Custom mini Canadian belt knife

Netherman

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@Slalomnorth I guess I didn’t know how custom custom was. Sending a PM as I’d also like the “perfect” CBK.

To complete our hijack of elpollo’s thread I’ve got a few pictures that describe my complaints with the Yukon.

Grip I use in the body cavity. I’d like a shorter blade length to get my finger in line with the tip for blind cuts. I think finger scallops would make this more comfortable as well.
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Blade to handle interface. I worry that my thumb will ride up onto the blade. I think the deeper finger cut and “guard” on the small northern hunter would solve this.
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Slalomnorth

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Fortunately I am the boss and can make whatever people want. Some makers are unwilling to deviate from what they do but I actually enjoy changing things up. Even if I might disagree with a design aspect, I just like making knives tailored to exactly what a person wants because I am the same way with things (like knives, longbows, and bicycles). Very particular.

I know thumb scallops are popular, but lately instead of that I’ve been tapering the front of my handle scales on game knives to create a uniform large flat surface. I find it very comfortable. I’ll try to remember to post a pic shaping some handles today.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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I know thumb scallops are popular, but lately instead of that I’ve been tapering the front of my handle scales on game knives to create a uniform large flat surface. I find it very comfortable. I’ll try to remember to post a pic shaping some handles today.
I agree here. I found these much more comfortable as well as versatile when finishing handles on my knives.
 
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I have posted a few of my attempts at a Canadian belt knife on another thread. I have been experimenting with a few different designs, but definitely still refining it.

These two are very similar, but the blade angle is a little different. The camo handle version is more upswept.

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This is another iteration I tried.
IMG-5884.jpg


I have one of my earlier versions of this design with a local hunter in Australia who hunts a lot of sambar deer. He has given me pretty good feedback on the knife so far.

CBK1.jpg


CBK2.jpg
 
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Slalomnorth

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Not to derail the thread but since we’re on that path anyway…top two very similar to the LT wright small northern hunter (top one my preferred handle second one LT handle). 3rd is my normal 4” belt knife pattern but this thread has inspired me to refine a bit (4th one). Very slightly slimmed down but same tip/handle relationship.

 
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Not to derail the thread but since we’re on that path anyway…top two very similar to the LT wright small northern hunter (top one my preferred handle second one LT handle). 3rd is my normal 4” belt knife pattern but this thread has inspired me to refine a bit (4th one). Very slightly slimmed down but same tip/handle relationship.

4th is starting to look like your yardbird but with maybe a little more width and belly?
 

Slalomnorth

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4th is starting to look like your yardbird but with maybe a little more width and belly?
Yeah that’s true. Here it is overlayed-yardbird on top. Probably should just keep one or the other…and then also make a 3” version or so.



I’d be down to get in on the perfect CBK with orange scales…what’s the PRO-cess?
Well I think we’ve all come to the conclusion that we have our own idea of the perfect CBK. For me I am partial to my pattern of course. You can PM me to get the ball rolling.

I wanted to point out, in my opinion, a few design flaws with the MKC in case anyone was thinking about getting it. For starters, the ricasso is much too large. This is just wasted space and adds weight. Second, I prefer the more classic continuous belly line of a belt knife. The MKC has the straight edge and then juts up right away into belly. Lastly, that finger guard. Finger guards are not necessary and only impede use of the complete edge. If you have a deep finger choil that acts as a guard and still allows use of the whole edge. And last last I guess, I don’t like the handle design but that’s just personal preference. My 2 cents.

 

hereinaz

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I am on board with the 2.5-3” blade length as my favorite length. When it is shorter, the whole blade is available for use more easily. It becomes an extension of the hand for fine use.

On an animal in the field, I haven’t found I need more than 3”. And, for other uses around camp or hunting, I haven’t needed more. When hunting, I am not out bushcrafting. When I get into the kitchen, I like different knives of course.

I also agree that the thickness of typical blades makes a blade less usable. That’s one thing I like about using the Outdoor Edge reusable blades over the “hunting knives” I used before.

In my pocket, I carry the Mini Bugout and never wish it was longer.
 

mxgsfmdpx

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Has anyone noticed significant marring/slight pitting in any of the recent Grohmann #1 Carbon blades?

This is my 5th or 6th knife from them over the years and never had any issues before. This particular knife has helped or been the sole knife on skinning and butchering around 45 big game animals in the last two years.

I normally hand clean and then use their supplied rod to touch up the edge after every use. Got lazy in Minnesota and ran it through the dishwasher overnight (they have incredibly hard/high mineral count water there). Came back to the blade finish being "distressed".

I've since done another few animals with it and it still performs, just thought it was weird that the steel did this when ran in the washer. Never had this happen with any of my previous Grohmanns, ignore the elk blood that has since been cleaned off...

IMG_9710.jpg

IMG_9711.jpg
 

Formidilosus

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Has anyone noticed significant marring/slight pitting in any of the recent Grohmann #1 Carbon blades?

This is my 5th or 6th knife from them over the years and never had any issues before. This particular knife has helped or been the sole knife on skinning and butchering around 45 big game animals in the last two years.

I normally hand clean and then use their supplied rod to touch up the edge after every use. Got lazy in Minnesota and ran it through the dishwasher overnight (they have incredibly hard/high mineral count water there). Came back to the blade finish being "distressed".

I've since done another few animals with it and it still performs, just thought it was weird that the steel did this when ran in the washer. Never had this happen with any of my previous Grohmanns, ignore the elk blood that has since been cleaned off...

View attachment 803933

View attachment 803932

There was something caustic in the dishwasher. Is that all etching marks, or is some blood/tissue?
 

Formidilosus

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Shoot2HuntU
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I wanted to point out, in my opinion, a few design flaws with the MKC in case anyone was thinking about getting it. For starters, the ricasso is much too large. This is just wasted space and adds weight. Second, I prefer the more classic continuous belly line of a belt knife. The MKC has the straight edge and then juts up right away into belly. Lastly, that finger guard. Finger guards are not necessary and only impede use of the complete edge. If you have a deep finger choil that acts as a guard and still allows use of the whole edge. And last last I guess, I don’t like the handle design but that’s just personal preference. My 2 cents.



This is a good summation of the MKC. Of the 4-5 different Canadian belt knife designs I have, the MKC is the worst design in use. As a functional tool on game, the $12 Cold Steel version is much preferred.
 

mxgsfmdpx

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There was something caustic in the dishwasher. Is that all etching marks, or is some blood/tissue?
Yeah between the hard water and whatever my wife's grandma uses for "homemade dish soap" lol, was for sure the culprit.

There is blood and tissue in that particular photo but its mainly etching marks you see.
 

Slalomnorth

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This is a good summation of the MKC. Of the 4-5 different Canadian belt knife designs I have, the MKC is the worst design in use. As a functional tool on game, the $12 Cold Steel version is much preferred.
I have the cold steel and it’s fantastic. I more so bought it just to compare a bunch of different belt knives. The saber grind, stock thickness, and soft steel is the downside of it.

I zero ground the 3” magnacut belt knife yesterday and will get a handle on it today. It will be a light saber, posting photos this week
 

hereinaz

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Yeah between the hard water and whatever my wife's grandma uses for "homemade dish soap" lol, was for sure the culprit.

There is blood and tissue in that particular photo but its mainly etching marks you see.
Gramma's soap was the worst to get your mouth washed out with when I was a kid...
 
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