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  #1  
Old 08-02-2012, 08:03 PM
Neup Neup is offline
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Thickness of steel

Are there any advantages of 1/4 steel vs 3/16 steel? Is the weight of any significance?
Is there any real advantage to the strenght of an aditional 1/16 of an in. of steel?

Thanks !

Neup
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  #2  
Old 08-03-2012, 12:40 PM
BoBlade BoBlade is offline
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Hi Neup,

This is just my opinion for what's it's worth: 3/16th will suffice for 99% of the things you would normally want to use a knife for. There are some things that 1/4" would give you a bit of an advantage such as prying or hacking. At the same time, many people would say a knife is not the right tool for those applications. As an offset, there are some disadvantages to 1/4" such as the additional weight (Usually only an issue if you are carrying it for an extended time) and more frequent sharpening (A thinner blade will stay sharper longer). Bottom line is that the difference is not that big of a deal in the final analysis.

Best,

Ron
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  #3  
Old 08-05-2012, 08:00 AM
Neup Neup is offline
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Ron
I was wondering if I sould lean more to the 1/4 steel thickness.
Sounds like it is a wash.
Any other opinions?

Neup
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  #4  
Old 08-05-2012, 01:50 PM
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DTHN2LGS DTHN2LGS is offline
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Neup,

What will you be using it for and what model knife are you considering?


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  #5  
Old 08-05-2012, 03:43 PM
Rick Bowles Rick Bowles is offline
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As with most things, it's all a compromise. That's why there are so many models. Sounds like you'll need at least two Randalls!
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  #6  
Old 08-05-2012, 06:08 PM
Neup Neup is offline
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One other factor does size matter?

Rick

Now that is what I am thinking!

So if I was looking for a camp, sportsman knife, no need for skinning, what thickness of steel and length?
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  #7  
Old 08-05-2012, 06:50 PM
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Moosehead Moosehead is offline
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Neup, if you want a good solid knife for camping and general outdoor activity, you can't go wrong if you choose a Model # 3, #5, #25 or #27.

A stainless blade length of 5 or 6 inches (your choice) would be fine. (Note that the #27 only comes with a 5 3/4" blade.)

All of these models are all 1/4" thick.

Cheers!

David


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  #8  
Old 08-06-2012, 08:39 AM
Neup Neup is offline
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Thanks David!
I was leaning in that direction.

Neup
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  #9  
Old 08-06-2012, 01:32 PM
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DTHN2LGS DTHN2LGS is offline
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Neup,

Look up the "Bradford Angier" options on the Model 5, it's a classic.


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  #10  
Old 08-06-2012, 04:32 PM
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Have you taken a look at Model 23 "Gamemaster" with 4 1/2" blade of 1/4" stock?
-Steve
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  #11  
Old 08-07-2012, 02:23 PM
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DTHN2LGS DTHN2LGS is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cut_n_run View Post
Have you taken a look at Model 23 "Gamemaster" with 4 1/2" blade of 1/4" stock?
-Steve
Another good choice, I have one ordered that should be done soon.


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  #12  
Old 08-07-2012, 04:17 PM
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OOPS! I forgot to mention the obvious choice: Model #5.

It's not called the "Camp and Trail Knife" for nothing.

Cheers!

David


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  #13  
Old 08-07-2012, 08:30 PM
Rick Bowles Rick Bowles is offline
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Like Steve and Rob, I'm a big fan of the Model #23 "Gamemaster". It's tuff and beefy but small enough to be utilitarian.
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  #14  
Old 08-08-2012, 07:42 PM
Alberta Al Alberta Al is offline
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The #23 is a great knife. Mine is one of my favorites, and is always with me in the fall.

Other field knives that I like are the #3 and #4 both with 6 inch blades. I also like the #28, as it is OK with getting wet while trout fishing.

Alan
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  #15  
Old 08-19-2012, 03:51 PM
mtngunr mtngunr is offline
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most of the heavier duty knives made of 1/4" stock, such as the military knives, are circa 3/16ths" thick out near tip area where the side flats taper to nothing.....

a quote from Ken Warner in 1971 is as valid today as it was then, "Given a 3/16ths" or 1/4" bar to start with, there is hardly any way a single man can hit or pry hard enough to bust an honest workman's blade."

the advantage the 1/4" steel offers is primarily in the back half of the knife....much stronger ricasso, and particularly in the tang....it is tip and the tang which fail in hardest use...the heavier tang will resist flex and breakage better than thinner, and even in same thickness, the larger will resist flex and breakage better, so that the strongest tang they make in the 14/15/16/17 is the "full tang" from 1/4" stock, next up would be the CDT version of 14/15, next would be the 1/4" stick tang models such as 1-7 or 5-6 or perhaps the full-tang 3/16ths stock such as the Model 28, the weakest they make is the stick tang from 3/16ths" such as on the 5-4, 6-9 etc....

Last edited by mtngunr; 08-19-2012 at 03:54 PM.
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art, back, blade, choose, fishing, full tang, knife, knives, made, make, man, military, outdoor, sharpening, skinning, steel, tang


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