Thoughts on Winkler Knives?

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kafolarbear

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I've been looking into winkler knives, specifically the woodsman or the blue ridge hunter, I like the designs and they look like they're made with hard use in mind, I'm also a fan of the pretty good quality sheaths their knives seem to come with.

My only hesitations are the thickness of the knives, they all seem to be around the 0.20 in thick mark, when I'm really a fan of 0.15", even for my hard use knives that I might find myself prying with or otherwise abusing, does Winkler do something with the edge geometry that will make their 0.20" knives still nice slicers? How good is the edge geometry and what's the overall cutting performance like?

Secondly, the steel choice, 80CrV2, which I have never used, but as someone who intends to bring the knife out into humid, wet environments, it worries me how well it will hold up even with their coating, when I can have something like CPM-3V that I can forget about on my belt for a day in the rain and just wipe the rust off next time I pull it out. Why a winkler in 80CrV2 when my Bark River in 3V is $100 cheaper with all around better performing steel? Is there something special to how Winkler heat treats their 80CrV2 or otherwise makes their knives that justifies the $325-$400 price tag?
 
If you have that opinion then just stick with 3V. It will outperform 80CRV2.

See if you can find a maker that has a similar design that fits your needs in 3v.
 
Boru13 said:
Why even consider a Winkler if that’s your opinion.
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I like the design, they look built to be scratched up and dirty, but I don't know much about the steel (other than surface level shit online and a few articles Larrin wrote that briefly mentioned it) or the maker, I was hoping someone could educate me. Everyone is saying "if that's your opinion then stick to what you know" but I'm curious what people's thoughts are on Winkler knives. I'm not unwilling to spend the money if I understand what people like about the knives, there's no reason to get defensive over a question like this.
 
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There's more to a knife than just the steel. Daniel Winkler is an artist when it comes to both forged and stock removal knives. He is also a person of high character.

I'm a fan of 3V, and a fan of Winkler.

YMMV.
 
I think you might be overthinking it. 80CrV2 isn’t going to turn to dust if you leave it in the sheath on a rainy day. Also from what I understand, the coating he puts on his knives is pretty good stuff. I have one but honestly can’t speak to its overall performance other than it being shaving sharp because I haven’t used it for anything yet. I just got it a few months ago. Winkler has a great reputation and got it by making quality products. If you like the design go for it. If not, find something more to your taste and get it. Either way, post pictures!
65100AED-8667-4966-A1DF-33A1DE0E3741.jpeg
 
kafolarbear said:
I've been looking into winkler knives, specifically the woodsman or the blue ridge hunter, I like the designs and they look like they're made with hard use in mind, I'm also a fan of the pretty good quality sheaths their knives seem to come with.

My only hesitations are the thickness of the knives, they all seem to be around the 0.20 in thick mark, when I'm really a fan of 0.15", even for my hard use knives that I might find myself prying with or otherwise abusing, does Winkler do something with the edge geometry that will make their 0.20" knives still nice slicers? How good is the edge geometry and what's the overall cutting performance like?

Secondly, the steel choice, 80CrV2, which I have never used, but as someone who intends to bring the knife out into humid, wet environments, it worries me how well it will hold up even with their coating, when I can have something like CPM-3V that I can forget about on my belt for a day in the rain and just wipe the rust off next time I pull it out. Why a winkler in 80CrV2 when my Bark River in 3V is $100 cheaper with all around better performing steel? Is there something special to how Winkler heat treats their 80CrV2 or otherwise makes their knives that justifies the $325-$400 price tag?
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Why bother buying a Bark River in 3v when you could have a CPK Field Knife in Delta 3v? See how that logic shakes out?
 
I have several Winklers, and they are beautiful, really well made knives. 80CrV2 is a fine steel for a field knife, with a good balance of edge retention and ability to easily maintain in the field. I do find that Winklers tend to have a thicker edge angle than most other knives I'm used to, and I'd love to hear more, straight from the horse's mouth, about why they/he have settled on the edge angle that they they have. You could always re-profile it pretty easily if you find it to be too thick, but I'd say buy a Winkler with confidence that you are getting an excellent knife that will last a lifetime.

My Blue Ridge Hunter:

Ysi72U.jpg
 
Quiet said:
Why bother buying a Bark River in 3v when you could have a CPK Field Knife in Delta 3v? See how that logic shakes out?
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I wasn’t aware that they existed at the time, Bark River was my first foray into $200+ knives, having watched YouTube channels like DBK and they’ve served me well so far. I was actually looking for a CPK Field Knife in Delta 3v but I don’t know where to find them, apparently they sell every Friday here but I wouldn’t know where to look in that time window.
 
Smithhammer said:
I have several Winklers, and they are beautiful, really well made knives. 80CrV2 is a fine steel for a field knife, with a good balance of edge retention and ability to easily maintain in the field. I do find that Winklers tend to have a thicker edge angle than most other knives I'm used to, and I'd love to hear more, straight from the horse's mouth, about why they/he have settled on the edge angle that they they have. You could always re-profile it pretty easily if you find it to be too thick, but I'd say buy a Winkler with confidence that you are getting an excellent knife that will last a lifetime.

My Blue Ridge Hunter:

Ysi72U.jpg
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Beautiful knife, and it looks like you’ve put it through it’s paces! How’s the cutting performance overall? Does it feel more like a “sharpened prybar” in hand?
 
kafolarbear said:
I wasn’t aware that they existed at the time, Bark River was my first foray into $200+ knives, having watched YouTube channels like DBK and they’ve served me well so far. I was actually looking for a CPK Field Knife in Delta 3v but I don’t know where to find them, apparently they sell every Friday here but I wouldn’t know where to look in that time window.
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Keep an eye on this section:

For Sale: Fixed Blades

www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

Also, feel free to stop by the CPK section, where Nathan (the maker) will generally mention when a sale is going to be:

Carothers Performance Knives

http://www.carothersknives.com
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
Anytime you have to sell yourself on a knife or ask random strangers online to sell you on a knife I think it's a mistake.

There is such a wealth of information on knives like this out there that if you are $400 fixed knife guy you can decide for yourself.

If you're just getting started on fixed blades then look at knives half the price to use and decide what you need after using them.
 
I am not fond of his design, but that's just me. I use much thinner stock and "super-steel."
There is no shortage of good makes or custom makers to get what you want.
 
ferider said:
Again, CPM 3V Winkler Belt knives _do_ exist. Just need to look for them.

That being said, I like my CPKs.
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I called them and asked, I was told they’re not gonna be working making any 3V knives anytime soon because they’d have to outsource the heat treatment. And I assume one of the few 3V knives out there would be ~$450 range which is out of my budget.
 
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