Something like a Roach Belly

J

jumpthemap

Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Messages
7
Hi all,

I've been using a Cold Steel Roach Belly for the past few months as an overall camp/bushcraft/beater knife. It's worked fine and for the price it's a great deal:

* Blade: 4 1/2"
* Overall: 8 1/2"
* Thick: 2.5mm
* Weight: 2.6 oz
* Steel: 4116 Krupp Stainless
* Price: $12-15
* Sheath: Nylon

However there's a few things I wish I could change:
* Use a high carbon steel like 1095 for better edge retention
* Thicker spine (at least 4mm)

I know many of ya'll will just recommend something else but I just like the shape of the Roach Belly in my hands.
Does anyone know of a production knife that is the same shape and approx. blade length (4") but better build?
I've looked around and seen caping knives with similar shape but they usually have 2" blades.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.
 
Yep, Ragnar's Ragweed forge has a couple here

http://www.ragweedforge.com/HistoricalKnifeCatalog.html

3 are listed and I personally like the looks of the handles better than the Roach belly from CS, especially the Hudson Bay version. The metal is listed a spring steel so I'm not sure if it's what you are looking for. Ragnar is quite personable and will answer all your questions to the best of his ability.
 
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Check out Ken Brocks work. There was buzz when the Roach Belly came out that it was a direct copy of one of Ken's knives.
 
I got this from Christof Harper AKA : Koyote here on BF...He does some Awsome work ! I also have the CS RoachBelly & this knife by Koyote is very similar...Mine has a 4.5" blade x 1/8" thick w/Burnt Osage wood handles.
This thing is Scary sharp & has the most comfortable handle you have ever held ;)
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JK Knives makes a damn fine Roach Belly pattern blade. :thumbup:

picture.php


Jeff
 
Re: the steel choice...I bag on Cold Steel and their marketing all the time, but the 4116 Krupp I've used from Cold Steel has taken great edges. It's not as impact resistant as 1095, but for the cost it's good stuff.
 
I've been using my CS for about 2 years now and love it. I'm just gonna get a custom when this thing finally decide to quit. Those ones posted looks good, but the point is a bit wide edge to spine for my liking.
 
sherlockbonez said:
I've been using my CS for about 2 years now and love it. I'm just gonna get a custom when this thing finally decide to quit. Those ones posted looks good, but the point is a bit wide edge to spine for my liking.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking I might go the same route as you. It's a shame that CS didn't beef up the Roach Belly design before putting it out because it's quite ergonomic and handy.

Any idea of who you'd get to do the custom work? Would you have them do the exact same design but with just a different steel?
 
I would have mine in a very similar design. There are a few things that I love this knife vs other production "Roach belly/ Hudson bay" design. I don't really want a thicker spine as I use this mainly as a bird/ small belt knife. I feel it's plenty strong for what it's for. A thicker stock would just not cut as well for me.
 
Neo's knife looks almost perfect except it doesn't have a protruding heel that works as a guard like the CS one.
 
jumpthemap said:
I know many of ya'll will just recommend something else but I just like the shape of the Roach Belly in my hands.
Click to expand...

Interesting replies to your request. Seems like most of them were unaware that the CS Roach Belly is a low cost (aka cheap) copy of the award winning Canadian Belt Knife designed over 50 years ago by D H Russell and still made today by Grohmann Knives. Available in Carbon Steel and Stainless and in a variety of grinds and sizes. This is a great design that has been underappreciated in recent times and I'm glad you've discovered it for yourself.

http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/r1s.html

Then there are these 2

http://www.agrussell.com/dh-russell-original-design-canadian-belt-knife/p/DHRhhh1S/

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/advanced-search

If you don't want to spend that much money you can get this R Murphy - handle is kinda chunky but you can reshape it if you wish - The sheath that comes with it is pretty basic but I use the Murphy in my kitchen for trimming meat - that carbon steel blade takes and holds a wicked edge

Hope this helps.

http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Detail?no=493
 
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sherlockbonez said:
Nice! It's not even the same knife at all!! You sir gets an award for not paying attention in class.
Click to expand...

http://www.coldsteel.com/roachbelly.html

Which knife were you talking about?
The CS was based on the success of the CBK - earlier CS marketing even used to say as much, which is how I first found out about the CS version. The OP wanted a knife in carbon steel that had a thicker spine and was better suited for his needs (skinning/caping?)- I believe the CBK fulfils that role very well
 
Track of the wolf has some early pattern trade knives as well (6 are labeled as roachbelly bottom of page 2, top of page 3). Seems to be affordable and the pattern you want, although some of the other patterns might pique your interest

LINK
 
Wow,

some really knowledgeable people out there.
After a few hours hunting around the net I also found a few more brands to throw into the mix:

The Large Workhorse by Blind Horse Knives:
http://www.blindhorseknives.com/product-003.htm
My only beef is that the handle scales are not flush with the knife so it seems a bit uncomfortable.

The K2 Backpacker by Orion Knives:
http://www.orionknives.com/k2capertactical.html
A bit on the small side.



Great Suggestions Guys!!!
Please Keep'em Coming!!!
 
jumpthemap said:
Hi all,

I've been using a Cold Steel Roach Belly for the past few months as an overall camp/bushcraft/beater knife. It's worked fine and for the price it's a great deal:

* Blade: 4 1/2"
* Overall: 8 1/2"
* Thick: 2.5mm
* Weight: 2.6 oz
* Steel: 4116 Krupp Stainless
* Price: $12-15
* Sheath: Nylon

However there's a few things I wish I could change:
* Use a high carbon steel like 1095 for better edge retention
* Thicker spine (at least 4mm)

I know many of ya'll will just recommend something else but I just like the shape of the Roach Belly in my hands.
Does anyone know of a production knife that is the same shape and approx. blade length (4") but better build?
I've looked around and seen caping knives with similar shape but they usually have 2" blades.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...
I have the PERFECT choice for you (I speak of experience, this is UNBELIEVABLE value for money): The Kershaw Bear Hunter II. Bought two of them for my sons and they are just insane price/performance ratio. Razorsharp AUS8A, dimensions you specified, very good handle, just a literally unbelievably good camping/skinning/hunting knife for the money.
Highly recommended.
dsc07999mediumir2.jpg
 
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