The utility of kitchen knives in the bush

myright

myright

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On the heels of mneedham's thread I thought I'd start a thread dedicated to using kitchen knives in the bush.

I've for a few LARGE kitchen knives that are actually from my Grandfather's butcher shop.

The large butcher/chef knife is absolutely heavy and can probably handle what I'd through at it. I'm thinking of leaving it like it is to put it on display over the butcher block I also have from his shop.

The two other knives I have - one of which is full tang, the other partial, would be well suited for light chopping and clearing brush. I know we've talked about then blades recently and figured this is also a good segway into using a thin blade.

I'm thinking of getting one of them rehandled and also getting a sheath made.

What do you guys use? mneedham - lets see some more pics of that cleaver!

Here are some pics - My soddie Jr included for size comparison..

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This is the one I'd think would work perfectly after a good rehandle, heck I could get by the way it is.

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those are some neat knives!

i have one similar to the last you showed, that you might be rehandling. it is one of the knives i would choose if i had to have one edged tool in the woods. it chops small wood well enough to gather shelter poles and firewood, as well as being light enough to do fine cutting without too much wrist fatigue.

i should take my kitchen knives outside sometime soon and make a video of playing around with them...
 
The blade design of the large chef's knife is one of the most versatile designs going. For a period of time a professional forged model was my do it all knife in the hills, I just didn't think it would hold up to some of the heavier tasks that I would have thrown at it. One of the advantages is that it keeps the knuckles away from what is being cut as well as providing a guard while still allowing the edge to be sharpened all the way back.
 
It feels very light in had so I'm thinking of that last one as well. I really like the fact that they are from my Grandfather's shop as well. They are just sitting in a closet right now.

I'll take it out next time I'm able to.
 
wildmike said:
The blade design of the large chef's knife is one of the most versatile designs going. For a period of time a professional forged model was my do it all knife in the hills, I just didn't think it would hold up to some of the heavier tasks that I would have thrown at it. One of the advantages is that it keeps the knuckles away from what is being cut as well as providing a guard while still allowing the edge to be sharpened all the way back.
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Exactly why I like the design as well.
 
Perhaps, I'm just strange but I use bush knives in the kitchen :D That is what my Breeden peacemaker spends much of its duty on. I will admit, however, that the last Breeden knife I made, I used a scanned image of our Wusthof Chef knife handle as the template.
 
Yeah, my grandfather gave me a knife a while ago that he used as his primary bush knife, 1/16" thick I think, I used it last night cutting up a bit of wood and it worked surprizingly well.
 
kgd said:
Perhaps, I'm just strange but I use bush knives in the kitchen :D That is what my Breeden peacemaker spends much of its duty on. I will admit, however, that the last Breeden knife I made, I used a scanned image of our Wusthof Chef knife handle as the template.
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LOL - I've got a skinner that SDS made that I use all the time in the kitchen and my Soddie and Stockman get a fair amount of use in the kitchen as well.
 
Myright,

I believe that there is a long tradition of kitchen pattern use in the wild... I think there was an informal poll here on WS&S in which many forumites stated a preference to thinner blades, consistent with a kitchen knife.. Here are two of mine, the longer one I made out of a blank and carried it in a makeshift sheath while working outside. The second is a small Ikea pattern that have 3-4 of. I love that Ikea, I carried one in my pack for a long time, great knife IMHO...

mike335.jpg
 
That little knife is a great pattern. Those elongated pins are great.
 
Knives I've got... but where'd you get that knife roll?

I've been looking for a canvass (or leather) roll that uses straps instead of crappy elastic. Is that also a hand-me-down from your grandfather?
 
man.. that is a great looking collection there...:eek: those blades definately look like they have some miles on them...:)
 
CWL said:
Knives I've got... but where'd you get that knife roll?

I've been looking for a canvass (or leather) roll that uses straps instead of crappy elastic. Is that also a hand-me-down from your grandfather?
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I have no idea where that roll would have been purchased. My grandfather kept his knives in it in his shop. He's been dead 32 years or I'd ask him :)

Mike - They have PLENTY of miles on them. I plan on putting many more on them. I like the idea of using an older used knife so I don't feel bad getting her dirty ;)
 
Have you seen the Bark River Mountain Man knife? It looks suspiciously like my mothers old butcher knife. I'm sure its a good knife, but I have a butcher knife. :D
 
HD - I've never seen that before, but it does look very similar to the design of the one I had posted. Cool design
 
I like your old butcher knives. They are proven performers. As long as one has an axe, a kitchen knife is all you need. And those Goucho knives......they look like French chef knives to me. Some old designs just work well. :D
 
Those are some cool old knives. There are a couple like them in my mothers garage that spent most of their life in my grandfathers garage. I really should dig them out and bring 'em back to life.

Temps should get into the 30's and low 40's (°F) next week. Maybe I'll get out to the work bench.

Thanks for the inspiration.
 
Rupestris said:
Those are some cool old knives. There are a couple like them in my mothers garage that spent most of their life in my grandfathers garage. I really should dig them out and bring 'em back to life.

Temps should get into the 30's and low 40's (°F) next week. Maybe I'll get out to the work bench.

Thanks for the inspiration.
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Do it, bro! Make sure to post pics when you do.

I keep thinking about all the knives that I keep buying and wonder why I don't use the old ones that I have. I felt bad wanting to use the knives my Grandfather used in his shop, but I'm sure he'd have it no other way.
 
myright said:
Do it, bro! Make sure to post pics when you do.

I keep thinking about all the knives that I keep buying and wonder why I don't use the old ones that I have. I felt bad wanting to use the knives my Grandfather used in his shop, but I'm sure he'd have it no other way.
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Will do.

I've come to the same realization lately. You'll never know why your grandfather liked those knives so much 'til you use them yourself. I still worry about losing them. Especially his little Case pocket knife, but I do use it from time to time.
 
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