By Dale Golla

Watch the Video Review on the Surplus Today YouTube Channel!

Over the past three and a half years working here, I’ve had the chance to handle a variety of pocket and utility knives across all quality levels. From your somewhat inexpensive knives that people wouldn’t think twice about replacing, all the way to premium, overbuilt models that put average blades to shame, they all share the same core purpose: to be a reliable cutting tool ready for everyday tasks when needed.As many of you know, blades are designed for a wide range of uses. But what about knives built with one specific purpose in mind? Specialty tools, you could say — similar to a fillet knife designed for a particular job. That’s exactly what we here at Surplus Today recently had the opportunity to check out with the Olfa Works Utility Camp Knife and the Bushcraft Saw. These are purpose-built tools that were designed to excel in their respective roles. Let’s start with the smaller and easier-to-carry option that many retailers and outdoorsmen should appreciate and get for themselvese: the Utility Camp Knife.

At first glance, the specs are fairly typical for what some may consider a box-cutter-style utility blade. The knife measures 6.97 inches overall when open and features a compact handle measuring 4.57 in. long and 0.9 in. wide. Despite its smaller size, this knife performs exceptionally well thanks to its very high-quality Japanese high-carbon stainless steel blade (JIS: SUS420). Japanese steel has long been renowned worldwide for its durability, corrosion resistance, and great edge retention, giving users confidence that they have a dependable tool ready for the job. The Olfa Utility Camp Knife especially shines during outdoor and camping tasks where larger knives can sometimes feel cumbersome. It handles detailed work extremely well, including carving wooden pegs, creating some feather sticks for fire-starting, and other precision camp tasks. Indoors, it’s equally useful for everyday jobs like opening boxes and packaging. One feature worth highlighting is the notch located near the rear of the blade. This clever addition allows users to lift hot items, such as a canteen cup, from the fire or puncture cans for venting. It’s a small detail, but one that adds genuine functionality in outdoor environments.

The knife also includes a lanyard hole at the end of the handle, allowing users to attach a wrist strap to prevent some accidental drops or reduce the risk of misplacing it in the field.
Perhaps the standout feature, however, is going to be the integrated screw lock system. This allows the blade to be securely fixed in place during use while also giving users the ability to adjust the blade length depending on the task at hand. It’s a simple, highly effective feature that adds versatility and safety. Overall, this is a knife I can easily recommend — even to customers who may not consider themselves very outdoorsy. Next up is my personal favorite of the two products reviewed: the Olfa Works Bushcraft Saw.

This tool feels purpose-built for outdoor enthusiasts who regularly build shelters, process wood, or work with natural materials in the field. The Bushcraft Saw uses another premium Japanese carbon steel, JIS: SK85, known for its durability, corrosion resistance, and excellent cutting performance. The saw measures 11.26 inches overall, with 5.19 inches of cutting teeth, providing plenty of surface area for smooth back-and-forth cutting motion. The blade features a retractable design, making it safer and easier to transport when not in use. Like the last Utility Camp Knife, the Bushcraft Saw also has the same screw lock system. This becomes especially important during sawing tasks, as it keeps the blade firmly locked without unwanted, movement that could lead to injury. I had the opportunity to test the saw on some wood from a tree in my boss’s backyard, and the results were impressive. The blade never slipped once, and the cutting action felt super smooth and efficient throughout the process. It produced clean cuts with minimal effort and no tiredness.

Whether someone is building a shelter in the woods or simply trimming sticks down for a bonfire, the Bushcraft Saw is a highly capable outdoor tool that fills a very specific role extremely well.
Both of these products clearly show that they were designed with the end user in mind. Features like the integrated lanyard holes help prevent accidental drops or loss in the field, while the replaceable blades allow users to maintain the tools without replacing the entire knife. Olfa Works also offers both products in two color options: Olive and Sand. Retail pricing currently places the Utility Camp Knife around the $27–$30 range online, while the Bushcraft Saw typically retails between $45–$50.

For customers looking for outdoor knives specifically tailored to specialized tasks — whether small detailed utility work with the Utility Camp Knife or wood processing and shelter-building with the Bushcraft Saw — these products are definitely worth your time. If you’re interested in learning more, visit the Olfa Works website at www.olfaworks.com or contact them directly through their online contact page. And as always, let them know you saw the review in the Surplus Today Magazine!