Grohmann #4 Canadian Survival Knife for Bushcraft and Camping
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
- This is a review of the Grohmann D.H Russell #4 Survival Knife and its suitability for camping and bushcraft. I test it on some general bushcraft and camp tasks, go through some history of the company and my thoughts on the value proposition.
Links:
Colonial Knives: www.colonialkn...
Grohmann Knives: www.grohmannkn...
A useful AND beautiful Tool. I visited Canada 95 as a member of the German Army. In this time a friend gave me a Grohmann Boat Knife.
99 I came back and visited Halifax, my friend served onboard of the HMCS Iroquois at this time. It was then that I also visited Pictou and Grohmann Knives.
I bought a Nr. 1 and a Nr. 4.
Still my favorite outdoor knives to this day!
For sure, it’s a knife with a great history and that fact that’s they are still made in Canada at a reasonable price is fantastic. Thanks for watching!
The best knives for the bush and hunting. I am a Canadian, so a bit biased, however I have had my original for well o er 20 years and it has never failed me.
You better learn to tell a knive from an axe or a pry bar to keep that beautiful knive for a life time.
I've had mine for 15 years and it's still a superb tool for the woods.
Hello from NB Canada, I have a paring knife from 20 yrs ago that my Hunter Dad bought for me. He was very particular about the handle of a knife & the blade. My paring knife is still as Sharp as the day I got it! Thank you for the great videos, I have only watched 3 and have learned a lot!
Thanks for this...yes, it is primarily a skinner knife that has changed lanes. I, too, believe that the 'survival knife' is something that wants to do everything...of course, they do nothing well. The #3 is a steel of decent quality and, of course, an iconic design in my country. Cheers and all the best from B.C.
Wow, great review. I've had one of these for years, was a gift from my mom. I never tried batoning it but now I'm going to give it a good work out
Love these knives, first one I held was my Dad's, in the 1970s. He was a Conservation Officer in MB. They issued him a Winchester 30-30 rifle and a Remington 870 shotgun, and he is pretty sure, the Grohmann #4. BTW, my Dad traded in the 30-30 for a lee enfield #4T model from an old trapper.
I love the history behind these knives and the stories you guys have about the family members who have owned and used them. Thanks for the great comment!
I’d say he came out on top on that trade
I've only a couple Grohmanns left as I've minimalized my collection and one is that exact knife. I love it. The bird and trout model is another favourite. Great review! 👍🏻🇨🇦
Thank you, yes I think they are great knives and good value. I like the look of the original version too.
Thanks for the review. I have one in stainless for more than 10 years. Great knife and durable. Got it from Lamnia back then.
Have this knife and is my favourite. May not do everything larger knives do but that's what a hatchet's for. Visited the factory in Pictou about two years ago and picked up a #3. The #3 was a "second" and they sell these for half price. Very minor flaw in the handle that really isn't noticeable. Excellent knives. Great review by the way.
Thanks for the comment, I’m interested to know what you think is a better size, the #3 or the #4? I agree about using an axe for heavy work, I’m not keen on bashing away at a knife if it’s not needed.
@@bundufundi The three is great to keep on my belt and I probably use it about 70% of the time. The four is usually in my bag for more robust tasks.
They are nice knives. I live in Canada and own some Grohmann knives…. I personally use a axe and a folding lock back for most tasks . I do carry a fixed blade in my pack for processing game
Great video! Thanks
Nice review of the Grohman knife. I have a #1 also called the Canadian Belt Knife. I’ve used it for field dressing deer and it is a nice blade.
They are great knives, the #3 seems to be recommended quite a bit too.
I just put up a knife-build video of the kit version of this knife. Hilariously, the kit blade only has the 'Canada' stamp, so you really need to remember which steel version you ordered.
When Grohmann and Russell were designing the #1, they passed samples out to hunters and trappers in Canada's North, and honed the design from that feedback, which is why the knife might look weird, but the ergonomics are just. So. Good.
I think that £100 is a great price, because it sort of aligns with the Canadian price if you take the exchange into consideration. Good review.
It’s definitely a different design to most. As you say, the feedback from hunters must have been quite significant because it works well.
This is a bit of an old school knife, designed back in the 50’s or 60’s. You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned game prep. It’s not really a "bushcraft" knife, but you could say camp chores, and game prep. In fact, as I understand it, the bulbous end of the blade is made that way to hold it for skinning,
If you look at a skinning blade, it’s much like the end part, but then the part closer to the hand can carve. So it’s like 2 blades at once. The steel isn’t super hard, but it’s made to be easily sharpened, and field maintained.
I personally like the smaller, original one, cuz it’s good for skinning and fish and most camp chores, and I pretty much almost always have a hatchet for bigger stuff.
It’s definitely different to many designs around today. I like the history behind it and that they are still made in Canada for a reasonable price.
@@bundufundi Yes, I know what you mean. I’m Canadian, and the state of things here, and I guess anywhere in the west, is terrible when it comes to things made here. Hell, I don’t think we even have a store chain left that is Canadian anymore. The US has gobbled us up, and of course the Chinese have gobbled up all our manufacturing.
As for the design, it’s from a period in Canada where there was a huge interest in the outdoors, and hunting. Kinda cool they made knives for a part of the Canadian military too.
@@jimf1964 The crazy thing is that a lot of the stuff made ‘far away’ is now getting close to the price of US or UK made products. No idea why folks are happy to spend so much on knives that aren’t home grown!
@@bundufundi True. I think perhaps people have forgotten, and or the newer generation never knew it wasn’t always this way? So they see an American company selling something, and don’t think twice about where it’s actually made. Though I will say that Chinese stuff made on order from china will have better QC than a straight up Chinese product, but still, it’s not always just about that. I really want our money to stay put, and I want jobs to stay here.
Also, as you mentioned, those dam western companies are charging so dam much now. Go to Ali Express and buy the same thing for 30-40% less. They’re gouging us.
But this knife company is still old school. That’s why I like them too. Both for the old school design and old school business model
I have this knife in the stainless steel, and the #3. I find I use the #3 more for outdoors use but the #4 is my go to kitchen knife. Colonial Knives are also a pleasure to deal with.
Stainless, that might be the way to go here in wet Wales! The #3 pops up as the favourite for a lot of folks.
@@bundufundi It's definitely worth a try. Once you adjust your grip to the sabre, rather than the more traditional hammer grip these knives are a pleasure to use.
I was 27 years whit the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) the #3 was issued to the Airborne troops, then later to the Combat Engineers. I have a #3 and a#4 since late 70s, the still in very good condition and i realy like them.
That’s very cool, in your opinion is the #3 the better option? A number of people have suggested this is the case but I have not tried one so was wondering how a direct comparison stacks up.
@@bundufundi I use the #3 normaley for skinning wild game, the #4 is more for survival use or Bushcraft.
@@bundufundi The belt knife i.e. #3 knife or "jump knife" was Canadian airborne issue but it is much smaller - so can't be compared, really.
Well done review on Grohmann knives. I love Grohmann knives the army knife is my favorite for backpacking.
Thanks, I love the history of these knives, the fact that they are made in Canada and their unique design. And they are reasonably priced!
I wish I would have bought this fixed blade back 15 years ago instead of there folder.
Just got one from a buddy, i love it.
This knife is in the USA Smithsonian Institute after winning a design award about 50 years ago. I have numbers 1 to 4. Canada.
Grohmann knives have skinned so many deer and moose in Canada, the number would be astronomical
I have about 63 quality fixed blades and a couple quality folders. Ive got good steels ive got super steels.......... shoulda just started at the grohmann #1 as Its the only thing I carry since ive got one. And Im not a leather sheath guy so thats saying something!
There's a tradition of not 'giving' knives that my Canadian family follows, as well as others I've run into.. so you pair a knife gift with a coin for the receiver to pay for the knife with. Something about a giver being responsible for gifts (could be bad juju with a knife), but if you sell it, then no worries.
So that might be why your seller included the loony, in case you were going to gift the knife. Or just a Canadian marketing device. It's a mystery.
great review of an interesting piece
They are great knives still keep my #3. Had the #4 is well worth having but just seemed to use the 3 more. Great review
Thanks, definitely considering looking into the #3, it’s been recommended by a few people now.
It’s a great all around knive
Very detailed review. I've had an inexpensive cold steel version of this pattern for years now and it works very well as a food/game prep knife, so it was cool to see the original. Cheers
Hi Kurt, thanks for the feedback. It's cool to find and use different designs that have been developed in other parts of the world. I think the smaller boat knife with a flat grind might also be a good option for camping.
I used in live in pictou County where these knives are made. Pictou is crusty but the knives are pretty good lol.
You’ll have that knife for life and then some. Mine is almost 40 yrs old (#1). Works of functional art. And Jeff gave you a Loonie back $1!! Lol.
What are the awesome pants and jacket your wearing in this video where can I get a pair of both !! ❤c: love the videos
Hi, the trousers are Fjallraven: www.fjallraven.com/uk/en-gb/men/trousers/trekking-trousers/vidda-pro-trousers-m/?v=F87177::7323450917777
The Jacket is from Hilltrek:
hilltrek.co.uk/clothing/smocks/
We affectionately call our one dollar coin the "loonie"
I love it! We need some wild birds on our coins I think!
@@bundufundi and our too dollar coin a toonie lol for real
@@realmetis8002 brilliant, I love it!
Love the #1 And #4 very nice
I would like to try the #1 at some point and the #3, both look really good. I seem to be gravitating to smaller knives these days!
Excellent review!
Great knife but where can I buy a jacket that you are wearing?
It is a Hilltrek Smock available from here: hilltrek.co.uk/clothing/smocks/
15:18 ... the one dollar coin is basically called a "loonie" in Canada (not really officially I suppose). The two dollar coin is a "twonie" . Anyway, just looking at vids of this nice knife (I have my father's old Russell belt knife #1 which is smaller - it says rd-1958 on one side of the blade and I assume that's the year 1958)
They represent great value and are still made in Canada. I think it’s great that Grohmann haven’t outsourced their work.
You can buy the 2nds of knives when they are there typically half price. Nothing wrong maybe a blemish etc
Sounds good. 👍
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Airborne troops, & Combat Engineers were issued the #3. Known as the "Boat Knife" the only difference was the sheath which had a full flap to close it and was called the "Jump knife"
There’s a great history associated with these knives and the #3 seems to be a highly recommended option. Thanks for your comment, it all adds to the information out there!
@@bundufundi The company supplied up to 6,000 knives a year to the Canadian Armed Forces for about 30 yrs - untill 2008. It continues to fill smaller orders for the Canadian Coast Guard (a serrated stainless version of the #3) and other military branches. I used mine for many years in EOD (Bomb Disposal) & then as a game ranger in South Africa. BTW; have a look at their steak knives, it's a version of the Trout & Bird knife with a serrated tip!
@@crispianbarlow5184 where did you work in SA? I grew up there and Zim.
@@bundufundi Lekker (I guessed as much from your name!) I was in Zululand & then the lowveldt in Limpopo Province (Kruger National Park). I also trained rangers near Chegutu & up at Lake Kariba.
@@crispianbarlow5184 Fantastic, I was born in Zim, spent my boyhood in the Natal midlands, and later worked in Namibia. You were definitely working in some super cool places. Uhambe kahle mngani!
I own like 5 great knives
Not the Canadian Air Force but was/is standard issue to the Airborne regiment. The sheath in your hand is very similar to the Airborne regiment. I'm Canadian 14 years with the Force. I had the original but it broke. So I bought 2 one from the Pictou (prononced Pick-two) Nova-Scotia province and an other from Alaskan cie. This is the most copied knife in the world 18 cies are producing the original/similar version. The shape of the original blade version is elliptical.
Hi Marc, thanks for adding your story to the comments! It’s a great knife with a really interesting history and I am glad to have got one. Which of the four DH Russel versions do you think is the best?
@@bundufundi My experience is limited to #1 original and #3 Army I prefer #1 with a smaller handle. Personnel choice for eating a meal
I knew a girl from that town. She was Francophone. I don't know how in English.
Their #1 is copied a lot more I think.
@Boredom Inc it's actually a micmac word but not shur of it's meaning
I might buy this knife I have the others
Which is your favourite?
That coin is what we call the, "Loonie" here in Canada, hence the Loon stamped on it. Feel free to throw that in your vocabulary to impress any Canadians you may meet.
Thanks, that’s great!
New subscriber. Great review
Doesn't bite very well needs a blade angle
Fun fact, the 1 dollar coin is called a loonie!
I love that fact, it certainly gives your coinage some character.
@@bundufundi yep yep! And the two dollar coin is a toonie
what is the knife steel?
It is O1 tool steel.
sadly, the #3 is no longer issues to Canadian troops
Any idea why? Are they issued with another knife instead?
@@bundufundi funding cuts
I wonder what they're issuing now? Probably some made in China garbage if I'd have to guess. The #3 isn't even that expensive, it's only $90 CAD.
@@bundufundi Back around 2008 it was decided by the Dept. of National Defense to discontinue their contract with Grohmann and source a similar knife, reportedly of Chinese manufacture, which was a couple of dollars cheaper per unit. Ironically, Defense Minister Peter McKay, the government official ultimately responsible for the decision, was also the Member of Parliament for riding which includes Pictou, where the Grohmann factory is located. McKay took a lot of well deserved heat for this decision from opposing parties in the next federal election.
@@richardrhodes9552 that’s very disappointing to hear! Did he reverse the decision?
Protip: The spine isn't hardened steel, so if you hammer on it with steel/rock, or try to use it with a ferro rod, you will damage it.
Useful information, thanks!
I can only assume that beating the crap out of your knife blade with a log was invented by someone who lost their axe.
That looks like an elongated Jx6.
I guess it does, Iv'e not tried a JX6 but it looks interesting.
You got that backwards. The Jx6 looks like a shortened #4, since its design was registered in the early 60’s but made long before that and all
Steel is not the best quality.
I love this design and easy to sharpen in the field if you like carbon steel it actually seems close to 1095 in edge retention and stainless however I would love one in 154cpm but I will use mine with pride till then lol
Perhaps compared to modern powder steels. But their heat treatment seems good, at least on the two stainless knives I have, and they are easy to field sharpen. Personally, I've moved away from the wonder steels in favour of the simpler ones and just strop more often. It works for me.
Why the hell did you chop down a living young pine tree? There was no need to do the demo on a living tree. For a supposed outdoorsman you lack respect for nature. Smh.
That is a fair question, in this instance these are non-native invasive spruce trees that have over grown a hiking trail and need removing. I addressed this concern at 12:04 in the video. I usually clear them with a saw but took the opportunity to do one with the knife.
Man Against Nature: The Road to Victory!