BareRib if the show "new posts" function wasn't currently disabled i'd say somebody would have answered your question by now.

I 'd say the traffic on this site has probably gone down quite a bit since they dumped the search/new posts functions.
:(
 
Bare Rib said:
Any idea where to look for the used originals?

As the idea of 1095 is far more appealing to me, as I said I'm not to sure about the 440A.

Have you used it for bushcrafts and other W/S chores? If so how does it do?
Click to expand...

There are 5 on Ebay right now, and they turn up at knife shows a lot. There does not seem to be the collector interest in these like other WWII knives, so prices are reasonable.

Just search for a "225Q" on Ebay.

I've hacked around some with mine, and the one thing that stands out about them, is they are TOUGH.

Another alternative you might look at is a Bark River Knife & Tool "Teddy Hunter", which is basically a clone of these in A2 carbon tool steel. It's sheath will even fit an original Cattaragus 225Q.

Teddy_Hunt_Dk_Curly_Mpl.jpg
 
The Last Confederate said:
There are 5 on Ebay right now, and they turn up at knife shows a lot. There does not seem to be the collector interest in these like other WWII knives, so prices are reasonable.

Just search for a "225Q" on Ebay.

I've hacked around some with mine, and the one thing that stands out about them, is they are TOUGH.

Another alternative you might look at is a Bark River Knife & Tool "Teddy Hunter", which is basically a clone of these in A2 carbon tool steel. It's sheath will even fit an original Cattaragus 225Q.

Teddy_Hunt_Dk_Curly_Mpl.jpg
Click to expand...

Sweet!
Actually i've been specifically pining for a Bark River Aurora for a long time.
But that Teddy Hunter looks good as well.
:)
 
There are some real primo originals that go through ebay from time to time and one of these months, my money will get into the action for one. :D
 
These are awesome knives for bushcraft - convexing the edge makes them even better.

I'm using my dad's that he bought when he was about 15 years old and it's an amazing knife. It has a really thick blade, is tough, strong, and as sharp as any Bark River I have.

The reproduction with a leather handle (presentation type knife) is classier looking, but the blade profile is a little different. There is less belly to the blade, which I really don't like and I can't get the same edge that the original has on it and the edge holding is noticeably less.

If you get one, I'd suggest and new sheath right away. Both mine and my dad's knife slide out of the sheath (heck, my dad's sheath is worn out and the last 1 1/2 sticks out), it's a nasty surprise to grab on to the bare blade....
 
I am going to be the unpopular opinion here and say "no, that is not a good bushcraft knife."

I guess it depends on what your definition of "bushcraft" is. To me, a bushcraft blade is about as long as the width of your hand. That one looks a bit longer, and more clumsy than a small knife. To be more specific, I would not want to cut notches, make cordage, prepare food, make pegs and stakes, skin game, etc with a knife like that. I am not saying that you can't do it with it, it is just not my optimal choice.

Stuff like building a shelter, or tackling larger pieces of wood that type of knife would work better for. But again, I still think there are better tools for that as well. Like a larger knife, or a small ax.

To me, this type of knife is the type that is stuck in between. Can do everything, but none of them well. Even though I would love to have one of every type of knife, this is one that would get left at home for me.

It is just my opinion, so take it for what it is worth.
 
A lot of the ones I've seen on Ebay seem to have those grooves worn into the middle of the handle. Any ideas as to why that is?
 
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