Would you be interested in a Spyderco Hudson Bay camp knife?

[vivi]

In the 16th century Delica thread I mentioned the Hudson Bay Camp Knife pattern.

It's a nice general purpose design that can do a little bit of everything. A real jack of all trades design. They can chop up veggies for dinner, clean game, build a shelter, split some firewood, make feathersticks, hack through some light brush, etc.

Here is the Bark River version:



Here's the post I made, which shares some background info on the pattern, and shows off more versions of it.

...From what I've read, this pattern was popular with trappers, hunters and frontiersmen in Canada & the US during the 1600's & 1700's. Specifically the Hudson Bay & Great Lakes areas. This was a large camp knife that would be used for skinning game, cutting food, light brush clearing and probably self defense. They were made in Sheffield, England for the HBC.

The knife is a fixed blade with a clip point variation and gently concaved handle with a rounded butt. The blades are typically full flat ground simple carbon steel with a thin spine, making them fairly light for their size. Blades generally 6-9," but I've seen 4" to 14". Handles are most commonly wood.

Here's some examples:

Two of unknown origin from a Fur Trade museum


Bark River


Sheffield


Custom (ML Knives)


Condor (Tempted to buy this one actually)


In fact the camp knife I bought for myself recently is basically a modern interpretation of this pattern.

I'd like to see Spydercos take on this classic.

[Larry_Mott]

I'd love to see Spyderco's take on it but i suspect i'd end up with the Condor, unless they come close enough in price (not likely)

[ChrisinHove]

Timely topic: I’ve been looking at these:
https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/ ... teel/30189

[Larry_Mott]

I have Swedish forum/FB group friends who use the Skrama (and new Mini Skrama) they are very happy with them generally.

[Wartstein]

Great that you started the poll indeed! Voted "yes", would be really interested in a Spydieverson of this design. Wonder what sort of steel they would choose. Would hope nothing TOO soft, though in that kind of knife toughness is more of a concern than edge holding.

[dogrunner]

After the Ankerson/Sanders camp knife and Skrama that L-M mentioned (great, not too expensive camp tool), I don't have a need for another largish camp knife. I actually have a bunch of knives that fit the bill, and although I like the overall design and the BR are nice looking, as much as I like everything Spyderco makes, this would not be on my priority buy list. But if they make one, I'm sure it will be a great one.

[vivi]

Great that you started the poll indeed! Voted "yes", would be really interested in a Spydieverson of this design. Wonder what sort of steel they would choose. Would hope nothing TOO soft, though in that kind of knife toughness is more of a concern than edge holding.

I'd like to see a simple carbon steel. Something tough, easy to sharpen, and inexpensive. 1095 and O1 come to mind.

I wonder if Spydercos chinese makers can work with any steels like this? Seeing the Bow Rivers price point makes me wonder what they could do with a larger design.

[Sumdumguy]

Yes!

LC200N please!

[Peter1960]

A Skrama is hard to beat, pricewise and quality wise ... I voted for NO.

[bearfacedkiller]

I think the Ankerson/Sanders Bowie is close. Maybe if it sells well we will see a 9inch version? That would be amazing in my opinion.

I find the Condor tempting but the reports are that the edge is thick like many condors.

[Pelagic]

It DOES NOT depend on the specs for me. I'd be interested.

[DBCOOPER]

Yea, maybe if Spyderco made one instead of brk, I'd be interested

[Wartstein]

A Skrama is hard to beat, pricewise and quality wise ... I voted for NO.

No offense, but just imho the Skrama is not something really comparable to a Spydie - Hudson Bay camp knife..

I considered the Skrama once myself (did not get it eventually): It is sure a very good and sturdy tool for the money, but JUST that (which is not a bad thing in itself!). Very practical, but not designed with style or doing a new take on a historic design in mind.
A Spyderco-version would be (I hope so) a very thought through and quality version of the old Hudson Bay knife - probably MORE quality than needed in such a beater tool, but something more appealing to knife-lovers who appreciate such things... which does not mean that it should be not a user! All my Spydies get used, though sometimes a less valuable knife would be the smarter choice for harder tasks...

[MacLaren]

I would love to see a Spyderco Hudson Bay Camp Knife.
Preferably, the BRK Type 2 design. ....in 3V :)

[ThePeacent]

I'd like to see a simple carbon steel. Something tough, easy to sharpen, and inexpensive. 1095 and O1 come to mind.

I wonder if Spydercos chinese makers can work with any steels like this? Seeing the Bow Rivers price point makes me wonder what they could do with a larger design.

if it's anything like the Kershaw Camp series made in China with 65Mn carbon steel, I am sure they'll be great performers, my Camp 10 was an excellent chopper for the 3 years I had it :cool:

[Sumdumguy]

Why is there so much disdain for this design?

[vivi]

Why is there so much disdain for this design?

I'm surprised at the poll results too, but I do appreciate honesty.

[dogrunner]

To be clear, I really like the design. I just have that tool covered multiple times over. Spyderco would do an outstanding job on one, but at the price they would likely cost for a quality build, I won't buy one. That is why I voted no. Not because of disdain for the design - that is reading too much into an answer to the specific question posed.

[Wartstein]

Why is there so much disdain for this design?

I'm surprised at the poll results too, but I do appreciate honesty.

Me too.
Maybe it´s because this would be a very untypical knife for Spyderco? On the other hand, that´s one of the things that would make it even more intriguing for me to see what they would come up with
Or maybe many read the question as "would you PURCHASE a knife like this"; for me, that´s a two step thing (like with practically any Spyderco):
Step one: I want to see the design and if possible handle it
Step two: If it really appeals to me and I can afford it, I´ll try to purchase it

[The Meat man]

Interested? Sure, but probably not enough to buy. There are just too many other Spyders out there. :)