What are some good unique knives?

C

captaincalamari

Joined
Aug 19, 2024
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31
I mean "unique" as in the blade shape or design, like in this pictures I mean "unique" as in the blade shape or design, like in this pictures
https://imgur.com/a/wRBKyQx
I dont mean these exact ones but its not a typical knife, I honestly cant understand the attraction to knives like that they are all just a straight stick to me and I dont get it. Like a kukri where its a curved blade, or the tracker where its gets bigger or something near the end, or the black bowie with the saw-back or whatever the 2 with rings are. I'm a big fan of the 5th picture because of the curve in the handle, and the weird tracker thingy. Thanks in advance
 
The first few pics are variations of traditional Kukuri and “tracker” style knives. Both of the mentioned patterns are extremely popular for good reasons. The Kukruri is a very capable tool in the right hands, blends knife , machete and hatchet into a single tool. The Tracker style knife has its own cult following, another very capable tool in experienced hands. The last pics are little more than novelty items mass produced with poor materials.

The first 3 pics show real knives that actually function.

Pic one is a Kukrui variant that looks well built - no idea who the maker is though ( Himalayan imports ? )

Pic 2 is made by Tops - decent camp knife in 1095 with excellent heat treatment

Pic 3 is a what I thought was a bark river tracker interpretation. I’ll let other members comment on that maker. Edit - not a bark river - no idea what it is.

These style knives can carve, chop and build shelters pretty easily. Excellent design if you plan on encountering problems that could be solved by building shelter, making fires or possibly defending yourself. Popular for many reasons. The saw back on the bark river is for notching more than sawing. Those knives can chop pretty well, make curls for fire prep etc - usually paired with a smaller knife for detail work.

Pics 4 and on - low quality manufacturing..

If you are looking for knives similar to the ones pictured:

David Beck makes the quintessential tracker
Ed Martin made a few
Scott Gossman makes the Kubo and Kubo 2
Bill Siegle Makes the best Bolo made ( opinion )
Tops makes some unique styles
Wenger blades makes excellent trackers ( and boker makes budget versions as well ).

Check out the makers market here while you’re at it.
 
Last edited:
luethge said:
The first few pics are variations of traditional Kukuri and “tracker” style knives. Both of the mentioned patterns are extremely popular for good reasons. The Kukruri is a very capable tool in the right hands, blends knife , machete and hatchet into a single tool. The Tracker style knife has its own cult following, another very capable tool in experienced hands. The last pics are little more than novelty items mass produced with poor materials.

The first 3 pics show real knives that actually function.

Pic one is a Kukrui variant that looks well built - no idea who the maker is though ( Himalayan imports ? )

Pic 2 is made by Tops - decent camp knife in 1095 with excellent heat treatment

Pic 3 is a bark river tracker interpretation. I’ll let other members comment on that maker.

These style knives can carve, chop and build shelters pretty easily. Excellent design if you plan on encountering problems that could be solved by building shelter, making fires or possibly defending yourself. Popular for many reasons. The saw back on the bark river is for notching more than sawing. Those knives can chop pretty well, make curls for fire prep etc - usually paired with a smaller knife for detail work.

Pics 4 and on - low quality manufacturing..

If you are looking for knives similar to the ones pictured:

David Beck makes the quintessential tracker
Ed Martin made a few
Scott Gossman makes the Kubo and Kubo 2
Bill Siegle Makes the best Bolo made ( opinion )
Tops makes some unique styles
Wenger blades makes excellent trackers ( and boker makes budget versions as well ).

Check out the makers market here while you’re at it.
Click to expand...
Thank you but what are those names, Im googling them and most except boker and wenger dont come up with anything, are they companies or something
 
captaincalamari said:
Thank you but what are those names, Im googling them and most except boker and wenger dont come up with anything, are they companies or something
Click to expand...

Custom makers names

Dave Wenger - Wenger Blades
Scott Gossman - Gossman Knives
James Helm - Helm Grind / Helm Forge
David Beck - Dave Beck Knives
Boker ( giant company makes Wenger Mid tech / budget line ).

Each of these makers has a website. Helm knives can usually be found through distributors ( Arizona custom knives, Blue line gear - more through Google search ).
 
Here's a Bitty Bitey Baby Birdie I made for Mom's birthday:

img_5131-jpeg.2479812
 
Unfortunately, unique is subjective. Unique to someone new to knives is easier then someone who's been around. Also all knives are unique in some way but all knives are not too. Okay, I'll shut up and post the knife now...

bljJHsi.jpeg

I picked up the Fox Elite 271 olive because it seemed different and it is to me. Great little thing IMO.

Queue...hobo knives and the mermaid and the boot knives
 
Siam blades do some interesting stuff.

I have been eyeing off their competition chopper. Which at least they actually use.

Mabye Himalayan imports? Which features on this forum a bot.

Or even condor do some fun stuff
 
luethge said:
The first few pics are variations of traditional Kukuri and “tracker” style knives. Both of the mentioned patterns are extremely popular for good reasons. The Kukruri is a very capable tool in the right hands, blends knife , machete and hatchet into a single tool. The Tracker style knife has its own cult following, another very capable tool in experienced hands. The last pics are little more than novelty items mass produced with poor materials.

The first 3 pics show real knives that actually function.

Pic one is a Kukrui variant that looks well built - no idea who the maker is though ( Himalayan imports ? )

Pic 2 is made by Tops - decent camp knife in 1095 with excellent heat treatment

Pic 3 is a bark river tracker interpretation. I’ll let other members comment on that maker.

These style knives can carve, chop and build shelters pretty easily. Excellent design if you plan on encountering problems that could be solved by building shelter, making fires or possibly defending yourself. Popular for many reasons. The saw back on the bark river is for notching more than sawing. Those knives can chop pretty well, make curls for fire prep etc - usually paired with a smaller knife for detail work.

Pics 4 and on - low quality manufacturing..

If you are looking for knives similar to the ones pictured:

David Beck makes the quintessential tracker
Ed Martin made a few
Scott Gossman makes the Kubo and Kubo 2
Bill Siegle Makes the best Bolo made ( opinion )
Tops makes some unique styles
Wenger blades makes excellent trackers ( and boker makes budget versions as well ).

Check out the makers market here while you’re at it.
Click to expand...
I have… mixed feelings about the tracker knife. My Dad owns one made by a Philippine craftsman using carbon spring steel I think.

It’s certainly an interesting design, but I feel that it isn’t even a good jack of all trades knife. Something like a Becker BK7, Esee 5, or a Lion steel feels like a better tool. The tracker feels too unwieldy and sharpening seems like a bigger chore. I’d sooner opt for a kukri paired with a Mora.

I don’t doubt a skilled survivalist can do magic with a tracker though.
 
DangerZone98 said:
I have… mixed feelings about the tracker knife. My Dad owns one made by a Philippine craftsman using carbon spring steel I think.

It’s certainly an interesting design, but I feel that it isn’t even a good jack of all trades knife. Something like a Becker BK7, Esee 5, or a Lion steel feels like a better tool. The tracker feels too unwieldy and sharpening seems like a bigger chore. I’d sooner opt for a kukri paired with a Mora.

I don’t doubt a skilled survivalist can do magic with a tracker though.
Click to expand...
Yeah. But for someone who wants to be a hipster and get a weird knife. It is probably one of the most usable.
 
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