Knife Size Comparisons

Although I provide dimensions for each knife model that I make on the relevant pages, I believe that it would be helpful to be able to see all the blade blanks together for comparison purposes. Moreover, as I have a Ray Mears Woodlore knife - which is arguably the most well known Bushcraft type knife - as well as a cloned bare blade, I felt it would be very useful to use it for comparison purposes in terms of profile and size. Please note that there's no negativity intended towards the Woodlore knife blade blank; I simply wish to use it as a benchmark for illustrative purposes only.

As can be easily ascertained, my bade blanks are more substantial in profile than the Woodlore blade clone. Apart from the Talisman and Guardian, which are 5mm thick D2 steel, the other models are 4mm thick D2 and 440c steel where applicable. The traditional Bushcraft type knife as epitomized by the ubiquitous and often copied Woodlore knife, thus firmly establishing it as the 'Ideal' Bushcraft type knife that has long had a large loyal following. I've got the Wilkinson Sword version and maybe one day I'll even get me one made by Allan Wood.

I'll be the first to admit that size is not everything when it comes to knives, as what really matters is the intended end use together with one's preferences. After all, there are only so many design possibilities without straying from the Bushcraft type knife concept. What I like the most about the Bushcraft type knife that it's not at all threateningly weapon like. The Bushcraft fraternity refer to such knives as merely tools and that's what they really are, tools to be worked with. I suppose I could be satisfied if I only offered just two of my knife models, the Talisman and the Guardian. Both are quite distinctive and well up to any Bushcraft type task out in the field. That said, substantial hefty knives aren't to everyone's liking, hence my offering other knife models that I tweaked as good alternatives were a lighter general purpose knife would be more suitable. For the most part it's the grind, its angle and depth of each model that varies in accordance of its intended end use.

As for myself, I just happen to favour knives that have a bit more about them, width, length and weight, my idea of a real man's knife - so to speak. I go further by altering and contouring the handles to help provide a more anatomical safe grip to suit small, medium and large hands, at least as best I can as the overall width of the handle material when being contoured will also have to be taken into account. So let me be frank, as I do it all by eye and feel, results will tend to vary from knife to knife. For the most part, it seems to work as over the years, I've only had a couple that I didn't quite get it right for them. My efforts to meet individual owner's personal preferences gives me a lot of satisfaction when the job is turns out just as I would have liked it to. So I'll never change that part of my relationship with folk who choose me to make a knife for them.

Talking of hefty knives, there are the very special one-off's I refer to as the XL range of blades I make from RWL-34 and Damasteel. With these, I tend to aim for a broader and longer front part to give the knife some additional weight forward. Considering the high cost of raw RWL-34 and Damasteel, I try not to be wasteful as every centimeter lost is money wasted. Although I prefer to retain each knife model design profile, I do have control over the final shape and will alter it as best I can to suit individual preferences. I'm always happy to accommodate someone who wishes a particular profile as long as it's within the accepted working knife profile. I've had a couple of occasions when I was asked to make rather aggressive weapon like blade profiles, but I declined as

that's not a design concept that I want to be involved in.

I sincerely hope that by displaying my various knife blank blade models like this will prove helpful towards determining which model would best suit your needs.

Above is the Sámi Leuku type heavy duty knife which I have named 'The Valiant' since the original offering didn't have a name to it.

I trust you can make out the measurements, but for clarity's sake I show the details below as well.

The VALIANT Knife is only available in 6mm thick AISI D2 High Carbon Sheffield steel

Type of steel: D2

Thickness of steel: 6mm

Overall length: 345mm

Blade length:225mm

Handle length:120mm (Contoured to a Coke bottle shape)

Appx. width at Choil & Back plate: 40mm

Type of grind: Single Scandi down to 0 degree.

Fittings: Three Pins and Lanyard Tube

Sheath: Veg Tan leather oil dyed to suit.

I have introduced the Valiant on a 'see what happens' whim, as I appreciate that there are quite a number of good knives that can be used for the sort of jobs expected from the Valiant.

Therefore, I've only a small stock of Valiant blades and in all probability, once they're used up I'll not make any more. So when they're gone, they're gone...

The Talisman Mk4

in D2 Steel and Variants