The tough

WILKINSON SWORD DARTMOOR KNIFE

(BASED ON THE CSK185 UNGROUND BLADE BLANK)

Customised to order

   Now with a Full flat Scandi Grind to zero degree...

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Please click: IMPORTANT INFORMATION : before contacting me... 

To see photos of various type of knives I made to date click on respective link below...

LARGE KNIVES   SMALL KNIVES   BUSHCRAFT KNIVES   KNIFE SETS

The original Wilkinson Sword Dartmoor Survival Knife - MK1

(Model CSK185)

The WS Dartmoor knife's design appealed to me from the outset as it had customization potential and with a bit of work could be turned into a very nice looking and useful heavy duty field knife. Having actually bought myself an original CSK185, it's fair to say that apart from the ineffective cutting edge, there was nothing bad to say about the knife. It's a hefty piece of kit with a 185mm long 6mm thick blade - so it should last a generation or two!

A further improvement has been realised - the MK2 version with a proper full flat Scandi grind...  

I have managed to secure a good number of bog standard CSK unground blade blanks. This has provided me with an opportunity to apply my own grind types from scratch. After some trial and error, I managed to work out an optimal grind configuration that surpassed all my previous CSK grind configurations. I am, therefore, pleased to offer my own

Custom version of the CSK 185, with two main cutting edge grind options. Either a full flat deep Scandi grind or, with an added Secondary bevel type grind option.

When looking at the above photos of the MK2 Custom Dartmoor knife blank, please remember that the serrations on the back of the blade blank and the the threaded stud at the back of the handle will both be ground off. The handle will also be contoured to provide for harmonious comfortable shape as for the MK1 versions, including the thumb rest. As I'm dealing with old new stock, I do my best to smooth and polish the blades as best I can. However, when ordering a Dartmoor knife one has to accept that some very minor blemishes/imperfections might still be present. I'm being fussy really, but it's best that one is aware that blade wise at least, it'll be neat and wholly fit for purpose!  

I suppose one question that could matter to some folk, is whether the cost of one of my custom Dartmoor knives is good value, when compared to an original shop soiled version, minus the survival kit, which can be bought for around £250. Well, I honestly believe that I offer excellent value for money for a damn good knife that's unique and personal in its makeup. I appreciate that personal perceptions and preferences vary, but considering the work involved and cost of materials etc., I can be justifiably proud to be able to turn an average working knife into a a damn good one, and as unique and individual as it's new owner. So far, every one I made has been very well received... 

Click this for : PRICING AND KNIFE BUILD OPTIONS 

Below is the last of the MK1 versions in Zebrano

These is a nice full set for Graham comprising of the Dartmoor knife together with a Shadow/Beaver set and separate Firesteel/Ceramic sharpening rod combo.

Handle material is all highly figured Cocobolo and Mosaic pins for enhanced fittings.

Here's what he had to say: Paul but let me tell you they are truly beautiful and I couldn't have wished for more.

Making a Piggyback Sheath is never as easy as one might imagine. There's a lot more involved than stitching a couple of pieces together. It take a lot more time and effort to get the balance and aesthetics right and stitching quadruple layers of leather is getting beyond me now. I have therefore decided decided that I'll no longer make Piggy-back Sheaths for the Dartmoor and Guardian knives.

This set belongs to J. Smiley who was happy to try something different. The Shadow and Beaver knife set is normally either in their own Sheaths or in a Piggyback Sheath. In this instance, the Dartmoor knife and the Beaver are combined in a Piggyback Sheath. Then there's the Firesteel and Ceramic Rod that are in their own pouch, which is also quite different to what I normally make. Different again is the nicely figured Santos Rosewood, which is quite nice and it's the first time that I've been able to use it. I like it and so did the man as he had this to say:

"Hi paul. Just got home from work and I have to say I was quite excited.  In a word paul, stunning! I tried to put aside my excitement and initial awe and looked over the whole set with a more critical eye and tried to find fault. Stunning is still the word. Absolutely lovely to look at, feel perfect in the hand, a really nice weight to all three knives and the sheaths are obviously very well made and look great too. Im so pleased paul, your a true artisan! Thankyou very much. Jason."

Dylan Williams Masur Birch handled Dartmoor

Note the short straight handle on the above Dartmoor.

This one handled in Red Narra belongs to P. Kaye who was keen to have me make the Sheath with two loops to hold both the Firesteel and Ceramic rod. Instead of using normal Veg Tan leather, I used Veg Tan buffalo hide! The problem with Buffalo hide is that it's really difficult to cut with normal scissors etc. and I had to resort to using pruning shears and Bandsaw!  

The one above has the extended long handle.

Afzelia handled WS Dartmoor knife

Above pictures is of an extended Afzelia handled version with four Mosaic pins and lanyard tube. Sheath is made from heavy 4mm thick veg tan Buffalo hide.

This one is in Masur Birch and last of the line of the

first secondary grind version of the W.S. Dartmoor knife model.

Two W S Dartmoor knives

in Oliepod (Top) and Afzelia (Bottom)

Above are of two versions of the knife with the top knife having a standard Oliepod handle with three Hexagonal brass pins and a lanyard tube. The bottom knife has an extended Afzelia handle with three Mosaic pins and a lanyard tube.

The W S knives and blades come with a next to useless grind which is OK for chopping, but not for general cutting use.

Although it takes me about an hour to re-profile the secondary bevel and sharpen it properly, it's an exercise well worth the time and effort.

Kevin Platts' Custom Dartmoor knife

Roy's Olivewood handled

WS Dartmoor knife

Bryan Hill Dartmoor/Beaver knife set in S.A. Olive wood

Top view showing how the handle is extended to include thumb grooves.

Stephens WS Dartmoor knife

 in Carbon Fibre handle and mosaic pins

Peter's Orange Micarta handle Dartmoor knife.

Hi! got the knife to day and it was as usually better than I expected.

Best regards - Peter Hjortzberg (Sweden)

Godfrey's Black Palm handled Dartmoor knife.

Peter's Carbon Fibre handled Dartmoor knife

Peter had this to say:

Hi Frenchy,

Parcel arrived nice and early - and very well packaged too.  A truly awesome knife and a lovely bit of kit.  Thanks for your labours and skill, they certainly show to their best in this piece of work.

I'll sign off now and get to know the new purchase.

Pete

Peter-Jones Horn handled Dartmoor Knife

Peter is happy with his...

Hi Paul, My knife and oil arrived safely today and I have been sat here a while admiring your craftmanship. I am very pleased with both the knife and the sheath, they are exactly as we agreed.

It exceeds all my expectations and the part of the original sawback you left on has the appearance of custom filework.

From start to finish it has been a pleasure doing business with you and I would hope to have another knife made by you in the future. 

Many thanks

Pete Jones

John Turnbull's in S.A. Olive wood

James Hamilton in Black Palm

This is how it all started...

Above: Knife with original serrations on left and same knife without serrations on right. Taking the serrations off makes the knife usable in a leather sheath. With serrations on, they tore the inside of the Sheath every time the knife is drawn.

Above, the Handle extends to include the thumb grooves.

Note that handle stops before the thumb grooves start. As shown in many other examples, I've gone on to making the handle longer to incorporate the thumb groves as it's much nicer as it is practical.

PRICING AND KNIFE BUILD OPTIONS 

Custom Wilkinson Sword Dartmoor Knife - MK2 (Model CSK185)    THE NEW UPDATED MK2 VERSION COMES WITH A FULL SCANDI GRIND      THE HANDLE CAN BE HAD EITHER SHORT OR LONG, TO INCLUDE THE THUMB GROOVES -   AS SHOWN   IN THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT.     PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHOICE OF HANDLE MATERIALS FOR THE SHORTER  HANDLE VERSION IS FAR MORE EXTENSIVE THAN IT IS FOR THE LONG HANDLE  VERSION.      If requested, I will try to obtain a specified handle material that I don't have in stock,   but its full cost will need to be added to the overall cost of the knife.
STANDARD CUSTOM DARTMOOR KNIFE	ITEM PRICE	OPTIONAL EXTRAS IF REQUIRED
KNIFE – COMPLETE WITH ONE OF THE STANDARD HANDLE MATERIAL FROM THIS LIST * WITH BRASS PINS and BRASS TUBE LANYARD HOLE and a STANDARD LARGE SHEATH WITH A FIXED BELT LOOP TO FIT A 2"+ BELT.   Please note that not all handle materials I stock, especially natural ones, will be of a suitable size to handle a long handled knife that includes the thumb grooves. For the shorter handle, the choice is much wider. If I happen not to have your preferred handle material, I shall always offer advice as to suitable alternatives.	£165 For a standard version	PRICE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL EXTRA TO BE ADDED TO BASIC KNIFE COST
INTEGRATED FIRESTEEL LOOP		£5
SIMILAR WOOD HANDLED FIRESTEEL		£10
SIMILAR WOOD HANDLED CERAMIC HONING ROD		£10
ADJUSTABLE BELT EXTENSION LOOP AND 'D' RING		£10
MOSAIC PINS instead of Brass/Cooper/Steel pins		£5
* Please add £12 to above prices towards p&p to standard UK addresses. Knife sent via Royal Mail insured next day by 1pm insured and signed for Special Delivery.   ** Please add £20 towards p&p for non-standard UK and Overseas Destinations.
PRICING AND KNIFE BUILD OPTIONS   IMPORTANT NOTICES REGARDING THE DARTMOOR KNIFE BUILD   1. This knife can only be had with a Leather Sheath if the serrations are removed. If you want serrations left on, then you will need to source a suitable Kydex Sheath. 2.  I can no longer make Piggyback Sheaths, so the Dartmoor knife  is now only available in its own single Sheath. 3. Owing to the extra length of the handle, I cannot guarantee that I'll have the handle material requested in a size to make a long handle. In which case, one can either choose another type of handle material or, choose to have a shorter handle that will not extend to include the thumb grooves.

Please note that, try as I might, I haven't quite managed to make a suitable leather Sheath for the knife with its serrations along its back still in place. Even with very careful drawing and inserting of the knife, the leather on the inside starts to fray and will only get worse over time.
 

Therefore, if you would like one of these knives from me, I can only provide you with one, subject to you agreeing that I can do away with the serrations as for the knives shown above. Serrations or not, it's still a damn good knife and excellent value for money considering what you're getting...

While most folk who buy or handle an original WS Dartmoor knife maintain that its cutting edge is passable for chopping, it's like admitting that the knife is simply a 'make do' tool. I, along with many others know differently, in as much that with a proper grind, the Dartmoor knife will serve as an excellent versatile cutting tool. Be assured therefore, that any Custom Dartmoor knife you get from me will have as keen an edge that should meet or surpass your expectations.