The dynamic system offers a host of advantages to knife sharpening.
Where do you need a sharpener most? Chew on it a bit. Unless you’re a professional wood carver or mending fishing nets is part of your gig, most of us dull our knives puttering around the kitchen. Be it chicken bones or pepper skins, the sheer amount of time a majority of us spend on culinary pursuits our food prep knocks the edge off our most utilized knives.
Recently expanding its kitchen sharpening collection, Work Sharp cobbled together an intriguing system to keep galley cutlery at its best.Dubbed the Rolling Knife Sharpener, the manually operated sharpener is designed to take the guesswork out of applying an edge to whatever kitchen knife requires honing—and likely more.
Rolling Knife Sharpener System
The Rolling Knife Sharpener system has two main components, a magnetic angle block and a rolling sharpener. As it suggests, the block has preset angles for the most common edges found— 15, 17,20, and 25 degrees—making it function on everything from common stainless steel to the acute edges found on Japanese chef’s knives. The roller holds the rotating 2.5-inch abrasive heads, with three grit sizes shipped along with the unit—a course 320 diamond grit, a find 600 diamond grit, and a ceramic polishing head. To use the system, the knife is attached to correct angle is found in the block, then the abrasive head is placed on the edge, from there it’s simply a matter of rolling the sharpener forward while maintaining contact with the knife.
Straightforward as it may sound, it’s a rather ingenious procedure. First off, given the sharpening surface is dynamic it ensures constant contact with the edge, always at the proper angle. Those who prefer the long and swooping bellies of traditional chef’s knives know, maintaining both facets proves tricky on each stroke. However, there’s another subtle feature at play in the Rolling Knife Sharpener—the entire length of the edge is honed with a fresh abrasive surface. Outside of Work Sharp’s belt-based sharpening system, there are few sharpeners that have this ability, which makes sharpening quicker and more precise, as well as extends the life of the abrasive itself. Pretty slick.
Final Cut
Honestly, sharpener seems like a whizz for most kitchen implements and other medium and large blades. Additionally, might be just what the doctor ordered for a more exotic blade style. Potentially, kukri owners might find it a godsend. But the Rolling Knife Sharpener does seem have its limitations.
Given its size, the unit is going to live in your kitchen or workshop—it’s certainly not designed for the field and needs a uniform surface to do its job properly. Furthermore, it could prove a bit tricky to get the most out of it with your smaller blades. Could it touch up a spey blade on a pocketknife? Absolutely. But it might be a bit awkward.
At present, Work Sharp has the Rolling Knife Sharpener listed at $149.95 on its website, which puts it toward to tonier end of its catalog. For folks who always want to keep their edge—in the kitchen and out—that might prove a small price.
We round up a dozen dazzlers that are certain to make your wish list grow.
One thing nobody has ever said: “I have enough knives.” In that sprite, we’ve gathered up a ton of new knives that have hit the market in recent months, each one sharp as a razor in looks and function.
Maverik Knives Cleaver
KNIFE TYPE: Cleaver BLADE LENGTH: 6.5” BLADE MATERIAL: 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels in a zebra-twist damascus pattern BLADE GRIND: Flat w/convex edge BLADE AT THICKEST: .135” HANDLE MATERIAL: Amboyna burl BOLSTER: Antiqued bronze OVERALL LENGTH: 12” KNIFE TO KNOW: Maverik Murdock is an ABS apprentice smith MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $1,400 MAKER: Maverik Knives (SharpByCoop image)
S.K.MO Knives Fi
KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 13.25” BLADE MATERIAL: Canister damascus of 1095 powder and nails BLADE PATTERN: Harpoon HANDLE MATERIAL: Black palm and water buffalo horn w/nickel spacers and star pin GUARD/BOLSTER: Stainless steel OVERALL LENGTH: 17.75” KNIFE TO KNOW: S-guard and dropped-handle designs MAKER: S.K.MO Knives (SharpByCoop image)
KNIFE NAME: Viking/Nordic seax KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 9.33” BLADE MATERIAL: Sup9 by Jake Mantel/Firepants Fabrication, w/proximal and distal tapers BLADE GRIND: Flat; secondary bevel w/convex edge BLADE AT THICKEST: .177” HANDLE MATERIAL: Stabilized, Northern-Territory-grown, figured coolabah wood OVERALL LENGTH: 14.96” MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $500 KNIFE TO KNOW: Francois Mazieres is an ABS apprentice smith and a member of both the Australian Knifemakers Guild and The Knifemakers’ Guild MAKER: Yandiwa (Rod Hoare image)
Tobin Hill Comanche
KNIFE NAME: Comanche KNIFE TYPE: Folder BLADE LENGTH: 3.75” BLADE STEEL: CPM 154 stainless BLADE GRIND: Hollow HANDLE MATERIAL: Ancient mammoth ivory GUARD/BOLSTER: 410 stainless CLOSED LENGTH: 4.75” KNIFE TO KNOW: The knife is a collaboration between Tobin Hill and ABS master smith Jason Knight MAKERS’ PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $3,500 CONTACT: Tobin Hill (SharpByCoop image)
Steve Gatlin Chute
KNIFE NAME: Chute KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 4.5” BLADE STEEL: CPM 154 stainless BLADE GRIND: Hollow BLADE FINISH: Mirror polish HANDLE MATERIAL: Desert ironwood w/red liners GUARD/BOLSTER: 416 stainless OVERALL LENGTH: 9.125” SHEATH: Custom made of leather MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $1,400 MAKER: Steve Gatlin, (SharpByCoop image)
Allen Matthew Custom Knives Bushman’s Knife
MODEL NAME: Bushman’s Knife KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 12” BLADE MATERIAL: 1095 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels in a damascus-clad san-mai construction HANDLE MATERIAL: Ancient mammoth molar tooth w/stabilized and dyed amboyna burl and yoskizaki; Starmascus glow in the dark spacers & brass highlights GUARD/BOLSTER: Damascus OVERALL LENGTH: 19” KNIFE TO KNOW: Bulldog Damascus forged the blade material MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $2,300 MAKER: Allen Matthew Custom Knives (Rod Hoare image)
J.R. Cook Vaquero
KNIFE NAME: Vaquero BLADE LENGTH: 8” BLADE MATERIAL: Damascus steel in a wolf-tooth pattern HANDLE MATERIAL: Stag FITTINGS: 416 stainless steel engraved in 24k gold by J.R. Cook OVERALL LENGTH: 10.25” SHEATH: Custom-fitted, tooled-leather belt model KNIFE TO KNOW: The knife is sole authored; J.R. Cook is an ABS master smith and a past Arkansas Living Treasure MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $6,200 MAKER: J.R. Cook (SharpByCoop image)
Kizlyar Supreme Delta AUS8 Black Titanium
KNIFE NAME: Delta AUS8 Black Titanium KNIFE TYPE: Tactical fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 6” BLADE MATERIAL: AUS8 stainless steel BLADE GRIND: Hollow BLADE THICKNESS At GUARD: .185” BLADE PATTERN: Harpoon HANDLE MATERIAL: Contoured black Kraton/ABS synthetic w/lanyard hole CONSTRUCTION: Full tang OVERALL LENGTH: 11.1” SHEATH: MOLLE compatible w/three-point locking system KNIFE TO KNOW: Integral single guard, finger traction ridges on blade spine COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Russia MSRP: $149 COMPANY: Kizlyar Supreme
Emerson Knives Overland Renegade
KNIFE NAME: Overland Renegade KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 4.3” BLADE STEEL: 154CM stainless ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 57-59 HRC BLADE GRIND: Conventional “V” BLADE AT THICKEST: .125” BLADE FINISH: Stonewashed HANDLE MATERIAL: Black G-10 (also in Richlite) OVERALL LENGTH: 9” KNIFE TO KNOW: The Renegade is also available in a folding configuration COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.S.A. MSRP: $262.95 COMPANY: Emerson Knives
A.G. Russell Knives Skinny Brute
KNIFE NAME: Skinny Brute KNIFE TYPE: Utility folder BLADE LENGTH: 3.25” BLADE STEEL: CPM S35VN stainless BLADE GRIND: Flat BLADE PATTERN: Drop point BLADE FINISH: Satin HANDLE MATERIAL: Carbon fiber (also comes in green G-10) POCKET CLIP: None LOCK: Lockback CLOSED LENGTH: 41/8” KNIFE TO KNOW: The knife is an update from the original released in the 1970s; the handle is a “skinny” linerless design that is just over .5” thick at the center swell COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China MSRP: $135 ($99 in green G-10) COMPANY: A.G. Russell Knives
Bear & Son Cutlery Auto Bold Action XV
KNIFE NAME: Auto Bold Action XV KNIFE TYPE: Automatic folder BLADE LENGTH: 31/8” BLADE STEEL: Sandvik 14C28N stainless ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 58-60 HRC BLADE GRIND: Hollow BLADE PATTERN: Reverse tanto BLADE FINISH: Black HANDLE MATERIAL: Black aluminum POCKET CLIP: Carries blade tip up LOCK: Lock safety WEIGHT: 2.6 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 4.5” KNIFE TO KNOW: Ball-bearing pivot; safety lock switch just below the push button opener COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.S.A. MSRP: $179.99 COMPANY: Bear & Son Cutlery
What to look for in a custom hunting knife and some sharp examples.
For outdoorsmen, a knife of some kind is almost a constant companion. Most carry a knife that falls into the category of a hunter.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines hunting knife as a large, stout knife used to skin and process game. When I started judging custom knife competitions at knife shows 30 years ago, the category with the greatest number of entries was always the hunter. Why? Because there are so many interpretations of what a hunting knife is. Often the judges refer to their own experience using knives in the category. Entries generally range in blade length from 2.5 to 5 inches. I have seen knives entered in the category with 10-inch blades.
Blade Lengths
Blade lengths are often designed to process a particular bird or animal. Smaller blades in the 2.5-to-3-inch range are primarily used for dressing birds. The short blade length allows the hunter to quickly extract the bird’s breast meat. The most common blade length is 4 to 4.5 inches, a length that will dress out most game hunted regularly in North America. The dropped hunter/drop-point hunter designed by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Bob Loveless (page 26) is the world’s most copied hunting knife. The standard Loveless drop point features a 4-inch blade.
One of the more popular skinner designs is the Nessmuk, praised for its all-around versatility in the field. Luk Kuberski’s Nessmuk Hunter features Sleipner stainless blade steel with an impeccable satin finish and a mesmerizing handle of maple ash burl. (Luk Kuberski image)
Nessmuk Skinner Maker: Luk Kuberski Blade Length: 4.75” Blade Steel: Sleipner stainless Blade Finish: Satin Blade Style: Drop point Handle Material: Ash maple burl Overall Length: 8.6” Sheath: Leather pouch/belt model by the maker Author’s Comments: Full-tang construction; excellent balance and handle ergonomics; serrated thumb ramp enhances control Maker’s price for a similar knife: $350
When dressing out larger game such as moose or elk, many hunters prefer a longer blade because of the animal’s size. Why is the 5-inch blade the limit? The idea behind the hunting knife is to dress out the animal without losing control and cutting into the animal’s vital areas. Going much past a 5-inch blade can affect the average hunter’s ability to control the cutting edge.
Blade Steels
Materials for hunting knife blades are primarily stainless and carbon steels, though damascus has been gaining in popularity in recent years. The environment the hunters will be in and their skill level at resharpening a blade will enter into the choice of steel.
Wood is a popular handle material for custom hunting knives. Josh Fisher opts for curly maple on his drop-point hunter. And how about those skulls on the tooled-leather sheath by Bob Bobbert? (Robertson’s Custom Cutlery image)
Drop-Point Hunter Maker: Josh Fisher Blade Length: 4.5” Blade Material: 1084 carbon steel Blade Style: Drop point Guard Material: Stainless steel Handle Material: Curly maple Overall Length: 9” Sheath: Tooled-leather pouch/belt model in a skull motif by Bob Bobbert Author’s Comments: Excellent handle ergonomics and balance; Josh is an ABS master smith Maker’s list price for a similar knife: $625
Each steel has its advantage(s) concerning rust resistance, ease of sharpening and edge holding. Carbon steels such as 1084, 5160 and 52100 provide an extremely keen edge and can be easily resharpened. They do, however, require more corrosion maintenance. Stainless steels such as 440C, ATS-34 and CPM 154 make up the bulk of stainless steels used on custom hunters. These can be reasonably simple to sharpen and more forgiving regarding corrosion.
Whichever steel you choose, the blade should be cleaned after use and a light coat of oil should be applied. It is best not to store your knife long-term in a leather sheath, as the tannic acid found in the leather can rust your blade. Additionally, leather does hold moisture, which can hasten the rusting process of the steel. It is best to store knives in something other than their leather sheaths.
Handle Materials
A wide variety of handle materials are used for hunting knives. A favorite among makers and outdoorsmen is Sambar stag, either in its natural color or dyed to create amber stag. Stag is favored not only for its looks but because its contours provide an excellent gripping surface, even when wet. Another handle material gaining favor is elk and much for the same reasons. Two advantages of elk are it can be found in larger sizes and is less expensive.
Sambar stag and elk are favored for their looks and because they provide an excellent gripping surface, even when wet. Mike Malosh’s Elk Hunter 23 custom hunting knife features elk scales. (Robertson’s Custom Cutlery image)
Elk Hunter 23 Maker: Mike Malosh Blade Length: 47/8” Blade Material: W-2 tool steel Blade Finish: Satin Guard Material: Stainless steel Handle Material: Elk w/black Micarta® and stainless steel spacers Overall Length: 9.5” Sheath: Leather pouch/belt model by the maker Author’s Comments: This knife is built for serious work; excellent balance and handle ergonomics Maker’s price for a similar knife: $395
Desert ironwood, curly koa, California buckeye burl and curly maple are among various kinds of popular handle woods used for hunters. Other popular materials are synthetics such as G-10 and Micarta®. The main advantage of these materials is that, for the most part, they are impervious to the elements. As such, they tend not to shrink and crack as some natural handle materials can do over time.
Guards
Guards are made primarily from either 304 or 416 stainless steel. If the knife features a hidden tang design, the joint between the guard and the blade should be soldered. Sealing the guard helps keep the moisture away from hidden tangs. Because their softness makes them prone to damage, along with their additional maintenance requirements, brass and nickel silver generally are not used for guards.
Blade Styles
The drop-point hunter is the most commonly made hunting knife. The drop-point blade maintains its thickness along the spine and then gently slopes to the point. Generally, the drop point is slightly thicker than other hunting blade patterns at the point. The blade thickness provides the drop point the versatility not only to skin but to disjoint and pry. These advantages can be critical to the hunter when dressing larger game.
The slightly raised blade spine/hump extends the curved part of the semi-skinner blade for skinning while maintaining the drop point to avoid puncturing the abdominal cavity. Brant Cochran covers the pattern in a sturdy lightweight version of 80CrV2 carbon steel and walnut in his custom hunting knife. (Robertson’s Custom Cutlery image)
Semi-Skinner Maker: Brant Cochran Blade Length: 4.25” Blade Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel Blade Finish: Satin Guard Material: Stainless steel Handle Material: Walnut Overall Length: 9” Sheath: Tooled-leather pouch/belt model by the maker Author’s Comments: 80CrV2 is a carbon steel that is both tough and provides outstanding edge retention; excellent balance and handle ergonomics; sturdy lightweight knife, perfect for your next hunt; Brant is an ABS journeyman smith Maker’s price for a similar knife: $300
The idea of a skinner is basically to remove the skin/fur from the game. The skinning blade shape features a slightly thinner blade and edge meant for a specific purpose. The skinner is designed for elongated cuts and better control of the blade, ensuring the game’s fur maintains its integrity. While primarily intended to remove the fur, a knife with a skinner blade can be used to dress game out, too. One of the more popular skinner designs is the Nessmuk, praised for its all-around versatility in the field.
The semi-skinner blade is the middle ground between the drop-point and skinner blades. The slightly raised blade spine/hump extends the curved part of the blade for skinning while maintaining the drop point to avoid puncturing the abdominal cavity, which could taint the meat of the animal.
Conclusion
Picking the right edged companion for your time in the field should require some research. As noted, hunting knives come in various shapes and sizes. This variety enables you to choose the right size, steel and handle material necessary to get the job done. It would benefit you greatly to hold the knife in your hand, primarily for sizing. You must always be able to control the blade’s edge.
The drop-point hunter is the most commonly made hunting knife. A George Romeis drop point features CPM 154 stainless blade steel and a black G-10 handle. (Robertson’s Custom Cutlery image)
Drop-Point Hunter Maker: George Romeis Blade Length: 3.5” Blade Steel: CPM 154 stainless Blade Finish: Satin Guard Material: Stainless steel Handle Material: Black G-10 w/stainless-steel-lined thong hole Overall Length: 8” Sheath: Leather pouch/belt model by the maker Author’s Comments: Full-tapered tang, excellent balance, very comfortable in the hand Maker’s price for a similar knife: $300
Remember, the rifle or bow harvests the game but the knife creates what becomes dinner and the trophy.
While you may think a fillet knife has only one purpose, there’s as much variation in fillet knives as there is with any other knife type. Just as there’s no one type of pocketknife, neither is there one type of hunting knife. Treating the fillet knife as an afterthought for your fishing is a mistake. In other words, you want to match your quarry to your blade.
Fillet Knife Size
The vast majority of American anglers, and most in Europe, fish either in inland waterways or along coastal waters. While it is certainly possible to catch large fish in these places, few people realize just how large of a difference there is between a 5-ounce bluegill and a 50-pound sturgeon. When you get above 10 pounds, you run the same risk of breaking fillet blades as you would breaking hunting blades on large game like deer. The flesh, bone and scales of fish are far tougher than many realize and a fragile blade can and will break if you put too much pressure on it. Heavy-duty fillet knives exist and are specially designed for larger fish.
Handles are an important consideration. Texture matters on these fine knives and for some outings you need a very sure grip.
Likewise, small fish do not benefit from larger knives. This should seem like common knowledge, but I see anglers with 8-to-10-inch knives going after panfish. This is not a bad thing overall, just really unnecessary for the task. In my experience, large work like skinning deer and breaking down large game needs a 7-inch blade; you want to be able to see what you’re working with and keep your hand out of the body and highly visible. With small fish, you want the tip closer to your hand to better control your cuts. Fish cleaning is an activity that leads with the tip. You need to have it cut in easily and then glide. A paper-thin blade isn’t meant for chopping or sawing, unlike what you can accomplish with a thick-spined hunting knife.
Blade Flexibility
Flex is another important aspect of a fillet knife. Because of the way fish are shaped you want a blade that has the ability to match contours and glide along the spine or under the skin. Flex varies depending on the task. On large fish you’ll want the least flex, on small ones you’ll want the most. As for the tip, the largest fish need a reinforced tip because skin and fat can be extremely thick, and a thin tip is more likely to bend or break. Ideally, the tip should be as fine as possible and come to a narrow-angle. However, this becomes a hard thing to accomplish when you need a fillet knife that is also very strong. To get this, you need something like the tip of a wharncliffe pattern that provides a fine point while maintaining a thick blade.
Some Of The Best Fillet Knives
Toor Cardiff
The Toor Cardiff is perhaps the most well-designed and best-thought-out knife for large fish. Just about every part of the knife is properly contoured and ground to achieve a light, thin blade that is also very strong and razor-sharp. It is the thickest knife of the test bunch, but, at just .09-inch thick, is still considerably thinner than standard blades. It does not taper substantially from pommel to tip. The point of the knife is quite fine but shaped with strength in mind. Its edge geometry enables it to be used on most sizes of fish, though it is at a slight disadvantage on the smallest bluegill or anything you would throw in the pan as one piece. This has more to do with the overall size of the knife than it does cutting ability.
Large salmon were no match for the Cardiff, a well-thought-out, hard-use fillet knife that can also be used for large game. It is a crossover knife meant for the field, not just light work at the dock.
The blade has a curve with a deep belly. It permits the hand to sit at a more relaxed angle if you are cutting steaks or slicing a thick fish along the spine. The grip is very aggressive and promotes a firm hold even when your hands are covered in fish slime, water and blood. The knife is ruggedly designed and a suitable tool even for large game, including deer. While it does have some disadvantages as compared to a dedicated hunting knife, you could certainly get away with it as your primary blade for a mixed-bag hunting/fishing adventure. It does very well in the kitchen but you can tell it needs to be in the field.
White River Knife & Tool Traditional Fillet
When you think of a fish knife, the White River Knife & Tool Traditional Fillet is probably what comes to mind. White River is excellent when it comes to delivering traditional appearance with modern function. I have been using White River knives almost exclusively in the field for years for deer hunting, and I jumped at the opportunity to look at its fillet knives. Not only are White River fillets some of the best money can buy, they also are the best across-the-board for general fishing use. Moreover, they display some noteworthy properties.
While there are two White Rivers in the review group, they are for all purposes the same except for the fact that the cork-handle version will float. I especially like this feature considering I spend some time in kayaks and canoes. A cork handle is not as durable as the full Micarta® version but will last a lifetime if properly maintained and not abused. The two are not for hunting. They are dedicated for fishing and should be used as such.
The White River fillets performed well for all general use.
As far as overall performance, the White Rivers will do everything you need and nothing you don’t. They are dedicated fillet knives that are, at least in the 6-inch size, best on intercontinental species. There really isn’t anything you can fish for in an American river that you can’t process with these knives. They are a tad thin for heavy-boned fish and the largest river catfish, but if you’re careful you should be just fine.
The knives come in an excellent wooden presentation box and have a functional, adjustable sheath with multiple mounting options. When sheathed, the blade can be used as a line cutter thanks to a small cutout toward the end that you can slip a line into. For dock work these knives are great. I eventually came to prefer the cork-handled version even though it is a little harder to keep clean. In the kitchen, they performed equally and stayed razor-sharp for the duration of testing.
Boker Solingen Saga Filetiermesser
From the moment you open the box, the quality of the Boker Solingen Saga Filetiermesser is immediately apparent. You can tell it was made with great attention to detail and is a singularly specialized tool. Unlike the other test models, it does not come with a sheath. It is also quite smooth in the grip and clearly meant for end processing in the kitchen.
It is the sharpest test blade and also the thinnest. The thickness at the choil is just .07 inch, and it tapers from grip to tip quite aggressively considering how thin it is to start. The tip is like a scalpel point. It is so incredibly fine that you must be aware of its presence when working. If you cut yourself with it, you probably wouldn’t even know. I didn’t.
The Boker’s narrow edge makes it excellent on even the smallest catches.
Working with this knife in the kitchen is effortless. It is so sharp that it cut through all the fine bones in salmon; it simply glided right through. The blade is the most flexible in the review and bends quite a bit, though this is not a concern. The quality of steel and manufacture ensures it goes back to true even after substantial use. Because it has a smooth grip and is so incredibly fine at the tip, I would not immediately recommend the Boker for use in the field. If you decide to take it to camp, I would suggest either transporting it in a dedicated case or find a sheath that fits it.
Buck Abyss
The Abyss is a fillet knife Buck brought a little style to by using a Kryptek Pontus camo handle. Normally you just get some kind of bright rubber but this handle has some style to it. Overall length is 12 inches and the blade measure 6.5 inches. Buck lists it as a 6-inch blade but I can tell you my tape measure isn’t broken.
The 420HC stainless steel blade features a double-ground tip and a distal taper. The double grind gives you an edge on the back of the tip to make puncturing and entry cuts easier. The distal taper gives the blade stiff ness toward the handle for use with large game fish. A more flexible tip area makes it useful for smaller fish. By using a distal taper, Buck can get away with having the Abyss straddle the fence between a stiff fillet knife and a flexible one.
The Kryptek scales have a slight texture but they also sport lateral contouring to aid in a secure grip. Sure, the Abyss does not have a super blade steel, but 420HC has been holding its own for years. During testing the Abyss did fine for handling and cutting—in fact, I like the knife very much.
Buck’s Kryptek Pontus handle has style and utility. The appearance is somewhat reptilian and features a subtle texture. To add to the user friendliness, the contouring is well designed.
I would have to say my only doubts are about the sheath. Buck provides a simple pouch sheath with a plastic insert to carry the knife. Though I’m not planning any long adventures hauling it around with me, I still find the sheath lacking. Inserting and drawing the knife is a clumsy affair, as the fit is tight. I also find the material, in my opinion, not robust enough to take years of use.
Kershaw Folding Fillet K-Texture
As with many folding fillet knives, the excessively large handle of the Kershaw Folding Fillet K-Texture tends to be disproportionate to the entire design. The 6-inch blade has a slight distal taper and is 420J2 stainless steel.
Even with a distal taper the blade has a mid-range flex—not really stiff but not very flexible, either. The lockback folder’s closed length is 7.75 inches. The knife does not come with a sheath. I like to test the blade’s edge right out of the box. One of the most difficult things to do with a knife, believe it or not, is put the first edge on the blade. To the best of my knowledge, with all the CNC machinery out there, this is an operation that is still predominantly done by hand. Out of the box, the Kershaw was razor sharp.
Kershaw’s fillet knife follows the spine bones for a perfect cut so you get the most from your catch.
Even before I took it fishing, I put it through some paces in the kitchen by skinning a tomato. I was impressed with the initial edge. Holding the knife is easy thanks to the duel-textured, or “K-Textured,” handle. The rubber has many small “K’s” patterned into it for the texture while the main plastic part of the scales is slightly textured. Accompanying the texture is an ergonomic handle, which seals the package.
Overall, I like the knife. It can be used for fishing under most any condition, but I see it as a great tool for fishing holes that require a long journey to access. The fact the knife folds gives you a fillet model in a smaller, safer and more convenient carry package.
Gerber Controller
I am not in favor of loading a knife down with too many features. In the case of the Controller 10-inch fillet knife, Gerber has provided more than a knife but did not get carried away. The Controller is a full system fillet model. At 15.5 inches overall, it has a 10-inch blade of 9Cr18MoV stainless steel.
There are three knives in the series: the 10-inch and also 6- and 7-inch blades. I wish I had gotten the 6-inch model to test as well. All have a plastic molded sheath that provides secure carry and is puncture-resistant. Along the sheath’s body are multiple drainage points. On the sheath’s edge is a diamond rod sharpener for quick blade touch-ups.
The Gerber Controller sheath features a diamond rod sharpener, plenty of drainage points and two carrying systems.
Here is where the devil is in the details. The sharpener is not fixed and can be rotated by hand so you won’t wear down one side of the diamond rod. The sheath impresses me. It comes with a nylon belt dangler and a clip molded in the back for belt carry. To finish it off they built in a natural thumb push-off that matches up with the handle. The knife clips into the sheath as well as having a fabric-fastener retaining loop.
If the sheath isn’t enough, Gerber hit it on the head with the knife. The handle consists of two materials: a hard plastic at the core and soft, textured rubber inlays at all the tactile points. The blade has a full flat grind with medium flexibility. The Controller sports the same style tip as the Buck Abyss except the edge is not ground back. I am very impressed with the whole system.
Editor’s Note: Josh Wayner contributed to this post.
If you spend time camping, you know the importance of proper tool selection for your excursions. The right kit makes a difference in how you enjoy your weekend woods getaway.
From batoning firewood to prepping dinner, these are the blades that will help you conquer the wild.
An important part of your gear should always include a camp knife of some sort. This multipurpose cutting tool takes on multiple roles in your camping trip and can handle the bulk of hard use when it comes to campsite tasks, campfire prep, processing food, and any other cutting task that comes up inside and outside of camp.
What Is A Camp Knife?
When you hear the word “camp knife”, what immediately comes to mind? Well, a rather larger fixed blade that has some heft to it. Which is partially true. Keep in mind not all camp knives are big, brawny choppers. And not all choppers can be camp knives either.
Blade: Camp knives have a proven blade shape. Nothing wild, but rather a design that can handle multiple tasks. Blade shapes like clip point, drop point, or even spear point.
Size: The knife also has to be of some length, around 7-8 inches is good. Such a blade length will facilitate tasks involving whittling, batoning firewood, chopping wood, or expediently slicing up food for cooking.
Handle: On the handle side, it’s important to have a handle shape that is very comfortable in your grip and incorporates design elements such as (but not limited to) finger grooves, palm swells, radiused edges, machined-in textures, and choils.
These features seat your hand better on the handle, making for a more comfortable user experience. Face it, if a handle isn’t comfortable you’re are not going to use the knife, regardless of how expensive it is or if it uses the best blade steel. Plus, as you are working, you want the handle to feel secure in your hand and not feel like it’s going to fly out. Therefore, such materials as G-10, micarta, and some molded thermoplastics are great choices for handle materials on camp knives.
Steel: What about blade steels? What about them? You have to remember the camp knife is a workhorse and you will probably have to sharpen the knife in camp. Carbon steel is still the steel of choice for this very reason of being easy to resharpen in the field.
1095 seems to be a factory favorite, found on outdoor knives, some fixed blade tactical, and EDC fixed blades. 1095 sharpens very easily but it’s not stainless so you will have to exercise extra care to make sure it’s dry as possible to prevent rust and stains.
Higher-end super stainless steels like S35VN are great and have the muscle to go the distance without frequent sharpening. Yet when it comes time to resharpen, you could end up investing a good deal of time.
To negate this, you can switch to a maintenance mode from resharpening mode, meaning, frequent honing will preserve the cutting edge. Something must be said for going old school, with carbon steel. There is a trade-off with frequent short-duration sharpening of blade steel that is softer and easier to manage, as opposed to spending a lot of time in the field sharpening a high-performance super stainless steel.
Now we have the basics out of the way, let’s dive further into some good examples of camp knives that might interest you.
TOPS Brakimo
Designed by noted survival/outdoor expert Joe Flowers of Bushcraft Global, the TOPS BRAKIMO is as close to a do-it-all knife that can handle all tasks from whittling to cutting to chopping and baton work.
Its blade is 5 2/4-inches long and 0.190 inches thick and is made from 1095 carbon steel. The drop point shape gives plenty of belly to facilitate a broad range of tasks including but not limited to food prep. The modified Scandi grind is there for cutting performance as well as a thicker cross-section of the blade to promote strength in the blade. The handle is of OD green canvas micarta and has been finished to leave a “grip you back” quality to it. The edges have been chamfered for ultimate comfort, and there’s a divot for use with a bow drill. An extra-large lanyard hole allows you to use any cord diameter for a lanyard and possibly even attach it to a carabiner. Finishing out the Brakimo is a nice Kydex sheath that carries the knife at your side securely. A spring metal clip is the means to attach the sheath to your belt.
The Kydex sheath is nice although basic. But really in the end as long as it works, that’s all that matters.
MSRP: $169 Origin: USA
ESEE Expat Darien Machete
I know. This is a machete, but this is an article on camp knives. Truth is that machetes can be used in conjunction with camp knives. More so with the ESEE Expat Darien machete, this is also part machete and part knife as well.
Measuring a little over 18 inches, the Darien has a reach like any other machete, but it also has excellent balance and feels so agile in the hand that you can use it as a knife for whittling, chopping, batoning, and maybe some heavier cutting of camp food prep tasks. The blade is made from 1075 carbon steel and is very easy to resharpen in the field. At 0.094-inches thick, the blade stock is thin enough to be nimble and is thinner than most camp knives, which are at least ⅛-inch thick (0.125 inches).
The blade itself is a little over 12 inches, which is enough length to get work done. The handle is made from black micarta, which is a great choice because it’s a synthetic material that is dimensionally stable and has an excellent grip you back quality. The sheath is sewn canvas and is well made. An integrated belt look allows the Darien to be at your side whenever it is needed. Pair the Darien with a favorite full-blown camp knife and you have the ultimate combo!
MSRP: $121 Origin: El Salvador.
Spartan Blades Hersey Nessmuk
Spartan Blades made a name for itself as a top producer of high-end tactical and outdoor knives. It recently came out with a USA-made mid-grade line of professional use knives that are OEM’d by Kabar Knives in the Kabar factory in upstate NY. This series is known as the Silver line and offers enhanced features and value pricing. These are a step up from the company’s Bronze line of entry-level knives and a step down from its Gold line of elite, high-end knives. The Harsey Nessmuk was designed by knifemaker Bill Harsey to be a heavy-duty field companion on the hunt or at the campsite.
The Nessmuk skinner-inspired blade shape flares at the tip and is great for, well… skinning and slicing tasks. The 5-inch blade is big enough to get work done but short enough to not get in the way. 1095 carbon steel is used for the blade, and the high flat grind tapers allows it to slice cleanly and effectively. A black powder coating reduces glare and adds a layer of protection against corrosion.
One look at the handle design and you can tell it’s pure Harsey. Multiple features are integrated such as the lower hand guard, the palm swell in the middle, the traction notches at the thumb rest on the blade spine. There’s 3D machined texture for grip retention, all built into the black injection molded handles. Wrap your hand around the handle and you feel how secure and comfortable it is to grip, lending a feeling you can use the Spartan Harsey Nessmuk for extended periods.
It is a very well-thought-out design overall and meant for hard use in the great outdoors. The Harsey Nessmuk comes with an injection molded sheath with a thick webbing belt loop. An innovative retention feature locks the knife into the sheath, preventing it from coming out unless you want it to. There is a thumb button on the sheath you push up on as you grip the handle naturally to release the blade from the sheath. Not too many fixed blades have a feature like this and just rely on locking the sheath up around some part of the handle. When you insert the knife into the sheath, you will hear an audible click, indicating that the blade is locked. Very cool!
MSRP: $190 Origin: USA
Buck Knives General Pro
Any article talking about outdoor knives isn’t complete without a mention of a Buck knife. The company has been synonymous with the great outdoors since its inception. Its model 120 General Pro is one such knife, built to take whatever the great outdoors can dish up.
Crafted with a blade made from premium CPM S35VN stainless steel, the General Pro is built for hard use in all environments. Measuring a little over 7 inches in length, the clip point blade has a hollow grind, pronounced swedge, and a milled-in fuller, giving the knife its aggressive look. The handle is made from OD green canvas micarta for the ultimate all-weather grip.
The signature aluminum guard and pommel, present on all Buck fixed blades, cap off the handle’s construction and appearance. The General Pro excels at camp food prep, whittling, some chopping, and baton work for wood splitting. At 12 inches overall, it’s the perfect large fixed blade to have when you hit the great outdoors. It is accompanied with a sewn leather sheath, as is common with all Bucks.
The General Pro is the tonier model, but if it’s out of your price range, the General model offers the same design only with 420HC stainless steel blade, black phenolic handle and lower price.
MSRP: $128
Ontario RAT 7
Ontario’s collaboration with Randall’s Adventure & Training has yielded a very highly successful series of folding and fixed-blade knives that are aimed solely at outdoor adventures. One such example is the RAT 7. The fixed blade is a larger knife that can handle all of your camp chores and some food prep. But tough work like chopping and batoning wood is what the RAT 7 is built for.
The 7-inch long, flat ground, drop point blade is ground from 1095 carbon steel and given an epoxy powder coating to keep rust and corrosion at bay. The handle is a tan canvas micarta, an excellent choice for outdoor knives because it is fully synthetic and is impervious to moisture, cracking, and gouging. The handle design itself incorporates an integral lower finger guard, an ergonomic curved gripping area, and an exposed pommel with a lanyard hole. There is also a forward choil at the tang so you can employ a choke grip for more control over the blade.
Each RAT 7 comes with a nylon belt sheath that features an exterior accessory pocket for storage of a sharpener, folding knife, or additional survival supplies.
MSRP: $135
CRKT Bugsy
Designed by custom knifemaker and Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid star Kaila Cummings, the Bugsy is CRKT’s first USA-made fixed blade in the lineup. The knife receives its moniker from Cummings’s first appearance on the TV show when she received numerous big bites in the jungle in Colombia.
Featuring a 1095 carbon steel harpoon-style blade and a micarta handle, the Bugsy is as at home in the outdoors as it is an EDC fixed blade. With a blade length of a hair under 4 inches, the Bugsy is sized appropriately to take on most tasks inside camp or at home. Again, like some of the fixed blades discussed here, 1095 is used due to its low cost-to-performance ratio. It’s easy to resharpen in the field and offers reasonably good edge holding, which makes it a favorite amongst outdoor users.
The highly ergonomic handle showcases multiple finger grooves and an expanded butt end capture your hand to provide a secure, non-slip grip. Micarta is used due to its dimensional stability and excellent all-weather qualities—necessary for an outdoor use knife.
A leather fob is tied to the handle and acts as a handle extension for those with larger hands.
Accompanying each Bugsy is a high-quality leather sheath that holds the knife securely and at your side. There’s also a tactical version of Bugsy that features a black-coated, part-serrated blade and black G-10 handle. It comes with a black Kydex rig for belt carry.
MSRP: $200 Origin: USA
Fallkniven F1 Pro
For those not familiar with Fallkniven, it is a Swedish knife manufacturer with among the best-kept secrets in the production knife industry—its fixed blades. These tools are elegantly refined and yet sport blade and handle designs geared towards the practical. Like anything European, Fallknivens are a bit costly but are very worth it. You get what you pay for and then some.
Fallkniven’s F1 Pro fixed blade is a straightforward utility done up to the next level. The drop point blade is 4 inches in length and is ground from premium high-end ELMAX stainless steel, ensuring edge longevity and durability.
The handle is made from a polymer called Thermorun, a molded material soft to the touch. It sports checkered texturing that grips your hand back regardless of weather conditions. Hot, cold, wet, or dry…the Thermorun handle ensures a sturdy, comfortable purchase.
With an overall length of 8 and ½ inches, the F1 Pro carries very well in its hybrid molded Zytel sheath with nylon webbing belt loop. A secondary button snap strap secures the handle in place.
MSRP: $408
Mora Garberg Carbon
One of the best values in high-quality fixed blades undoubtedly is Mora, another Swedish knife manufacturer. Mora’s knives are highly functional and well-designed, yet they sell at prices anyone can afford. They are what I recommend to folks who want a good quality knife without breaking the budget. Mora’s Garberg is one of the company’s larger knives and is designed and built for survival and camping.
Starting with the blade, the modified clip point is made from carbon steel for ease of sharpening and is given a Scandi grind for optimum cutting performance and blade strength. The blade measures a hair over 4-inches long, which is enough to take care of most cutting tasks while being easy to carry. The blade is given a black coating to help protect it from corrosion since it isn’t stainless steel. The handle sports a full tang construction, the Garberg is the first Mora model to feature a full tang. This means the knife can withstand harder use than the other Mora knives.
The handle has a dual molded construction with molded Polyamide and hard rubber, for a durable and weather-resistant grip. The handle has rounded contours, which makes it easy on your hand for extended use. This handle design and construction is typical across the Mora knife line and is proven to be durable and comfortable in the long run. The sheath that accompanies the carbon steel Garberg is a nice leather sheath that protects the knife and allows the user to carry it conveniently.
MSRP: $130
Cold Steel SRK
Those of you into knives for a while have heard of Cold Steel. It has been around for a long time and so have some of the company’s classic designs such as the SRK (Survival Rescue Knife). Don’t let the name fool you though, this knife also excels at camp chores as well as any cutting task indoors or out.
The 6-inch blade is ground from SK-5 carbon steel and given an epoxy coating to protect it from the elements. SK-5 is a Japanese steel that is roughly equal to 1080 carbon. The clip-point blade is straightforward, but pure utility all around. It can pierce, score, and slice its way through all your camp-cutting tasks.
The handle is a molded rubber-like material that Cold Steel calls Kray-Ex. It sports checkered texturing for the ultimate grip regardless of weather conditions. An integrated, lower hand guard prevents your hand from sliding forward. The handle color is available in black, tan, and OD green to suit your personal preferences and primary use environment. The overall length is a little over 10 inches, making this a larger fixed blade, and it’s ideal for hard-use applications. Each SRK comes with a molded Secure-Ex sheath which is very similar to Kydex, allowing the sheath to be form-fitting and securely carry the SRK without rattle.
MSRP: $62
Spyderco Bow River
The Bow River from Spyderco is an affordable fixed blade in the SPYDERCO lineup that has great potential. Its trailing point blade style is highly adaptive to hunting, bird and trout, as well as general food prep in camp.
The blade is 4.4-inches long and is ground from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, which is the Chinese equivalent of Japanese AUS-8 stainless. 8Cr13MoV is easy to sharpen out in the field and offers reasonable stain resistance. It’s a good middle-of-the-road production stainless steel, favored by quite a few production brands. The full flat grind ensures optimum cutting performance through a variety of foods and meats. The trailing point blade design offers a continuous blade belly that works excellently with food prep, facilitating ease of slicing motions. At an overall length of 8.1 inches, the Bow River is an excellent choice for a fixed blade that carries easily and won’t break the bank.
The handle is black and gray G-10, with alternating color layers that produce an interesting wood grain visual effect when the handle is contoured. The handle is rounded and contoured to lay in your hand easily and very comfortably. You can get a good grip on this shape, even though it lacks any texturing. Each Bow River comes with a sewn leather belt sheath that carries the knife, ready at hand for any task.
Every now and then I come across a folder that just feels right both in my hand and in my pocket, one that’s not too large nor too small, yet still has that sleek look to it. The Coast LX532 framelock does it all for me. I really love the blade shape. However, it still must be able to slice and dice to get a top place in my book.
Coast LX532 Edge Test
The good ol’ paper slice worked for starters. The LX532 sliced very smooth with no effort. The thin blade made for great control during the cuts. The only challenge was getting my fingers out of the way fast enough.
It was back to 20-pound bond copy paper for the final edge test. The LX532 didn’t miss a lick, slicing very smooth, aggressive cuts.
It was time for the single-walled cardboard. The knife was quite aggressive in cutting it. Again, control was great. The thinner handle takes some getting used to but that’s not a big deal. There was some twisting on the cut pieces but that was me getting accustomed to the handle.
Plastic board was next. The LX532 handled it with ease. The thumb notches on the handle spine really came in handy as more pressure was needed to make the cuts. They notches stopped the thin blade from twisting in my hand while cutting.
LX532 Meduim-Duty Cutting
I had some leftover dense foam from the Kydex press to change out, so I decided to slice it up. The folder went through the foam like butter. The thin blade is extraordinarily sharp to say the least. Control was great yet again and I had to continue slowing my slicing down to keep my fingers intact.
The knife went through the foam like butter. The thin blade is extremely sharp to say the least.
Eight-ounce leather, anyone? I did some normal up-and-down slicing, along with some skiving. The edge was quite forceful slicing leather. I could hear each and every cut. The knife is exceptionally smooth and controllable for straight cutting. I switched positions and laid the leather flat for some skiving. The LX532 was very loud and aggressive slicing the material. I cut through the leather more times than I want to say. (It makes a better picture if the leather is all together rather than a bunch of smaller pieces.)
LX532 Heavy-Duty Cutting
With camping season in full swing, I needed to stock up on firesticks to start the campfire. The LX532 worked perfectly. It made great thin curlicues in the pine. It also took deeper bites if needed. The blade zipped through the wood. Control was great with my thumb on top of the handle. It was a lot of fun to do.
The blade zipped through the pine and made great thin curlicues. It also took deeper bites if needed.
I had my doubts about cutting sisal rope with such a slim knife. However, the folder proved it could go the distance, providing 200 crunching cuts before I stopped. The knife was still going strong. I was impressed. The framelock stayed at 100 percent engagement the whole time and was still smooth upon closing. Hats off to the folks at Coast.
It was back to 20-pound bond copy paper for the final edge test. The LX532 didn’t miss a lick, making extra-smooth, uncompromising cuts.
Overall Take
The LX532 is one sweet framelock. The slim overall shape is right up my alley. Performance is in the top 10 percent. Excellent job, Coast. I wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe some texturing of the handle?
We hack away at meaty machetes that cut to the quick and take no mercy on brush.
In many parts of the U.S.A., greenery is busting out all over with the year’s early warmth and rain. People are trimming shrubs, cutting grass, whacking vines and other yard tasks. If you are a camper or own land, chances are you have a need for a good machete to help clear brush and take down saplings.
Schrade Delta Class Decimate Bolo
The shallow blade grind enables the Schrade Decimate Bolo to bite deep into green wood.
The Decimate Bolo machete is part of Schrade’s Delta Class line of knives, and offers a good balance of performance and value pricing. The 12-inch blade and 8-inch handle make it a formidable slashing/chopping tool. The 3Cr13 stainless steel blade has the power and durability to hack through the toughest jobs without “decimating” your wallet. The steel seems to hold a decent edge and is easy to resharpen. I would compare it to 440A stainless. The blade shape is a fat spearpoint, offering easy forward-heavy balance that works well for extended use. A black coating enhances corrosion protection as well as low-profile visibility.
The handle seems well thought out with several key features. The integral guard prevents forward hand movement, while the bird’s-beak butt prevents rearward sliding of same. A generous swelling mid-handle fills your grip nicely. A heavy molded-in texture aids a nonslip grip and the black rubber overmold has a slightly tacky grab-you-back quality that works well with gloves or without. Wrap your hand around the grip and it feels secure and instills user confidence.
The accompanying sheath, a ballistic nylon/covered flexible plastic with a riveted construction, is basic but works. Two button snaps near the handle allow the sheath to open wider for easy insertion and removal. A button snap strap affixes the handle to the sheath. The most interesting feature is it carries via a strap and not traditionally on a belt. The back and bottom have two eyelets for strap attachment. Adjustable in length, the strap can fit around your torso to carry sling style for easy portability.
The Schrade Decimate Bolo is an effective chopper due to the weight of the blade and the gentle curve of the cutting edge.
A broad profile lends the blade forward balance for delivering effective chopping blows that can take down saplings easily. The shallow grind enables the blade to bite deep into green wood. The slight-downward-angle-kukri-style-blade-to-handle design helps accentuate cutting power. One thing: At first it felt like the handle was oversized and too big for my hand. When I put the machete to use, it became apparent the oversized nature is on purpose. I could employ two grip styles to maximize effectiveness.
If you grip it close to the forward guard, it allows you to execute detailed chopping maneuvers. The blade feels more controllable. But, when you slide your hand rearward to where your pinky catches on the bird’s-beak butt, it locks your grip in and promotes maximum leverage and power for strong chopping strokes. You never feel like the knife will get away from you. The rubber handle also assists in mitigating impact shock, which translates into a more comfortable user experience.
At an MSRP of $49.99, the Decimate Bolo is a fairly decent machete if you want to step up from something of lesser quality in a hardware store. Country of origin: China.
ESEE Knives Expat Darien Machete
The ESEE Expat Darien is not only a great chopper but also good for more delicate work such as quickly removing smaller limbs in one motion.
The ESEE Knives Expat Darien Machete is ruggedly made with a 12.4-inch blade of 1075 carbon steel. The blade has a notable two-tone appearance from the heat-treat scale left on the flats and the satin finish of the main grind bevels. It gradually tapers from belly to tang, evening out balance somewhat while having enough blade-forward weight to facilitate easy swinging.
The 6-inch Micarta® handle has some girth and fills your hand well. The downward curve profile helps lock in your grip and prevents rearward slippage. Three large brass rivets hold the Micarta slabs securely to the full tang. I like how the grip is a bit oversized, allowing you to wrap your hand around it while still feeling comfortable and secure. At 18 inches overall, the machete is an ideal size for serious work yet compact enough for comfortable carry and storing in a truck, SUV or side-by-side.
The reinforced ballistic nylon sheath is of a sewn, riveted construction, offering the toughness needed for housing the Darien. The desert tan nylon fabric offers a great alternative to the standard, ubiquitous black sheath. A single-button snap strap secures the knife. A large loop accommodates the thickest belts and is sewn securely to the sheath. It’s definitely well-made. MSRP: $120 Country of origin: El Salvador.
Gerber Gator Bolo
Chopping power is aplenty with the Gerber Gator Bolo and its longer blade. It has enough punch to make chopping saplings an easy task.
The Gerber Gator Bolo’s bolo-style blade flares at the tip to add a pronounced forward balance point that delivers powerful chops. The 15.4-inch blade is 1055 carbon steel in a black coating to resist corrosion. Overall length: 22.4 inches. The handle is a molded FRN with a textured rubber overmold for comfort in wet or dry conditions. The texturing is the same for all Gator series handles, with a simulated alligator hide pattern. Full-tang construction provides strength and improves balance.
The sheath is ballistic nylon lined with plastic to prevent blade puncture. A series of rivets holds the sheath together and a zippered portion opens it wide for easy removal/insertion. Two D-ring attachment points on the back anchor a shoulder strap. What’s weird is the strap is not included. You must supply your own. Neither is there a belt loop, which is somewhat surprising.
The lengthy blade is ideal for taking out vines, tall weeds, etc. It can fell saplings, though delivering the necessary chopping blows can get tiring. It nonetheless remains an effective machete if weeds and assorted vegetation are your primary target. Out-of-the-box edge quality was sharp enough to do the job.
The handle is comfortable. A large finger recess at the guard is well-suited for wrapping your hand around the grip. The simulated gator-hide texturing excels at holding your hand in place, gloved or no. The lanyard works well in the event you lose your grip. Some users say lanyards are a danger as letting go of the handle may cause the dangling machete to swing around on you as opposed to letting it drop to the ground safely. If you don’t want the lanyard, cut it off.
I found the Gator Bolo an effective chopper despite its dramatic blade-heavy balance. Just remember to let the weight and gravity do their thing on the downstroke. The blade bit hard into green wood and the shallow grind thins out the cutting edge nicely. The blade held an edge fairly well and is easy to resharpen. I improved edge quality using a coarse-grit diamond sharpening rod followed by a fine-grit ceramic honing rod—not even five minutes and I had a good edge on it. MSRP: $60. Country of origin: China. If you need a machete with reach, this one’s for you.
TOPS Knives Yacare
Whittling is possible with the TOPS Yacare and its great balance and gently curving cutting edge. It’s got an excellent edge with plenty of bite right out of the box.
Designed by company general manager Craig Powell, the TOPS Knives Yacare 10.0 is a barong-style machete 15.5 inches overall. The blade is 1095 carbon steel, a good performing material that’s easy to sharpen, and 10.25 inches—easily long enough for serious work. The blade’s forward balance works well as both a machete and a wood-chopping tool for dispatching saplings, vines and brush. The knife feels very controllable too, which is great for finer cutting tasks, something larger machetes normally don’t do well. The blade bites hard with every swing. The continuously curving cutting edge almost constantly presents itself at an angle to whatever is being cut, which enhances efficiency at powering through tall grass, weeds and saplings.
The black Micarta handle features integral front and rear guards to capture your hand and is definitely a user. The grip edges are contoured and rounded for comfortable purchase, and white fiber spacers add a nice visual pop. Micarta has long been a favorite handle material of mine and I prefer it on fixed blades such as this one. It’s a very durable, lightweight material that is dimensionally stable and impervious to fluid absorption. It can be textured to add grip traction without being overly aggressive. Hence, TOPS uses Micarta in a lot of its knives, both big and small.
The sheath is heavy-duty and well-made. It’s a ballistic nylon material that is quite rigid. A wide fabric-fastening strap secures the handle. As a nice added touch, there’s an exterior accessory pouch with a Fastex buckle closure. It stores things like a medium folder, sharpener or even a multi-tool. The belt loop is the same width as the sheath and heavy duty as well. MSRP: $270. Country of origin: U.S.A.
More Machetes
GERBER DUBLEDOWN FOLDING MACHETE
Blade length: 6.75” Blade steel: 420HC stainless Blade pattern: Recurve drop point Blade Finish: Stonewashed Weight: 18 ozs. Overall length: 15.1” Knife to know: Available in a green or black handle and a choice of blade finishes Sheath: MOLLE/belt carry Country of origin: USA MSRP: $129-$139
ESEE Darien
The ESEE Darien features an ergonomic Micarta® handle for comfort and comes with a rugged canvas sheath. According to ESEE, the knife is a chopping machine whether in the Amazon, the jungle or your own backyard. It carries the same “no questions asked” warranty as the knives in the standard ESEE line.
ESEE DARIEN Blade Length: 12.38” Blade Material: 1075 carbon steel Rockwell hardness: 54-56 HRC Blade’s Maximum Thickness: .094” Handle: Micarta® Knife weight: 15.5 ozs. Overall Length: 18.18” Sheath: Canvas Sheath weight: 4.5 ozs. Country of origin: El Salvador MSRP: $100 and up
Kershaw Camp 10
Though a camp knife in design, the Kershaw Camp 10 doubles as a machete, too. Clearing brush, making kindling and more, it does the trick. The integral crossguard is a nice safety feature and the handle has holes for either a forward or rear lanyard.
KERSHAW CAMP 10 Blade length: 10” Blade material: 65Mn spring steel Blade finish: Black powdercoat Blade pattern: Recurve drop point Handle: Full tang, glass-filled nylon with Sure-Grip overmold Knife weight: 1 lb. 2.3 ozs. Overall length: 16” Sheath: Glass-filled nylon w/gear straps and belt loop Sheath weight: 5.7 ozs. Country of origin: Design, prototype and quality control in USA; manufactured in China MSRP: $80.84
Utica Stealth I
The combination of a deep blade belly and dropped handle is designed to maximize the Utica Stealth I’s chopping and brush clearing performance. A single integral guard enhances user safety. The nylon belt sheath has a button strap to help secure the knife when sheathed.
UTICA STEALTH I Blade length: 11.25” Blade material: 1095 carbon steel Blade finish: Black oxide Handle material: Micarta® Weight: 21.87 ozs. Overall length: 17.5” Sheath: Nylon Country of origin: USA MSRP: $129.60
Coast F1400 Machete
A D-guard and full-tang construction help highlight the Coast F1400 machete. The sheath has a metal clasp for a secure hold.
COAST F1400 Blade length: 14” Blade steel: 3Cr13 stainless Blade finish: Black oxide over glass bead Handle material: Fiberglass-filled Nylon 6 Lanyard: Paracord Weight: 1 pound, 1.2 ozs. Overall length: 19.2” Special feature: Sawback blade Sheath: Nylon with hard plastic liner and riveted/sewn edge; includes belt loop Country of origin: China MSRP: $29.99
Kizlyar Supreme Bushmate
The Kizlyar Supreme Bushmate looks as much like a competition cutter as a machete, but the thin blade and Scandi grind makes it perform much better in the bush. The handle has two lanyard holes for rear or forward attachment, the latter doubling as an integral single guard.
KIZLYAR SUPREME BUSHMATE Blade length: 10 7/8” Blade steel: 420HC stainless Blade grind: Scandi Blade’s maximum thickness: .039” Blade finish: Satin Handle material: Caucasus walnut Weight: 13 ozs. Overall length: 17 3/8” Knife to Know: The Bushmate is also available in a convex AUS-8 stainless steel version with a maximum blade thickness of .1889” and a 19-oz. weight Sheath: Embossed leather Country of origin: Russia MSRP: $185
Cold Steel Kukri Machete
The Cold Steel Kukri Machete comes in two deep-bellied blade lengths: 13 (shown here) and 17 inches. Either is designed as a lightweight cutter for belt carry or lashed to a pack. The sheath comes with a reinforced tip and multiple snap downs.
COLD STEEL KUKRI MACHETE Blade length: 13” Blade material: 1055 carbon steel Blade finish: Black baked-on anti-rust matte Handle material: Polypropylene thermoplastic w/hole for a lanyard Handle length: 5” Weight: 16 ozs. Overall length: 18” Sheath: Cor-Ex® Country of origin: Import MSRP: $29.99
Ontario Camp Plus Machete
The Ontario Camp Plus Machete includes an ample D-guard handle for user safety. The carbon steel’s Rockwell hardness of 52-55 HRC renders the blade malleable enough to better endure high impacts.
ONTARIO CAMP PLUS MACHETE Blade length: 12.5” Blade material: 1075 carbon steel Blade finish: Phosphate coated Handle material: OD green molded plastic Weight: 1.65 lbs. Overall length: 17.7” Sheath: Black denier nylon packcloth w/heavy liner and belt loop Country of origin: USA MSRP: $29.07 (sheath sells separately for $11.95)
Smith & Wesson Cleaver Machete
The Smith & Wesson Cleaver Machete boasts blade cutouts to lighten the load, full-tang construction, an integral guard, and an ergonomic dropped handle with finger groove and a hole for a lanyard.
SMITH & WESSON CLEAVER MACHETE Blade length: 10” Blade steel: 420 stainless Handle: Overmolded rubber Special features: Sawback blade and textured hammer pommel Weight: 1.12 lbs. Overall length: 16.54” Sheath: Synthetic w/zipper and snap strap MSRP: $51.99
Editor’s Note: Dexter Ewing contributed to this post.
