What are you looking for in an outdoor knife?

LongRifle

LongRifle

Joined
Apr 5, 2000
Messages
2,018
Hi guys!

I wanted to ask this question and get everyone's opinion.

What are you looking for in a bushcraft/camp/outdoors production knife?

I want to make knives that people want to use (and aren't afraid to use).

Feel free to look at www.devilfishknives.com and tell me what you think of the first three models that are currently in production.

I also have a call in to Spark for a DevilFish forum.

Stop by at Blade to see the models in person.

Matt
 
Tip that won't break. Thick enough to pry with if needed, blade in line with handle. I like scandi grinds myself, easy to sharpen (for me). Leather pouch sheath with enough handle revealed to take out easily. No choil. Similar to Ray Mears knife without the HUGE cost and long wait.
 
i like model four the best

i don't like the choil cutout in model 3 and i don't like the recurve of the cutting edge in model two (or the choil cutout)

in general i prefer scandi grinds on relatively small blades and comfortable, barrel-shaped handles for bushcraft/camp/outdoors use - like the brusletto trollkniven

TROLLKNIVEN.jpg
 
I go against the grain to most here as I don't like Scandi grinds. But I like the overall design of the Scandi type knife, straight, pointy, full handle, medium thickness, simple but tough design.
 
different crowds have different feels. Aside from #4, you are in a less "bushcraft" mold than a more general outdoors hunting/camping knife area. None of the designs look bad, though on number 2 I'd "humanize" the choil a bit. and probably filework a bit in there for grippy.

Not the style of what I make- but that's fine. I do mostly convex and some scandi grinds, and go for a look that wouldn't be entirely out of place and a rendevous.

I have several friends who hunt and hike who would rather have something in the pattern you have than a nessmuk or convex utility bullnose like I often make!
 
4" +/- cutting edge, Full Tang, comfortable handle, and good sheath.

My current favorite:
 
I want to spend less than 200. I want to have a comfortable handle. I want NO CHOIL. I want the edge to come right up to the handle, ie NO RICASSO. I want full tang preferably.
 
What are you looking for in a bushcraft/camp/outdoors production knife?
Click to expand...

There are simply too many knives out there "designed" for general outdoor use that simply won't cut because of superfluous or poor geometry. In my mind, the first and foremost important characteristic of any knife should be its ability to cut and cut well. One should easily be able to carve a simple spoon with his bushcraft knife, remove that irritating splinter, or eviscerate his small game for the cooking pot, etc (yes, carry a pocket knife too). The current rash of blunt-edged battlebars being produced do little to improve the skills or meet the needs and requirements of serious outdoorsmen, IMO.

I agree with Fiddleback and would like to see comfortable handles. The slab-sided handle scales with corners and thin dimensions are not for the avid working outdoorsman's hand. I seriously doubt that some makers have ever used their knives in any real way!

Though I have a few knives with choils, and understand why some makers install choils, I prefer a blade without the choil. Much carving (bushcrafters/woodcrafters will carve) is done with the edge next to the carving hand. The choil only robs the modest blade of working edge and the choke-up feature of the choil has limited advantages to the bushcrafter IMO. This is only my personal preference.

I like this definition of "Bushcraft" (below). Definition can give direction sometimes.

Bushcraft is the active component of our interaction with the natural world. Both art and science, bushcraft is doing, making, crafting, traveling, building and living outdoors. It's a low-tech, high-skill discipline that allows you to be at home in the north woods during all seasons.
 
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I think the word "bushcraft" is becoming a generic term just like the word "tactical" has become to describe a type of knife.
Scott
 
Fiddleback said:
I want to spend less than 200. I want to have a comfortable handle. I want NO CHOIL. I want the edge to come right up to the handle, ie NO RICASSO. I want full tang preferably.
Click to expand...

Pretty much what I was going to say. :thumbup:
 
I like the looks of your model 4 companion and the price seems good. It wasn't clear what the handle options were on this model.
 
DFW_Dave said:
4" +/- cutting edge, Full Tang, comfortable handle, and good sheath.

My current favorite:
<picture of the Salish here>
Click to expand...

Sorry to jump right into this thread, but the Salish really caught my eye. Could I perhaps persuade you to elaborate slightly on why you enjoy the knife so much, DFW_Dave?
 
Carbon or tool steel construction, Convex or scandi ground. 3-4 inch blade length, Spear point or drop point tip. No choil, or ricasso, edge should come straght to the handle. the point of the blade should be directly over the handle, It should be thick enough for medium work but with an edge geometry that makes it handle like a smaller knife. it should have a full tang, which protrudes out of the bottom of the handle slabs so the base of the tang can be used for light hammering or as the target for a baton...Also the blade should glow in the presence of orcs..
 
Thanks again guys!

I have to apologize for using the word "bushcraft." What I should have written was outdoors/camp/hunting knife :). I'm a dork :p.

I do have a true bushcraft design that I use around the home and office. Maybe I'll make a few more.

Matt
 
Fiddleback touched on most of it. Plain and simple to keep the price down. I like them fairly thin but strong. Filework or grooves in front of the slabs on the spine for my thumb to grip on (easy to create, big draw for me on design). Solid, comfortable, yet grippy when wet handles (probably micarta). No coating. Two pins and a tubed hole for a lanyard. No choil. Full tang. Good quality steel, properly heat treated, that holds an edge but is reasonably easy to bring back in the field after use. Leather has always been my preference in a sheath but for extended use in the field, well crafted kydex with a teklok may be a better choice.
 
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