Spyderco Schempp Rock good outdoors/survival/GP knife?

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Hi all,

As most of you know, I'm a big Spydie fan...  I love most everything they design despite only having a modest collection of their knives (Tenacious, Resilience, Endura 4, Delica 4, Stretch 2, and a Dragonfly 2). 

I've been wanting a good quality high end knife for camping and BOB use, and I am totally in love with the design and style of the Schempp Rock. 

It's a little pricey for me, so I'd have to save up for a little while to get it, and I've also looked at some other knives that are meant for a similar role, such as a BK9, BK5, Ka-bar 1245 tanto, etc.

So what do you guys think?  Is it worth the extra price?  It's VG10 instead of the 51xx series used in the BK's and Ka-bar's, so is that an issue?  If I'm going to spend that kind of money, should I just save a little more and get something like an Izula?

Any thoughts would be helpful.

[jekostas]

51XX and 10XX steels are tougher than VG-10, but there have been some very successful VG-10 survival/camp knives (Spyderco Moran, Fallkniven).  I see no reason why the Rock couldn't be the same way.

On the other hand, the Rock/Rock Salt has some really goofy ergonomics and it doesn't really work for very large or very small hands.  I'd really say handle this one before you buy it.

[jzmtl]

It's really thin, more like a machete than an actual big knife, and comes with a sheath that dulls the heck out of your sharp edge. For the price I'd pick something else.

[asupernothing]

I personally prefer smaller fixed blades for actual use. I find that big knives are more trouble than they are worth, ymmv .
Don't get me wrong, I love big ole knives, but don't "need" them. That being said, I love the look of the Rock and I want one.

[bladechick777]

You Could Look Into Other Spyderco Fixed Blades As Well?
Examples:
Spyderco Warrior
Spyderco Hossom Dayhiker
Spyderco Hossom Forester
Spyderco Temperance
Spyderco Temperance 2
Spyderco Street Beat
Spyderco Mule Knives

Etc, Etc, Etc.

[jzmtl]

Fixed blade doesn't seem to be spyderco's forte, the moran and temperance 2 in current lineup are more of a utility/hunting knife than survival. I'd look at other brands TBH.

The Hossom series was great but discontinued.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Thanks for the input guys!  I really like the design of the Rock, but it's awfully pricey...  I really like the BK7 too.  Looks like a good overall general purpose knife that's a good size but not too big.  I too don't think that anything bigger is really all that useful, but I know other people feel differently.  I'm thinking the BK7 is probably the top contender right now.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Okay, here's a question, given these options, which would you pick and why?

BK7.

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-BK7-Combat-Utility/dp/B001IPMG8K/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1329950774&sr=1-1

BK5.

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-Knife-Tool-Magnum/dp/B004CIA254/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1329950904&sr=1-1

Ka-bar 1245.

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-2-1245-1-Black-Tanto-Knife/dp/B000BT1G6W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1JVYB93A0XZFL&colid=3PONN6QRWJRIO

(Note; I'm not married to the idea of buying from big A... just convenient for descriptions of these tools.)

Edit: add to consideration the CS Bushman.  Looks like a very versatile contender with the hollow, one piece handle.  Would be good for storing small items, or mounting the knife on a pole to make a spear for hunting.  (Yeah, I know, I'm a professor... who am I kidding!    )  But regardless, cheaper and seems more versatile.

http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Bushman-Cordura-Survival/dp/B0015RQI7Q/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_img_b

[jzmtl]

Either of those Becker will serve you well. I had a BK7 but got rid of it because I never use it (or any large fixed blade). Love the look of BK5 though.

Bushman is more of a spearhead than knife. The blade is very thin, about 2mm, and tempered very soft so it wouldn't break.

[asupernothing]

I still want to plug for a small neck style knife.  I find that I am more likely to carry a small knife, and there is not much that I cannot do with a smaller blade. I also think that as a survival tool it would be better practice to learn to effectively use a smaller knife.

I would look at either an Izula or BK11. Bark River also makes some nice smaller blades.

[jzmtl]

Oh, another one I remembered, the kabar ZK war sword, pretty sweet looking.

[Millhouse]

Spyderco Bushcraft 2.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Nice looking knife... I'm going to have to scale back my budget a bit though. 

I was just looking at this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-1278-Heavy-Duty-Warthog-Knife/dp/B004NN5QEA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2TLG8C0B1YJD7&colid=3PONN6QRWJRIO

Impressions?

[Millhouse]

http://www.baryonyxknife.com/bushlorewood-handle.html

Good value. Usually needs a little work touching up the blade.

[jzmtl]

http://newgraham.com/store/product/7615/Bushlore-4.3%22-Fixed-Blade/

Cheaper here, and the dealer is one of the best in knife circle. Scandi grind isn't for everyone (or every task) though, I tried them and now all my Mora are sharpened with secondary bevel.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Thanks for the leads guys...  I'm wondering though, and perhaps you can help me understand, what's the differences in the POU of a smaller knife like these compared to something bigger like a BK7 or the like?

I honestly am not planning on having to use a knife for things like cutting firewood, as I keep an axe in my camping/BOB supplies, but is there more to it than just that?

[jekostas]

Larger survival knives are better cutting through thick undergrowth, and make processing wood easier.

Smaller knives are better for most other things:  general food preparation, preparing tinder or kindling, first aid, cutting line or rope, overall general utility work.  Even skinning out and cutting small game animals, or filleting and processing fish.  With a little training and practice you can also process and split wood using a small knife but it's not as easy.

Smaller knives are also easier to control, lighter, and easier to stash/lash/pack.

IMHO, when people tout big knives for survival use these days it's 90%+ because they think it's cool, not because the size is genuinely useful for how you'd actually use the knife.

[asupernothing]

Larger survival knives are better cutting through thick undergrowth, and make processing wood easier.

Smaller knives are better for most other things:  general food preparation, preparing tinder or kindling, first aid, cutting line or rope, overall general utility work.  Even skinning out and cutting small game animals, or filleting and processing fish.  With a little training and practice you can also process and split wood using a small knife but it's not as easy.

Smaller knives are also easier to control, lighter, and easier to stash/lash/pack.

IMHO, when people tout big knives for survival use these days it's 90%+ because they think it's cool, not because the size is genuinely useful for how you'd actually use the knife.

In tropical or maybe even semi-tropical climates where thick underbrush is actually an issue I might be able to justify touting a big ole blade. however that's not an issue for me so I simply prefer a smaller blade. I don't really care for scandi grinds, so the izula is my go to knife at the moment. Its probably the best option for your price range.