Opinions on Paul Baker Knives.

[Jedadiah]

Okee dokee,

one of my budd's has a loverly lookin' Damascus Bushman made by Paul Baker (Nod to you Tim ). It's a handsome, tidy, quality bit of kit and i'm very tempted to contact Paul and git me one of dem dair fancy cuttin' tools! (not Damascus, a plain old blade). I'm torn between 3mm or 4mm thick and 26mm or 28 mm deep!

My question is, has anyone else had one of Pauls creations, do you have one, have you used one and what is your opinion? He seems to have very competitive prices and looks approachable enough but i'd like an independant view point.

Oh and by the way, the waiting list for an Alan Wood/Ray Mears Woodlore has reached 3 1/2 YEARS!!!!

Thanks peeps.

 

[gregorach]

Yep, I have a Paul Baker New Graduate, and I'm very, very happy with it. I find the handle profile much more comfortable than the Woodlore (the WS woodie, anyway, haven't handled an AW), but of course your mileage may vary. If you're looking for a knife in this style, I don't think Paul's can be faulted, unless you really hate the slightly convex grind.

If I had to fault him on something, it could only be that the firesteel loops on his standard sheaths are sized for the smaller firesteels. However, I'm pretty sure he'll do you a larger one if you ask.

Oh, and he turned my order around in less than a week from order to delivery.

I know there are a couple of other folk around here somewhere with knives made by Paul, I'm sure they'll pop by shortly. I've never heard anything but praise for him.

 

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

Paul's knives are fantastic and are great value for money. I bought my other half one as a birthday present last year and she has given it plenty of use and it has only been stropped once!

It also came with and belt/neck combo sheath which is a real plus point IMHO.

I have several knives including a Ray Mears/Alan Wood Woodlore and Stewart Marsh bushcrafters. The Paul Baker is, IMHO, equally as good and for the money I don't think you can buy better.

If I had the option of 3mm or 4mm I'd go for the 3mm as it's lighter.

Hope this helps.

Phil.

 

[Marts]

Yep I've got a Paul Baker damascus bushman. Lovely blade and my main user (despite all the blades I have) I rehandled it though to fit my hand better.
A great knife

 

[penvisser]

I bought a Paul Baker last year, and I am very pleased with it.

In my opinion is the handle less comfortable than a Woodlore knife, I have a wilkinson and a Alan Wood one.......
But I only can recomend you this knife.



Best regards,

Penvisser

 

[British Red]

I have an O1 Bushman. When I bought mine (years ago) the sheaths were complete rubbish (seriously trash). I had Tiffers make me a custom sheath and the knife never looked back.

I believe there is a new sheath now, but I would check that one item before buying.

Nice, plain functional knife though. I have the 4mm - I'd buy 3mm now though - I'm going 3mm on the PFK as you don't need 4mm and it just makes things cruder IMNSHO.


Red

 

[Jedadiah]

BR ' In my not so humble opinion?'

Cheers everybody, positives and constructive critisim is just the ticket, many thanks!!

 

[British Red]

Glad you liked it

If you want a picture of the custom sheath, just shout!

Red

 

[gregorach]

I believe there is a new sheath now, but I would check that one item before buying.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure his sheaths are much better than they used to be. I've certainly no complaints with mine.

 

[Timinwales]

Hi Jed
You've had a butchers at the knife Paul made for me, and know what I think so in some ways this is typing for typings sake. My good lady also has one of his blades I'll attempt to fetch it to workk tomorrow let you have a look at that too.
In referance to the sheaths the early ones I've seen were a fairly heavily grained leather but very soft (almost like dyed pig skin) and as per the review here were prone to wear and very prone to cutting on sheathing/unsheathing the knife.
I've had mine about two years (maybe a bit longer) and the sheath is a heavy (about 2.5 to 3mm thick ) hide so I think is fair to say they are much better than the early ones.
One of the things that really impressed me about Paul when I rang to inquire about a knife was his enthusiasm for his product and the way he really wanted to make me something which would do every thing I wanted it to (or at least that was the overriding impression). Every thing from material to type of wood for the scales, did I want plain or fancy?, liners? mosaic pins? what did I want to use it for?, heavy blade, light blade?. I planned on being on the phone for 20 mins and was there for almost 2 hours just for the enquirey .... when I decided to order that was another long call.
Give him a ring and see what you think?
Cheers Tim

 

[bambodoggy]

Yep, I have a Paul Baker New Graduate, and I'm very, very happy with it. I find the handle profile much more comfortable than the Woodlore (the WS woodie, anyway, haven't handled an AW), but of course your mileage may vary. If you're looking for a knife in this style, I don't think Paul's can be faulted, unless you really hate the slightly convex grind.

If I had to fault him on something, it could only be that the firesteel loops on his standard sheaths are sized for the smaller firesteels. However, I'm pretty sure he'll do you a larger one if you ask.

Oh, and he turned my order around in less than a week from order to delivery.

I know there are a couple of other folk around here somewhere with knives made by Paul, I'm sure they'll pop by shortly. I've never heard anything but praise for him.

Bingo, many thanks Gregorach.....you've saved me typing as I have one of Paul's knives and have exactly the same thoughts on it that you do on yours...with my only minor neg point being the smaller firesteel holder too! lol (Which I've now got used to anyway).

I have some really lovely oak scales on mine and it's defo my No.1 knife now.

No faults with knife, use of knife or service whatsoever.

Cheers,

Bam.

 

[Tiley]

I've got a Paul Baker Bushman and I have to admit it stays at the bottom of the drawer. When it arrived new, it had no real edge on the blade and the sheath was a bulletproof but clumsy piece of work. It took a fair amount of toil and sweat to get a decent edge on it. In use, I really did not like the handle shape and the fact that it was varnished. It was difficult to get out of the sheath with warm fingers - it would have been impossible with cold ones. However, it was 'good value' and certainly looks nice. I have an Alan Wood Woodlore which is superior but the waiting list for one of them is now daft. I recently got a Woodland Edge Bushcraft knife which is utterly fantastic - beautifully made, outrageously sharp, wonderful to use. I would have a very close look at them as well as the Paul Baker equivalents.

 

[Pignut]

I've got a Paul Baker Bushman and I have to admit it stays at the bottom of the drawer. When it arrived new, it had no real edge on the blade and the sheath was a bulletproof but clumsy piece of work. It took a fair amount of toil and sweat to get a decent edge on it. In use, I really did not like the handle shape and the fact that it was varnished. It was difficult to get out of the sheath with warm fingers - it would have been impossible with cold ones. However, it was 'good value' and certainly looks nice. I have an Alan Wood Woodlore which is superior but the waiting list for one of them is now daft. I recently got a Woodland Edge Bushcraft knife which is utterly fantastic - beautifully made, outrageously sharp, wonderful to use. I would have a very close look at them as well as the Paul Baker equivalents.

Would agree with all of the above

 

[benp1]

Glad you liked it

If you want a picture of the custom sheath, just shout!

Red

ARRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!


Only just cos i'm nosy though.....

 

[British Red]

ARRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!


Only just cos i'm nosy though.....

Hee you go then,

Pouch is for a DC4, double dangler (high / low carry) etc.

Red