3-Inch Compact 3-Inch Full-Tang Bushcraft Full-Tang
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3-inch Compact Overall Length– 6 inches Thickness– 1/8 inch Approximate Weight– 3 oz. Price– $195 ($234– S30V steel) This knife is just plain cute. It works great as a neck knife, by simply running a neck lanyard through the belt loop. The handle slabs are 1/8-inch thick, making it considerably thinner than the slightly larger knife shown below. In William Reviere’s book, Backcountry Camping, he recommends a fixed-blade knife no larger than this as the ultimate woods knife–paired, of course, with an axe. For many utility tasks, it is plenty. And nearly perfect for skinning, especially small game–although many experienced men use knives this size for skinning and field-dressing elk. 3-inch Full-tang Overall Length– 7 inches Thickness– 1/8 inch Approximate Weight– 4 ½ oz. Price– $199 ($238– S30V steel) This is a very effective knife for all kinds of cutting tasks. It is compact, but hand-filling, simple, and strong. The handle is comfortable for extended, heavy work. There is no folding or locking mechanism to wear out, or to buckle in an emergency. Bushcraft Full-Tang Overall Length– 8 ½ inches Thickness– 3/32 inch Approximate Weight– 4.3 oz. Price– $189 This is my interpretation of the Scandi-ground Bushcraft knife. Made from the same resilient nickel-alloy recycled saw steel found in my Nessmuk knife, we obtain a light-weight, strong, dependable tool that takes a super-sharp edge. Its sturdy handle construction gives peace of mind when depending on the knife to perform strenuous survival tasks that might endanger the more traditional hidden-tang knives. And yes, I can put a firesteel loop on the sheath as a custom option ($20, including a 5/16 x 1"+ firesteel with handmade handle). 4-inch Full-tang Overall Length– 8 ½ inches Thickness– 5/32 inch Approximate Weight– 7 ½ oz. Price– $275 ($330– S30V) One of the most popular sizes of fixed blade knives, this is a heavy-duty cutter. With a wide, V-ground blade, strength is combined with cutting efficiency, making heavy cutting jobs go quickly. One customer pointed out that this design is very similar to the 4-inch version of Horace Kephart’s knife. Paired with a hatchet, it is very adequate for a host of wilderness tasks. Nessmuk Knife Overall Length– 9 ½ inches Thickness– 3/32 inch Approximate Weight– 6 oz. Price– $199 This is my interpretation of the knife shown in the book Woodcraft and Camping by “Nessmuk” (George Washington Sears). The blade is thin, but resilient and sturdy, and takes a very fine edge. It is probably the best suited of my hand-made knives for cutting-board use in the kitchen. The grind is a single, slightly convex bevel about 5/16" wide on both sides of the blade, from the full blade thickness to the shaving edge. Blade steel is recycled sawmill blade. A wide range of handle materials are available. 5-inch Hidden-tang Overall Length– 10 inches Thickness– 3/16 inch Approximate Weight– 9 ½ oz. Price– $335 ($400–S30V) This would be my choice for an all-around backpacking tool. The balance point is just behind the guard, (thanks to the narrower, yet substantial tang) which makes for good chopping power, so you can quickly sharpen wooden tent stakes, whack off the small, dead branches at the base of trees to clear space and provide kindling, chop small logs, split small chunks of wood, clear trail, and many other tasks. The blade-handle juncture is as strong as I know how to make it–and very dependable. With durable handle material, it is a very sturdy tool. Guard length and angle may vary. Let me know if you have a preference. 6-inch Full-tang Overall Length– 11 inches Thickness– 3/16 inch Approximate Weight– 11 oz. Price– $349 ($418–S30V) My idea of an all-around bush-whacker. Chop, split, slash, carve.... Small enough to wear all day, everyday, in the woods, but big enough to fill the gap between the pocketknife and ax or machete. Most of the time, I prefer this to a hatchet. Its silhouette is found on my logo. 6-inch Full-tang With Brass Guard Overall Length– 11 inches Thickness– 3/16 inch Approximate Weight– 13 oz. Price– $375 ($450–S30V) A slightly more exotic version of the knife above. For those situations where a guard is needed, this one works. It is very comfortable, too. The ricasso gives ample room for the index finger to wrap around in front of the guard, as Ed Fowler emphasizes. This facilitates super-fine control, and a slip-free grip when pounding with the butt. Shown here in chestnut Dymondwood with natural-color sheath. 6-inch Full-Tang Lightweight Overall Length– 11 inches Thickness– 3/32 inch Approximate Weight– 6.9 oz. Price– $235 This model is the same pattern as my original 6-inch Full Tang, but is made from steel that is half as thick. The balance is just as good, and the lighter-weight blade is faster in the hand, lighter on the belt, and easier on the budget. By using the same nickel alloy recycled saw steel that the Nessmuk and Bushcraft models are made from, combined with the Scandinavian grind edge geometry, we obtain a knife that is light, tough, and well-suited to general outdoor use. Classic 9 1/2" Bowie This knife is as heavy as a hatchet or compact handgun, and about as Overall Length– 15 inches long as fits in most day-packs. The versatile sheath system allows for Thickness– 1/4 or 5/16 inch either a high-riding cross-draw carry, or it can be attached to a belt Approximate Weight– 28 oz. and strapped to the thigh for a very accessible and versatile strong- Price– $595 ($714– S30V steel) side carry, using the removable straps. Quickly move it from your pants belt to packframe or web-gear belt. Or strap it on your pack. This is a serious tool for the woodsman who demands the best in versatile, durable, accessible chopping power. The balance is excellent for chopping, yet fast in the hand. The grip is very comfortable in a variety of positions. General Information dyed, plastic-impregnated hardwood laminate. It is available in Steel: Mostly CPM S30V stainless; high-carbon steels, over 50 colors and color combinations. The color combinations such as O-1 tool steel, 1095, 1075, 52100; and the steel from large give a nice layered look, and the plastic impregnation repels water. saw blades. I usually mark the type of steel on the opposite side of Hardwoods are also used. There is no replacement for the the blade from the name/year mark. delicate, individualistic beauty of natural wood. And it is generally Knives made from S30V are subject to a 20% surcharge, lighter weight than the laminates. due to the extra cost of the steel, additional abrasives required, and Bone and Antler– With all respect to the beauty of these additional grinding time. But if you like good stainless, this is my materials, I do not use them for knife handles. I feel they are too favorite. fragile–prone to expansion and contraction, and cracking. All my air-hardening steels (A-2, D-2, 154CM, S30V) are Sheaths are hand made by me for each individual knife. given a state-of-the-art cryogenic heat treat by Paul Bos. Vertical pouch or vertical snapped-retainer sheaths are included Handle materials: Phenolic laminate (called Micarta by with the knives. I also make horizontal sheaths, neck sheaths, and one manufacturer). Canvas phenolic contains a coarse weave of Kydex sheaths. Kydex is good for sheaths used around water fabric, producing a nice grippy texture. Linen phenolic contains a where leather would retain too much moisture, and deteriorate. finer weave of cloth; and paper phenolic contains layers of paper, Left-hand sheaths have benefits for both right- and left-handed which are often almost invisible. Many colors are available in each users. I will be happy to help fill your special needs. kind. I use mostly black, green, and brown canvas phenolic, Please visit my website and blog if you have an although other colors (including red linen and ivory) are available. opportunity, and write or call. I look forward to working with you! Dymondwood is my other favorite handle material. It is a P.O. Box 267 Elk City, ID 83525 (208) 842-2800 [email protected] www.ctfischerknives.com christophersknifeblog.wordpress.com 1/2015.