SDFK Feedback Wanted

A

Andersonbushcraft

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2019
Messages
60
Hello all,

I recently picked up a medium chopper from a forum member and got lucky on a basic field knife sale. These CPKs have converted me to the D3V lifestyle and I'm curious about the in-between sized knife, the SDFK. I'm thinking of trying to track one down, but I want to know from those of you who have one if you feel it fills a gap or if the medium chopper and basic field cover the bases. The secondary market for these looks to be pretty high, so I want to be sure it would be a worthwhile addition.

Thanks in advance!
 
Andersonbushcraft said:
Hello all,

I recently picked up a medium chopper from a forum member and got lucky on a basic field knife sale. These CPKs have converted me to the D3V lifestyle and I'm curious about the in-between sized knife, the SDFK. I'm thinking of trying to track one down, but I want to know from those of you who have one if you feel it fills a gap or if the medium chopper and basic field cover the bases. The secondary market for these looks to be pretty high, so I want to be sure it would be a worthwhile addition.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
There's a thread started on the SDFK.

zmbhntr

Thread 'SDFK is Glorious'

I just got back from a weekend trip with the family and my SDFK was waiting for me. I know Nathan mentioned she was a big girl, but damn she thiiiiiick! I somehow was not expecting the thickness, but oh boy does it feel great. I think the handle is perfect for my sized hands with this sized blade. I was about to start to break her in with some batoning in the back yard, but it started to rain on me and I’m wimpy, so the batoning will have to wait. That being said there are entirely too few SDFK pics in here so far, so here is one for you guys. It’s my first time getting the red and black...
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I have a signature SFDK and had a regular SDFK, which now belongs to my brother.

Is the SDFK "worth it"? That all depends on you and your circumstances.

If you have a bfk and medium chopper, there isn't a single situation I can think of that you'd need the SDFK for.

The SDFK is probably my favorite knife though. It covers a lot of bases if you're only looking to carry one knife. It skins and processes game well, can be used to baton decent side logs, and will work fine as a camp knife for food chores. It's not too big to carry on your belt, but it's big enough that most jobs are well within its capability. It's not great at chopping, but it could do it in a pinch. You won't be chopping down 10 inch diameter trees with it, but saplings or thick branches are doable.

Opinions may differ, but I've always been of the mindset that I would prefer more blade length (within reason) versus less. A large knife can do everything a small knife can, but the opposite isn't true. I'm pretty comfortable using large blades though. I think that just comes from always choosing them for my carry when hunting or in the woods.

The basic field knife will do everything the SDFK will, except tasks where a little more blade length, weight, or longer grip are required.

Ultimately, I think it boils down to preference. If I had to choose between the BFK and the SDFK, I would take the SDFK every time. That's because of my preference towards larger blades and if I only want to carry one knife, the SDFK covers more bases for me.

Have you frequently carried a large chopper style knife? If you know you're good with always packing your chopper and the BFK, I don't think the SDFK is going to bring anything to the table that you don't already have covered. I found that I don't always want to lug a 10+ inch blade with me in the forest, so the SDFK is really handy for me in those situations.

I've rambled enough.......hope it helps
 
carnifex knifeworks said:
There's a thread started on the SDFK.

zmbhntr

Thread 'SDFK is Glorious'

I just got back from a weekend trip with the family and my SDFK was waiting for me. I know Nathan mentioned she was a big girl, but damn she thiiiiiick! I somehow was not expecting the thickness, but oh boy does it feel great. I think the handle is perfect for my sized hands with this sized blade. I was about to start to break her in with some batoning in the back yard, but it started to rain on me and I’m wimpy, so the batoning will have to wait. That being said there are entirely too few SDFK pics in here so far, so here is one for you guys. It’s my first time getting the red and black...
  • Like
  • Love
  • Wow

I have a signature SFDK and had a regular SDFK, which now belongs to my brother.

Is the SDFK "worth it"? That all depends on you and your circumstances.

If you have a bfk and medium chopper, there isn't a single situation I can think of that you'd need the SDFK for.

The SDFK is probably my favorite knife though. It covers a lot of bases if you're only looking to carry one knife. It skins and processes game well, can be used to baton decent side logs, and will work fine as a camp knife for food chores. It's not too big to carry on your belt, but it's big enough that most jobs are well within its capability. It's not great at chopping, but it could do it in a pinch. You won't be chopping down 10 inch diameter trees with it, but saplings or thick branches are doable.

Opinions may differ, but I've always been of the mindset that I would prefer more blade length (within reason) versus less. A large knife can do everything a small knife can, but the opposite isn't true. I'm pretty comfortable using large blades though. I think that just comes from always choosing them for my carry when hunting or in the woods.

The basic field knife will do everything the SDFK will, except tasks where a little more blade length, weight, or longer grip are required.

Ultimately, I think it boils down to preference. If I had to choose between the BFK and the SDFK, I would take the SDFK every time. That's because of my preference towards larger blades and if I only want to carry one knife, the SDFK covers more bases for me.

Have you frequently carried a large chopper style knife? If you know you're good with always packing your chopper and the BFK, I don't think the SDFK is going to bring anything to the table that you don't already have covered. I found that I don't always want to lug a 10+ inch blade with me in the forest, so the SDFK is really handy for me in those situations.

I've rambled enough.......hope it helps
Click to expand...
Thank you for the feedback! I will definitely check out that thread as well!

I started out carrying a 7 inch sog knife when i was younger, but back where I use to live, I tended to be of the Ron Hood school of though for carrying a knife. The trails and wilderness areas were infrequented and remote, so a large 10 inch knife was what I always carried, unless I was going out into the desert areas, then about a 5 to 6 inch knife was what I used, so that's been my go to for years for sizes. After moving, I've been in areas with better maintained trails that are packed with people, so I've been hesitant to carry a big knife out there. I've been able to do most of my needs with a 5 inch, but I've been considering the 7 inch range again since there are more woods that the desert and chopping would be required if I find myself in a pinch.

Thanks again
 
Andersonbushcraft said:
I started out carrying a 7 inch sog knife when i was younger, but back where I use to live, I tended to be of the Ron Hood school of though for carrying a knife. The trails and wilderness areas were infrequented and remote, so a large 10 inch knife was what I always carried, unless I was going out into the desert areas, then about a 5 to 6 inch knife was what I used, so that's been my go to for years for sizes. After moving, I've been in areas with better maintained trails that are packed with people, so I've been hesitant to carry a big knife out there. I've been able to do most of my needs with a 5 inch, but I've been considering the 7 inch range again since there are more woods that the desert and chopping would be required if I find myself in a pinch.
Click to expand...

Another option might be to carry your BFK and a nice hatchet for any chopping duties. I agree with you that the secondary market pricing for the SDFK can be pretty steep. Maybe in another year or so Nathan will go back and revisit the SDFK and then you can try and get one direct from the mothership.
 
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I bought the standard sdfk and a fancy version, being curious how they compared to the hdfk, which I find fantastic. Sold the standard as I didn't care for the weight/how it felt in hand and while in use. Never ended up using the signature. I couldn't muster up the courage to knock the newness off it...almost too pretty of knife, especially with ecam.

Even as much as I love the hdfk, I typically find myself grabbing either the original field knife for knife things (or small unknife things) or the LC for choppy things.
 
PolRoger said:
Another option might be to carry your BFK and a nice hatchet for any chopping duties. I agree with you that the secondary market pricing for the SDFK can be pretty steep. Maybe in another year or so Nathan will go back and revisit the SDFK and then you can try and get one direct from the mothership.
Click to expand...
I've thought about that, and I have carried a couple 4 to 6 inch knives with a hatchet or tomahawk over the years. I find for most of my hiking trips, it's alot of extra weight compared to carrying a knife only.
 
trevitrace said:
I bought the standard sdfk and a fancy version, being curious how they compared to the hdfk, which I find fantastic. Sold the standard as I didn't care for the weight/how it felt in hand and while in use. Never ended up using the signature. I couldn't muster up the courage to knock the newness off it...almost too pretty of knife, especially with ecam.

Even as much as I love the hdfk, I typically find myself grabbing either the original field knife for knife things (or small unknife things) or the LC for choppy things.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback! The HDFK was another one I was looking at, but something about the SDFK just stood out to me, I might need to reconsider.
 
My most used cpk is my hdfk. I have used the sdfk for some light chopping and batoned some wood, basic camp chores However would just rather bring my hdfk ,a chopper and my neck knife from a company that shall not be named . I do however enjoy wearing my cpk kephart for edc ,bushcraft, and even kitchen stuff . My thoughts on the sdfk are its a heavy beast of a knife that can do most all camp chores or a one tool option in survival situations.I still would like to get a signature edition as it's lighter and has better balance do to the skeletonized tang and swedge grinds . I do believe that just a bfk and medium chopper would accomplish everything at camp , and be able to clear a campsite or trail and build a shelter. If you get a sdfk you will not hate it that being said look for a sssdfk you'll get all the best features and then some. Definitely going to get on that pre-order when it happens again.
 
carnifex knifeworks said:
There's a thread started on the SDFK.

zmbhntr

Thread 'SDFK is Glorious'

I just got back from a weekend trip with the family and my SDFK was waiting for me. I know Nathan mentioned she was a big girl, but damn she thiiiiiick! I somehow was not expecting the thickness, but oh boy does it feel great. I think the handle is perfect for my sized hands with this sized blade. I was about to start to break her in with some batoning in the back yard, but it started to rain on me and I’m wimpy, so the batoning will have to wait. That being said there are entirely too few SDFK pics in here so far, so here is one for you guys. It’s my first time getting the red and black...
  • Like
  • Love
  • Wow

I have a signature SFDK and had a regular SDFK, which now belongs to my brother.

Is the SDFK "worth it"? That all depends on you and your circumstances.

If you have a bfk and medium chopper, there isn't a single situation I can think of that you'd need the SDFK for.

The SDFK is probably my favorite knife though. It covers a lot of bases if you're only looking to carry one knife. It skins and processes game well, can be used to baton decent side logs, and will work fine as a camp knife for food chores. It's not too big to carry on your belt, but it's big enough that most jobs are well within its capability. It's not great at chopping, but it could do it in a pinch. You won't be chopping down 10 inch diameter trees with it, but saplings or thick branches are doable.

Opinions may differ, but I've always been of the mindset that I would prefer more blade length (within reason) versus less. A large knife can do everything a small knife can, but the opposite isn't true. I'm pretty comfortable using large blades though. I think that just comes from always choosing them for my carry when hunting or in the woods.

The basic field knife will do everything the SDFK will, except tasks where a little more blade length, weight, or longer grip are required.

Ultimately, I think it boils down to preference. If I had to choose between the BFK and the SDFK, I would take the SDFK every time. That's because of my preference towards larger blades and if I only want to carry one knife, the SDFK covers more bases for me.

Have you frequently carried a large chopper style knife? If you know you're good with always packing your chopper and the BFK, I don't think the SDFK is going to bring anything to the table that you don't already have covered. I found that I don't always want to lug a 10+ inch blade with me in the forest, so the SDFK is really handy for me in those situations.

I've rambled enough.......hope it helps
Click to expand...

Well put and spot on!!
A++
👍❤️🍻
 
All this talk makes me want to carry it today.

i-dvMMV7V-X3.jpg


Can’t do this with a chopper:

i-2ZxfhBH-X2.jpg
 
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I’ve owned a few SDFK’s.

I really liked the robust build for a no nonsense field knife.

BUT…..I feel it should be a few inches longer! (Unfortunately, I’ve heard that before) :)

With that said……I wish that I had one now instead of the BFK. If I am going to belt carry a 5” blade, carrying the 7” would not be anymore difficult and would get me more utility.
 
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Mr. Tettnanger said:
I’ve owned a few SDFK’s.

I really liked the robust build for a no nonsense field knife.

BUT…..I feel it should be a few inches longer! (Unfortunately, I’ve heard that before) :)

With that said……I wish that I had one now instead of the BFK. If I am going to belt carry a 5” blade, carrying the 7” would not be anymore difficult and would get me more utility.
Click to expand...
I'm almost thinking there should be a 8 inch carothers camp knife.... right in the middle ground.
 
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