Thoughts on minimalist knives.

L

lmalterna

Joined
Dec 12, 2002
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Whether called bare knives or tin knives for the shorties, there are lot of different little "miminal" knives available. I am at work and will have to get pics of some of mine tonight but they consist of a couple of Breedens and a couple of the old Cold Steel Bird and Trout designs.

Just to explain what I mean by "minimal"- a fixed blade knife less that about 5" in length, bare handle or thin cord wrap. A necker or pocket knife- even a slip pouch on your main blades sheath.

Something I always liked about the style of the B&T was minimal weight and yet the pinky ring gave decent security against slipping forward. I have field dressed MANY deer, rabbits and fish with just this little knife. While I never got to try it on game, I though it made an excellent tip for a small hand spear/gig. I did practice on archery targets/2 liter bottles. The ring gave a good place to attach cordage further up the shaft so you don't lose the knife if the spear breaks near the tip- also a good rest to bear impact- just carve a notch in the spear for it to bear against. The thin handle makes wrapping/lashing to the spear easy.
Not talking about a throwing spear here, just a thrusting spear for fish or slow small game.
Top Breeden is 3/16" and lower one is 1/8"
IMG_4361_zpsbef6acb7.jpg

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And pics illustrating attachment of B&T for spear tip. The blackened area is the shoulder left to bear the force of the thrust:

IMG_4364_zps7f8f9b7e.jpg

IMG_4365_zpsdc7503f9.jpg

So what do you like and why? How do you mode yours for better use to you?

Thanks,
Bill
 
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I have two of the old carbon V bird & trout. I keep one on a kit but have not used it much. I want to get a Breeden soon. The one I use the most is a TOPs key B knife. It is just over 5" I will post a pic latter.
 
I only have the original Camillus made BK&T BK11 necker. I've used it a few times, once to dress, skin and process a deer. Curuiosity satisfied, I've not used it since. I always have a stockman in my pocket, and if needed, a lightweight zytel handled folder in life jacket or pack, and carry a traditional small fixed blade when outing (Sharpfinger). The PSK knives and mini-neckers are neat looking, but I guess I am just an old traditionalist.
 
I have a Buck Pak-Lite Skinner and it's a pretty handy little knife. Weighs next to nothing, but has a good handle and is easy to sharpen. It generally resides in my fire kit and i used to use it for striking my fire steel (i now use a cheapie "steak knife" broken off 1/2" above the handle - works beautifully). I will see game-processing duty if i'm successful during this years hunt.
 
I have tried the dealio of using a 2 bladed broadhead and added a 4" section of arrow with threaded ferrule to use as a handle, stuffed the hollow arrow section with cotton balls, and a 1/8" dia ferro- plugged it with parafin. It worked but I still prefer something else.

The quality of the little CS B&T no way matches the steel and temper of the Breeden knives but they do offer ease of attaching to a thrust spear or handle. I used to carry the one as a neck knife with the cord attached to the ring, that way, no worry of losing the knife. The above example took about 7 feet of jute and ten minutes to fasion from a scrap of Oak quarter round.

The Breedens are razors and being flat, they fit nearly anywhere. I have some JK tin knives but have not had a chance to use them yet. Dressing game in the field does not take much blade unless quartering to pack out.

:) I just recently "found" my old Sharpfinger from my teens. Also my Dad's that I gave him. His was used on our hunts and sharpened but always placed back in its original box. Brendles 14.97- probably early to mid 1980'2. I gave it to him for his birthday one year- nice to have it back. Also found my old Schrade large two blade folder he bought me at age 14 for my birthday. Not sure the model but after years of being misplaced, it still shaves.

Bill
 
Here is my TOPS key. I like this little knife.
5-6-12%2520003.JPG


Here is what I would like Bryan Breeden to make
becker0001.jpg
 
Me too, mora popped into my head.
Used to own a buck hartsook, it was just too hard to hold. I will minimize a lot of my gear but I like a handle that fills my hand.
Also owned a Gossman psk, that was better, but I sold it off, sadly. Should have made scales for it.
(Google pic)
pskjr.jpg
 
Sorry guys, I started to say "tin knives" as this class of knife is often referred to but mine are too long for an altoids tin which seems to be the acid test.

I also had a Gossman and miss it. I had thought to dip the handle in the liquid tool handle stuff to prevent slippage but never got around to it. The pinky ring or a short loop or cordage help me keep from slipping forward onto the edge.

I like that drawing and I bet Bryan would be up for that :)

Bill
 
Hi all,

I like the smaller knives to. I believe they have there place.
My current necker is a littel longer than your 5" length that you mentioned Bill. But my wifes
is 5" OAL. Here is a pic of them.
They are 3/32" thick steel.
IMG_0966.jpg


this is why I made my handle just a tad longer than kathys lol Kathys is a 3 finger hold for me
IMG_0963.jpg


Bryan
 
Bryan,
I like both of those :) You wouldn't happen to have a drawer full all ready to ship out? ;)

For most of what I do hiking and camping(wood processing aside) these little knives are plenty for me. When working with gloves I favor at least an edge side guard but that is another use altogether.

Bill
 
I've owned a few and even made a couple from a broken pair of scissors years ago :p

mininecker1.jpg


This Koster I liked but the sheepsfoot blade didn't really turn my gears and even though it was D2 it would rust in the holes if worn as a neck knife. I use it a little but ended up trading it.

Knives008.jpg


A couple others have tried and the only one that stayed was this one:

Knives042.jpg


It serves as my "desk knife" at the office and opens packages, mail, etc. The bottle opener and the cost of $18 are the reasons it didn't get traded off too. I guess I'm just not big on the tin knives. For their size they are not as comfortable as say a SAK or small folder and as far as cutting goes, I can't put enough force behind such a small handle that it would warrant my back up being a fixed blade.
 
Hi Bill, No I do not have any made up and waiting to to be shipped out. But I can say I am finally about a month behind and not ayear like I was a couple of months back.
I quit my other job in Jan. and have been really kicking it in gear by spending hours in the shop grinding knives to get caught up.
Yesterday I ground out 11 blades, one of them yours as you know:D. Today I got your Pretty Bright Pink Handles on :eek: Just kidding.
Bill still does not know what color I used out of the list of 3 colors he gave me lol lol.

Bryan
 
I personally don't use minimalist knives much but I've got a few stored around.

Here's one I make. It's called the Parker and it's about 5.25" total length made of S35VN. I made it a point to design it with an integral "guard" to keep your fingers from slipping onto the edge.
IMG_4517a.jpgIMG_4523a.jpg

I also make them with handles:
2 copy.jpg

These are a few prototypes of a last ditch kind of survival knife made from knife making scraps. They're 3/16" CPM 3V. They aren't finished in this pic. I haven't settled on a design yet and haven't really even tested them. I just thought I'd share.
IMG_1995.jpg
 
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Really like that Parker, I find knives with a complete and continuous curve handle to blade to be very comfortable to use, lot's of control.
 
My most minimal knives are a CRKT Folts Minimalist and a Buck Smidgen. Both are pretty handy to have around and virtually unnoticeable unless you need them.
 
Bryan,
It takes a real man to offset using a pink knife ;)

Parker, I do like those- each design has advantages in use.

Bill
 
Right on, Bill there is nothing wrong with pink lol. I just do not want that color on my knife lol.

Bryan
 
fumbler said:
These are a few prototypes...and haven't really even tested them. I just thought I'd share.
View attachment 335182
Click to expand...

Now that I like :thumbup:. A lot of people like balance and handle/blade lengths that are similar and it does make for a more aesthetically pleasing knife but I actually like a scalpel like, long handle with a small blade.

Are those chisel ground?
 
My two favorites. One can do a lot with a little blade. I've dressed a pile of small game and birds both these.

IMG_5343_zpsa534c22e.jpg
 
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