I’m looking for something a bit specific. Years ago my brother bought a nice outdoors knife at a little hole-in-the-wall knicknack shop in Timmins, Ont. The knife has a smooth edge about 3/4" of the way down the blade and then the rest is serrated. It had a rubber-covered rounded handle with a compass in the butt (this feature would be a plus but not necessary).
I’ve tried some local stores that sell outdoors and hunting gear but I can’t seem to find a similar knife - all the ones I’ve seen have a totally smooth blade and I like the semi-serrated blade.
Anyone know of any websites that might sell such a knife? Since I can’t find one locally I want to see if I can order one online.
If the knife is what I think it is, you don’t want it. Every one I’ve seen that matches that desription is a certified Piece O’Crap. Does the compass screw off to reveal a place for survival gear? If so, then you don’t want it.
The operative question before buying a knife is “What do you need to do with it?” Answer that first. Then the Knife People here can direct you to the best places to look.
It doesn’t…it’s a solid hilt. He paid about $50 for it, IIRC.
I’m out in the bush a lot collecting cedar and other vegetation, so I need a decent knife, one that is sharp but can also saw well if needed, hence the preference for some serration. I have a tomahawk that I use for some bigger branches but it is too large and unwieldly for smaller things.
AG Russell carries a very fine line of knives for outdoors use. Everything he carries is quality stuff, so no worries about junk.
Knife Outlet and Knives Plus carry stuff from many different cutlers. You may be able to find the specific one you are describing through them. alternatively, post a picture of it and I may be able to identify the manufacturer and point you to a dealer.
Smoky Mountain Knife Works www.smkw.com has anything your heart desires, and at decent prices, too. If you seek very high end stuff, somebody already mentioned A.G. Russell.
Ditto on the Smokey Mountain Knife Works. I just spent a week in Tennessee with DeHusband spending 2 days (DAYS!) in this damn store. It’s freakin’ Huge.
I like KaBar knives; they tend to hold an edge well, and pretty tough. They have this one, which is partially serrated, or this if you want one with a longer blade.
The general class of those things are called survival knives and I had many as a kid growing up in the Rambo era. There are some good ones and many shitty ones. However, I question the idea of using one for a saw. I think the serrated edge is only useful for dressing game and maybe some other things I have never figured out even though I tried. They don’t saw wood worth a damn. Get yourself a decent machete and a folding saw for that.
I think knives.com might be where I got it. They have tons of knives. All price ranges (the Rambo II is pretty pricey, but you will be the Guy In The White Hat if you ever give it to anyone).
I think my bro has some kind of Ka-Bar knockoff. His looks almost identical to the one in Hirundo82’s link, some differences aside such as the compass. I think that might be what I want. Thanks!
If you are cutting branches, anything over 3/4" or so, a small folding saw will make your life much easier than any knife. Those knives are like gnawing at the wood with your teeth. A small saw will make your life easier and be nice to the tree as well.
One or two points about “Rambo” knives, if I may. The licensed ones, which are sold through United Cutlery, are in the same category as decorator swords and fantasy knives. They are made out of mediocre steel, fit and finish is indifferent, durability is suspect, and they really aren’t a good choice to depend on in the outdoors. The unlicensed ones are worse. If you want a Rambo knife, pony up the big bucks for a real one made by Jimmy Lile.
A USMC knife, by Kabar or Ontario, is an altogether better choice and will serve much better than a Rambo clone.
I’ve been into knives for over 30 years and have owned hundreds of them. In the long run, you will be much happier if you go to a vendor like AG Russell and spend $50-$100 on a decent quality factory knife than you ever will be with movie props or the lower-end junk that forms the bulk of Smokey Mountain’s product mix. A piece of junk will fail you when you need it and serve poorly all the time. A good knife will be a pleasure to use and own and still be serving your grandkids when you are dust.
Lest I lose cred in the unofficial SDMB Gun and Knife Club, I was really joking about the Rambo knife. I’m sure there is a niche filled by those “Survival Knives”, but I don’t really know what it is besides the fact that they look cool, but Gil Hibben makes cooler looking stuff than that if you’re into the whole not really useful catagory of knives and blades.
If I were to really offer up what I think makes a good outdoors knife that serves many purposes, S.O.G. makes some damned fine ones that can stand up to a lifetime of heavy usage.
