4 to 5" camp/woods/bush knife recommendation.

Pick your favorite Dozier and be done with it. Wilderness, Pro Guide or Slim Outdoorsman come to mind when thinking about what you want. Spend a little extra and get the best. Go a little smaller than what you think you need and you will be happier with the knife.
 
Eazy_tom said:
I'm looking for a medium sized fixed blade to carry while camping/hiking, something for camp chores and bushcraft stuff, possibly including VERY LIGHT battoning.
Price range up to or a little over $200 big plus if a sheath is included, custom stuff is welcome for sure.
I have been looking at are the Esee 4 and 5, and the Bark River Bravo 1 though I've seen some chipping issues with the bark river (Please don't make this into an argument about BRKT).

So guys what are some other options?
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I've had Bravo 1 in A2, 3V, and S35VN. I've never had a problem with chipping. I've damaged my edge before, while abusing the knife, but it was completely expected. It was also fixed with a short (like less than a week) trip back to the factory for a "Spa Treatment", came back looking exactly like brand new. The Bravo 1 would be an excellent choice. Maybe try the "LT" version. The 3V blade is thinner, because it can be while remaining plenty strong, and it's lighter. My "go to" do it all fixed blade is a Bravo 1 in S35VN, but only because the LT was not available when I bought this one. I will be picking up a Bravo 1 LT soon. If you want something less militant, that is even more comfortable for extended use, look at the Aurora or Bushcrafter. The Bravo 1 is designed for a "life or death" grip, and while it is very comfortable, the contouring limits gripping options.

The ESEE-4 has the same stubby handle as the ESEE-3, but with 50% more steel resulting in a knife with an aweful balance and feel in the hand. The ESEE-5 is ground too thick for normal use, it's like cutting with a splitting maul. If you want an ESEE, try the ESEE-6 or LaserStrike. Both are perfectly balanced. The LS has a better handle, comfortable for hours of use, and the best kydex sheath I've ever seen included with a production knife.

I chipped my ESEE blades a lot more than my Bark Rivers, and I use the BRKT's a lot harder.

Edited to Add:

I had a Ratmandu as well, but sold it because the grip is too small for my hands. Hold one before paying the money and waiting 8 weeks for your knife to be built...
 
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Usually if you chip the edge of a good knife, it means you probably should have been using an axe or small hatchet. Knives are made for cutting. If you had a pry bar and your rifle and you needed to move a piece of cement would you use the steel barrel of the rifle or the pry bar? Both would probably work. Use the right tool for the job at hand.
 
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robertacabin said:
Pick your favorite Dozier and be done with it. Wilderness, Pro Guide or Slim Outdoorsman come to mind when thinking about what you want. Spend a little extra and get the best. Go a little smaller than what you think you need and you will be happier with the knife.
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I second the Dozier recommendation. I have both the Wilderness and Pro Guides knives and a few of the smaller ones. All are great knives.

But the "be done with it"..... what fun is that? However, I think a Bark River, Blackjack 125, or the ESEE 4, BK-10 or BK-16 are lesser expensive knives that one could acquire and "be done with it too". Tastes change and it is no fun to just get something and never look again at what is available.
 
I'm not crazy about choils on knives in this size range so my selections are limited.
Here are a few of my keepers for comparison.

Starting from the left:

Koster Bushcraft
Survive GSO 4.1
Matt Caldwell 1-4
Tops Dragonfly
Koster Bushmaster
Fallkniven S1



I go through phases and right now I'm on the Dragonfly kick. Its thin at only 1/8th and probably the best cutting tool in the photo. I would not call it bullet proof but it has held up fine under normal use. The same goes for the Caldwell 1-4, something tells me to take it easy on that knife.

The Fallkniven, Survive and Kosters are pretty much bomb proof yet still perform well. Feel free to use them hard without hesitation.

 
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robertacabin said:
Nice collection there! I really like that Matt Caldwell knife. I have to look into his knives for the future.
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Thanks! I've been through a small pile of knives to arrive at what you see. Some too thick, others just didn't do it for me.

The Caldwell 1-4 is a cool knife for sure. The blade is 154cm and just over 1/8th in thickness.
The handle has some sort of raised ribbed texture and nice swell all the way around.
 
Cold Steel Master Hunter.

Great little camp knife IMO. I like my camp knives to be stainless so I can use them for food prep and other things that would involve corrosion. The VG-1 takes a screaming edge and holds it for a quite a long time, while the laminated blade lends itself to lateral strength for if you REALLY needed to use it for harder tasks. I love mine
 
The Bark River Bravo-1 is my choice for a go to knife for these uses. The LT version would be a good choice too, but the original in A2 is fine.
 
Can't believe no one has mentioned Fiddleback Forge.

This is my 4" Kephart.

Oagvrr2.jpg


You'll have to buy used at your price point, but man are they sweet.

Oh, and you'll need a sheath. I happen to know where you can get one. ;)
 
i have a ontario tak-1 that i love that fits what your looking for. Ive never used or seen one but according to cody at wranglerstar has nothing but good things to say about the spyderco bushcraft. i believe its called the bushcraft. youtube wranglerstar bushcraft knife. its got a 5" blade i think
 
Krissig12 said:
Cold Steel Master Hunter.

Great little camp knife IMO. I like my camp knives to be stainless so I can use them for food prep and other things that would involve corrosion. The VG-1 takes a screaming edge and holds it for a quite a long time, while the laminated blade lends itself to lateral strength for if you REALLY needed to use it for harder tasks. I love mine
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I agree, the Master Hunter is a good knife and lot of bang for the buck.
I trusted the one I owned enough to give as a gift to a good friend.
 
I have owned the Kosters and Survive knives in FTR-14c photo and they as good as it gets. I consider them a good value for the high quality steel they posses.
 
I would go to the fixed blades for sale by makers and pick something up, your budget would allow that.
 
MatthewSB said:
I've had Bravo 1 in A2, 3V, and S35VN. I've never had a problem with chipping. I've damaged my edge before, while abusing the knife, but it was completely expected. It was also fixed with a short (like less than a week) trip back to the factory for a "Spa Treatment", came back looking exactly like brand new. The Bravo 1 would be an excellent choice. Maybe try the "LT" version. The 3V blade is thinner, because it can be while remaining plenty strong, and it's lighter. My "go to" do it all fixed blade is a Bravo 1 in S35VN, but only because the LT was not available when I bought this one. I will be picking up a Bravo 1 LT soon. If you want something less militant, that is even more comfortable for extended use, look at the Aurora or Bushcrafter. The Bravo 1 is designed for a "life or death" grip, and while it is very comfortable, the contouring limits gripping options.

The ESEE-4 has the same stubby handle as the ESEE-3, but with 50% more steel resulting in a knife with an aweful balance and feel in the hand. The ESEE-5 is ground too thick for normal use, it's like cutting with a splitting maul. If you want an ESEE, try the ESEE-6 or LaserStrike. Both are perfectly balanced. The LS has a better handle, comfortable for hours of use, and the best kydex sheath I've ever seen included with a production knife.

I chipped my ESEE blades a lot more than my Bark Rivers, and I use the BRKT's a lot harder.

Edited to Add:

I had a Ratmandu as well, but sold it because the grip is too small for my hands. Hold one before paying the money and waiting 8 weeks for your knife to be built...
Click to expand...

God this pisses me off. The esee 4 has a stubby handle and awful feel in hand??? Ah....how bout no? More than likely, it's YOU that are the problem in the equation, not the knife.
Bro, if it doesn't work for YOU, just say so. The knife isn't automatically bad because it doesn't cater specifically to you. I happen to find mine to be perfect, thank you very much
 
In that price range, I would suggest looking at bargain customs.

Koster makes great knives, and I find that his eros on the handles are fantastic, with nice thin grinds, and pointy tips.

Fiddleback can be had in that price range too (if you are quick and find a deal).

Some one mentioned Swamprat. Great production knives with custom build quality (I have had customs with less refined fit/finish/ergos).

I would also mention Scrapyard (if you can find one in the size you are looking for). Troll the Busse exchange if that route is desired (they have fantastic warranties too, and great resale value).

Dozier has been mentioned for good reason!


really there are a lot of great options in that price range!
 
I use this as a belt knife, 5 inch blade, 5160 HC, 3/8" thick and still able to make feather sticks, fillet fish. cost $72 shipped.
HIbvcak_zps2e662581.jpg

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himalayan imports BVCAK is the model.
 
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