Recurve camp knife?

N

NothingCoherent

Joined
Feb 2, 2010
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Can anyone recommend me a medium - large sized knife with a recurve blade? Something in the 6 to 8" range. Ideally it would be on the thick side with a convex grind and leather pants, but I think getting that specific is probably going into custom territory... which is not necessarily a bad thing, for the right knife! :thumbup:

Right now I'm looking at the Ontario Night Stalker line of knives, but the handles look pretty blocky and uncomfortable.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
 
Hi NC

I bought this Schrade Camp knife with the intention of beating the hell out of it till it broke. I had a dirty job to do busting up a lot of tree limbs and didn't want to abuse my " good" knives and couldn't bring an axe with me.

After a year this knife is still holding up and sharpens up to shaving. I don't like sawbacks , but this one actually worked OK. The sheath is not bad for what it is: a cheap sheath, but it works. I think the blade is 440C if I'm not mistaken.Magnet tells me it's full tang. How thick , I'm not sure.Sharpens up well with a diamond rod.

Short of hammering it into a stump and bending it , I can't kill it.So I won't. I've just been using it as a general campfire beater , limb chopper, feather-stick shaver , salami slicer , lend it out to who ever needs it kind of knife. Seriously a good value for the $27 I paid. It's a lot better than the POS I thought it was going to be.I could even rely on this in a survival situation if need be.

If you're looking for something more high end , this isn't it , but it sure surprised me performance - wise.

http://images.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/schrade/images/xt1bS.jpg
 
I actually like recurves in that size. Once you find the sweet spot on the blade they really shine as a chopper. I think that recurves are real sleepers when it comes to choppers. I think it's that the blade ends up being too task specific without as much versitility as a straight edge.
Scott
 
Scrapyard knives made a recurve in 7" length (Yard Guard or Yard Hook). I have one and it is a surprisingly good chopper. I paid about $120 new but now only available on the exchange or other secondary market.
 
How about a Kershaw Outcast? A bit bigger than you want and sheathed in Kydex though.

I have one, and while it is a great chopper, it came with a rather obtuse edge and being D2, it is impossible for me to sharpen. If you have the means to put a decent edge on it, it would shine.
 
Some good suggestions here! I especially like the Scrapyard Yard Guard -- it's very close to what I have in mind. Finding one might be hard though... hmm. I'm starting to think I should just speak with a resident knife maker here on the forums and see if they have any ideas for a nice ~7-8" recurve.

Regardless, if anyone has some more suggestions I'd love to hear them! Knowing what's on the market is great.
 
I'd say if you have something on your head, to get a custom made as you said. Exactly what you want, just have to wait a little longer.
 
If money isn't an issue you should look at Grayman knives, specifically the Warrior. I don't own one but they look amazing, however they are chisel ground.
 
kilroy.45 said:
If money isn't an issue you should look at Grayman knives, specifically the Warrior. I don't own one but they look amazing, however they are chisel ground.
Click to expand...

Bump for this thread, and +1 to your comment. I've been looking at the Grayman knives too (the Warrior). If only they made it non-chisel and convexed it.. I'd pick it up.
 
NothingCoherent said:
Can anyone recommend me a medium - large sized knife with a recurve blade? Something in the 6 to 8" range. Ideally it would be on the thick side with a convex grind and leather pants, but I think getting that specific is probably going into custom territory... which is not necessarily a bad thing, for the right knife! :thumbup:

Any thoughts or suggestions?
Click to expand...

How about a Bolo? They have a distinct recurve, but more like 12" blades.
IMG_2528.jpg


-RB
 
If you wanted to go budget, there is the Browning Backcountry Camp Knife.
6.5" Sandvik stainless, contoured micarta handles with a leather sheath no less. Not made in the USA tho, but it is under $100.

Backcountry-Camp-Knife-Model-975-MID-322975-m.jpg
 
Ontario Ranger Night Stalker series. 1/4" thick 5160, Made in America. Sheath sucks, but get a custom one.

Ontario Spec-Plus SP53. 1/4" thick 5160, Made in America. Sheath suck, but get a custom. Mashed Cat Outfitters is an AWESOME maker of fine Kydex. I got mine EXACTLY the way i wanted it, fot $88.50. Here is a pic. Small piggyback sheath was $45-but also included a tec-lock for each too.

100_0907.jpg
 
The TOPS Mountain Lion is about 5.5" and has a recurve...next to a BK-2 and ESEE 5 for comparison. At 1/4" thick, it's stout, but also has a swedge, G-10 scales, and their normal nylon sheath.
100_0950.jpg

I gave my Brother my Schrade Extreme survival, the recurved/flat spine one. It could use better scales and sheath, but had good edge retention.
 
NothingCoherent said:
Can anyone recommend me a medium - large sized knife with a recurve blade? Something in the 6 to 8" range. Ideally it would be on the thick side with a convex grind and leather pants, but I think getting that specific is probably going into custom territory... which is not necessarily a bad thing, for the right knife! :thumbup:
Click to expand...



Here's one I made for myself.









12" Overall with a 7" blade of 3/16" A2, full convex of course.


It's the best 7" chopper I've tested.






Big Mike
 
@NothingCoherent: I've also been looking for a camping knife, 6-8" with a nice recurve. There aren't many reviews, but the new Gen II line of Ontario SP seems like a very good deal. I just ordered this one from Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop (from their ebay listing, not their website). Price was around $60. Should be here in a few days.

OK8545.jpg


8.25 inches (blade length), 5160 steel, Kraton handle, 3/16 inch thick.

I was thinking about the Grayman Warrior too, but wanted something different from 1095 and also seems like it'd be too heavy.
 
The Entrek Destroyer is a good choice. It's heavy enough for chopping but not overly heavy as to become cumbersome. Made in the USA.

endestroyer.jpg
 
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