Who has a Schempp Rock?

[BonnieDoon]

I am looking for a new hiking/camping fixed blade, and since I have been bitten by the spyder, I was wondering how this knife performs. Thoughts anyone?

[mikerestivo]

I like mine. I have used it several times, in the kitchen, oddly enough. It can take down a pineapple pretty quickly.

I have not carried it out of the house yet. I dig the sheath. Some guys don't like it but it seems cool to me.

[Scottie3000]

I havent used mine much, but I really like the negative blade angle and the blade stock that isnt too thick.

[DrChimRichalds]

Owned mine for a couple months then sold it. Made quick work of a full-sized watermelon. That was the only occasion I used it. It was a cool knife but it was a tad impractical for me to hold onto.

[BonnieDoon]

I must admit the shape is the main thing that I am on the fence about. Looks like a great chopper though.

[BAL]

I don't have one, but have been eyeing it quite a bit lately. I originally was thinking about the Warrior
but like the steel and pricing better on the Rock. It's an Ed Schempp knife as well. It looks like a great
camping type of knife. I have seen videos of people chopping with it and it did the job. I am more of
a folder person myself, but there are times when a fixed blade can work better, especially with the blade
size. I am interested to hear any comments myself.

[dschur]

I like mine, it is a great chopper and a nice blade length for harder use camp chores. The sheath fits it's overall style well IMO. It is also him value with lots of good steel for the price. It's my goto zombie knife.

For slightly lighter camp chores (no chopping and food prep) I generally prefer my somewhat more restrained Temperance 2. It is much better at food work for me.

[defenestrate]

Like the Rock Salt before it, this is a more practical production version of some of Mr. Schempp's competition cutter designs. I doubt you will see a knife in its size range from any production maker that will perform better in a light chopper or general camp use. The negative blade angle is excellent for cutting form and preventing repetitive strain in use.

[cckw]

It is a cool knife. I had one but never used it for anything. it seems that Spyderco rarely does a plain utilitarian fixed blade, there is always the extra stuff that makes it cool, but comes with extra cost. So I sold mine. For work like you are talking about I have a TOPS I got used for $40 and an EnZo Camper. Oh! and a Gransfors Bruks wildlife hatchet of course!

[ChapmanPreferred]

I have the Rock Salt and it has performed very well. I have collected a few hiking sticks with it in short order. I would not hesitate to continue carrying this shape with a full flat grind and VG10 steel.

[Jet B]

It really depends on exactly what kind of cutting chores you want to do with your camp/survival knife. The Rock is a fairly large knife, yet it has a relatively thin blade and it's not very heavy for it's size. I haven't had the chance to put it to hard use while camping but I have used it around home. It blows through heavy cardboard like a champ. In my opinion, it could possibly take the place of a very small hatchet for light carving/chopping type work. I did however pick up a Fallkniven F1 for my primary survival knife while working in remote areas since the Rock is just a bit too big to always have on my person while out flying. Plus, I was a bit concerned about the thin blade if I was going to be forced to do some nasty prying and that kind of stuff.

I can testify to the effectiveness of a kukri style blade when chopping. My Kabar kukri machete is a veritable beast and easily replaces a hatchet for chopping/wood splitting work. I imagine the Schempp Rock would be highly effective at one shotting light, green wood or chop style carving around camp. If I had to choose though, I would likely want to be out in the forest with my Fallkniven, a good small axe, a saw, and a couple of my favorite Spydie folders as backups and feather stick makers. It's a great knife though, and I would likely change my mind about what roles it can fill once I can get out camping this summer and put it to some real work.

Here are some pics for size comparisons for you. You can see in the top down picture how much thinner the blade is compared to the F1.





Knives in the pictures: Spyderco Paramilitary 2, Schempp Rock, Fallkniven F1, Kabar kukri machete.

[Blerv]

I had a Rock Salt for a while until people started going crazy on prices. I really want to get a Schempp Rock to replace it with.

The design is genius as everyone has mentioned from chopping to food prep. It's the closest thing to a lightweight Khukuri you can find on the market.

The con would be for extreme hiking might be it's overall length cutting back on some mobility. I guess this would depend what other products you are considering..

[christopher]

The Schemp Rock is a very nice knife. I've had it out in the woods camping, and it did everything I asked of it. Especially like the reverse curve, it works well for cutting up kindling and such for a fire.

[marcdurant]

I'm with Mikerestivo - this is my designated pineapple knife! Haven't used it much in the field - a little brush-clearing work, that's it. Very distinctive knife, I wouldn't trade mine for anything.

[Jay_Ev]

I have a couple of the older version with H-1 steel and I like them a lot. I had one Krein'd and it is on kitchen duty now. I haven't used it for camping, but have read many reports of people using it on things like pineapples and coconuts.