A review in Adventure Rider highlights the Grohmann #1 and #3 knives as reliable tools for campers and outdoorsmen. Designed in the 1950s, these fixed-blade knives offer durability for cooking, carving, and more. The author praises their practical features after years of use on camping trips.
The Grohmann #1, also known as the Canadian Belt Knife, was designed by DH Russell, secretary to the Canadian prime minister, in the 1950s to meet the needs of outdoorsmen such as campers, hunters, and trappers. Unlike the Bowie knife or tools for survivalists, it targets practical use. The knife features a 4-inch blade and total length of about 8.5 inches, with a full-tang construction for toughness. Its rosewood handle includes a narrow waist for fine control during camp cooking and an inlet under the hilt to prevent knuckle injuries on cutting boards. The high-carbon European C70 steel blade holds an edge well and is easy to resharpen, though it requires care to avoid corrosion.
The author, who acquired a #1 through a trade years ago, has used it on nearly every camping trip, appreciating its design for tasks like slicing carrots, whittling wood, or batoning kindling. The knife has won design awards and inspired copies. For wet conditions, the author purchased a factory-second #3 for around $100, featuring a water buffalo horn handle and German 4110 high-carbon stainless steel blade. The #3's handle lacks the #1's pronounced waist, making it slightly less ideal for precise work but effective with its triangular grip to prevent slipping when wet. Originally marketed as a sailor's knife and issued to the Canadian military for rigging and paratroopers, the #3 shares a similar blade shape.
Both knives are hand-made in North America and priced at $133 CAD for the #1, about $100 USD, with sales and clearance options available. Customizations include handle materials, flat or saber grinds, and sheaths with sharpening steel pockets. The author owns several Grohmann models and considers the #1 the best outdoorsman's knife, suitable for motorcycle camping despite concerns about international border checks.