Skookum Bush Tool

N

nick-nack

Joined
Dec 14, 2006
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I have one on order but it wont be done until mid to late summer (northern hemisphere)
But I was wondering if its better to have the butt cap or not. The one I have on order is green micarta handles with no butt cap with O1.

I have been told that the butt cap is slightly uncomfortable when using but other have wanted one because its good to have when you do need to hammer the butt of it or use as a hammer.

Opinions? Thoughts?

Nick
 
I don't own one but have played with one, and if/when I order one it will be sans buttcap. Adds some weight and change in balance, and a place to rust. But then I don't use the butt as a hammer much.
 
Micarta can take serous beating without problem in my opinion.
The buttcap thing is probably not that necessary, but I'm curious about it. Mine's (supposedly) on its way so I'll know pretty soon.
 
I like the butt cap but it does make it heavier.

Although the only thing I have used the butt cap for so far is I have a tent that sets up using a trail pole. But the trail pole fully extended is not long enough.

So there is a metal extension you stick the trail pole in to give it enough height.

It got stuck on there and I used the but cap to pound it loose:thumbup:
 
I like the butt cap on mine. I think it makes a solid knife just that much stronger. I haven't noticed any discomfort against my hand. Mac
 
I think the butt-cap is the unique thing about the SBT...I honestly haven't used mine that hard and haven't pounded with it, but it doesn't get in the way of me using the blade. It definitely adds something a little different while still being a time-proven blade design.

ROCK6
 
Dannyboy Leather said:
I have used several handle styles and materials on the Skookum and personally prefer the model *without* the butt cap. The Skookum can be a bit handle heavy if the scales are Micarta and made for larger hands like mine. Having a lighter weight handle is just more important to me for what I do. This is simply a personal thing since I really like all of the SBT's that I have used. Though I find the butt cap a handsome feature, it is just not for me.

I know the butt cap durability (has been questioned by several) has not been a problem on the Skookum - certainly a more durable assembly than some of my Scandinavian knives with butt caps. However, in my poor engineers brain, I would have liked to see the tang go through the cap, then welded (more money and time...I know). This is not welded like a bicycle frame either (for obvious strength), but is only tang T-boned to the cap and TIG welded. This appears to be just my mental hang up because the failure reports are lacking. I would be hesitant to beat on anything solid with the cap unless I had to, though. I'm guessing that most folks don't really beat zealously on anything with a Scandinavian-ground 4" blade (or they would select a different knife), so the cap will do just fine if they don't mind the small extra weight.

Just some of my scattered thinking on the matter. :)
Click to expand...

Seems like I read somebody talking about the butt caps coming off on some prototypes or something??

I've never used mine to pound hard. Maybe I'll try cracking some black walnuts with it:thumbup:
 
I would think the butt cap is pretty tough...its resting against corby bolted micarta..It really doesnt have far to go..as far as wiggle. I never beat on my butt cap, but I like the fact that its there...another feature if you will. Overall, I love the design, one of the best. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another without the buttcap, but thats cause I'm a knife nut.
 
Thanks for the input guys so far.
I actually do like the looks of it with the butt cap. But my main concerns were things like strength, rust, comfort and weight balance.
I just found a thread on another forum where he built a shelter in the jungle using 3in nails that he hammered in with the SBT. So I'm guessing its okay strength wise. Comfort doesn't seem much of a problem from what I have heard + the fact my hands aren't overly huge so shouldn't hang near the butt.
So what about weight and rust. Would it rust easy? And is the plate heavy enough to make a noticeable difference?
Sorry for the numerous questions but this will be my first bushcraft knife and I would like to get it right.
 
That cap is Very useful and I wouldn't order one without it.
I have several Skookums and you don't even notice the cap is there when using the blade. I have large hands too.
As far as the cap strength goes.....it's not a hammer. If you are beating on concrete or rocks it's going to eventually break a weld. For light to moderate tasks, it most likely will never break. Rod makes sure the caps are the correct thickness and that the weld is perfect. If it isn't, he won't send it out.
Excellent wildnernes tool the Skookum is.
 
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