Good all-round knife?

[Aimless]

Hey there, I'm looking for a good looking all around beefy knife.
I saw the one from here,
http://www.esford.com/armourydamascus.htm
The:
RL22
Hunting Knife
Damascus Steel Blade
Buffalo Horn handle. Brass Fittings
Blade Length 11cm / Overall Length 22cm

Has a black handle and a fancy finish, but I dunno what the quality is (I remember some peope have bought full on swords from esford which were supposedly pretty good) and if $80 is a decent price. They also have a fancy looking steel bow which I wouldn't mind if I had a bit more cash :P

Generally I'd be using it for work around the property, cutting back branches, bushes, gutting fish, and whatever else (now I think about it that might not be a totally hygienic combination... maybe a set of 2 would be better), so I want something that's pretty thick and will last a long time.

Any suggestions? A bit of character in the knife would help as well.

[jamie]

Hi Aimless,
Are you looking to find a maker that will make you that knife?
A custom job like that will cost you more than $80 bucks.

Even if the blade was plain stainless or carbon steel I couldn't match that price.

Some very nice looking knives on that site.

[Aimless]

Yeah, I like the design especially, but mainly just wondering if they're any good for durability and whatnot considering the price. I'll have a search for some reviews :)

[HOOD]

yeah I'd be checking into some reviews as that seems very cheap for what looks like a high grade knife.

[Shadow]

I wouldn't buy a damascus knife for your intended use. Generally speaking (quality) Damascus is expensive and because of this the Tang is a separate section of plain steel welded into place. That is a weak spot and could snap with heavy use. I would trust it if it were a custom made job (but wouldn't use a damascus knife that expensive anyway), but those are way too cheap for my liking.
For $119 + post I would recommend the Jungle Survival Knife from the AKC. There's a picture of one in the Knives Australia magazine issue 25 on page 10. On page 11 is a letter written by yours truly (Sorry had to tell someone). Or if you get back issue 14 there's an article on page 7. The knife is 6mm thick at the spine, has a modified V grind, blade length of 180mm, O'all 310mm. It's plain, solid, with a black parkerised carbon steel blade, comes in a nasty left hand only cheap looking sheath (I made a better one for mine, works left or right handed), but this is a knife for (almost) every situation, one that can be depended on no matter what.

[Aimless]

Thanks mate, just had a look on their website, seems to be a pretty beefy knife.

I'll look into it :twisted:

[Kimall]

Shadow please explain why you would not get a damascus knife as a hunting knife. :? I have one(paid about 250 so not a cheap one)and use it for everything from fishing to butching deer and goats and would not part with it for 500.It gets no more care than any other knife and still looks almost like the day I got it, and the ageing process just adds to the value for me.A lot of people lose more than that each year upgrading bows no probs but the knife will be with you forever.When you get used to a carbon steel blade MOST stainless just does not feel right.Knives are as personal as bows and it is differant for everyone so if you find one that feels right and is a decent steel buy it.I do agree they do seem a bit to good good to be true.
Cheers KIM

[mayall]

Hi Aimless
The first thing you look for in a damcus blade is the steels it is made from.
then how it is harden and at what rockwell as well.
there is nothing wrong with useing one as a all round knife. they just need a bit more care and oil them.
it looks a good knife to use not bad at all.

hope this helps you mate

Mayall

[Shadow]

Shadow please explain why you would not get a damascus knife as a hunting knife. :? I have one(paid about 250 so not a cheap one)and use it for everything from fishing to butching deer and goats and would not part with it for 500.It gets no more care than any other knife and still looks almost like the day I got it, and the ageing process just adds to the value for me.A lot of people lose more than that each year upgrading bows no probs but the knife will be with you forever.When you get used to a carbon steel blade MOST stainless just does not feel right.Knives are as personal as bows and it is differant for everyone so if you find one that feels right and is a decent steel buy it.I do agree they do seem a bit to good good to be true.
Cheers KIM

I wasn't very clear there I don't think. I wouldn't buy a Damascus knife of worthwhile quality for the work that Aimless wanted a knife for. I would buy a damascus knife quite readily, if I could afford it, and would use it as it's design intended. I am of the opinion that Aimless wanted a good solid knife for tasks varying from skinning out small game to blazing a highway through the jungles of Borneo, and the JSK 1 would suit most of those jobs (Small game with a little difficulty maybe).
'Damascus' as such, does not necessarily have to be Carbon steel either, though I am all for any quality knife steel, as I make my own knives. You can get what is called 'Damasteel' which is Damascene steel in stainless. Damascus being a general name given (incorrectly) to any pattern welded steel these days. I've side tracked a little here though, but to finish off I will say that, there is no one knife that is right for all tasks, and if you use the knife for it's intended purpose and give it the basic care a good tool deserves, it will last several generations. I'm just trying to recommend what I know as a good strong, albeit ugly, knife that is probably better suited to what Aimless is after. So it's not that I wouldn't use one, it's just that I wouldn't abuse one. 8)

Mick

[Kimall]

Mate I do see where you are coming from and I am not looking for an argument here but if you get a good blade you can use it for all those things you listed.I have used mine to cut branches and such to set up camp and then used it soon after to skin game and as said before it shows no sign of the abuse it has recieved.When I got my knife form Steve who made it I said a similar thing as you when I first saw it and he got very serious and said if was after a soft knife I could have just bought a cheap knife from the camping shop.He told me to use it as hard as I could or he would be disapointed.I have some people comment when they see it is one of his knives that they are suprised that I actually use it but knives are a bit like arrows,they are not ment to stay in the quiver no matter how pretty they look.I do know of the Damasteel but I think it is about 1000 per meter so is out of the reach of most guys.I am not disgreeing with you about the knife you sujjested just sticking up for the Damascus. :wink:
Cheers KIM
PS I would love to see some of your knives.

[Shadow]

Hey Kimall, You won't get any argument from me regarding a good Damascus knife and you sure as S**t don't need to feel that you need to stick up for them around me. I'll stand beside you in the defense of a good knife any day, and yours by what you have said sounds like a well made custom knife. I would stand by a well made custom knife over a shop bought knife any day. Next time I drop up to Toowoomba to see the mates and family I'll try and remember to bring one of my knives with me to show you if you like.

Your friend in quality knives,
Mick

[Kimall]

Yep that would be great Mick I can show you my little forge and some of the blades to come out of it.It is always good to catch up with like minded people.
Cheers KIM