The (un)Official SDFK Thread

Say hello to the 3 Amigos.

I plan to do a more comparative study soon (probably this weekend when I tackle some overdue outside chores). For now though, my observations are mostly by look and feel, in addition to slicing up some apples for an afternoon snack.

The Signature Series SDFK at first glance, looks just like the Basic version (of course) - form, feel, and weight all seem the same at first. Then you start to pick up on the subtleties that set them both apart. The most obvious difference being the swedge that the SS version sports, giving it an elegant and more distinctive look. I've already commented on how good looking a knife the SDFK is and that swedge really drives that sentiment home - it's a damn good-looking knife! Beyond the swedge, it was nice to feel the familiar jimping again (you almost don't realize it's there until it's gone), as well as the iconic Carothers signature etched nice and deep into the steel.

The stonewashed finish looks more pronounced on this one than it did on my Basic at first, giving the blade a dull grey aesthetic that is set off nicely by the ECAM scales I chose. The fresh finish will evolve after I've beat on 'er a bit.

The SS version feels slightly lighter (or maybe just nimbler) in the hand than the Basic. Perhaps that is psychosomatic or maybe the more brutish build of the Basic is thrown into stark contrast by the refinements on the Signature. Regardless, I do feel that they are similar enough that one could have one or the either and not really feel like they are missing out.

Slicing the apple was cumbersome and here is where the HDFK shows up its chunky brothers. None of them are great at the finer work like coring an apple but the HDFK definitely slices better than the SDFKs, something to be said for that thinner stock...

Preliminary thoughts are that the HDFK still holds the top spot for being a more versatile camp knife but if you want something with a bit more oomph to it and don't plan on doing a lot of camp cooking or even just finer work in general, the SDFK is going to serve that role rather nicely. Either choice I feel one could get away with just taking the one knife but I think one might feel the lack of another option a bit more heavily with the SDFK.

(might be sacrilege in these parts but if a SDFK was made in maybe 3/4 the thickness, that would make for an incredible knife)

More thoughts to come.

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Pàdruig said:
Preliminary thoughts are that the HDFK still holds the top spot for being a more versatile camp knife but if you want something with a bit more oomph to it and don't plan on doing a lot of camp cooking or even just finer work in general, the SDFK is going to serve that role rather nicely. Either choice I feel one could get away with just taking the one knife but I think one might feel the lack of another option a bit more heavily with the SDFK.

(might be sacrilege in these parts but if a SDFK was made in maybe 3/4 the thickness, that would make for an incredible knife)

More thoughts to come.
Click to expand...

Interesting idea...

What I think would make for great CPK variation would be something like this:

Signature Super Light Field Knife (SLFK).

The same basic 7" blade size and profile as the Signature SDFK but Nathan could run it using the ~ steel thickness as the upcoming revised (whiteboard) Signature Light Medium Chopper (LMC) out of 4V steel and perhaps tuned with a racing edge for some future "Fun Friday" action and next year's Blade Show in Atlanta.
 
PolRoger said:
Interesting idea...

What I think would make for great CPK variation would be something like this:

Signature Super Light Field Knife (SLFK).

The same basic 7" blade size and profile as the Signature SDFK but Nathan could run it using the ~ steel thickness as the upcoming revised (whiteboard) Signature Light Medium Chopper (LMC) out of 4V steel and perhaps tuned with a racing edge for some future "Fun Friday" action and next year's Blade Show in Atlanta.
Click to expand...

I dig the concept, though I have no personal experience with 4V. Admittedly, a lot of my likes and dislikes in knife design are influenced by traditional and/or historical designs and uses. I also experiment a lot in the woods with my pack setup, my tool selections, and knife choices - among other things. I think the SDFK is an excellent contender for those who seek a "one-tool option" but like with any of those concepts, you sacrifice a fair bit to gain broad use capability.

A thinner SDFK would fix some of its shortcomings, in my opinion, but at the cost of confidence in it's ability to withstand a nuclear strike maybe 😁.
 
Pàdruig said:
I dig the concept, though I have no personal experience with 4V. Admittedly, a lot of my likes and dislikes in knife design are influenced by traditional and/or historical designs and uses. I also experiment a lot in the woods with my pack setup, my tool selections, and knife choices - among other things. I think the SDFK is an excellent contender for those who seek a "one-tool option" but like with any of those concepts, you sacrifice a fair bit to gain broad use capability.

A thinner SDFK would fix some of its shortcomings, in my opinion, but at the cost of confidence in it's ability to withstand a nuclear strike maybe 😁.
Click to expand...

If you want something tough... You already have a sample of Nathan's original Signature SDFK design. :)

This would be a lighter/faster cutter/slicer! 😀 Not necessarily a contender for the "one-tool option".

 
PolRoger said:
If you want something tough... You already have a sample of Nathan's original Signature SDFK design. :)

This would be a lighter/faster cutter/slicer! 😀 Not necessarily a contender for the "one-tool option".

Click to expand...

That was, rather unfortunately, before I became aware of CPK and their awesome crew. I am very much looking forward to the revised "LMC" coming up though. These SDFKs are the biggest knives I have from CPK so getting some bigger ones in the stable to check out would be a lot of fun.



Here is some sloppy potato cutting. This is more in line with what I would prep in a camp and despite the thick blade, it cuts great and the shape of the blade, as well as the already proven handle design, made this a pretty easy and pleasant task.

82KuD6s.jpg
 
Pàdruig said:
Say hello to the 3 Amigos.

I plan to do a more comparative study soon (probably this weekend when I tackle some overdue outside chores). For now though, my observations are mostly by look and feel, in addition to slicing up some apples for an afternoon snack.

The Signature Series SDFK at first glance, looks just like the Basic version (of course) - form, feel, and weight all seem the same at first. Then you start to pick up on the subtleties that set them both apart. The most obvious difference being the swedge that the SS version sports, giving it an elegant and more distinctive look. I've already commented on how good looking a knife the SDFK is and that swedge really drives that sentiment home - it's a damn good-looking knife! Beyond the swedge, it was nice to feel the familiar jimping again (you almost don't realize it's there until it's gone), as well as the iconic Carothers signature etched nice and deep into the steel.

The stonewashed finish looks more pronounced on this one than it did on my Basic at first, giving the blade a dull grey aesthetic that is set off nicely by the ECAM scales I chose. The fresh finish will evolve after I've beat on 'er a bit.

The SS version feels slightly lighter (or maybe just nimbler) in the hand than the Basic. Perhaps that is psychosomatic or maybe the more brutish build of the Basic is thrown into stark contrast by the refinements on the Signature. Regardless, I do feel that they are similar enough that one could have one or the either and not really feel like they are missing out.

Slicing the apple was cumbersome and here is where the HDFK shows up its chunky brothers. None of them are great at the finer work like coring an apple but the HDFK definitely slices better than the SDFKs, something to be said for that thinner stock...

Preliminary thoughts are that the HDFK still holds the top spot for being a more versatile camp knife but if you want something with a bit more oomph to it and don't plan on doing a lot of camp cooking or even just finer work in general, the SDFK is going to serve that role rather nicely. Either choice I feel one could get away with just taking the one knife but I think one might feel the lack of another option a bit more heavily with the SDFK.

(might be sacrilege in these parts but if a SDFK was made in maybe 3/4 the thickness, that would make for an incredible knife)

More thoughts to come.
Click to expand...


I would take one, I like a little thinner knife, I would mind an 8" blade either.... and to really dice fruit, add a 1/4 to the width to draw a leaner angle out and extend the blade down for more knuckle clearance,
 
Burke said:
On the knife : prybar continuum the HDFK is a little knifier and the SDFK is a little prybarrier although both are sturdy and cut well.
Click to expand...
I feel kind of the opposite. HDFK can cut, pry, dig, bludgeon, be affixed to a warhead… it seems indestructible to me. I’m not sure I’d do all of those same things without reservation with the SDFK (although it would probably be fine).
 
Burke said:
On the knife : prybar continuum the HDFK is a little knifier and the SDFK is a little prybarrier although both are sturdy and cut well.
Click to expand...
The other thing is that the SDFK makes the HDFK approach looking like a smaller, more reasonably sized knife (by normal human standards). I remember when I thought it was pushing the limits of too large (by my own standards). I have larger, but for special use.

Now both look perfectly normal to me...and fit my hand wonderfully well. Be hard to part with either.
 
I do really like the HDFK but I like the swedged line for the SDFK better. Might like the SS SDFK better with the HDFK stock thickness.

EDIT: Really the best option is HDFK stock thickness, SDFK BOWIE blade profile with HDFK blood groove.
 
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