Outdoor accessory equipment brand Whitby have a very comprehensive range of folding and fixed blade knives – some quite basic, while others are very task specific which is the case here. Relatively recently these very interesting trio of fixed blade ‘Outdoor Camping/Sheath Knives’ have been added to their options which although sharing certain commonalities in build, they are cleverly designed for specific uses which results in all models having a unique and highly individual appeal.
Similarities of Build
All blades are of a full tang rugged design that’s manufactured using 8cR14MOV stainless steel - a very strong metal that has good edge retention, have a black oxide finish, and are equipped with G10 handles. G10 being a strong and very durable material that affords a superior grip.
They all come with Kydex Sheaths - a thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride material which allows it to have the properties of rigidity and formability, durability and chemical resistance making it an ideal material for sheathing a knife blade. Also, due to its ability for close tolerance moulding, the top of these sheaths’ is built so that they friction grip the front of the knife handle resulting in the knife to become extremely secure when sheathed. The inner section of the sheath is also hinged at the top for ease of belt/strap mounting or removal and once in position locks securely shut. The blade cover part of the unit can also be adjusted for the preferred angle you require your knife to be positioned from the vertical position when mounted on your belt or pack.
Almost Tactical
First up is the Whitby EDEN which has quite a tactical look mainly due to the handle design but in use is certainly fit for any outdoor general purpose cutting. With an overall length of 7.75” it has a 3.5” modified drop point blade and weighs 264g. The Black G10 handle features a finger choil, forefinger guard to doubly prevent you slipping down the handle plus a relatively deep thumb shelf for complete security in use. Add to this the ridging that’s found within the choil, thumb shelf, along both sides plus at the very rear upper and lower edges of the handle afford the user a very assured grip when undertaking the hardest of jobs.
Caps Off
Next, we have the LUNE. Measuring 7.5” in length and weighing 244g it has a 3.25”clip point blade. The Tan coloured G10 handle features a finger choil with guard and boasts a lengthy run of deep ridging along the back of the blade spine ensuring further security in the hold which is a bonus when undertaking tasks requiring heavy-duty cutting which also entails the user to exert a strong downward force.
An unique feature but for camping purposes a practical inclusion is the bottle opener/cap lifter integrally built into the rear top side of the handle. This keeps it out of the way when handling and using the knife - however, should you use this function, obviously only do so when the knife is sheathed.
Chop Chop
Last but definitely not least is the KEER. A unique and very interesting model it’s available with either a Black or Tan handle.
Measuring 6.25” in overall length and weighing 207g it boasts a 3” long cleaver style blade with thumbhole. It’s uses are many and due to what is classed it’s thumbhole that goes through the blade section (which is actually for forefinger use) you can have complete security and control enabling you to safely stabilise the blade when performing tasks that require more intricate usage. As you’d expect, there’s also a finger guard built into the underside of the blade and even if held full in the hand it still (like the others) feels very secure in the hold.
Conclusions
All knives offer superb value in terms of price to performance, particularly when you consider all are supplied with the Kydex superior sheath system.
Each knife featured boasts quite a thick and deep blade and are overall extremely robust, feel very comfortable in the hold and will fulfil a host of tasks either around the camp site or for field work in general.
They also have a natural balance point at the mid-section which furthers the overall feel which combined with the well-designed G10 handles enable a very high level of safe manoeuvrability in use.
Review written by Pete Wadeson
Outdoorsman & Independent Field Tester of Shooting, Angling & Outdoor Accessories