EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – RoseCraft Blades is entering new territory.
The Tennessee-based knife company is now making fixed blades, with the first batch dropping on Thursday, May 29.
The company has made a name for itself with its traditional slip-joint knives. It also makes excellent modern knives that seem to fly under the radar a bit with knife collectors.
Now, RoseCraft is entering the fixed-blade market.
I got to take a look at one of their first four models, thanks to the pass-around group that I belong to.
For the past few days, I have had the opportunity to carry around and take a look at the RoseCraft F2 fixed blade.
My first impression: This is a big winner with a classic look.
First off, it is a big knife, 9 inches long with a black-coated carbon steel blade.
The handles are made of OD green micarta, with orange G10 liners. The full-tang construction (blade runs all the way through the handle) is clearly visible.
When you look at the knife from the top, you see layers of green, orange and then black.
Just a classic look and feel.
The handle also has a swell in the middle and downward bow at the end. That really allows your hand to wrap itself naturally around the handles for a comfortable grip.
The spine of the blade has no gimping, but is thick and beefy (nearly 4 millimeters). That gives you the ability to choke up and use this knife for some close work, like slicing and dicing while cooking outdoors.
Let’s take a look at some numbers, though they don’t come close to telling the story. Like I said earlier, the knife is 9 inches long (comes with a Kydex sheath for carrying).
The blade, made of 1095 carbon steel, has an upswept construction and is a whopping 4.4 inches long. It is 3.7mm thick with full-tang construction.
The handle is 4.2 inches long and the micarta handles are removable so you can clean this knife easily. The orange G10 liners also give this knife a pop of color and make it easier to find if you drop it while outdoors.
I know a lot of knife fans who are big on carbon steel. They especially like that it develops a patina over time, but this type of steel can also rust if you don’t care for it right.
That’s why RoseCraft coated these new fixed blade offerings to make sure that they don’t corrode, while also holding true to the big benefit of carbon steel – the ease with which it can be sharpened.
Oh, I almost forgot. The handle has a handy lanyard hole for fans of that. Lanyards can make a knife much easier to pull out of its sheath while giving you the ability to personalize your knife a bit.
I will say this: The Kydex sheath that comes with this knife is very secure but you can easily pull the knife out by just using your thumb. Very slick.
My one nitpick: The knife rides higher on my side than I care for when using the provided sheath. Still, I tested it out while sitting and driving and the knife was comfortable in both those situations.
Overall, this would make a great knife for camping or for outdoor grilling. It could also be a great skinner if you are a hunter.
As you expect with any RoseCraft knife, this knife combines craftsmanship, functionality and a solid price point into one package.
Here is what Andy Armstrong, RoseCraft’s general manager and chief knife designer, had to say about his company’s foray into the fixed-blade world:
“The new RoseCraft Fixed Blades are meant to satisfy people who love the outdoors – from the casual hiker to the serious outdoor adventurer. We chose 1095 Carbon Steel because it’s easy to sharpen, and we protected it with either a powder or PVD coating – so you don’t have to worry too much about rust.
“We chose covers for grip and the ability to build character over time, and we put G10 liners in each to make them easier to find when dropped. As usual, we’ve tried to put these knives in a spot in the market where just about anyone could get the best bang for the buck.”
The RoseCraft F2 fixed blade is available on its website for $66.99. Here is a link to this knife and to the RoseCraft home page.
We will be taking a look at the other three RoseCraft fixed-blade knives they are offering in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
Here are some YouTube channels I watch to keep up on my knife and EDC hobby.
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