4"+, <5.5oz, Lightweight Full Tang Bushcraft / Hunting Knives?

J

jolee

Joined
Apr 18, 2016
Messages
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I'm looking for a very lightweight knife to take on hunting/camping trips with the following parameters:
4" + blade (I want atleast 4 inches)
< 5.5 oz weight (preferably between 4-5oz)
atleast 1/8" steel thickness
full tang
spear point or drop point

I'm currently considering the Bark River Canadian Special LT. The Fox River LT is also an option but the handle is a bit small and not ideal.

What are the options?
 
Do you have a preference for blade grind? Hollow, flat, convex/sabre?

Do you have a preference for blade steel? Fine carbide (e.g. 1095), Medium Carbide powdered steel (e.g. 3V) or Large/course carbide (e.g. 440C)?
 
Survive GSO 4.5 Bushcraft Knife(weight not yet released but, it should be pretty light/its also just under 1/8"(0.115") but is available in CPM 3V so it should still be very tough)
Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner
Tops Lite Trekker

Why does it have to be so light if you dont mind me asking? You greatly limit your options and will end up limiting the strength too with a 4+ inch knife at those weights. Which means you will be limiting the usefulness and reliability/durability of the knife as well.
 
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Cold Steel Master Hunter might be an option to look at for around $80
Here are the specs...

Blade Thickness: 3/16"
Handle: 4 3/4" Long Kray-Ex
Blade Style: Drop Point
Steel: VG-1 San Mai III
Sheath: Secure-Ex Sheath
Blade: 4 1/2"
Overall: 9 1/4"
Weight: 6.4oz


31sCFsTs94L.jpg
 
I like a convex grind, but I'm open to scandi and flat as well. No hollow. I'm open to various types of steels.
I see that the Survive GSO 4.1 is 8.2oz, but it's a thicker blade than the 4.5. I'll keep my eye on the GSO 4.5, thanks for that suggestion.

I'm just a very minimalist kinda guy. I don't like going into the woods with a lot of gear weighing me down. I'm trying to cut ounces in all areas of my gear. 4" length and 1/8" thickness is the minimum blade that I want and I think that will take care of most of what I need to do.

My top runner right now is the Canadian Special LT at 5.2oz and I don't think I'm sacrificing much by going with this knife. I want to see what the options are and what there is out there that might beat that.
 
The Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner at 4.7oz really fits the bill, although I'd prefer a different steel.
 
It's a little thinner at .093" but the Bark River Kempart in 3V I'm sure will be able to handle what you throw at it. Almost bought one yesterday myself but opted for a full height grind ultralight Bushcrafter.


Overall Length:8.775 Inches
Blade Length: 4.250 Inches
Cutting Edge: 4.1 Inches
Blade Height: .775 Inch
Blade Steel: CPM 3V @ 58-60rc
Blade Thickness: .093 Inch
Weight: 4.5 Ounces
 
Bark River Kephart nails the bushcraft, weight, length, shape and tang requirements, but its less than 1/8" thick.

EnZo Badger 115 hits every requirement.

If youre willing to go make your own handles, something like a Condor Bushlore, Woodlaw or Kephart would get the job done inexpensively.
 
You can cut down your length, and get a good knife in the weight you want, with a dpx hest. That's a good all around blade, I've used one to skin, good knives. As much as I'm out, I carry a gso 4.1 a lot, and can't even tell its on me. But I usually carry more than I need. Just in case.
 
I wish the Bark River kephart was thicker, it would be very nice. The Enzo Badger is a good one. The Condor Kephart blank would be a great option too. The steel is only 1075, but he blank is only 3.2oz and like $16, so maybe I'll pick one of those up for fun.
 
I wanted a hunting knife in your specs and bought a Queen Light Hunter in D2. They are great hunting knives if you reprofile the steep edge angles. Mine is a 2007 model, made just before Queen sold to new owners. It has a nice pouch sheath. The current models once again have the pouch sheaths but are in 420HC. They'd still be an excellent choice in an ultra-light knife with a 4" blade.

Joe
 
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