Is This Affordable, Adorably Chonky Folding Knife an Accidental Camp Cooking Godsend?

While he may not be as famous as Bilbo or Gandalf, the dwarf known as Bombur holds a special place in the hearts of The Hobbit fans. 

After all, this extra rotund and weird-bearded fellow brings much laughter to his comrades around the campfire, yet is a shockingly fierce fighter as well. 

Tenable Knives

It totally tracks then, that the Midgards Messer-designed knife named for him (with a bonus umlaut) is almost comically robust. 

Considering the company cook’s “passion for the preparation and consumption of food,” the name of this knife is fitting in another way.

After all, the Bömbur is not only one seriously rugged outdoor folder, but also carries a distinct blade-to-handle relationship that makes it an incredibly effective camp cooking companion.

Finger friendly

What makes me say that? Just look at where the blade would meet a flat surface and compare it to where the handle would land. 

You’ll quickly see that, not unlike the outdoor food prep-oriented Civivi Hid, there’s plenty of room for your knuckles at the bottom of any firm downward stroke.

That feature alone makes the Bömbur much more qualified for carving up meat, fish, veggies or whatever other tasty morsels happen to cross your camp cutting board’s path. 

Of course, the overall size and shape of the blade only adds to its, ahem, chops in this regard. 

Tenable Knives

Made of reliable yet budget-friendly D2 steel, the drop-point blade measures a lavish 3.53 inches — part of an overall length of 8.38 inches and a weight of 7.55 ounces — with its long effective edge and upward curved belly further enhancing its slicing capability.

The blade also boasts a funky-looking triangular hole and deep fuller, two qualities that imbue visual flair but also, from a functional standpoint, enable one-handed deployment.

Grip and rip

Subtle jimping on the spine enhances grip, as does the full titanium backspacer ergonomic handle, featuring two curves to accommodate your index and middle fingers. 

Material-wise, that handle comes in micarta, G10, twill carbon fiber and G-mascus, depending on the variant. 

Tenable Knives

For camp cutlery usage, I would personally recommend one of the first two, which appear to offer the most grip-friendly textures.

Rounding out the features are a uniquely shaped pocket clip and a well-machined liner lock mechanism that is both super sturdy and accessible enough that, with practice, you can close this knife with one hand.

Tenable Knives

How do I know for sure? I just finished making lunch with this thing, retracted it with ease and, perhaps like Bombur himself, can’t wait to dig into this delicious-looking sammy.

Availability and pricing

While some treatments are currently sold out, the Tenable Bömbur is available now in three blackwash bladed variants (green Micarta handle, brown G10 handle and red G10 handle) starting at $69.

Tenable Knives

Tenable Bömbur

Named after the voraciously eating, ferociously fighting dwarf from The Hobbit, this knife is similarly chonky. And thanks to the way its handle geometry leaves clearance for your knuckles on a cutting board, it’s uniquely qualified as a camp cooking companion, too. Doesn’t hurt that the blade is a generous 3.53-inch drop-point made of D2 steel with an upward curved belly for enhanced slicing ability — or that spine jimping, ergonomic curves and textured handle scales ensure a sure grip with every slice and dice.

• Starts at $69

Related Topics