The Condor Primitive Bush Knife.Seamlessly merges present and past.
Knives play an important role in many cultures.
Knives are tools that have been around for centuries, making lives easier for those that needed them for many, many tasks. You always see folks, in these modern times, trying to reinvent the wheel, or make a better mousetrap, and that’s no different in the knife world. However, sometimes, one only needs to look to the past to find something that will work and fit in a modern world, and that’s exactly what Matt Graham did when developing the Condor Primitive Bush Knife (PBK).
Once I pulled this knife out of its unique sheath and gripped it fully, I almost felt as if I was being transported back in time and sitting in a cave skinning a buffalo. It has a truly unique look to match its sheath, and it draws you into the spirit of the blade’s essence right o . As I admired its fine craftsmanship and beauty, I couldn’t wait to get out in the bush and truly find out what it could do.
The Nitty Gritty
Featuring an overall length of 13.5 inches, the Primitive Bush Knife is constructed of 0.12-inch-thick 420 HC stainless steel, with a bead blasted satin finish. The 8-inch blade features a deep belly that is reminiscent of an almost shortened barong and features three narrow fullers running the length of the blade on both sides, giving it an almost aboriginal look. The high grind of the edge bevel gives the Primitive Bush Knife a keen edge and geometry that is perfect for slicing chores and getting fine, feathery shavings during fire prep. At the tip is a very aggressive, 0.875-inch-long swedge that is very little work away from being sharpened fully, giving the tip maximum penetration ability for drilling tasks and game processing.
This story is from the September-October 2017 edition of Knives Illustrated.
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This story is from the September-October 2017 edition of Knives Illustrated.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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I have a confession to make. See if this sounds familiar. I take meticulous care of the knives I use for everyday carry, hunting, and general woods wandering. I wipe them down with an oily cloth after use and I never let them get too dull. Seldom do I have to restore a damaged edge. Most of the time I simply touch up the edges of my pocketknives with a few careful strokes across the rough bottom of a ceramic coffee cup. That’s usually all that’s needed. I don’t use my knives as screwdrivers or pry bars. As a matter of fact, I still have the very first knife I ever owned, an old Boy Scout knife that was handed down from my older brother. The blades have a deep patina that comes with using carbon steel over the years, but the knife is very usable still.
