Spyderco Bushcraft Knife

[JD Spydo]

I will go as far to say that Spyderco is just at the pioneering stage of their market share of fixed blade knives. So far there have been 3 masterful designs that have been largely ignored by the knife buying public. I think people up till now just haven't taken Spyderco's fixed blade knives seriously.

The three that have been terribly overlooked are the Temperance, The Ronin and The Perrin. I think the Temperance would be close to qualifying as a "Bushcraft" blade but I do agree with UK Ken that we need a model that would be designed only for that purpose.

I agree with what the one brother said about the Kumo's rather uncomfortable handle. I'm not even sure at this point exactly what handle might be the best one to use but there are a lot of good selections that would work i.e. G-10, Micarta ( like that used in the Lum fixed blade) and this might even be a good fixed blade to try out the newer "Peel Ply" Carbon Fiber handle.

[Ted]

I think you may have misunderstood the type of grind we are refering to when we say "single-bevel-scandi grind"

the image below (copied from martyns post) should help make things clearer, the grind on the far right is a "single-bevel-scandi grind":

a quote from Martyn explained his illustration:

Hi Stuart, I asked the same question sometime ago on bushcraftuk, and got
the same reply :D :)

Any comments on mirror polishing the non-stainless steel blade?

[Joe Talmadge]

Ken and Joe

My point is and seems to be accepted by your responses the &#8220]

If that was your point, I agree -- "bushcraft knife" is a specialty term now. Not so confusing in the US, where the term "bushcraft" is pretty much known only by enthusiasts anyway, and has a specialty-term air to our ears. If Australians were using this term more generically, I understand the point.

The question I believe that now needs to be answered is what term to do we apply to those knives that don’t meet the “UK-style bushcrafting” standards but were previously generically called “Bushcraft Knives”. I ask this because the rationale and design of what we are now calling “Bushcraft” Knives especially with what appears to me as an over emphasis on wood working is too restrictive.

I tend to use the term "small camp knife". Not the most poetic, but people seem to understand immediately what is meant by it.

Joe

[sal]

Hi Stuart,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum. Glad you could visit. I'm sure your experience will be valuable input.

Regarding the fact that bushcraft, the "generic" term, now has a more "specific" meaning, may I suggest that we coin a term, or better still, use an already "coined" term, if that's acceptable.

A few blokes in the UK that seem to be on the leading edge of "bushcaft" (the activity), as opposed to the generic term "bushcraft", have created a site they call "BushcraftUK".

Perhaps when referring to the specific type of knife used in the "specific activity" of bushcrafting. we call them; BushcraftUK style knives, BushcrfaftUK knives. or simply "BushcraftUK" ? (assuming they would not consider it improper use of their site name?)

sal

[Plowboy]

For what it's worth, I would love to see Spyderco produce a knife that fits general bushcraft needs. In fact, I would like to see two...one with a 4" blade and one with a 6" blade.

I had just decided to get a Howling Rat last week and contacted Swamp Rat and learned they are in transition to a new series of knives and the Howling Rat isn't now available. The new knives will be coming in the not too distant future.

Spyderco, I'm very sure, could produce a great bush knife.

:)

[Stuart]

Hi Stuart, I asked the same question sometime ago on bushcraftuk, and got
the same reply :D :)

Any comments on mirror polishing the non-stainless steel blade?

Sorry Ted, I thought I had seen that illustration before, I didn’t realise I had already answered you on the BCUK forums and shrugged it off as a bout of Deja vu.

Mirror polished blades have proved unpopular here in the UK, it is the general consensus that a mirror polish is not as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as a fine brushed finish. There is also a practical reason for this dislike of a mirror polish, when carving in bright sunlight the retina searing flashes of light reflected off the blade into the eyes is most irritating.

It may be beneficial if the parallel sides of the blade (not the bevel faces) has some durable gun coat/physical vapour deposition etc to protect these areas from corrosion provided these finishes do not interfere with the casting of sparks form the spine with a ferrocium rod, the Scandinavians leave the carbon coating from the forge intact on the parallel sides of the blade for just this purpose and this appearance of Black blade with exposed steel bevels is very popular here. (as illustrated below)



Thank you for your welcome Sal

I can think of no reason to object to using the phrase "BushcraftUK knives" to refer to knives for "the specific activity of bushcrafting" as practiced in the United Kingdom.

[C_Claycomb]

JDEE,
Do you find that the range of knives suitable for use in the Australian bush for camping, hunting, canoeing etc, produced by larger manufacturers, is limited? Is there a problem finding knives that are suitable?

Whilst it is possible to endlessly discuss where "bushcraft" as a word comes from, and whether its use within northern Europe is too limited when applied elsewhere in the world, the fact is that there is a real dearth of knives made by major manufactures that fit the bill for the kind of activity described by Kochanski and Mears.

If I want a solid, general purpose, field knife, suitable for use and abuse in the wildernes, I can get them made by Cold Steel, Camilus/Becker, RAT/Ontario, Ka-Bar, Fallkniven, Chris Reeve, Grohman, and TOPS, to name the ones that come readily to mind. If I want something more suited to the fine wood work skills described in Bushcraft by Mors Kochanski, there might be one or two models by most of those companies that will work to some degree, but all will be lacking, none are truely an ideal fit for purpose.

On a different note....I was wondering what kind of carbon fibre was being thought of for the expedition/modern knife? I have only seen carbon sheet in a rather thin form, suitable for folders and necknives, but not in the 3/8+ thickness needed for real comfort. Maybe I am thinking of the wrong kind of carbon?

Chris

[sal]

Hi Chris, Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

We're beginning to play with carbon fiber that is thicker and formed. The current "test" piece is an Ed Schempp designed 7" Fixed blade. Once we get that nailed down, we'll be in a better position to deal with the thicker requirement of the BushcaftUK model.

Thanx much Stuart. I think it sorts out some confusion probs.

sal

[Ted]

Any update on this one? :)

[sal]

Hi Ted,

I received a prototype sample of a very nice design from the Bushcraft boys in the UK. We're discussing minor refinements. I decided to go with a basic design from those with greater expeience in the field than I have. After all, it is this market that we're trying to serve. One of them is out in the bush, Borneo I believe, at this time.

We also have a very nice sheath design, again from some experts in the field in the UK.

We have a source for 52100 as well as S90V. We're exploring sources for wood scales.

I'm currently up to my ears in other projects that will take another month.

We should be able to begin proto-types by the end of the year.

sal

[UK KEN]

Hi Ted,

I received a prototype sample of a very nice design from the Bushcraft boys in the UK. We're discussing minor refinements. I decided to go with a basic design from those with greater expeience in the field than I have. After all, it is this market that we're trying to serve. One of them is out in the bush, Borneo I believe, at this time.

We also have a very nice sheath design, again from some experts in the field in the UK.

We have a source for 52100 as well as S90V. We're exploring sources for wood scales.

I'm currently up to my ears in other projects that will take another month.

We should be able to begin proto-types by the end of the year.

sal

Sal

Great news! :D Is there any chance of bringing one over to the UK show? There are a good number of people looking forward to seeing this one in the flesh. :D

Not that I'm trying to rush you or anything!

Cheers, Ken

[Ted]

Great! I really hope this project makes it to production.

Is the new design a more traditional woodlore type? Or is the concept model that was shown on bushcraftuk.com still in the works?

Will the 'nasa' and 'traditional' version use the same shape?

I really liked the concept model on bushcraftuk.com that was used for testing 51200

Really hope to see a concept or prototype in A'Dam next year!

[NoFair]

Hi.

I'm a Norwegian and have basicly grown up with the Helle and other bushcraft kind of knives. IMHO they are very good for a lot of outdoor uses, but they have their drawbacks:

1. They usually have a very thick blade (with good steels like one have today I really don't see the need to go over 3-3.5mm)
2. The grinds are good for woodwork, but are not good for food preparation.
3. They are often made traditionally looking without thinking of function first.
4. The laminated blades don't do anything a good solid blade can do just as well (IMHO)

They are great for woodwork though and I have 1 in the toolbox, 1 on my carpenter-pants and my nice looking non-offending Helle Futura I got as a gift from my employer. They always give Helle knives as gifts :)


I'd think a Temperance with a slightly altered blade shape and handle would be great for a bushcraft knife..
It should get a less black and dangerous look in order to sell well. It seems most bushcrafters prefer a more traditional look and feel.

I usually end up using a small knife that is very very sharp, Spyderco folder, and a larger fixed blade for battoning, prying, chopping and other heavy tasks. I'm still using a, worn and rebeveled, SRK I got while in the army for this and it is holding up surprisingly well.

[apachescout]

who is a good maker of these bushcraft knife. Im interested in them for my survival kit. Possible a model with an overall length of under 7"

One of the best is the 7.25" Tracker Scout knife designed by Tom Brown, Jr. and made by TOPS.
http://www.topsknives.com/product_info. ... cts_id=157

[SeanH]

One of the best is the 7.25" Tracker Scout knife designed by Tom Brown, Jr. and made by TOPS.
http://www.topsknives.com/product_info. ... cts_id=157

That seems more of a tactical, though quit a nice one.

Two High end clasic bushcrafters are:

The F1 by Fallkniven
Fallkniven F1

The Northstar from Bark River Knife and Tool
Bark River Northstar


Less expensive ones are Mora style S1 from Frost and others
Frost Mora S1

All the above are fine and take differan approches to the same set of needs.

Of course, you could wait a year for the Spyderco version to come out.

Hope this helps...

Sean

[Native Justice]

May not be understanding the obvious Sal, buy why a blade of 7"? Most Helle, Mora and Puko's I've seen have been under 5" ... Or is this a combined effort to replace the Temperence and fit the Bushcraft niche? Just curious. :D

[Joe Talmadge]

May not be understanding the obvious Sal, buy why a blade of 7"? Most Helle, Mora and Puko's I've seen have been under 5" ... Or is this a combined effort to replace the Temperence and fit the Bushcraft niche? Just curious. :D

I think Sal was talking about one of Ed's designs when he talked about the 7" blade. Ed's knife is apparently an outdoors fixed blade, but not the bushcrafter. From everything that's been said so far, the Spyderco bushcraft knife will be the same size as classic bushcrafters, which should mean around 4" give or take.

[sal]

Thanx Joe, That's the plan.

The Schempp 7" is not a "bushcraft" design. Although it is a beautiful and functional outdoor design. Plan on the 7" is for a CPM-3V version and an H1 version.

Plan for the bushcraft piece is a 52100 version and a CPM-S90V version.

While Sean is being a "smarta$$", It might be close to that before both variations are in production.

sal

[NoFair]

Thanx Joe, That's the plan.

The Schempp 7" is not a "bushcraft" design. Although it is a beautiful and functional outdoor design. Plan on the 7" is for a CPM-3V version and an H1 version.

sal

7" and H1?! :eek: That sounds not too far away from my do-all dream diving and outdoor knife. Yellow scales and kydex sheath and I'm off in pre-order land :D

[Ted]

That seems more of a tactical, though quit a nice one.

Two High end clasic bushcrafters are:

The F1 by Fallkniven
The Northstar from Bark River Knife and Tool
Less expensive ones are Mora style S1 from Frost and others

All the above are fine and take differan approches to the same set of needs.

Of course, you could wait a year for the Spyderco version to come out.

Hope this helps...

Sean

I have an F1, and the handle should be thicker IMHO (and made from natural materials), and the point lowered a bit to give more control when for example making the holes for a fire drill

I've always wondered if Mike Stewart from BRK&T has small hands...I find all their models having small (short) handles (except maybe for the upcoming Aurora)

Mora's are great knives for the money, but most need filework on the spine to throw a spark of a firesteel. Full tang and lowered point like the F1 for more control would also be an improvement IMHO

Anyway, I think Spyderco could really fill a gap with an affordable production bushcraft knife that is an ergonomically improved version of the woodlore.

Custom woodlore or woodlore immitations are way too expensive for me.