Thanks to Bespoke Post for sponsoring this video! New subscribers get 20% off their first box of awesome - go to bespokepost.com/dbck20 and enter code DBCK20 at checkout.

Good info!! I wish I would have had this video 10 years ago before I got addicted to knives and started spending all my money on different knives because I had no clue what I was looking for 😅 Now I am a crazy knife collector with no money.

I just purchased a Bark River Bushcraft Scout in CPM-Magnacut! Not necessarily pertinent to this video, but I just had to tell someone! Plus, I know the DBK boys will appreciate such a dope buy

I don't think I've missed a DBK Vid in 2 years... 🤔, zero regrets. One of the best 👌

The search for the perfect knife is like the search for the holy grail! My collection is growing and growing, but the more knives I've got, the more I know what I'm looking for in the perfect knife. And still I have not found it. For a knife nerd, happiness is in the hunt for the perfect knife!👍

I love the fact they love knives so much! They seem like genuinely nice people.

I think I have mentioned my favourite knife for outdoor activities before and it's a knife I have had since my late teens or by 20 yrs old at most. It is a Grohmann Carbon Steel model #3 or Canadian Army model Russell Belt Knife. It is easy to sharpen and holds a very fine edge (easily touched with a strop) and because of it's overall design was made to fit the hand and focus the blade so that the knife becomes an extension of you while doing a task. It is equally at home boning out and carving up a Moose as making tent pegs for our wall tent. For the past 35 years it has performed any task asked of it and done it without issue or drama. Is it as tough or durable as say, CPM 3V steel or even D2,...No, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a high carbon steel blade so long as you treat it like a living object that needs care and attention while and after use, no big deal. Would I love to have a Benchmade Leuku and Puukko, Absolutely, or a Joker Nessmuk or Nomad 6.5, again Yes! but all these things cost money I don't need to spend right now because I have a few good serviceable knives, but perhaps someday I will pull the trigger and purchase a new set for use outdoors. Now I'm not knocking any knife or any steel, just use what you are comfortable with. Mora and Marttiini make some fantastic low cost knives that will faithfully do whatever task you ask of it (within reason) asking only to be touched up and if a carbon blade has been purchased a light oiling after each use or sharpening. Also, try and handle the knife before buying, that means going into a store, talking to the clerk and putting your hands on a few knives to see how they feel and if they fit the purpose you need them for. For the most part you aren't just buying a blade or a handle, you are looking for a companion to work with you on your adventures. These are my tools that I take with me camping or Hunting, A Husqvarna full size axe 32", A campsize Estwing axe 26" (or so), A Coldsteel Kukri (about 18") A cheap Bolo Machete that lives on my Quad, along with the Husky Axe and my Knives, My Grohmann #3, a Blades of Alaska Yukon in D2, a Bow saw with a wood and a meat/bone blade and utensils for camp and cooking. I dare say if the Apocalypse ever did happen I could load up my quad and a trailer with enough food and fuel along with my wall tent and stove and find a nice place close to a spring or small river to make a pretty nice place to live out the rest of my days, I'd need a dog for Bear detection etc. and a cat for rodent control in the tent. Actually, that sounds pretty good!! Cheers from Canada!! - Dave

I demand at least 3 DBKs per week

The advantage of convex is the smooth single bevel and therefore less resistance in the cut. Everything else depends moreso on the overall geometry of the blade (thicker for splitting wood etc.).

Make some Noize for DBK! 💪🏽

1. Firemaking. 2. Shelter building. 3. Trap making. 4. Fish and game processing. The qualities of the knife which suit those priorities in that order are most important to me. I have a Morakniv Garberg in high-carbon steel with the ferro rod holder and sharpener attachment. I also have a Fallkniven DC4 in my kit for it.

Yes! Yes! Yes! First, love all your videos. But... This was a short but very comprehensive course on all the aspects of what the individual should look for. The knife is like a woman. It is very personal on what makes you happy! This one you guys nailed it. Respect from Florida 🌴

I just found this channel and instantly subscribed. I’m new to the knife world and I’m addicted to your videos!

Thank you guys for breaking it down and always being fun and entertaining. Love your videos. They were a great relief during COVID

Fantastic video, I will definitely recommend this to my friends!

Thanks for the video mates ! To me the most important thing is impossible to define : - blade shape/grind is so important but if the handle is crap then how do i want to use the knife on regular basis ? - handle has to be comfortable, but if the blade is sh*t then what is the purpose of using the knife ? - steel can be important too, but what happens if heat treatment is bad ? If blade geometry fails ? If the knife is not comfortable to use ? - design is super important : I think it's important to appreciate the tool we use. But , again, if the design proves to be uncomfortable while using the knife, then it might stay in a box and never been used. And, to me, knives are tools that are made to be used (a blacksmith once told me that until there is no scratch on the blade the knife stills belongs to its creator). - sheath is important too, what happens if it dulls your knife or it makes it complicated to use or to maintain ? Therefore it's always possible to modify of change it... So, in my opinion, it's a combination of multiple factors : does the knife responds to my needs, is it comfortable, is the blade solid enough, how can I carry it, how much will I have to spend for it, is the knife appealing to me and gives me interest to use it ? And then comes the answer : we all need to buy the Böker Magnum Mermaid Knife !

I love your passion for knives. It’s contagious! 🤩

Mikkie looks very beautiful in his skirt of knives!! I agree with Maarten, handle is so important. It's like a pair of comfy shoes, you'll just pick it up more.

There are so many knives out there that I don't look for one specific thing, but rather, the knife that has all features I prefer for whatever role I intend it to fill. Or, sometimes, I just like the knife.

Best knife advice ever. Thank you Legends🦉

Thanks for sharing guys

You couldn't have timed this release any better! I've got a good friend who reached out asking about knives for the first time recently.... now I can send him this video before he makes any classic first knife mistakes!

I think the grind is most important because all knives can be touched up regarding sharpness, but the grind determines what tasks the knife is capable of and what they excel at.

Greetings fellow knife enthusiasts, another well made episode. Thought provoking and informative as usual. Why we love knives is very personal and maybe a little disturbing to others who don't get it. I have more blades than a field of grass but always room for more.

I think edge retention is a must however 1080 - 1095 has worked for a very long time even though you sharpen much more often. You can easily re-press/form your sheath around the knife to give it much better grip retention.

Great sum up of what to look for and think about, keep up the good work!

For me the handle is part of the design , great video , thanks

For me, the most important is the aspect. Of the blade. Of the handle. Of the all knife. After it's the steel quality. And of course, what it 's for. Edc, bushcraft, survival, defence, collection ... ^^

Yesterday I bought the Bahco 2449. It's a monster and finally I found a knife that fits my hand perfectly. She's a keeper.

11:33 Mikkie B has a hard time clipping his Mora onto his belt. I never put mine on my belt anymore. I find they do really well clipped to the outside of my front pants pocket. 🤓

awesome video guys…good timing as I am lining up my next knife!

Thanks

I´ve been using an old Morakniv classic no2 for the past 5 years for bushcraft tasks, and i have to agree, the price is nothing if you know what you want from you knife (and the handle holy shit, it is sooo important) great video lads keep it up

Your conclusion is exactly the reason I decided on a joker nordico: handle is ultra comfortable, no hot spots whatsoever, awesome scandi grind and a proven blade shape (spear point). They have a sharp spine, great handle materials, the leather sheaths are awesome (but would love a kydex for it tbh), knives are handmade in spain and they are not crazy priced. Steel is 14c28n, but it's fine really.. overall great overview you gave in the video! This'll help knife newbies a lot :)

DBK KNIFE!! Is all you’ll ever need!

I really don't know why you guys don't have more subs than you do. Keeping it real guys.

It's amazing the influence and information I've gotten form DBK, Prepared Mind 101, Gideon's Tactical, Nick Shabazz and Chiorboys Cutlery. I learned EVERYTHING from you guys. Thank you all so much!

Very nice overview, for bushcrafting I love my BRK Gunny Scandi in Desert Ironwood the most, and like you said, it is due to the haptics of the handle, it just feels great ... and Scandi in CPM 3V is nice too :) cheers

FINALLY ^ info video.. Thank you

Great information.

Very good review, synopsis...I like the Casstrom no 10 in Stainless steel. Plus a few other knives like a custom fish , or Skinner.

The Boker Bronco is a great knife! Good steel!

Would love to see more folders get reviewed by you guys

very nice video, good informations for beginners! full flat with convex edge is what i like in my universal outdoor knives!

Did Maarten get a hair transplant? Does the roof match the floor😂 Love u guys!

Just another reason why I'm looking at a william Collins multi grind knife..checks everything I want a knife to do..love to see you guys test one of those!

Love the scales on that Manix. cheers.

Great guide guys, didn't know the half of the stuff you told me 👍

Nice video! When it comes to the apo finish of a TRC knife it does have an impact on the cutting performance. I took the coating/finish off because I felt like it was too much friction when working with wood.

Most important for me is definitely blade shape - but I'm extending the knife options beyond belt knives to culinary knives (which I have more experience with). I have 4 main culinary knives, two in vg-10, one in Aus-8, and one Rapala fillet knife. I use them all for different tasks. The steel in this context is less important than the shape. The handles are fairly important but the pinch grip makes the balance more important than the handle shape and material. The grinds all factor into the shape.

Mikkie could sell anything. I've had bespoke on and off since 2015. Aside from an Opinel no.8 and a Craighill key chain knife; they have only ever sent shit knives (titan neck knife, black forge outdoor chef knife, and a cutting board/knife combo that was the most god awful knife I've ever used). They do have some really cool things aside from their knives. Almost reactivated my subscription. I carry a folder 90% of the time. A smooth open with a great handle is what I personally enjoy. I've been carrying a Tactile Rockwall I just received last week. It is my first knife with Magnacut. Hoping you guys give one the destruction test soon so I can validate my purchase(or cry about). Your videos are awesome. Thanks to you both.

handel is everything, comfort, safety, prefornens, endurance, styling, grip. then comes steel, then comes grind. just my opinion. great vid gus as always.. GROETJES!!!!

This would be my guide for buying: 1: choose the type of knife that fits purpose (don't buy a carving knife for survival or bushcraft) 2: Handle and grind type 3: Design (sharp spine, sharpening choil, tang construction, jimping, gimmicks) 4: Materials used (steel type, handle material) 5: Sheath (material, fit, design, options like firesteel loop etc..)

Thank you. Very informative video. I just wish more knife retailers were in my area, because I need to actually hold the knife to get a good feeling of it. I totally agree, if the knife handle isn’t comfortable, I’m not going to use it.

You could make an entire full waisted loincloth made of knives on your belt. Maybe next week…..

I’m always carrying my little Elderis I love it. The handle and grind are perfect. It’s perfect for my daily carry.

In the end, the sheath, handle, steel and grind are all part of the design😅

Pretty sure these guys are shilling for the cutlery industrial complex but I’m here anyway

Actually great information for people looking to buy an outdoors knife. Nice video too. Great editing skills. Don't get blown away 🙂

Great video you guys are awsome.

Good video thanks. I got a kukhri survival knife and the handle is crap so I never use it. I have over the years purchased a few known brand expensive blades and never regretted it. Cheers Dave 🇳🇱 🇳🇿

Cheers guys

I used to sell knives at a small gift shop. Not the craziest collection to choose from but not bad either. The usual algorithm for suggesting was almost always like this: 1) Have anything caught your attention already? 2) What's your budget? 3) What for you need a knife? Depending on customer request I usually can filter in and out options from our selection. I remember a man who spent at least 20-30 min trying/holding different knives from my selection, until he made his choice. And you know what? A few weeks later he came back with a positive feedback and thanked me for being patient with him... and bought another knife. :) So I can stand with design being most important aspect... if we factor in the handle as part of a design.

What is the most important for me while choosing knife for an excursion or a day micro adventure is sheath. What I'm most interested in is carrying ability - for a long or short knife, is it vertical or horizontal sheath, belt loop or clip, soft or firm, hi ride or low ride, dangler, fixed loop or easy detachable. Over the years I found that no matter how pretty, how comfortable and high performing knife is, the pain or joy comes from carrying it - which strongly conforms to what I'll be doing with what equipment (backpack with hip belt etc...). Maybe that's because I'm not a kind of stationary bushcrafter, I like to walk and perform some tasks, and at the end have nice relaxing camp :)

I think the most important part is the blade shape. Based on that, it’s all preferences. But the blade shape is what actually will tell you what a knife will excel at. I say this as a knife beginner by the way.

Carving -mora Hard use-SRK joker nomad Chopping-skrama esee Darien machete Kitchen- victorinox

I wish you guys would do a video on a Kephart style knife. See how one of the OG bushcraft knives handles modern tasks.

Anyone who owns a Manix 2 has an extremely awesome taste in folding knives! 🤩

Nice video.!

For me, the handle is also the most important thing about the knife. I also have a very large Fällkniven and Helle knife collection. My favourite knife, just because of the handle, is the Fällkniven TK2 with... 3G steel. Although I like COS and Elmax more, I always have 3G with me. :)

I'd like to see a video on white river knives. Like the ursus 45 or the fire craft series.

'Harro, knife people'. Grind, handle, steel-type would be my Top 3. Props on the Condor Therasaur recommendation. Scandi, no-hotspot-handle, decent-enough steel, for about $40,- you've got a splendid bushcraft knive.

Gentleman, I have to say I always love your videos. You do a great job of expressing opinion, with little to no bias, and give all the knives a very fair and honest review. Your information is always crucial, and I really do love it. However, there is one thing that I have noticed over the past year or so especially, and I just wanted to point it out. If it is intentional, please explain it to me, but you often refer to many "Bowie" style American knives as Kabar knives. And while Ka-Bar knives are a bowie design, technically, Ka-bar is the brand, not the style, and I believe from a technical aspect, which is certainly an aspect you guys excel at, a Ka-bar is simply a stacked leather handle, steel pommeled Bowie design. I see you guys calling several bowie knives from other makers Ka-bars. Is this intentional, or is it the brands desire? Just curious. Please keep up the excellent work, love your work!

Nice video long enough for me but I would like to see you guys talk more about design. Explain Bowie Nessmuk etc Thanks

Big respect, I've been watching you guys for years and truly respect your opinions even though I don't always agree with them. My all time favorite knife is the TOPS skinat. I would love to hear your opinion on this blade. Please do a video on it if possible I really want to know what you guys think. P.S. Mikki rules!!!!

9:36 Just for the Tops fanatics out there, it is a TOPS Knives Storm Vector.

Awesome vid - mostly because it's good to stop and think sometimes about what you're purchasing and why. It can be easy to get caught up in some new fad or steel or design (especially for those new to knives) but is it what you really need?? Always pays to take a few moments to decide what you really need in a knife and then get the knife that best fits that need. You'll have a much better experience. All too often people criticise a knife when in reality they simply chose the wrong knife for the job at hand. Like Mikkie my first priority is the handles. Sharp blades all.

My favorite knife is a Dulo Puukko Mahti in MagnaCut. The first thing that come to my mind when I think of that knife is the grind: a fantastic full convex that makes this relatively thick blade an incredible sliccer capable of batonning. I like the oval shaped handle in burl, it could come slippery but I add ranger band when it’s needed. But the handle is not what makes this knife stand a part from the others. For me the handle is a hygienic factor: it needs to be good for me to appreciate the Knife but it will never makes me love a knife. That’s because the profile and grind of the knives will assure the performance while the handle will assure the comfort and safety of it. That being said, there’s probably more good blades out there than good handles. Therefore my common sense would tell me to prioritize the handle but we can’t prevent a heart to love and my heart loves a full convex edge relatively thin behind the edge.

For me it's all intended use and environment. A handle should not give hot spots but it differs if you're gonna use the knife all the time or sporadically (just in case). Environment is important for steel selection and sheath material. For instance the F1 with zytel sheath is great for me as a 'just in case' or backup knife. The handle won't give me hot spots but is a bit thin for my hands so will give me hand fatique with prolonged use. So when I know i'm gonna use my knife all the time I pick a knife with a bigger and rounder handle. One thing every knife channels seems to forget is ease of cleaning both knife and sheath. Most of all if your intended use involves game and fish processing and food prep. My motto is: 'If I can't piss it clean it's not a good knife'.

Hello! Thank You for nice video! I thing You miss 2 very important thing: 1. Blade length - I always have this choosing problem, because you dont need 150 mm blade for carving and 80 mm blade not good for food prep or battoning 2. Blade thickness - it is can be added to grind section, because 5 mm low scandi not good (usually) and 3 mm full convex is to weak for battoning (usually)

I just bought an Enzo Elver kit ...I should have did this 10 years ago . Imho it's one of the best little bushcraft knives I've ever used. .. ONLY $49 with the sheath. Buy one , I have a box full of $100 + blades and have had just about all the popular budget knives on the market . The Elver is so comfortable to use . I think Brisa isn't going to make um anymore their hard to find in the u.s .

Damn y’all’s give a ways are insane 👍🏻

I want you guys to collab on a DBK edition of the TRC K-1S. That knife, with a convex edge, would be amazing.

I’ve tried and tried to have a fancy expensive knife… I always grab for my mora companion mg. The handle is very comfortable, it’s light, the grind goes into the handle, and the sheath is so easy to just clip on. I do have an expensive axe though😀

Excellent advice. Thanks guys 👍 And groet'n oet Grun' 🇳🇱, T.

G'day Guys, useful vid. I reckon multitasking is king, because ..... I always pair up 2 blades in the outdoors, (a big and a smaller fella), if one is lost, perhaps fails, the other needs to get you out of strife. So yeah, .... what are you gonna use it for ... X 10 ; ) Mind you, your're so right Martin, if it aint got the ergos, you aint gonna use it in the first place. Especially starting out, .... but I still do with every tool ......... research, research, research !!!!!. Personally, I've collected quite a few dozen, fixed and folding, (way more than anyone really needs, lol), over the years, .... and sure some are more lovable than others, but cant think of one I dont like for getting an array of jobs done; .... so the research effort has paid off big time in the long run ..... + its fun and interesting anyway IMO. Oh yeah, stainless of some description is much better in my climate, (love S30/35, the sweet spot for my money), but I will use a carbon, particularly on the big fellas, or occasionally if the design is to good to ignore and cant be had in a stainless, and yes they are often easier to sharpen/hone in the field; ..... though for that very reason, the ol' 420 HC, AUS-8 and such still have their place out in the sticks I reckon. Incidentally; a "true" or "full" scandi is the worst choice sharpening wise, simply because there's so much more metal to get through. Main point is; .... don't forget to consider maintenance away from home, ..... likely where it matters most. Cheers Duke.

Survival Lily has a new knife design out which she claims is unbreakable. That sounds like a challenge!

Bravo!

i only make cardboard sheath and if i wanted i could use some dpoxy and leather fo make it look nice

Hey I was thinking about a video you could do something like how to upgrade a v edge to secondary convex or whatever edge you guys prefer. I watched a video where you guys lightly touched on different sharpening methods but i would enjoy a more detailed video to upgrade the sharpness or edge of a v edge knife. Hope you give that a thought!

Could y'all do a review the Brush Wolf by TOPS? Very unique design.

I used to have a classic mora years ago and its in. Abox somewhere. Ive always liked those knives but felt the blade was slightly short.

I have to agree with the handle point. When i designed my custom ergonomic edc knife it took me almost two years to get it perfect with a lot of 3d prints. While the blade was designed fairly quickly. Also some of the geometry you can change at any time even when the knife is already finished, it breaks or dulls or whatever. It will change over time. The handle on the other hand either breaks completely and needs to be fully redone or replaced or doesnt work and you cant easily change it (except maybe some simple opinel mods) So even though id first say geometry is the most important for the knife behavior, it really is the handle for the buying choice. And id also mention one VERY important point that you guys missed completely - the balance point! For example Lionsteel M4 has a very comfortable handle and decent geometry but i dont use it much because the balance point is far in the back towards your middle finger (g10 scales) and it makes it feel much heavier and less controllable than it actually is. A perfect balance point is somewhere in the index finder so the knife doesnt want to slide out of your hand on its own

Great video. I would have to say the most important factor for me would be the overall versatility of the knife (how many things it can do well) and second would be overall comfort. The benefits of size, design, grind, and the type/quality of the steel you want are all relative to the task at hand. So there is no such thing as the perfect knife. I agree with the handle thing because the only knife that matters is the one you have on you when you need it, but if you put the best handle on the kabar its still a p.o.s. knife. The sheath is the least important factor simply because you can always buy a better sheath.

Is there a reason you guys never cover Casstrom knives? Love the videos btw!

Great review my brothers from another mother's 😁

The combination of the elements (the choices of the knife maker) that's going to matter. It is the sum of its parts.

The grind first (Scandi or flat) and the handle second. The handle must be comfortable and have a reasonable grip. I want the grind to be able to carve because I do a lot of that, but also be able to do food prep. Thanks for the video. 🔪🎸

The perfect knife is a moving target, needs and wants constantly change and so is what is available.

I liked the Dutch saying, 'you cannot argue about taste'. In America the equivalent phrase I hear is 'there's no accounting for taste', which sort of means you can't boil it down to a metric or algorithm.