opinions on under rated woodsman's knives

[Moe M.]

  Knives are trendy in the woods bumming community,  we've all seen fads come and go,  a couple that were sought after and then almost as quickly dropped from the scene were the Becker BK-2 and the Falkkninen F-1, there have been many more of course and even though they aren't on todays best seller list many tend to be good knives and are still being used and loved by their owners.
  Like most here I have way more knives than I need or use, and like many here I've vowed not to purchase any more new knives, and like many here I've broken my vow in a moment of weakness,  going through my couple of knife draws it came to me that while they weren't seeing much dirt time they weren't any less worthy.
  One that stuck out for me that has been a great woods knife is my Enzo Trapper, it's not the most expensive knife I own but it's performed far above it's price point, so, What's your suggestion for an addition to the list of under rated woodsman's knives ?   

[wsdstan]

Back in the late 60's through probably the 80's Normark made a Puukko knife.  It was branded as a Fiskars with the Normark name in the right side of the handle.  Full tang with a brass pommel, 4 3/4"  stainless steel blade.  The blade is 3/4" from spine to cutting edge and has what I think is a saber grind.  The center of the blade is a bit wider than the spine.  It is a good camp knife and does, of course, anything a Puukko blade design does.  It holds a good edge and is easy to sharpen for a stainless blade.  The handle is some kind of black plastic but very durable.  Brass bolster too.

The blade is similar to a wooden handled Mora in shape.  Here is a photo of the Mora and the Normark to give you an idea of the blade shape and size.  The Normark has gotten more expensive and there are a few on Ebay priced from $100 to $400 at this time.  Crazy for what was a $10 knife in the old days.  I got this one at a flea market last year. I guess it is underrated and overpriced.     


 

[wolfy]

Cheap Chinese pocket knives......For the quality of build & materials used in their construction, the inexpensive Rough Rider brand of slip-joint pocket knives are unbeatable for price & function.  I'd say their attention to fitment and choice of material meets and, in some cases, exceeds knives produced in this country.

I give quite a few of them away to friends and their kids as gifts....almost all of the recipients who have never heard or considered one, tell me that they treasure them as a quality piece of goods.

[Moe M.]

Back in the late 60's through probably the 80's Normark made a Puukko knife.  It was branded as a Fiskars with the Normark name in the right side of the handle.  Full tang with a brass pommel, 4 3/4"  stainless steel blade.  The blade is 3/4" from spine to cutting edge and has what I think is a saber grind.  The center of the blade is a bit wider than the spine.  It is a good camp knife and does, of course, anything a Puukko blade design does.  It holds a good edge and is easy to sharpen for a stainless blade.  The handle is some kind of black plastic but very durable.  Brass bolster too.

The blade is similar to a wooden handled Mora in shape.  Here is a photo of the Mora and the Normark to give you an idea of the blade shape and size.  The Normark has gotten more expensive and there are a few on Ebay priced from $100 to $400 at this time.  Crazy for what was a $10 knife in the old days.  I got this one at a flea market last year. I guess it is underrated and overpriced.     


 

  Thanks Stan, I have one of those Normark knives, it's a solid knife for camp duty,  I don't know what kind of steel they are made of, mine is a real PITA to sharpen,  it's got to be in the mid 60's Rockwell,  but I've never had any problems with chipping,  I wish it had a thinner blade, it would make a great fishing knife.     

[Moe M.]

Cheap Chinese pocket knives......For the quality of build & materials used in their construction, the inexpensive Rough Rider brand of slip-joint pocket knives are unbeatable for price & function.  I'd say their attention to fitment and choice of material meets and, in some cases, exceeds knives produced in this country.

I give quite a few of them away to friends and their kids as gifts....almost all of the recipients who have never heard or considered one, tell me that they treasure them as a quality piece of goods.

 Another Rough Rider fan here my friend,  quite a while back I started a rant thread about a few new Case slip joint pocket knives that I bought on a going out of business sale,  they were great fit and finish wise but wouldn't take or keep and edge worth a damn, and they rusted badly when kept in your pants pocket,  I swore then I'd never own a new case knife again,  long about the same time someone gifted me a Rough Rider 3 blade brown bone stockman, the knife is every bit as well finished as any collector quality Case knife,  it came through sharp and all it needed was a quick stropping, I stuck it in my pocket and it's been there ever since,  I couldn't ask for a better user pocket knife,  and I'm never ashamed to take it out in company,  it looks like it's worth a lot more than it's retail price point.

[wsdstan]

It holds a good edge and is easy to sharpen for a stainless blade.   

  Thanks Stan, I have one of those Normark knives, it's a solid knife for camp duty,  I don't know what kind of steel they are made of, mine is a real PITA to sharpen,  it's got to be in the mid 60's Rockwell,  but I've never had any problems with chipping,  I wish it had a thinner blade, it would make a great fishing knife.     

I think mine is easy to sharpen because i use a belt grinder to get it where I want and then just strop it once in awhile. 

[Moe M.]

It holds a good edge and is easy to sharpen for a stainless blade.   

  Thanks Stan, I have one of those Normark knives, it's a solid knife for camp duty,  I don't know what kind of steel they are made of, mine is a real PITA to sharpen,  it's got to be in the mid 60's Rockwell,  but I've never had any problems with chipping,  I wish it had a thinner blade, it would make a great fishing knife.     

I think mine is easy to sharpen because i use a belt grinder to get it where I want and then just strop it once in awhile.

 That'll work,  I haven't used mine in a long time,  It shouldn't be a problem for me either now that I have the WorkSharp belt sharpener,  if I can remember to use it.  (grin)

[wsdstan]

I went to a couple of sites and looked at Rough Riders line of pocket knives.  Most are 440 stainless. Other than not offering stag handles they cover about every handle material. They do have most any style of knife on the market.  I have a couple of slip joint knives but generally prefer locking mechanisms of some kind.  They have them of course.  Should ever need inexpensive gifts they would suffice.  Nice to know they are available.