What are you looking for in the perfect knife...

[Missourian]

Mostly finished, the rivets are just laid in there. Going to need another sanding from 220 to 1500 and there were a couple of voids in the epoxy...but aside form that, it just needs to sit and oxidize for a few weeks to bring the purple back, then lacquer.

 

[westwall]

View attachment 150987

Mostly finished, the rivets are just laid in there. Going to need another sanding from 220 to 1500 and there were a couple of voids in the epoxy...but aside form that, it just needs to sit and oxidize for a few week to bring the purple back, then lacquer.

That's looking very nice indeed!

 

[Missourian]

View attachment 150987

Mostly finished, the rivets are just laid in there. Going to need another sanding from 220 to 1500 and there were a couple of voids in the epoxy...but aside form that, it just needs to sit and oxidize for a few week to bring the purple back, then lacquer.

That's looking very nice indeed!

Thanks. It is turning more purple every day.

 

[Missourian]

Of course, now I'm not nearly as captivated with the blade shape as I was when I started. Time to reprofile.

Played around with a couple designs...

...but decided to clone a Svord 677.

Marked and cut with the dremel...

...and cleaned up with a bastard file. I like this drop style point for a skinner. Like the Nessmuk, Kephart and Grohmann #1, it allows for an anterior pelt cut that limits the risk of perforating the abdominal cavity.

(Video of skinning operation, viewer discretion advised, skip to 3:45)...




All done...with Svord 677 and before & after...

 

[IsaacNewton]

Uh, is this the 'first knife of the arsenal in your van' type of question or 'your first knife in the boyscouts' type thing. If it's the second I'd say a fold out boyscout's knife. If it's the first please tell us you don't like the deathshead moth.

 

[Missourian]

Uh, is this the 'first knife of the arsenal in your van' type of question or 'your first knife in the boyscouts' type thing. If it's the second I'd say a fold out boyscout's knife. If it's the first please tell us you don't like the deathshead moth.

Good question. Different knife designs are purpose specific. If you're a sailor, a sheepsfoot blade might be your perfect knife. If you're a small game hunter, a Canadian Belt Knife might be your perfect knife. If you're into camping, your perfect knife might be a compromise between a good vegetable slicer, rope cutter and tinder maker, like a Buck 119 Special or 192 Vanguard. Do you need a pocket knife or a fixed blade? Full tang? Do you need a knife design for a work related activity? Do you need rust resistence of an alphabet steel, 440C or AUS 8...or will a carbon steel like 1095 or O1 serve your purpose? Then you have edge retention vs ease of sharpening.

Lots of variables, so likely each individual has a very personalized perfect knife.

 

[Missourian]

Sheath time-

 

[Missourian]

 

[westwall]

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That's a nice job on the sheath!

 

[Missourian]

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That's a nice job on the sheath!

Thanks. Still learning, but I am getting the hang of it.

 

[westwall]

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That's a nice job on the sheath!

Thanks. Still learning, but I am getting the hang of it.

It appears you get the hang of things very quickly!

 

[Crixus]

Forgot to post these. Scrapyard Muk with looooots of miles and an Opinel number 8. This is one of many I have owned through the years. It’s about 8 days old.

 

[miketx]

I found what I think is a great deal on this:

20 dollars from Amazon with plastic sheath that holds it well and it is sharp. I think a knife from 8 to 10 inches long is perfect for outdoors stuff. My everyday carry is this:

Had it over twenty years and it sharpens right up!

 

[Crixus]

I found what I think is a great deal on this:

20 dollars from Amazon with plastic sheath that holds it well and it is sharp. I think a knife from 8 to 10 inches long is perfect for outdoors stuff. My everyday carry is this:

Had it over twenty years and it sharpens right up!

Those sod busters are great knives. Real work horses. I’m assuming the top knife is an ESEE knockoff of the ESEE3. I really like that design. It’s small enough to not be an issue and the guys At ESEE have their heat treat down solid. That one is likely stainless. As long as you like it then you did awesome for $20 .

 

[ding]

1. Good steel
2. Good steel
3. Good steel