2021-022 | THE KNIFEMAKER CAMP KNIFE

LAST JUNE 12, 2016, THIS blogger came into possession of a prototype of THE KNIFEMAKER Camp Knife which has a complement of a tight-gripping Kydex sheath. THE KNIFEMAKER is a custom knife maker based in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines, which has been in existence since 1983. It is owned by Lily Cortes Monteith and managed by his son, John Robert Monteith. It has a Facebook page for inquiries and for orders or you may call or text to +639272226975.

This prototype camp knife is designed by Madame Lily herself. The blade profile is drop point and is in full tang construction made from 5160 steel. The overall length is 8” (203.2 millimeters), with 3-5/16” (84.1 mm) reserved for the working blade and the other half for the handle, and has a thickness of 1/8” (3.175 mm). The hardwood scales tipped the weight of the small knife at 230 grams. It is built like a tank.    

 

Although heavy for its size, I did not encounter any problem or difficulty in carrying THE KNIFEMAKER Camp Knife inside its sheath on my waist, held in place by just an elastic garter of my basketball shorts. That happened days after I received it and walked over difficult terrain going to some hidden waterfalls down a deep valley in Balamban. That was its first test. 

Previously, a year before, this same prototype was tested in Liloan. That time, as per testimony of Jhurds Neo, “it was thrown to a tree by Jing de Egurrola (that is me) at about 5 meters distance and landed multiple times successfully. Justin Apurado made a couple of feather sticks, then whittled bamboo pieces and carved a spoon and cleaned the surface of the bamboo mug out of it…

“Nelson Orozco used it to prepare the food for dinner and sliced the meat and veggies like a champ. Dominic Sepe used it to baton a couple of bamboo and a piece of wood with ease as it has a good edge. The knife surpassed the needed task to accomplish intended for its size and purpose. One of the few knives with wood handles that would look nice with a Kydex sheath. The knife went home happy with great edge retention.”

 

It was posted as a thread starter in the group page of the Camp Red Bushcraft and Survival Guild in Facebook, I commented twice. This one was the first, “Even with that size it is still a monster when it goes into hard work. Because it is small, mountain climbers would prefer it because of its weight and it is strong enough to do menial tasks like food prep”. 

This one was my second comment, “I just love the look of the spin as the blade travels from hand into empty space and touching true on the trunk. I don't do knife throwing nowadays but it feels good to bring back memories. The sound of steel on softer target and the glint of the blade are such pleasant to hear and see. The adrenaline rush almost like the feeling of a call to arms”. 

It finally came into serious use when I went to Itogon, Benguet to teach Basic Wilderness Survival Course last March 2017. It was one of the blades that I carried on my travel there and was used by participants during practical exercises in blade-dexterity and on batoning techniques. Days after that, I personally used this for three days in Masinloc, Zambales, as my main camp knife and for a torture test chopping a dry casuarina hardwood. 

THE KNIFEMAKER Camp Knife became part of my regular blades that I carried for use during the Philippine Independence Bushcraft Camps in 2017, 2018 and 2019; the Bonifacio Day Bushcraft Camps of 2018 and 2020; the different wilderness survival training in between 2017-2020 in Cebu, Sumilon Island, Bukidnon, Iloilo and Rizal; and several bushcraft for kids in schools, kiddie clubs and orphanages on those same years.

 

Kids, ladies and guys with small hands preferred this because of its size and the shaped handle helped them with their grips. I got a big hand and I have to adjust by using a batoning stick when I am in the midst of heavy chopping work else the small finger has to curl full circle to keep contact with the far end of the handle in aiding the rest of the hand for a good grip when whittling and scraping. 

With its present handle length and by its design, the prototype knife would be very awkward to use by people with bigger hands like me. Simplifying the handle design into sleek straight lines might be a good idea to attract these individual types. Besides, the scale design on the hilt also made the blade length seems much shorter and would obstruct work as well as expose it to chipping, which happened on one scale. 

This blade had already achieved the build and the temper required for a small heavy-duty utility tool. For almost five years now, this prototype had not kissed abrasives just yet. Yes, the edge held that long, although not that scary sharp anymore, which only gave a good testament to the craftsmanship ability acquired and mastered by the builder, THE KNIFEMAKER, in providing the local market of a good edged tool for camping and bushcraft use.

 

Before I finish this review, THE KNIFEMAKER also accepts turquoise and synthetic stone inlays and appearance modifications of your Swiss Army Knife scales and knife handles. They would also accept orders for wood, leather and Kydex sheaths of your prized blades. They also make customized silver jewelries and cutleries that suits to your tastes and lifestyles at very affordable costs.