White River Firecraft 3.5 mini review

Spikediesel

Spikediesel

Spare time SAK builder
Gold Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2018
Messages
1,727
Hi all, I haven’t had time to make it to the woods since I purchased this knife so I decided to start a fire in my wood stove with it today since it’s freezing outside! Anyway here’s my take on it...

Straight outta the box this piece of S35VN is SHARP!! The grind and edge geometry are great for feathering.
IqoNKZZ.jpg

The shape of the handle is a little out of the ordinary but proved to be comfortable even for my XL hands. I wouldn’t say I’d like to use this knife hard all day but for fire starting, food prep and general camp chores it’s perfectly serviceable.
rlKi7aS.jpg

The Firecraft 3.5 is an excellent size in my opinion it’s right in between a full-size camp knife and a necker, it’s great for throwing in your pack or even in your pocket. (For a short trip)
3ZndgvZ.jpg

The included ferro rod is a nice touch and throws awesome sparks off the sharpened spine.
XEZVRC2.png

This knife is a homerun for its intended purpose especially at its price point. I highly recommend it! I like it so much I ordered a White River Backpacker too.
pbRzVSw.jpg

Oh I almost forgot! The end result true to its name!
N0gJqaj.jpg
 
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Spikediesel said:
Hi all, I haven’t had time to make it to the woods since I purchased this knife so I decided to start a fire in my wood stove with it today since it’s freezing outside! Anyway here’s my take on it...

Straight outta the box this piece of S35VN is SHARP!! The grind and edge geometry are great for feathering.
IqoNKZZ.jpg

The shape of the handle is a little out of the ordinary but proved to be comfortable even for my XL hands. I wouldn’t say I’d like to use this knife hard all day but for fire starting, food prep and general camp chores it’s perfectly serviceable.
rlKi7aS.jpg

The Firecraft 3.5 is an excellent size in my opinion it’s right in between a full-size camp knife and a necker, it’s great for throwing in your pack or even in your pocket.
3ZndgvZ.jpg

The included ferro rod is a nice touch and throws awesome sparks off the sharpened spine.
XEZVRC2.png

This knife is a homerun for its intended purpose especially at its price point. I highly recommend it! I like it so much I ordered a White River Backpacker too.
pbRzVSw.jpg

Oh I almost forgot! The end result true to its name!
N0gJqaj.jpg
Click to expand...

91bravo said:
I've been looking at this exact same knife! It looks like it wouldfill a role in my backpacking setup very well. The in-hand pic really sold me on it. Thanks for the review!
Click to expand...

Been looking forward to the review. Agreed on the handle... it is the one draw back when looking at pics online for sure.
 
I have absolutely no hate for the handle after using it, it’s just different. The loop on the end serves its purpose which I believe is to help keep the knife located in your hand. The loop also makes a great place to hang up the knife, clip it on a carabiner, or tie on a lanyard.
 
I’m thinking of buying several of the FC 3.5 for my groomsman. In terms of the handle comfort, which do you think would be more comfortable? Parachute wrap or the G10 scales?
 
I haven't tried the Firecraft yet I considered it but went with the Backpacker Pro with Orange G10 ... it is a nice necker size knife ... very comfortable.

I think White River is putting out good products at good value ... I may have to look at the Firecraft again thanks.
 
Well first off B binerboy08 you are a very generous groom! I think either would be comfortable, the paracord has a bit more of a survival feel while the G10 is a bit more refined. The paracord May provide a little thicker handle but my XL hands grip the G10 just fine. It’s a great knife and I think you’d be happy either way you choose, however my personal preference is the G10 because of the grip texture and the more finished look.
 
Thanks for the review. I have the Backpacker Pro and quite satisfied with it for my general woods needs. Doubt I will be picking up this one, but you never know as I binge from time to time and this would be a likely candidate to add to my inventory.
 
binerboy08 said:
When you got your backpacker did it come in a nice wooden box like the Firecraft does?
Click to expand...

Yes they both come in a nice wood box. I bought a Backpacker as well since I liked the Firecraft so much.
 
Oh awesome you have both. Which do you end up using more? I’m really struggling on which on to get since I need to buy 5 of them.
 
Spikediesel said:
Hi all, I haven’t had time to make it to the woods since I purchased this knife so I decided to start a fire in my wood stove with it today since it’s freezing outside! Anyway here’s my take on it...

Straight outta the box this piece of S35VN is SHARP!! The grind and edge geometry are great for feathering.
IqoNKZZ.jpg

The shape of the handle is a little out of the ordinary but proved to be comfortable even for my XL hands. I wouldn’t say I’d like to use this knife hard all day but for fire starting, food prep and general camp chores it’s perfectly serviceable.
rlKi7aS.jpg

The Firecraft 3.5 is an excellent size in my opinion it’s right in between a full-size camp knife and a necker, it’s great for throwing in your pack or even in your pocket.
3ZndgvZ.jpg

The included ferro rod is a nice touch and throws awesome sparks off the sharpened spine.
XEZVRC2.png

This knife is a homerun for its intended purpose especially at its price point. I highly recommend it! I like it so much I ordered a White River Backpacker too.
pbRzVSw.jpg

Oh I almost forgot! The end result true to its name!
N0gJqaj.jpg
Click to expand...

How comfortable is it with your pinky through the ring in forward grip and your pointer through the ring in reverse grip?
 
binerboy08 said:
Oh awesome you have both. Which do you end up using more? I’m really struggling on which on to get since I need to buy 5 of them.
Click to expand...

I use the Backpacker far more, it’s the perfect sized EDC fixed blade. The Firecraft is my ultralight backpacking knife, I use it for a few other things as well but it’s a bit too big to throw in your pocket for the Whole day. Here’s a pic of the Backpacker with it’s included and brilliant Kydex sheath. I should also add the handle on the Backpacker is much more comfortable.
RorpdtN.jpg
 
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Lapedog said:
How comfortable is it with your pinky through the ring in forward grip and your pointer through the ring in reverse grip?
Click to expand...
I have not held it in reverse grip but it’s definitely not very comfortable with your pinky through the ring. It’s tolerable but it’s not a grip you would use for a long period of time.
 
Spikediesel said:
I have not held it in reverse grip but it’s definitely not very comfortable with your pinky through the ring. It’s tolerable but it’s not a grip you would use for a long period of time.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

If you get a chance to try out the reverse grip please let me know.
 
The Backpacker Pro is one hell of a nice finished knife and one just about anyone would be proud to own. It's tough too. Reverse grip feels just fine to me. Pinky goes in the choil. It could be a problem for folks with really big hands. I seldom ever do the reverse grip thing. But it IS a small knife and you don't expect some sort of huge handle.
 
Here ya go Lapedog Lapedog both grips with a finger through the ring feel a bit awkward. They may be passable for some light duty tasks in my opinion.
Un5do4v.jpg

YfHadIa.jpg
 
Spikediesel said:
Here ya go Lapedog Lapedog both grips with a finger through the ring feel a bit awkward. They may be passable for some light duty tasks in my opinion.
Un5do4v.jpg

YfHadIa.jpg
Click to expand...

Thank you very much. I was mostly asking for potential self defense purposes.

As I suspected the ring is too inline with the handle for it to be comfortable. Typically the ring has to be dropped abit below the centreline of the grip for it to be a comfortable finger ring.

Thanks for the photos.
 
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