Consider handy custom knives ideal for outdoor & indoor use.
Eyes always peeled, we’re on the look out for the latest and the greatest. We think we’ve found a bevvy of them this April. So, with out further adieu, here’s our latest round of new knives.
Lin Rhea Puukko
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 4.5” Blade material: Damascus Blade grind: Chisel Scales: Desert ironwood, stacked Micarta®, antler Overall Length: 9.5” Sheath (not shown): By Joshua Rhea (Instagram, @rheas_leather), a Finnish traditional leather pouch model w/carry loop Knife to know: Lin Rhea is an ABS master smith Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $1,200 Maker: Lin Rhea, rheaknives.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Chris Jones Vizsla EDC
Knife type: Fixed-blade EDC Blade: 3” Blade steel: Nitro V stainless Blade grind: Flat Scales: TruStone, copper resin, Turkish walnut Liners: G-10 Overall length: 7.25” Sheath (not shown): Leather pouch Knife to know: Integral single guard Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $400 Maker: Chris Jones, steeldogknives.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Kieren McNeilly Bird & Trout
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 3.5” Blade material: W2 tool steel Blade grind: Flat/convex Blade finish: 600-grit satin Blade thickness @ricasso: .157” Blade pattern: Clip point Scales: Blackwood w/416 stainless pins Overall length: 7” Sheath (not shown): Leather belt model Knife to know: Heirloom-fit handle; tapered tang; high-polished clip point, choil and spine; Kieren McNeilly is a probationary member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild Maker’s price for a similar knife: $300 Maker: Kieren McNeilly, (Rod Hoare image)
Gooball Knives Wombat
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 1” Blade material: 1084 carbon steel Blade grind: Flat Blade thickness @ricasso: .118” Scales: Ringed gidgee Overall length: 3” Maker’s price for a similar knife: Contact maker for pricing Maker: Giuseppe “Joe” Brunetta, Gooball Knives, (Rod Hoare image)
D.P. Brodziak Custom Knives Fighter
Blade length: 8.5” Blade material: Mosaic damascus of 80CrV2 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels forged by Mark Doyle Blade grind: Double hollow Blade thickness @ricasso: .197” Guard material: 416 stainless steel Scales: Banksia nut and gold fleck in resin Overall length: 13.5” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,600 at press-time exchange rate Maker: David Brodziak, D.P. Brodziak Custom Knives, brodziakcustomknives.com (Rod Hoare image)
Bison Blades Tatanka
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 3.5” Blade material: W2 tool steel w/hamon Blade grind: Flat Scales: Ironwood, bog oak and G-10 accents Liners: G-10 Overall length: 7.75” Sheath (not shown): By Letney Head, a leather pouch model w/color artwork Knife to know: Named Troup 36 Scout Favorite at the 2024 Texas Select Custom Cutlery Event Maker’s price for a similar knife: Contact maker for pricing Maker: Eric Gubser, Bison Blades, bison-blades.com (SharpByCoop image)
Shawn Shropshire Neck Knife
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 3.5” Blade material: 1084 carbon steel Blade grind: Full flat Scales: Ancient walrus ivory artifact and opal Guard: Bronze Overall length: 8” Sheath (not shown): Elaborate frontier period style of leather w/beads, tassels, etc. Knife to know: The blade is hand finished Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $1,000-$1,300, depending on pricing of the ancient walrus ivory artifact Maker: Shawn Shropshire, sdsknifeworks.com (SharpByCoop image)
Charles “Chuck” Gedraitis Dr. Strange
Model: Swiss-Army-knife-type automatic Blade lengths: 3.25” and 2” Blade steel: CPM 154 stainless Blade patterns: Clip main and screwdriver/can opener Lock: Linerlock Knife to know: The knife is the maker’s tribute to Dr. Stephen Strange, the Marvel Comics fictional superhero; the main blade opens automatically by depressing the smaller tool blade; a tweezers and toothpick insert into slots in the handle butt a la SAK types; has lanyard w/key ring Scales: Combo blue (represents Dr. Strange’s clothing) and red (his “magic cape”) G-10 w/leather (his belt) and brass (belt buckle) accents; the brass ellipse holds an emerald, which represents the “Time stone,” one of the “six infinity stones” in the Dr. Strange saga Maker’s price for a similar knife: $2,500 Maker: Charles “Chuck” Gedraitis, (SharpByCoop image)
Will Stelter Hand Axe
Axe type: Poll Blade/head material: Damascus Blade steels: 1080 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy Haft: Carved African blackwood Pommel: Damascus Knife to know: Will Stelter is an ABS journeyman smith Maker: Will Stelter, willstelterbladesmith.com (SharpByCoop image)
Peter Bald Lockback Folder
Knife type: Lockback folder Blade length: 3.15” Blade material: Feather damascus forged by Rian Doodle under the supervision of ABS master smith Bill Burke Blade grind: Flat Blade thickness @ricasso: .098” Blade @widest: .748” Scales: Stabilized red mallee wood Frame: Nickel silver Bolster/liners/guard: Nickel silver Closed length: 4.25” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $630 at press-time exchange rate Maker: Peter Bald, (Rod Hoare image)
Matthew Parkinson Medieval Knife
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 4” Blade material: 1084 carbon steel Blade grind: Full flat Scales: Stabilized koa Bolster/pommel material: Sterling silver Overall length: 8.5” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $850 Knife to know: Matthew Parkinson is an ABS journeyman smith Maker: Matthew Parkinson, (SharpByCoop image)
Alfred Faccipieri Big Mama Chef
Knife type: Cleaver Blade length: 6.7” Blade material: Damasteel Bjorkman twist damascus Handle Material: Buckeye Overall length: 13.5” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,400-$1,600 Maker: Alfred Faccipieri, faccipieri.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Latest assisteds have all you need in swift, sharp folders.
The assisted opener appeals to many who are mechanism oriented and like to fidget with their knives. There’s something satisfying about tapping a flipper tab or nudging a thumb stud and then having spring force kick in and propel the blade open crisply and quickly. It’s sort of like an automatic but it’s not. In fact, in most areas its legality is no different than a standard one-hand folder* because you initiate the opening by manually pressing the flipper or thumb stud as opposed to releasing the blade under spring tension via a push button as done with an auto.
Kershaw Dawnstar
The flipper tab of the Kershaw Dawnstar is highly effective at deploying the blade. The large semi-circular choil is sort of unusual and adds to the knife’s distinct appearance
Kershaw was one of the first manufacturers to go all-in with assisted openers in the mid-to-late 1990s. It teamed with BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Ken Onion to make a line of collaboration knives that incorporated Onion’s SpeedSafe assisted-opening mechanism. The knives not only were great sellers for the company, but, more importantly, helped start the assisted-opening revolution in the knife industry. Soon after, other manufacturers began producing versions of folders with mechanisms that closely mirrored the SpeedSafe for both tactical and EDC purposes.
The Dawnstar is Kershaw’s latest entry in the genre. Sporting a hawkbill blade paired with a true tactical handle offering deep, tip-up carry, it is one of the company’s more radical configurations. The hawkbill isn’t seen too widely in tactical folders, so it stands out both visually and functionally. The 3.5-inch blade is 8Cr13MoV stainless steel.
The main grind is hollow with a swedge, making the blade look a bit aggressive and also following through in use. A flipper tab deploys the blade quickly and is the only opening method. The handle is molded glass reinforced nylon (GRN) with dual skeletonized steel liners for strength. Strategically placed cutouts reduce weight. The handle is textured for a comfortable, nonslip grip.
The knife cuts best in a pulling motion, allowing the hawkbill to gather the material being cut into the blade’s curvature, not unlike pulling a zipper. The hawkbill is an aggressive pattern and goes through a variety of materials with ease. This is where the hollow grind really makes a difference. Cardboard, foam, even wire stripping—the assisted opener sails through it all. If you cut a lot of cardboard or make long, straight-line cuts in any material, the Dawnstar is for you. The handle is easy to hold onto. The large finger recess helps seat your hand.
Approximate closed length: 4.4 inches. Country of origin: China. MSRP: $54.99.
SOG Twitch III
The Twitch III is ultra-light, ultra-slim and elegant in appearance. A simple design with high function, it goes well with dress or casual clothes.
The Twitch III is the third installment in a highly successful series of assisted openers from SOG. It is a slim, stylish EDC capable of tackling a wide variety of cutting chores. It features a 3.1-inch spearpoint blade fully flat ground from 154CM stainless steel with ambidextrous thumb studs and a low-profile flipper tab for an additional opening option. A light press on the flipper and the blade pops out with authority.
The handle is lightweight yet strong aluminum, with dual steel liners providing the backbone. A subtle finger recess forms a bit of an integral guard to prevent your hand from sliding forward. A deep-carry, bayonet-style clip is affixed to the butt and positions the folder as low as possible in the pocket for ultimate concealment. The handle profile is flat and slender, making it extremely comfortable for daily pocket carry. The knife is equally at home in dress or casual clothes.
For a slim knife the Twitch III performs very well. The blade glides through various materials with surprising ease. The 154CM offers more mileage for edge retention than lesser steels such as D2, 8Cr13MoV and AUS-8. It is the type knife you can carry for a range of varied-use scenarios, from slicing steak to more mundane things such as opening mail, packages, etc.
It excels at cutting open blister packs due to its pointy tip and flat- ground blade. Performance is great and the folder carries exceptionally well, so what’s not to like? However, I would caution against prolonged use due to the slender, flat profile and slick aluminum scales. If your hand is wet or sweaty, grip retention might be an issue.
The Twitch III comes in three varieties: all-black blade and handle, natural finished aluminum with satin blade and gold TiN coated hardware, and gray aluminum handle with black blade and hardware anodized a light blue. All are great-looking EDCs and a welcome addition to your collection.
Closed length: 3.9 inches. Country of origin: China. MSRP: $79.95 for any of the three variants.
Benchmade PSK 593BK-01
Benchmade’s PSK is a high-end outdoor folder using CPM MagnaCut stainless blade steel. MagnaCut holds an edge extremely well in addition to having excellent corrosion resistance—pretty much the perfect outdoor blade material.
The brawny Benchmade PSK 593BK-01 is a rugged assisted opener engineered for survival use. It exhibits all the hallmarks of what makes applicable Benchmade knives standards in the industry: the AXIS crossbar lock mechanism and advanced materials for the handle and blade, including carbon fiber, G-10 and CPM MagnaCut stainless steel. The 3.4-inch modified drop-point blade has excellent edge retention and superior corrosion resistance—a perfect steel for a knife to carry while hiking, camping, hunting, etc.
An exposed flat area below the thumb stud that resembles a choil serves as a spot to use a ferrocerium rod for fire starting. It’s such a thoughtful touch on the PSK. The ergonomic handle incorporates forward and rear integral guards to prevent slipping and seats your hand well. Black carbon fiber bolsters are mated with black G-10 scales, with the blade DLC coated for additional corrosion resistance and a low-profile appearance—in other words, the knife is “murdered out” in mostly all black.
The ambidextrous thumb studs are anodized red for an interesting splash of color. A deep carry pocket clip positions the PSK tip up and switches to the opposite side to accommodate lefties. The AXIS Lock Assist is rock solid while remaining easy to disengage by pulling back on the studs, then rotating the blade closed. A sliding switch safety in the handle spine locks the blade closed to help prevent the knife from accidentally flying open in your pocket or during inside waistband carry.
The PSK looks great and performs even better. Grip quality is excellent; the 3D machined grooves in the handle and bolster work great at keeping your hand in place without feeling overly aggressive, and they displace water as well. The blade rockets out via the assisted opener very quick and sure, almost like an automatic.
The robust build and ergonomic grip instill user confidence in any climate. The PSK handles anything you throw at it, from slicing meat to whittling. The flat grind leaves enough cross-sectional steel on the blade to give it structural integrity, yet thins the edge down to where it has bite.
Approximate closed length: 4.6 inches. Country of origin: USA. MSRP: $450.
Editor’s note: For that matter, in the many states and jurisdictions where bans against automatics have been lifted, neither is an assisted opener’s legality any different than an auto.
The great ancient knife designs aren’t history as they top-notch reproductions prove.
The ancient history of knife design is long, storied and colorful. From Bronze Age daggers to 19th-century dress bowies alone, vintage configurations capture the imagination like a gladiator’s net from the early days of the Roman Coliseum. Tour the classics with these remarkable reproductions.
Colton Arias Scylla
Named after an Etruscan-era mythological monster, Scylla is a repro of an Etruscan Bronze Age dagger by Colton Arias. The 7-inch blade with tapering fuller is a triple feather mosaic damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels. The spiked-pommel handle is a goat leather wrap and the bolster is mild steel with brass accents. Overall length: 12 inches. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Dane Standen Cinquedea
Dane Standen outfits his modified cinquedea with a three-fullered blade in multiple welds of 1084, cu-mai, 1084, cu-mai and 1084 carbon steels. Blade length: 8.27 inches. The handle of a takedown construction is stabilized black palm and the fittings are mild steel, copper and nickel damascus. Overall length of the centuries-old Italian design: 14 inches. (Rod Hoare image)
Nick Bachtel Dress Bowie
A 7-inch blade of wrought-iron in a san-mai construction and a handle of elk antler and curly ash highlight a repro of a 19th-century dress bowie by Nick Bachtel. Overall length: 12 inches. The guard is steel and bronze and the knife comes with a traditional bronze sheath (not shown). (SharpByCoop image)
Ken Hall Scottish Dirk
A 12-inch fullered/fileworked blade of an absorbing mosaic damascus and a handle of stained stabilized cherry carved to symbolize a thistle distinguish a stunning Scottish dirk by ABS journeyman smith Ken Hall. Pommel stone: amethyst crystals. Overall length: 17.5 inches. Sheath (not shown): tooled leather. (SharpByCoop image)
Matthew Berry Edinburgh Skean
The Edinburgh Skean by Matthew Berry is a reproduction of a knife by the same name from 1677. The originals were combat knives of Ireland. The blade is 1075 carbon steel and the intricately carved handle is boxwood. Blade and overall lengths: 15.25 and 19 inches. The form-fitting sheath (not shown) is highly detailed leather with a wrap strap. (SharpByCoop image)
J.J. Simon Samuel Bell Dirk
ABS journeyman smith J.J. Simon forged the 12-inch flat-ground blade with Spanish notch for his repro of a 19th-century Samuel Bell dirk from bloomery steel. The handle is blackwood with silver pins and the fittings are nickel silver. Overall length: 17 inches. (SharpByCoop image)
Vincent Soriano Mainz-Pattern Gladius
ABS apprentice smith Vincent Soriano goes full Roman with his Mainz-pattern gladius. Called the Proeliator, it boasts a 14-inch damascus blade of 1075 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels and pure nickel. The handle is curly maple and the guard and pommel are eucalyptus. Overall length: 22.5 inches. Sheath (not shown): leather. (SharpByCoop image)
Four repros emulate the knife Horace Kephart made famous.
Before Rambo provoked people to rush to their local sporting goods stores searching for a hollow-handle, saw-back survival knife and long before Ray Mears popularized the quest for the perfect Scandi-ground knife, a timeless classic woods knife endured the test of time—the Kephart.
Who Was Horace Kephart
Horace Kephart (1862-1931) was a prominent figure known for his contributions as an author, librarian and outdoorsman. His extensive exploration of the Southern mountains led him to conduct valuable research on the region and its inhabitants.
Among his many books, he is best known for Our Southern Highlanders and Camping and Woodcraft, with the latter serving as an enduring guide for outdoor living. Both works are still widely available and highly regarded. In the 1920s, Kephart was pivotal in advocating for establishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What Is a Kephart Knife?
The Kephart-style knife features a spear-point blade and an oval cross-section handle. The blade is typically 4-to-5 inches long, 1095 carbon steel, and forged using techniques reminiscent of 18th-to-19th-century bladesmithing. The blade is typically an eighth inch at the thickest, supporting a sturdy and durable structure. A distinctive feature is the asymmetrical spear point with a full-length edge enhancing its utility in various cutting tasks. The scales are often walnut or maple. The overall design aims for simplicity, with attention to detail to ensure comfort and usability.
In the words of Horace Kephart, “A camper has use for a common-sense sheath-knife, sometimes for dressing big game, but oftener for such homely work as cutting sticks, slicing bacon, and frying ‘spuds.’ For such purpose, a rather thin, broad-pointed blade is required … It is tempered hard enough to cut green hardwood sticks, but soft enough so that when it strikes a knot or bone it will, if anything, turn rather than nick.”
ML Knives Kephart
The author stated he prefers to make feather sticks freehand, without a solid base, to feel the edge better and have more control. The technique is best practiced before it’s needed and the ML Kephart convex edge excelled at the task.
Kephart Specs Blade Length: 4” Blade Material: 1095 carbon steel Blade Grind: Convex Blade @Thickest: .125” Blade Finish: Forged Handle Material: Tiger maple Overall Length: 8.25” Sheath: Leather Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $295
I received my first Kephart-style knife from Matt Lesniewski of ML Knives back in 2007, and it instantly became my favorite. The craftsmanship of the piece is truly remarkable, as Matt employed early 18th-to-19th-century bladesmithing techniques, using 1095 carbon steel and handforging each blade. The handcrafted sheaths are also stunning works of art that truly stand out.
My ML Kephart features a 4-inch blade and a 4.25-inch handle, with scales of beautiful tiger maple. The handle’s oval cross-section provides a comfortable grip, with just the right amount of rounding to prevent discomfort during use. The spear-point blade and eighth-inch thickness, along with the full convex edge and visible forge marks, give the knife a rustic yet simple charm.
A spear point is a versatile blade pattern and tough as woodpecker lips. The ML Kephart drilled with authority and split/pried wood for kindling.
Naturally, after reading Horace Kephart and Nessmuk, I made many backcountry trips and always had a stout, reliable fixed blade. When traveling afoot, as the old timey adventurers would say, I had minimal kit and seldom took a large axe or saw. I used a light tomahawk, as Kephart spoke of, and a jackknife in the form of a Swiss Army knife. I had to do more with the fixed blade, and I did. The ML Kephart excelled at woodcraft as the convex edge was ultrasharp and robust.
I always test every cutting tool by shaving arm hair*, whether it’s an axe, long blade or anything with an edge. The next task is always shaving wood, as a fire is ultra important when camping or woodcrafting. The ML excelled at the task—but could it drill? I broke a few old seasoned planks apart by drilling through and twisting them for kindling. The handle seemed comfy, and the natural maple gave me enough traction to keep a solid grip during any task. The flat primary grind with a convex edge is the best of both worlds. And no camp food or sandwich was safe from the ML Kephart.
KA-BAR/Becker Knife & Tool BK62 Kephart
The Becker Kephart held its own in both carving and piercing work.
The KA-BAR/Becker Knife & Tool BK62 Kephart is a modern tribute to the classic American bushcraft knife based on the version of renowned author, outdoorsman and gear designer Ethan Becker. “Many copies of the Kephart are based on the one at Western North Carolina University because it was the only one anybody knew about,” Ethan said. He added that his design is based on the only known example, which was virtually pristine, outside a museum. That’s why Ethan said the BK62 is the closest anyone can get to the original Kephart.
Precision crafted, the BK62 features a 5.125-inch blade of 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel, known for its durability and edge retention. Overall length: 9.62 inches. The blade’s full flat grind and spear-point design make it versatile for wood carving and food preparation. The handle is walnut, providing a comfortable grip and a timeless aesthetic. The BK62 is a functional tool and a piece of history, as it closely replicates the original Kephart knife, which played a significant role in the early 1900s wilderness culture. Each Becker Kephart comes with a leather sheath.
The KA-BAR/Becker BK62 split the seasoned oak. Completing the task simply yet effectively says a lot about a woods knife.
The BK62 arrived when I was about to do a little cooking, so I quickly put it into service cutting roast and chicken breast. The flat-ground blade sliced meat like a champ. It performed like a kitchen knife and felt natural in the hand. The BK62 did its share of slicing potatoes, carrots and beef for a pot roast. Thoroughly convinced of its ability to handle food, I moved on to the woods test.
I performed two tasks with the BK62. The first was batonning practical pieces of wood approximately the width of a pencil. The blade’s .158-inch thickness allowed it to glide into the wood, and a twist of the wrist made the seasoned oak split. However, it didn’t perform as well as a saber grind for the latter chore. The next task was feathering hard oak, and this is where the blade’s thinness shone. The feathers were thin and curly, perfect for tinder with a ferro rod or coarse kindling.
ESEE Knives PR4
One of the ESEE PR4’s earliest tests was to create a pot hanger for boiling water. The task involved cross-grain batonning and carving, and the knife did very well at both.
PR4 Specs Designer: Patrick Rollins Blade Length: 4.19” Blade Material: 1095 carbon steel Blade Grind: Saber Blade @Thickest: .125” Blade Finish: Tumbled black oxide Handle Material: Sculpted Micarta® Overall Length: 8.9” Sheath: Leather Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $190.64
The PR4 is part of the Camp-Lore series from ESEE Knives and is named after the initials of its designer, Patrick Rollins, lead instructor for Randall’s Adventure & Training.** The knife features a 4-inch 1095 carbon steel blade with a high saber grind. It pays homage to the timeless Kephart design while incorporating Patrick’s modifications. The approximately 4.5-inch handle is suitable for large hands or use with work or winter gloves. The knife has a black oxide tumble finish resembling a patina but not a coating. The handle is fitted with textured brown Micarta® scales for a distinct look and comfortable grip. The knife comes with a plain tan leather sheath made by Wickett and Craig, one of the oldest tanneries in the USA.
I used the PR4 extensively in the Eastern Woodlands for various camp tasks. The knife proved versatile and was particularly effective for making camp implements and starting fires. It excelled in splitting small sticks and igniting the ferro rod to create a fire. Its sharp spine was practical without being overly flashy.
Scraping fatwood with the blade spine was easy using the PR4. It boasts the sharpest spine in ESEE’s Camp-Lore series and rapidly created a pile of fatwood.
While I don’t typically baton wood when a chopper is available, I found the PR4 excellent for cross-grain baton work, making precise stop cuts on trap parts, stakes and pot hooks. I also used the PR4 to carve a chisel point on a thick piece of maple for a digging stick and found that it easily sliced dry maple. The knife remained effective despite exposure to various weather conditions.
After establishing a fire, the PR4 proved equally adept at culinary tasks, precisely slicing onions, peppers, potatoes, mushrooms, garlic and sausages for a stew. The thin grind made kitchen tasks a breeze, especially achieving paper-thin garlic slices. The knife performed exceptionally well in all tasks, including prepping tinder from fatwood and dry, split poplar. The high saber grind and sharp spine made the PR4 ideal for camp and woodcraft chores.
Bear Forest Knives GT-3
As an EDC/utility knife, the GT-3 cut assorted materials, including tin cans, leather, cordage, zip ties, toe strapping and more.
GT-3 Specs Blade Length: 3” Blade Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel Blade Grind: Flat Blade @Thickest: .125” Blade Finish: Rock tumbled acid wash Handle Material: Micarta®/G-10 Overall Length: 7.25” Sheath: Black kydex (.08”) w/nylon cross-draw/Scout belt loop Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $149.99
Garrett Tremblay of Bear Forest Knives based the company’s GT-3 on his favorite bushcraft knife, the ESEE PR4. After discussing it with the knife’s designer, Patrick Rollins, and receiving approval, Garrett developed the Bear Forest entry.
The knife boasts a striking design, featuring a full-flat-ground, 80CrV2 carbon steel blade with a black oxide finish. The handle showcases an exceptional blend of burgundy and green burlap Micarta scales complemented by vibrant orange G-10 liners, all held together by Corby bolts. The difference in cutting performance between the full-flat-ground edge and the PR4’s saber grind was instantly noticeable. The GT-3 is equally at home as an everyday carry tool, a useful household companion or a reliable camping partner.
The knife is perfect for making notches for tarp stakes and trimming the ends to a chisel point to pound into the ground. The 90-degree spine is ideal for scraping poplar tinder and striking ferro rods. The 3-inch blade is just the right complement for a campsite that includes a bow saw and tomahawk/hatchet.
While camping, the author relied on kabobs for meals. The Bear Forest Knives GT-3 handled all the prep work, including slicing vegetables and starting the fire.
As Horace Kephart mentioned, a sheath knife is always “get-at-able” for quick tasks, which saves the jackknife from the messier work. This perfectly describes the GT-3. The handle is consistently comfortable. I keep a charred coffee can full of wood shavings—tinder and kindling—in camp. I whittle poplar and maple until the can is full. This is the last but most important task of the night, as it prepares for the next morning’s fire. The GT-3 is always up for the task.
*BLADE does not recommend shaving arm hair as a test of edge sharpness as it can cause injury.
**Both ESEE Knives and Randall’s Adventure Training (RAT) are owned by Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin under the parent corporation of TransEquatorial Solutions, Inc.
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NESSMUK KNIFE: OPTIONS IN THE ALL-AMERICAN OUTDOOR KNIFE
BEST TOMAHAWKS: OUR TOP HAWKS FOR BACKWOODS TO BATTLEFIELDS
Part big knife/part small machete, 4 fixed blades do both well.
All-terrain has been used to describe the cross between a small machete and a large knife. It’s a tool that doubles as a machete for brush clearing, but, unlike a machete, can do fine cutting and, unlike even a large hunting knife, can build a shelter. It’s less than a kukri, bolo, parang or machete but more than “just” a big knife.
My team and I compared four such crossover hard-use knives, each with blades roughly 10 inches long. All use 1095, 1095 Cro-Van or 1075 carbon blade steels—in other words, alloys that are survival oriented and field-sharpening friendly. All have some standard knife features such as integral guards and bowie-type blades, and some standard machete traits like serviceable blade bellies and large handles. Some have simple, subdued features while others are more aggressive and exaggerated. All are compromises between a big hunting knife and a small machete.
To test the knives as objectively as possible, we did some common BladeSports International (BSI) trials, which have their origins with some of the American Bladesmith Society tests for journeyman and master smith ratings. Among other abilities, the knives of BSI contestants must cut through a 1-inch free-hanging rope and chop clean through a 2-by-4 board.
All test materials (hemp rope, 2-by-4s, 4-by-4 posts, paper tubes and water-filled plastic bottles) were consistent from knife to knife, and we made all feathersticks and tent pegs from the same branches. Yes, we treated backwoods knives like competition choppers to objectively find their real strengths and weaknesses.
The knives were tested right out of the box, with the factory edge and with only a 600-grit stone sharpening before all the stages were repeated to get the average results. All tests were done with bare hands—if there were hot spots during hard work or precise use, we wanted to find them. Four knife enthusiasts with different hand sizes did some of the evaluations.
ESEE Junglas
The author initially wondered if a choil would be needed for precise cutting, but got along surprisingly well without one making notched tent pegs and feathersticks with the ESEE Junglas.
Junglas Specs Designer: Jeff Randall Blade Length: 10.4″ Blade Steel: 1095 Cutting Edge Length: 9.8″ Maximum Blade Width: 2.0″ Blade @ Thickest: 0.188″ Blade Pattern: Drop Point Blade Grind: Full Flat Blade Finish: Powder Coat Handle Length: 6.1″ Handle Material: Micarta Pommel: hammer Lanyard Hole: one Weight: 23.0 ozs. Overall Length: 16.5″ Sheath Material: Kydex, MOLLE Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $309
Like most ESEE knives, the Junglas (pronounced “HOON-glas”) is based on the lessons learned from jungle operations, in this instance after ESEE co-owner Jeff Randall spent time with the Colombian Jungla Special Operations Forces. Thus the name of the Junglas, designed to have the strength and rigidity of a fixed blade and the cutting efficiency of a machete.
The 1095 of the Junglas is the go-to steel for many military, survival, hunting, camping, tactical and bushcraft blades. Compared to all carbon, tool, high speed and stainless steels, 1095 is on the low end for edge retention but in the middle for toughness. What makes it a favorite choice for survival/bushcraft knives is its toughness and very high overall rating for ease of field sharpening with small, simple hand tools. As a carbon steel it has a very low rating for corrosion resistance, which is why nearly all 1095 blades, like with the Junglas, have a protective coating.
During our tests, we found the Junglas to have excellent balance. The Micarta® scales have the right amount of texture, and their shape allowed full control and orientation of the blade and point. We initially wondered if a choil would be needed for precise cutting, but got along surprisingly well making notched tent pegs and feathersticks.
The Junglas has a Cordura®-backed sheath with snap retaining strap and full pommel cover. The sheath has an adjustable blade tension, which doubles as a knife lock. Like all ESEE knives, the Junglas is no-frills simple and totally functional. It performed extremely well in every test and in the subjective cutting impressions review. It really is a knife, ax and machete all in one.
TOPS Armageddon
The drop-point blade of the TOPS Armageddon has a slight bolo recurve, which signals what the big knife was really good at during testing. The back-to-back choil and finger cutouts provide options in cutting techniques. Don’t be put off by the relatively short distance from the finger cutout to the bird’s-beak pommel. Choke back for chopping and choke up for precision work.
Armageddon Specs Designer: Trace Rinaldi Blade Length: 10.6″ Blade Steel: 1095 Cutting Edge Length: 10.0″ Maximum Blade Width: 1.9″ Blade @ Thickest: 0.25″ Blade Pattern: Drop Point, Recurve Blade Grind: Partial Flat Blade Finish: Powder Coat Handle Length: 5.9″ Handle Material: Micarta Pommel: Hammer Lanyard Hole: Two Weight: 24.0 ozs. Overall Length: 16.6″ Sheath Material: Ball. Nylon, MOLLE Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $350
All four review knives chopped, cut, batonned and carved nearly the same. Blade steel and edge geometry are very similar. The big differences are in the handles and the most distinctive grip belongs to the TOPS Armageddon. Consider Forged in Fire’s Doug Marcaida and his emphasis on the handle. You must be able to “feel” where the point and edge are, and the handle must not have hot spots. That said, the Armageddon grip gives some good handling options.
If you choke all the way back for chopping on this bushcraft knife, and your hand is large or larger, your little finger will be up against the bird’s-beak pommel, a definite hot spot. The obvious solution is to put your forefinger in the finger cutout. This makes the grip extremely secure when chopping, and there is plenty of room for the other three fingers. That is how we held the Armageddon during the 2-by-4 chop and 1-inch rope cut, when the big TOPS knife exhibited plenty of power.
In fine cutting, we used the choil cutout and spine gimping for precise blade control. With this grip, the finger cutout fit between the middle and ring fingers. If this grip is not completely comfortable, three minutes of radiusing and rounding with a Dremel® tool will customize the choil and finger cutouts and bird’s-beak pommel to your hand.
Blade steel is 1095. The Micarta scales are a clear solution for heavy use, offering the right amount of texture for bare hands under wet conditions. The exposed full tang can easily be hammered, and we found the twin lanyard holes helpful.
We selected or excluded knives for this roundup partially based on the sheaths. The Armageddon comes with a ballistic nylon model over a rigid plastic insert. It has two fabric-fastener handle straps and can be belt worn. The twin accessory pouches can hold a sharpening stone, fire kits, mini med kits, multi-tool and/or flashlight.
The tests showed just how effective the big TOPS knife can be. At a quarter-inch thick, it has the stoutest blade of the test bunch, which helped chop and baton. The flat grind kept the thick blade competitive during slicing tests. The choil/finger-cutout handle offers cutting technique options not found on any of the other test knives.
KA-BAR/Becker Knife & Tool BK9 Combat Bowie
The lightest knife of the test group, the KA-BAR/Becker BK9 Combat Bowie easily split the 4-by-4 posts with no handle shock or grip slip.
The KA-BAR/Becker Knife & Tool BK9 Combat Bowie is a large, low-profile bushcraft knife. During the tests, it did everything we expected a big bowie to do. It chopped, hacked and batonned with gusto, and cut, sliced and slashed quite well, especially considering it is by far the lightest and nearly the shortest of the review knives.
Used by KA-BAR on assorted of the company’s knives, 1095 Cro-Van is essentially 1095 with the addition of several elements. Arguably, 1095 Cro-Van is an incremental improvement in edge retention and toughness over 1095. While the chemistry is there, we didn’t notice any big differences in testing.
The knife has smooth, rounded nylon scales. We decided to use from-the-factory models in the testing, even if factory parts were available to improve performance. Indeed, high-texture Micarta scales are available from KA-BAR. Somewhat surprisingly, the smooth scales with palm swell proved perfectly acceptable during testing, even the hard chopping. Since one of the tests involved cutting water-filled plastic bottles, our hands got wet. However, there was no noticeable hand slipping and the handle was comfortable in hard use.
The BK9 comes with a ballistic nylon sheath over a rigid plastic insert, and one snap retention strap. If you order Micarta replacement scales from KA-BAR, consider getting the Becker Remora skeleton knife, which fits in the BK9’s sheath pouch.
The lighter, shorter Becker excelled at smaller carving and whittling jobs. In close work, it did the precise cutting easily. We like the gimped thumb rise and used it for precision work. Overall, this is a very versatile bush blade. The big Becker punched way above its weight class in every test.
Condor Tool & Knife Plan A Bowie
Making a featherstick tests blade sharpness, edge geometry and edge retention. It also gauges whether the knife enables the user to choke up enough for precise work. The Condor Plan A passed muster on all fronts.
Plan A Bowie Specs Designer: Julio Diez Blade Length: 9.0″ Blade Steel: 1075 Cutting Edge Length: 8.8″ Maximum Blade Width: 2.0″ Blade @ Thickest: 0.188″ Blade Pattern: Clip Point Blade Grind: Partial Flat Blade Finish: Polished Handle Length: 6.5″ Handle Material: Micarta® Pommel: Covered tang Lanyard Hole: One Weight: 18.0 ozs. Overall Length: 14.5″ Sheath Material: Kydex® Country of Origin: El Salvador MSRP: $168
The Plan A Bowie from Condor Tool & Knife is very much a big bushcraft knife, complete with an upswept, false edge, clip-point blade. It has the shortest blade of the test knives and the shortest overall length. However, the blade’s partial flat grind and longest handle of the review models kept the weight up a bit. As a result, it held its own in heavy chopping, the difficult slicing and precise carving.
The 1075 blade steel is very similar to 1095. Each alloy has slight advantages. The 1095 is harder and known for better edge retention, while 1075 is known for enhanced toughness, making it ideal for chopping.
The knife sports sculpted palm-swell scales and a pronounced kukri-type pommel swell. We found the handle comfortable and secure during testing and the subjective evaluations. The kukri swell is sharp cornered but we didn’t find it to be a hot spot.
The Condor is the only review knife with the scales covering the full tang, and an exposed tang to hammer with is sometimes helpful in the field. There is a hole for a lanyard. The full sheath has a molded retention feature and a thick leather belt loop.
The knife handled like the big bowie that it is. It performed as confidently during chopping as during slicing. It took the hanging rope, water bottles and 2-by-4 in stride. There is something special about a big, aggressive bowie and the Plan A has that something.
Cross-Over Success
Each knife was able to cross over into virtually all areas of bushcraft. Perhaps a bit more chopping to make a tent peg than carving in some cases, but the end result was still a usable tent peg. Each passed such standards as slicing through the hanging 1-inch rope and chopping through a 2-by-4. Each is a little different from the other, a little better in some areas than others. Overall, however, they are more alike in performance than different in appearance.
Check Out More Outdoor Knives:
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B. Goode H.U.T. 4 high steps its way through the author’s test drills
The H.U.T. 4 by Brian Goode of B. Goode Knives reminds me of my military days—it just needs the “2, 3” before the “4.” The acronym and number stand for Hunter, Utility, Trail, 4 inch. An all-around edged tool that can be used for multiple tasks, it’s the one knife you always grab for when cutting needs to be done. How well it cut I’ll let you know.
Light Duty Cutting
There was no difference between the first paper cut test and the last one. The H.U.T. 4 stayed sharp.
I began with a simple yet effective test—the paper slice. I grabbed the H.U.T. 4 with my thumb and index finger and slid the edge into the paper. It kept slicing for the entire blade length. I could hear each slice, so it’s very aggressive in the 20-pound bond paper. You really have to watch closely so you don’t skin a flap from your finger.
Single-walled cardboard was next. I used a push cut and the knife didn’t fail. I felt no resistance while cutting. The H.U.T. 4 zipped through quickly. The blade did get some wipe marks on the acid finish.
Medium Duty Cutting
The knife sliced the 8-ounce leather quite forcefully. Each time the edge hit leather, the author heard it slice.
Grabbing some scrap 8-ounce leather, I did some skiving and slicing. The knife sliced quite forcefully once more. Each time the edge hit the leather, you could hear it cut. This is a very cool test to do. Brian’s knife is light and fast, so you must be quick and get your fingers out of harm’s way.
Heavy Duty Cutting
The H.U.T. 4 was a whittling beast on a ¾-inch dowel rod, providing extremely smooth cuts with nice curlicues at the end. The handle is very comfortable with no hot spots. I went from fine cuts to deep cuts with a slight movement of my wrist. The knife is easy to control.
Using a chunk of wood railing as a baton, the author beat the H.U.T. 4 into another piece of railing. The wood split very fast and no shock carried up the author’s arm.
Even though the knife has only a 4-inch blade, it can handle larger trail chores like splitting wood. Using a chunk of wood railing as a baton, I beat the H.U.T. 4 into another piece of railing. The wood split very fast and no shock carried up my arm. I split both with the grain and across the grain with no difference. The edge was still perfect and I gave it some wood smears for character. It is a fun knife to use.
It was on to my favorite medium: sisal rope using push cuts. The H.U.T. 4 didn’t let me down. Two-hundred sweet crunching cuts happened very quickly. This is one smooth slicing, sharp knife. As fast as I could move the knife it was cutting. The handle is contoured for control and comfort.
In what could be construed as abuse, I gave the fixed blade 30 whacks into a deer antler. After scattering antler chips all over the workbench, the knife passed with flying colors—no damage and still very sharp. Excellent heat treat!
It was back to the 20-pound bond paper for the final cut. There was no difference between the first paper cut and the last one. The H.U.T. 4 stayed sharp.
Bottom Line
This is a great knife to have on you all the time—not too big, not too small and extremely sharp. Any changes? Maybe some thumb notches.
H.U.T. 4 Specs Maker: Brian Goode, B. Goode Knives Blade length: 4” Blade material: 8670 carbon steel on the test knife; other steels available Blade grind: Full flat Blade @thickest: .125” Blade finish: Acid dipped Scales: Red and black canvas Micarta® Handle pins: G-10 Weight: 4.5 ozs. Overall length: 8.5” Sheath: Leather pouch/belt model Weight w/sheath: 6 ozs. Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $350
Today’s pocketknives come in assorted locks, no locks, blades, handles and more.
Eyes always peeled, we’re on the look out for the latest and the greatest. We think we’ve found a bevvy of them this March. So, with out further adieu, here’s our latest round of new knives.
Stanley Buzek Single-Blade Slipjoint
Blade length: 3 3/8” Blade steel: Feather damascus forged by ABS journeyman smith Mike Tyre Blade grind: Hollow Blade pattern: Clip point Blade opener: Nail pull Scales: Mammoth ivory Liners/bolsters: 416 stainless in an integral construction Engraving: Alice Carter, including 24k-gold inlay Knife to know: Fileworked liners and acorn shield Closed length: 4.25” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $2,800 Maker: Stanley Buzek, sbuzekknives.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Michael Zieba Nine Silver Kois
Knife type: Side flipper Blade length: 4.126” Blade steel: CPM MagnaCut stainless Rockwell hardness: 62-63 HRC Blade grind: Flat Blade @thickest: .159” Pivot: Ceramic ball bearing washers Handle & pocket clip: Titanium w/24k-gold koi, lotus and moth inlay Weight: 5.07 ozs. Closed length: 5.5” Knife to know: Air pockets for weight reduction; ceramic detent; white brass skull spacer Maker’s price for a similar knife: $3,300 Maker: Michael Zieba, (SharpByCoop image)
Curt Zimmerman Flipper Folder
Blade length: 3” Blade steel: Feather damascus Blade grind: Flat Blade pattern: Clip point Lock: Linerlock Scales: Ancient walrus ivory Bolster: Stainless steel engraved by Alice Carter w/24k-gold inlay Liners: Titanium; fileworked and anodized Screws: 24k-gold plated Closed length: 3 15/16” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $2,500 Maker: Curt Zimmerman (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Rothman Knives Backpocket
Knife type: Dress slipjoint Blade length: 3.25” Blade steel: Feather damascus forged by Adam Deville Blade grind: 14” hollow Blade pattern: Clip point Scales: Interior mammoth Bullet shield: Dark mammoth Frame: 416 stainless in an integral construction Closed length: 4.75” Knife to know: Fileworked liners and embellished backspring; Michael Rothman is a member of the Knifemakers’ Guild Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,500 Maker: Rothman Knives, rothmanknives.com (SharpByCoop image)
Jeremy Marsh Mini Assassin
Knife to know: A collaboration between Jeremy Marsh and Jonathan Quill Blade length: 3.5” Blade steel: Damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels forged by Quill and finished by Marsh w/a dark, deep etch and “a great deal of hand finishing” Scales: 10,000-year-old bog oak from Ireland w/a coarse-grained, oily look Liners: Feature a distressed rock finish along the edges applied by Marsh and traditional vine filework applied by Quill Bolsters, thumbstuds and hardware: Zirconium toned lightly bronze and burnished for highlights Embellishment: Quill engraved the bolsters and pocket clip in a Celtic/Norse theme Closed length: 4.5” Make’s price for a similar knife: $8,000 Maker: Jeremy Marsh (Mitchell Cohen image)
Maverik Knives Dress Slipjoint
Blade length: 3” Blade steel: CPM 154 stainless Blade grind: High flat Blade pattern: Clip point Scales: Black paper Micarta® Frame: Brass Bolster: Straight twist damascus Hardware: Titanium Closed length: 4” Knife to know: Maverik Murdock is an ABS apprentice smith Maker’s price for a similar knife: $750 Maker: Maverik Knives, maverikknives.com (SharpByCoop image)
WE Knife High-Fin XL
Designer: Gavko Knives Blade length: 3.48” Blade steel: Hakkapella damascus by Damasteel Rockwell hardness: 59-61 HRC Blade grind: Hollow Blade pattern: Reverse tanto Pivot: Caged ceramic ball bearings Handle: Satin-polished 6Al4V titanium in a diamond-pattern texture Pocket clip: Crystallized gray 6Al4V titanium; blade tip up, right-handed Lock: Framelock Weight: 4.03 ozs. Closed length: 4.67” Country of origin: China MSRP: $740 Company: WE Knife, weknife.com
David Kulis Spectre XL
Knife type: Dress tactical flipper folder Blade length: 3.5” Blade steel: Dragonskin damascus forged by Bertie Rietveld Blade grind: 8” hollow Blade shape: Recurve Handle: Purple/orange/green burl Liners: Titanium Knife to know: All titanium hardware anodized to match the Timascus pocket clip Closed length: 5.25” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,500 Maker: David Kulis (SharpByCoop image)
Knife type: Rescue folder Blade length: 3.4” Blade steel: AUS-8 stainless Blade mechanism: Assisted opening Handle: 6061 aluminum Lock: Linerlock Pocket clip: Low carry Weight: 4.4 ozs. Closed length: 4.6” Knife to know: Belt cutter and glassbreaker in the butt; spare blade for the belt cutter stores in the handle Country of origin: China MSRP: $54.95 Company: SOG Knives, www.sogknives.com
Jerry Fisk Saddlehorn-Style Slipjoint
Blade length: 3.33” Blade material: Damascus Blade pattern: Clip point Blade opener: Nail pull Scales: Wood from one of the last walnut trees planted by President George Washington Bolster: Spring steel engraved by Jerry Fisk Maker’s price for a similar knife: $5,900 (includes a bottle of whiskey from George Washington’s Distillery) Knife to know: In 1999, Jerry Fisk was named a National Living Treasure by the Museum of World Cultures at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Maker: Jerry Fisk (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Chris Richardson Lockback Folder
Blade length: 3.25” Blade steel: CPM 154 stainless Blade grind: Flat Blade pattern: Modified wharncliffe Handle inlay: Mammoth ivory Thumbstud inlay: Angelskin coral Bolster: 416 stainless in an integral construction Closed length: 4.75” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $850 Maker: Chris Richardson (Jocelyn Frasier image)
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