Carothers Utility Field Knife FK2

Carothers Utility Field Knife FK2 double red micarta handle w/CPM3V blade

Utility Field Knife (FK2)

The Field Knife 2 is a fantastic medium/small woods knife and general purpose cutting tool for tradesmen and hunters. Every aspect of this is dialed in for long term cutting performance and designed for safety, durability and comfort. The handle, which is less slab sided than the original to facilitate turned grips used in bushcraft, is some of our best work. The steel and heat treat is some of the best in the world. The blade shape and grind geometry (slightly more acute primary grinds, but .005″ thicker, than the original) are made to cut well but never fail you. The new sheath is fantastic.

This steel with this heat treat will support a fine edge, so this was taken down to .020″ before sharpening (though I’m leaving some additional meat in the tip now) and it was sharpened 18 degrees per side. This is relatively acute and it cuts well, but is very durable.
Some might consider this a tactical knife but the point is not reinforced and it is not shaped or balanced as a weapon. It’s reasonably thin behind the edge. It is a hard working cutting tool, a big skinning knife and woods knife. There is a hidden lanyard hole in the tang.

The handle is ergonomically designed for a standard forward, reverse, saber and pinch grips for an average to relatively large hand. The tang is internally skeletonized. The scales are 3D sculpted CNC machined. The blade is made of 3/16″ 3V with a heat treat that has been optimized to maximize edge stability in rough use. Despite being relatively thin it is durable. You can baton with it. You might damage the fine edge if you set your mind to it, but the knife itself is practically unbreakable.
A side effect of this heat treat is a higher percentage of free chromium, so although it is not stainless, it is nearly so.

Specs:
9.5″ total length
4 5/8″ blade length
8.0 ounces
Delta 3V
.188″ thick
18 DPS
HRC60