Texas-based maker gives his take on the Randall Model 19.
It’s safe to say Adam Williams has had a lifelong love affair with Randall Made Knives.
“I’ve been drawn to Randall Made Knives and their designs since my grandmother gave me a copy of the 1973 edition of The Gun Digest Book of Knives and saw my first image of a Randall knife. I was around 11 or 12,” he wrote.
Little did this matriarch know where her gift was going to lead her grandson. Eventually, the Texas-based maker said he worked for the legendary company when a chance trip to Randall’s headquarters in Orlando, Florida, for a stock sale developed into a whole lot more.
“While there, I asked if they ever hired. They told me they were actually hiring right now and would need me to start within two weeks,” Williams related. “I rode back to Tampa and asked my now wife if she’d be open to moving to Orlando, and without hesitation, she said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I showed up for my first day at Randall Made Knives expecting to sweep floors. Instead, they handed me a piece of steel stamped Randall Made, Orlando, Florida and told me to start grinding. I couldn’t believe it.”
Given this history, it’s little surprise Williams finds Randall a wellspring of inspiration in his own creations. His 10.63-inch Silverado hunting knife is one such example. The blade style is modeled after the stout design of the Randall Model 19—also known as the Bushmaster.
Adam Williams
Williams gives the classic all-purpose design his own twist, forming the ample 6-inch blade from Baker Forge Raindrop copper go mai and outfitting it with an azure hunk of fossilized walrus ivory. He finishes it all off with a nickel silver guard and butt cap. Despite his familiarity with Randall’s design language, his Silverado presented challenges, particularly in venturing into new materials.
“This was my first time using Cu Mai, and thus my main challenge with this knife. It was also my first time using Gator Piss etch,” Williams said. “Jordan Berthelot of JB Blades provided plenty of tips regarding the etch. This coupled with multiple re-sanding, re-buffing and re-etching, I finally got the finish I was looking for on the blade.”
Rare materials, excellent execution and legendary inspiration—it’s likely Randall’s namesake, Bo, would have approved of Williams’ work.
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.
Consider four large kitchen knives, all under $80 each.
As you get older and entertain bigger gatherings, do you find yourself wanting to improve your culinary chops?
A little more blade may be just what you need to sharpen your prep time so you can spend more time enjoying your food than getting it to the table. Larger and more focused kitchen tools can indeed improve your efficiency and your proficiency as a gourmet chef as well.
The focus here is on large and/or specialized kitchen knives, specifically the different types and what they can do to make your job easier and your cooking better, each for under $80. Large cooking knives vary widely and we’re going to show you four variations. Keep in mind, most kitchen knives aren’t just for cutting meat but are for preparing fruit, vegetables and other items such as breading or crusts, too.
Utica Meat Dad Chef’s Knife
The Utica Meat Dad Chef’s Knife is for large cuts of meat, fruits and vegetables. It took half-inch medallions off a plump pork tenderloin for the sauté pan.
Meat Dad Chef’s Knife Specs Blade length: 7.54” Blade steel: 440C stainless Blade finish: Food Safe Black PVD Handle material: Orange G-10 Weight: 17” Overall length: 12.5” Country of origin: USA MSRP: $74.99
The Utica Meat Dad Chef’s Knife is a whopper with a blade belly 2.25 inches deep for carving the big stuff when needed and everyday slicing and dicing as well. The beefy orange G-10 handle helps maintain control on the wieldy blade for it all.
Though the test’s two chef’s knives—the Fox Knives Meat Slicer being the other—have meat in their names, they facilitate a much wider variety of meal prep tasks, including the slicing, dicing and mincing of a wide range of vegetables and other fare.
The Meat Dad is large enough to tackle a watermelon in a straight cut.
The Utica is large for a chef’s knife so we tested it on some heathy chores, such as cutting a nice, plump pork tenderloin into fat medallions for a tasty sauté. We also tried the Meat Dad out on a watermelon and, thanks to the stout blade, sliced it straight as an arrow from top to bottom. Sometimes you just need a large knife and the Utica tackles those requirements quite well.
Fox Meat Slicer Knife
Like many typical chef’s knives, the Fox Meat Slicer is capable of many functions. Wrote the author: “I used the knife for slicing small brown portobello mushrooms to add to an omelet. Note the sharp, crisp cuts—a sign the mushrooms were not prepared by an ordinary kitchen knife.”
Meat Slicer Specs Blade length: 7.8” Blade steel: UNI X59CrMoV15 stainless Blade finish: Fine satin Handle material: Black PP synthetic Weight: 3.75 ozs. Overall length: 12.4” Country of origin: Italy MSRP: $36.94
All chef’s knives are relatively long but not all have blades that can be tiring to use. The Fox Meat Slicer Knife is a much trimmer, more svelte example. A large Italian cutlery company with an impressive presence in the USA, Fox offers a strong group of knives in its Due Cigni Coltellerie line.
One of the group is the Meat Slicer, a long chef’s knife with a slim profile sporting an extended, slender drop-point blade only .12-inch thick. It comes with a gently curved handle that has just enough drop at the base to protect your fingers during use.
The Meat Slicer is more adept at less cumbersome tasks of both the meat and vegetable variety. We first used it on a couple of smoked sausage links, cutting roughly 3/16-inch slices down the length of each for an omelet. The knife performed quickly and with ease.
The Fox Meat Slicer is excellent for most meals that don’t require cutting thick slabs of meat or large fruit and vegetables. It made quick work prepping smoked sausage.
To add a little flavor, we turned to some portobello mushrooms. Taking a handful, I trimmed the stems off and sliced them up one by one in a jiffy. The German steel performed very well and the handle was the most comfortable of the test lot.
A.G. Russell 6-inch Boning Knife
The A.G. Russell relieved the chicken breast of its hard-shell-bone understructure pronto. “Fowl such as chickens retain their juices and flavor much better when cooked on the bone,” the author noted. “Here the chicken breast is removed, sliced and ready to eat.”
The A.G. Russell 6-inch Boning Knife just might be your go-to counter slicer for a myriad of kitchen duties. While its name is designated for separating meat from bones, the A.G. Russell can perform a myriad of duties such as trimming, slicing and dicing both meat and veggies. Some even clean their afternoon catch with it as it is closely related to a fish knife. The blade is super thin and the piece is very lightweight.
The A.G. Russell got the most tedious work out of the foursome due to the nature of the beast. Fortunately, chickens go through extensive steps of processing before average folk ever set eyes on them. Whether fried, barbecued or roasted, the best way to keep a chicken breast moist is with the skin, breast meat and bone structure cooked together.
After cooking the bird, use the sharp cutting tip to cut the area around the breast skin so it can be removed with the meat. Next, peel the skin back and slowly work the blade between meat and bone structure and slowly use the fingers of your other hand to peel the entire breast off with the skin on. Slice and eat!
The A.G. Russell Boning Knife has a thin, sharp blade very much akin to a fish knife and can be used for other types of work around the kitchen. The author used the razor-sharp blade to cut off the tails of shrimp for a cocktail.
The Boning Knife, like the others, is handy in other ways as well. You can slice small veggies and fruits, trim fat and do all sorts of clean-up chores to make food more presentable.
Ontario Old Hickory 76 7-inch Cleaver
Cutting thick carrots across the grain can be tough on many kitchen knives but was easy for the Ontario Old Hickory 76 Cleaver.
Old Hickory 76 Cleaver Specs Blade length: 7.5” Blade material: 1075 carbon steel Blade grind: Flat bevel Blade finish: Brushed Handle material: Wood Weight: 10 ozs. Overall length: 12” Country of origin: USA MSRP: $30.50
We’ve saved the big gun for last: the Ontario Old Hickory 76 7-inch Cleaver. There’s something to be said for the simple, matter-of-fact Old Hickory edged tools. Maybe it’s the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude—and I like it! The blade has a horizontal pattern pressed into it, a hole for hanging in the upper lead edge, and an Ontario Knife Co., Tru Edge, Made In U.S.A., sword logo stamp in the top center. The blade climbs upward toward the tip at its spine and the cutting edge has a gentle curve to it.
When you need a heavy hand and finesse is no object, the cleaver will get the job done. We used it for cutting some tough-as-nails carrots with no problem. The same went for hard sausage. There’s no sense in dulling a sharp knife blade on hard, tough foods when a cleaver can cut them with haste and look for its next challenge.
Chubs of hard summer sausage are what the Old Hickory 76 lives for.
Old Hickory blades are the kind of “git ’er done” kitchen knives and tools that take your tough challenges on their back and never cry uncle. My family grew up with Old Hickory blades and I recommend keeping them around the kitchen when tough times call for tough tools.
Final Cut
There you have it—four different ways to make your kitchen more useful without breaking the bank. If you’re ready to expand your culinary universe, look no further than these useful, able kitchen helpers.
Awards Were Given Out In Nine Different Custom Knife Categories Including Best In Show At BLADE Show West In Salt Lake City.
Dozens of makers entered knives in competition across eight different custom knife categories. The skill on display was tremendous, and numerous knives wowed the judges. However, these were the blades that stood out from the crowd and took home the awards. All images are SharpByCoop Images.
Micarta Is One Of Many Materials Used For Blade Handles. Used For More Than A Century, Micarta Continues To Be Incredibly Popular.
Micarta is not a new material, in fact, it has been used for over 100 years. Unlike naturally-occurring materials, Micarta offers properties other materials don’t. We’re going take a look at what Micarta is and what makes it probably the best material available for making knife handles today.
What Is Micarta?
Micarta is the name of a commercially-owned product, and isn’t just a generic material. Micarta is a durable type of composite made of a base material suspended in epoxy resin. Norplex Inc. owns the trademark on the term.
The material is compressed under heat and is classified as a thermoset product. The main name associated with the invention of Micarta is George Westinghouse. During his life, Westinghouse never stopped creating new things, and the first developments of what we know now as Micarta occurred somewhere between 1900 and 1910.
Because of the way that Micarta is made, it has extensive applications for insulation in electrical systems. It is unknown when this material became a popular knife handle option, but it is safe to say it’s never been more popular than today. Like many materials of the era, such as Bakelite and Celluloid, Micarta found its way into craft use.
How Is Micarta Made?
It’s hard to pin down Micarta. In the old days, fabric and paper were used as the base material, but today we have a wide variety of other types that exist, including carbon fiber and glass. Knife handles are actually a fairly narrow category of end-use for Micarta.
The process by which Micarta is made is relatively simple. Materials are soaked in whatever type of thermoset is going to be used, and, once impregnated by the resin, it is subjected to intense heat and pressure which causes a sheet to be formed. Decades ago, Micarta was also made in large blocks.
These large blocks are a favorite for revolver grips and other large, three-dimensional forms. There are people that shop garage sales and estate auctions looking for fixtures or items made using these older types of Micarta. The most prized is a type of paper Micarta that is about the closest thing to elephant ivory in terms of texture and color that grip makers can get.
Who Uses Micarta?
Mini knife makers that work with the material end up ordering large quantities to their specifications. Smaller companies tend to work with what is available through existing supply chains, which is a large reason why you end up seeing very similar colors across the board.
It is possible to get Micarta in custom colors and textures, though you may have to spend thousands to get it. If you find that you are looking to put a nice handle on a knife, it is a good idea to call around and see if any companies have scrap that they are willing to sell.
Micarta Vs. G-10
True Micarta is not the same thing as G-10 or other types of thermoset laminates. Many people tend to use the terms interchangeably, but in a strict manner of speaking, true Micarta will be made using paper, burlap, canvas, or linen set in resin. G-10 is different in that uses glass cloth, a type of material made from carbon fiber filaments.
Micarta is usually heavier than G-10 and carbon fiber laminates, but, in terms of knife handles, the difference is negligible and is not too far apart from the weight of standard hardwoods. Bakelite, while common on a tremendous number of products and weapons, isn’t the same type of material as Micarta even though it occupied many of the same roles.
Comparing Micarta To Other Handle Materials
As Micarta has become more popular, more companies have offered it as an option, but sometimes incorrectly. A true Micarta material is not quite as durable as G-10, but it is going to hold up better than wood or leather. G-10 is an essentially absorption-proof material. Most handle materials out there, Micarta included, will absorb a degree of water, sweat, or blood.
Though it is unlikely to permanently stay in the material, it is recommended you keep Micarta clean. Usually, hot soap and water does the trick, and, while you can get oil on it, expect it to stain a bit. This has to do with the fact that the materials in Micarta are either paper or fabric, and many of these materials are exposed, though fully impregnated by resin.
Wood handles are subject to small problems, and if installed incorrectly, they can split or crack quite easily. Wooden handles are not especially great for heavy outdoor tasks, such as chopping or batoning. Wood also has the problem of absorbing ambient moisture. In especially humid environments, handles can swell and crack on the pins. Micarta has no grain in the way that wood does, although it is typically applied to knives along its length.
When comparing Micarta to carbon fiber it comes down to durability and weight savings. Carbon fiber is not an especially durable material, though it is very lightweight. As far as knife handles go, carbon fiber is excellent for inlays and panels, though it is not as good of a material for making full scales. When compared directly to Micarta or G-10, carbon fiber is harder to shape and is more difficult to apply a working textured finish.
Best Knives With Micarta Handles
Linen and canvas Micarta is my hands-down favorite material for knife handles. The reason I find these types of Micarta the best is that they provide the greatest degree of function in the hardest environments. I like G-10, but I have found it too slippery across the board when covered in blood and fat out hunting and it becomes ice cold to the touch very quickly. While it is a very durable material, it feels much more like plastic than Micarta and, for lack of a better way of saying it, never develops the character like wood, leather, or Micarta.
Linen or canvas Micarta offers the texture I want on a grip across the board, and I have put several products through an insane amount of daily use without any negative effects. Each of these knives I list here I have used for months or years, and I can strongly recommend them.
Winkler Utility Knife
The utility knife was the first Winkler I ever owned, and it is still a constant companion. I have used this knife extensively for everything from opening paint cans and cutting heavy-duty straps to prying apart pallets and even building out countertops and interior demolition.
I have logged hundreds of hours with this knife in hand and it has been extremely comfortable the entire time. The green Micarta handle has held up extremely well, though it now has some gouges from use. It is not on the cheap side, retailing at $450, but it has been worth every penny.
Case/Winkler No.6
A collaborative project between Case Knives and Winkler, the recurve utility No.6 is a heavy-duty knife built for some of the hardest projects. I have taken this knife with me out to the field and have also lent it out as a skinning knife for deer hunting.
Due to its deep, recurve belly it is exceptional for chopping tasks and is just as good in the kitchen as it is blasting through small limbs. While no longer available on the Case website, my version has a tan canvas Micarta grip and it has held up exceptionally well. While it’s not contoured exactly to my hand as I have experienced with knives direct from Winkler, it feels good in its own right and will provide a lifetime of use. The MSRP is $430.
White River Knife And Tool FC7
An extremely attractive, large knife, the FC7 is my go-to hunting knife for deer. While it may seem like a large knife, my experience in the field has taught me that it is probably the best big-game knife money can buy today. It is gorgeous to look at and the orange liners on the green Micarta definitely add to it. I see no reason why I will not continue to get years and years of use out of this product. The MSRP on the FC7 is $330.
White River Knife And Tool Exodus 4
The Exodus 4 is the knife that I use in the kitchen every day for almost all tasks. It is probably the most washed knife on this list. It has been constantly exposed to soap, oil, and all other manner of kitchen materials. It makes an excellent carrot peeler using the square edge of the spine.
My version has black Micarta panels, and they have held up extremely well to the constant washing and use. This knife and its grip have arguably been exposed to more caustic materials across-the-board than any of the other products, it was even put through the dishwasher several times by accident. The Exodus 4 is easy to hold even while in the direst of kitchen nightmares. The MSRP is $175.
ESEE Camp Lore RB3
The knife itself had some shortcomings. The steel is sharp but requires maintenance, and it is not very resistant to blood. My original version of this knife has been discontinued, Esee has a dimensionally identical, but cosmetically different, version for sale now. The MSRP on that knife is $190.
I don’t remember what the Camp Lore version cost many years ago, but it has held up to my abuse. The grip panels are Micarta, and they have seen more than their fair share of punishment. The blade shape was less than ideal for working on four or five deer in a night, and I quickly learned my lesson and moved to a bigger knife. I will say that in the years that I used this knife, it was a good friend for the field, and I look forward to passing it on to my kids when they are older.
Check out a few of the new blades that caught our eye in Las Vegas.
It was a busy week at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas for the outdoor and shooting extravaganza known as the SHOT Show. Of course, there were plenty of factory makers in attendance with plenty of new releases for the coming year.
Sadly, we were unable to make every cutler in the house for the big dance but we did stop by a good number and caught a glimpse of some of the new blades for 2025.
Kronos Knives Gung Ho! Line By Ken Onion
Kronos is a new kid on the block, one-year-old as of SHOT Show 2025. The upstart knifemaker had a heck of an anniversary surprise at the home of its launch. The South Carolina-based company unveiled four Ken Onion-designed Gung Ho! line of fixed blades. The four knives that make up the line are all outdoor/tactically angled with 1095 steel blades and G10 handles. The models include the Stiffneck (MSRP $220), Maxhunter ($228), Elitesurvival ($256), and Truedefender ($228, pictured above). Kronos will have them for sale at the end of February.
Case Sculped Ridgeback
Case gives a modern and rugged look to its Ridgeback Hunter line with the introduction of the Sculpted Ridgeback. The fixed blade still has the sexy sweeping stainless steel blade true to the line but is dressed out in a durable and attractive new handle. In this case, canvass Micarta with G10 liners. The texturing is aggressive, making a workhorse that’s not afraid of bad weather but just as attractive as its rosewood predecessor which it is pictured with above. Case has a $128 MSRP on the knife.
Vero Engineering/Pro-Tech Custom Synapse
The Custom Synapse Auto is a pretty sweet meeting between two of the knife industry’s heavy hitters. Given the fanbase of both companies, expect these to fly off the shelves with the $525-$700 price points. Jeez, who doesn’t want an auto Synapse? Especially one done up with Pro-Tech’s typical flare—pearl inlay button, an action that snaps like a wet gym towel, etc. Mouths will have to water for a while, the auto Synapse doesn’t go public for another six months or so.
CRKT Provoke X Axe
An axe in your pocket? You bet—thanks to the mad geniuses at CRKT. Unveiled at the show, the Provoke X Axe is the latest in the forward-thinking Provoke line. Designed by Joe Caswell, the axe’s head and spike fold flush against the handle, deploying with a flick of the wrist. Built from D2 steel, it’s too light for felling trees but perfect for its tactical role—and it looks like it means business. With an MSRP of $350, the Provoke X Axe is set to drop to the public later this year.
A bushcraft knife is more than a cutting tool—it’s a partner in the woods. Unlike kitchen cutlery or tactical blades, bushcraft knives balance durability with precision. They carve, split and shape wood, strike sparks and handle camp chores with ease. Key traits of a good bushcraft knife include a full tang for strength, a comfortable handle for extended use and a grind suited to carving and slicing. Blade steel must retain an edge while resisting chipping and the sheath should securely hold the knife in rugged conditions. In short, bushcraft knives are built for living outdoors, not just surviving it.
Survival Knives vs. Bushcraft Knives
Survival knives feature a robust design for emergencies, allowing users to chop, pry and withstand heavy abuse. They may feature serrations, hollow handles or multi-purpose functions aimed at crisis situations. Bushcraft knives, by contrast, emphasize control and precision. They carve wood, prepare food and perform camp tasks with efficiency. Where survival knives lean on brute strength, bushcraft knives rely on finesse. The distinction lies in intent: survival knives help you endure unexpected hardship, while bushcraft knives help you thrive in the wilderness through daily, deliberate use.
Böker Bronco Mini
In the utility realm, the Böker Bronco Mini sliced all types of materials with Scandi precision.
The Böker Bronco Mini Fixed Blade measures 8.23 inches overall with a 3.375-inch CPM 3V blade in a drop point profile. Finished in satin and stonewash, the blade combines toughness with clean cutting ability. A Scandi grind makes it ideal for carving wood and bushcraft tasks, giving precise control in camp chores. To ensure stability, the tang is continuous and extends slightly beyond the handle end, allowing it to withstand strong impacts, such as striking a log. Additionally, a brief segment at the back of the blade features sharp 90-degree edges on both sides. The exposed tang can be used to generate sparks with an optional fire starter. The green TPE handle is textured for grip and measures 4.625 inches, providing comfort and security during extended use. At 4.8 ounces, it balances portability with durability.
A Kydex sheath provides ambidextrous carry and locks the knife securely with a solid click. Compact yet rugged, Böker built the Bronco Mini to baton kindling, process game, and thrive as a daily outdoor companion.
Unbroken Bronco
The exposed pommel/ferro rod striker is an outstanding feature of the Böker Bronco Mini for added utility.
Although the Böker Bronco Mini did all the bushcraft chores as well as any, it really shone in a utility role. I created a solid, realistic gauntlet of slicing tasks for the Böker Bronco Mini. I started with cutting heavy-duty scrap leather on a cutting board, holding it in one hand while slicing with the other. Next, I did the same with high-strength tow strapping. This task was difficult and would dull most new blade edges. This then set the stage for the lighter jobs. Old phone cord and zip ties fell victim to the Scandi blade, as did the jute twine. I cut up a lot of strong plastic package strapping, as we were close to the box-breaking-down season. Still, no issues.
With the amount of traveling I do, my life is full of luggage tags and boarding passes. If the edge wouldn’t slice these, I’d know the more robust materials dimmed it down. The Böker Bronco Mini passed the utility test like a champ. These were very realistic everyday chores that extend past the duration of this review.
Knives By Nuge Cub‑Muk
The Cub-Muk is a newish installment of the Knives By Nuge Cub series. The author used it as his companion blade in the Adirondacks with Nuge.
Inspired by the classic Nessmuk pattern, the Cub-Muk offers a compact yet full-featured design. Measuring 7 inches overall and featuring a 2.75-inch blade, with AEB-L stainless steel and a blackened, tumbled finish for durability. The Scandi grind, also available in Saber, excels at carving wood and shaping camp tools. Canvas Micarta scales provide a secure, weather-resistant grip, while the leather sheath adds traditional appeal and reliable retention. With its stout blade and full-sized handle, the Cub-Muk delivers agility and precision, making it a favorite for fine bushcraft work where control and efficiency matter most.
Floatplane-Camp Test
In the Adirondacks, the author prepared food for the camp using the KBK Cub-Muk. Proving the Scandi blade can slice tomatoes and process food.
During my time in camp, the Knives By Nuge Cub‑Muk proved itself as a true workhorse. I carried it five days straight in the Adirondacks, relying on it for every small task that came up. Food prep, cordage cutting, and campcrafts were routine. The AEB‑L steel held a keen edge, and the hump‑backed spine added utility, scraping fish clean and even scooping meals when needed. Safely, of course.
Projects around camp highlighted the Nessmuk’s strengths. I carved pot hangers, stakes, and tool handles from both green and seasoned wood. Instead of chasing perfect points for stakes, I favored wedge ends that drove easily into the soil. Light taps with a stick set stop cuts for notches, giving me clean results without heavy batoning. The Scandi grind excelled at feather sticks, producing fine curls that caught quickly. Paired with a ferro rod, the squared spine showered sparks, igniting tinder in seconds.
The Cub‑Muk blends Nessmuk’s classic lines with modern materials, creating a compact knife that sees constant use. Its sharp edge, comfortable handle, and versatile design made it indispensable. From carving camp gear to starting fires, it delivered precision and reliability, proving that small knives often carry the biggest load in the woods.
Winkler Woodsman
The Winkler Woodsman has an 8.75-inch overall length with a 4.25-inch blade forged from 80CrV2 steel and finished in Caswell black oxide.
The Winkler Woodsman measures 8.75 inches overall with a 4.25-inch blade forged from 80CrV2 steel and finished in Caswell black oxide for corrosion resistance. Its flat grind and drop-point profile provide versatility for carving, slicing and light chopping. The sculpted maple or canvas laminate handle offers a secure grip, while the skeletonized tang reduces weight without sacrificing strength.
A lined Boltaron sheath with a leather overlay and a spring-steel belt clip ensures reliable carry. Built for balance and control, the Woodsman blends rugged durability with refined handling, making it a standout choice for serious bushcraft tasks.
Table To Woods
A bushcraft stew wizard, the Winkler Woodsman performed well on a rustic chicken stew.
It was a cold-weather stew week when I got the Winkler Woodsman, so I put it to work right away in the kitchen. Carrots are always a more challenging task for a bushcraft knife. Typically, bushcraft knives’ thickness and Scandi grind messily wedge and split root veggies. Luckily, the Winkler Woodsman has a high saber grind, which some would call flat. It easily cut the stubborn carrots using a longer stroke. Celery and onions were just as simple with the longish bush blade, thanks to its sharpness out of the box and its grind. I used a chef’s grip (pinch grip) with comfort. The potatoes were russet, which aren’t too hard and cook rather quickly. Still, they can be difficult like carrots. No worries with the Winkler Woodsman, however.
Lastly, there was a delicate chicken breast, which I butterflied and boiled for easier, faster cooking. The blade shape was perfect for this task. I don’t think any other blade for this review could have done the same stellar job for a winter chicken stew as the Winkler Woodsman.
Bear Forest Simple 2
The author uses the Bear Forest Knives Simple 2 in a chest-lever grip for making camp tools.
Sized down from the original Simple series (4-inch blade), the Bear Forest Simple 2 measures about 6 inches overall. It features a 3.5-inch AEB-L stainless steel blade. Its zero Scandi grind bites cleanly into wood, excelling at carving and slicing tasks. Butterscotch and Mocha paper Micarta with red burlap “bearcarta” scales give the handle a warm, secure feel.
The ambidextrous JRE leather sheath (black) allows for belt or neck carry. Lightweight yet tough, the Simple 2 blends corrosion resistance with practical design. It’s streamlined for everyday bushcraft chores, offering a reliable companion for carving, camp setup and field use without excess bulk.
Simply Qualified
The author made a try stick with the Bear Forest knife, quickly and efficiently.
I gave each knife a project suited to its strengths. For the Bear Forest Knives Simple 2, I chose the classic try stick—a green branch about arm’s length and thumb to broomstick thick. It’s a perfect way to practice knife control and notch work. Over several months, I used the Simple 2 for fire prep, food tasks, and camp projects, including tarp stakes and a bowsaw, but the try stick demonstrated its precision. I carved 11 practical notches, from root strippers and V-notches to square reductions, latch notches, and lashing crosscuts. In the middle, I shaped double flats and pierced a square hole with the pointed tip, cradling the handle in my palm for control. I added a saddle notch, a round reduction, a pot hook and a rounded end for digging sticks or stakes.
The thin edge bit deeply, shaving clean curls for tinder. The belly of the blade handled reductions, while the sharp spine proved useful for peeling bark. The oval handle stayed comfortable, with a rounded butt that anchored the grip. Compact yet capable, the Simple 2 excelled at fine carving and practical camp work, proving itself a reliable bushcraft companion.
Bushcraft Breakdown
You can’t go wrong with any of the bushcraft blades here. They have their strengths without many drawbacks!
