I think the Woodsman's Pal is a good fit with a KMK4. I have both versions of the Woodsman's Pal and they are a good tool for several purposes. Keeping one in your vehicle makes sense.
Fighting Knife
- Thread starter warren5421
- Start date
badguybuster
Blackhawk
Let me just say, I have been stabbed...it is extremely unpleasant and takes the fight right out of you. It wasnt a knife but a meat fork and it hurt like nothing else I have ever felt.
Not in NJ. No knife specifically designed for fighting or stabbing ( dagger, Kukri, Karambit, etc.) allowed to be carried. Also, although rarely enforced, no knife with a blade exceeding 4 inches is allowed to be open carried in public places. I think Bolo and Kris may exceed knife classification- like a scimitar- in NJ. We can own them all, and carry on private property only.
It is a law designed for your own personal safety. They don't want you cutting or possibly stabbing yourself! Think what that would do to tourism if everyone went around cutting and stabbing themselves!!
Baxter6551
Single-Sixer
If I needed a large fighting knife I have a Greyman that my buddy sold me. It’s a serious knife. They closed shop a year or so ago.
For a small fighting knife I could probably use one of the knives I made myself in our local Adult Ed knife making class which I’ve taken 6 times now, although most of the small ones are really hunting / skinning. I carry the smallest with the Purple Heart wood scales often as an EDC knife.
A new Benchmade I recently picked up recently would work too but more of a hunting knife.
For a small fighting knife I could probably use one of the knives I made myself in our local Adult Ed knife making class which I’ve taken 6 times now, although most of the small ones are really hunting / skinning. I carry the smallest with the Purple Heart wood scales often as an EDC knife.
A new Benchmade I recently picked up recently would work too but more of a hunting knife.
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John Andrews
Bearcat
Yeah on that, Joey. Read my previous post because I added some advice for you.
KIR
Sparks, NV
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2022
- Messages
- 2,771
I once read that the Bowie was a one of a kind knife. Many are called Bowie's, but only one was made and unfortunately lost. Many knives called Bowie's are designed from a description from the movies.
John Andrews
Bearcat
When the internet was new I discovered a neighbor lady started different organizations, one being like a knife NRA. So I called her for details and she was astounded she walked past my knife shop buildings and home every day during her daily walk. I didn't have signs on my buildings.
We got together soon and we had some great chats. She was very informative of confusing knife laws. The worst is the laws are understood differently and with confusion when being considered by most law officials.
During that time I patrolled a military installation, did a lot of licensed PI work, and made knives. I didn't sleep much.
We got together soon and we had some great chats. She was very informative of confusing knife laws. The worst is the laws are understood differently and with confusion when being considered by most law officials.
During that time I patrolled a military installation, did a lot of licensed PI work, and made knives. I didn't sleep much.
Thanks for that, John. A question. I had ordered a set of stabilized blanks that I just made a set of grips for. I was not aware of the no finish required, so I sprayed it with poly. Took 4 days for it to dry, 1st coat! Would the stabilizing process cause this? Was in a room kept at 70 degrees with air movement. I cut down and refinished a pair of Ruger walnut grip they dried in just a few hours. I was wondering if the process would cause this, as the wood is sealed and would not soak up the finish. Got those blanks in Monday, am going to take your advice and not finish them, just sand them smooth and top it off with 0000.
This is my first attempt at making a set from scratch. some rookie mistakes were made. Don't cast the eyeballs on them too close! I have added a couple tools that should help. And if I am not too hardheaded to learn, I gained some knowledge!! They actually look better in person, more orangy than brown
Bowie had at least 3 knives, one that nearly killed him besause it wasent Enough Knife, so rezin had one made which appears to be a 'seax' with a straight edge, and then another that had a curved edge and a clipped point, and a third which was a bit shorter and a lot broader; those two are where most bowies lie between. Nobody remembers the seax.
Doesn't really matter what Col Bowie's knife looked like. What matters is what is currently considered a Bowie knife. It's a blade style. Just like a dagger or stiletto is a blade style, but with many, many takes.
This is called a Bowie by the manufacturer so it's a Bowie.
This is called a Bowie by the manufacturer so it's a Bowie.
Curved edge and clipped point, good enough for most for "a bowie"Doesn't really matter what Col Bowie's knife looked like. What matters is what is currently considered a Bowie knife. It's a blade style. Just like a dagger or stiletto is a blade style, but with many, many takes.
This is called a Bowie by the manufacturer so it's a Bowie.
John Andrews
Bearcat
I think there was a surface reaction there. I would sand the new finish off and then sand the wood and polish it on a clean polishing wheel. The stabilize liquid is penetrated completely through the wood. I really like those grips, good choice. I also appreciate your efforts.
Thanks much, John! Sanded them down last night to kill the gloss, I like them much better. Thanks for the info. I don't have a polishing wheel. so I used 1500 grit followed by 0000 sw.
ex13F
Single-Sixer
This is my Edwin Forrest Bowie knife by Bark River. Forrest was the most famous actor/performer of his day and became friends with James Bowie while in the Natchez and New Orleans area. Bowie gave him the knife in friendship. While not the "original" knife used in the Sandbar fight for which Bowie became famous for it is reported to be quite similar just with a 12" blade as opposed to the 9.25" original. The original "Bowie" knife would today be seen as a heavy butcher or kitchen knife. Bowie had knife makers produce different knives of design throughout his life. The name of "Bowie" was added by several manufacturers to their knives as a marketing method to cash in on Bowie's fame following the Alamo.
Any knife can be a fighter, depends on the holder of the knife!
Grind the hook down and give it a sharpened clip and a curved edge.
That might be the one he considered Not Enough Knife...
coachk64
Single-Sixer
Had to resurrect an older thread to do a little bragging. Just finished this as my first "real" knife project. Started trying to make a Damascus copy of the Kabar fighting knife, but took some liberties with it. Started with a 10" X 2" Damascus billet and stretched it out to 12.5" with a 7.5" blade and a stacked leather handle. Added a brass pommel and guard. So tickled with the results I decided to try my hand at some leather work and made the sheath just last night. The symbol stamped into the sheath is the letter K in Viking runes. I also engraved the symbol in the top of the pommel.
I think this would qualify as a "Fighting Knife".
I think this would qualify as a "Fighting Knife".
That is some SERIOUSLY nice work! Clear pattern too.
Killer Bee
Advanced Level Novice
wow! great job! (y)
Eet will keel! (bad Doug Marcaida imitation)
The show had to change k!ll to keel, he said it means Keep EvEryone aLive.
coachk64
Single-Sixer
Can't take too much credit for the pattern. I've yet to master making Damascus, so I bought a Damascus blank billet to start with. I did acid-etch it when I was done to bring the pattern back out though.
Randall Model 1 8” classic fighter and for good measure my 25 5”, both purchased new within the past 4 years
An interesting article about the Randall #1
https://www.specialforces78.com/hal-moore-and-the-randall-knife/
https://www.specialforces78.com/hal-moore-and-the-randall-knife/
A knife can be a part of hand to hand combat. But dependent on what style of H-H you train on it will determine what knife style suits that style. A MK2 K-Bar is a slashing knife. A Fairbanks usually more versatile during H-H. Cost effective? Easily handled and balanced both in thrust and reverse hand operation?
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cee_Kamp
Single-Sixer
Buck 903 Bowie from the Buck Custom Shop. Many like this one are fancy limited editions with all sorts of stuff etched on the blade.
This one is a bare blade, no etching. The only one I've ever seen. Sniped off eBay at 03:45 AM with 10 seconds remaining for bidding.
Hard to photograph, it's like old Cadillac bumper chrome.
IMG_20210201_174204823 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr
Buck "Thug" which is a Ron Hood collaboration.
IMG_20220825_130605243_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr
Buck "Hoodlum" which is another Ron Hood collaboration.
IMG_20220825_130634991_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr
Hogue manufactured HK "Fray" fixed blade. A very nice knife for the money.
IMG_20250319_112256354_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr
This one is a bare blade, no etching. The only one I've ever seen. Sniped off eBay at 03:45 AM with 10 seconds remaining for bidding.
Hard to photograph, it's like old Cadillac bumper chrome.
IMG_20210201_174204823 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on FlickrBuck "Thug" which is a Ron Hood collaboration.
IMG_20220825_130605243_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on FlickrBuck "Hoodlum" which is another Ron Hood collaboration.
IMG_20220825_130634991_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on FlickrHogue manufactured HK "Fray" fixed blade. A very nice knife for the money.
IMG_20250319_112256354_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr
