$50 outdoor knife

[Cpl Punishment]

Well, you said you have folders -- what folders?
To be honest, (and don't tell anyone, especially here, that I said this) but with a Buck 110 or a SAK, and an Estwing hatchet you can do 99% of any camp/bushcraft chore.

I personally think you'd be better off buying a hatchet or machete. If you really just want a medium knife for $50 or less (and there's nothing wrong with that, they are usable), I'd advise the Ontario Spec-Plus Marine fighting knife over the Ka-Bar or Buck 119.

As you can see ti has a kraton handle which is pretty grippy when wet. There are Ka-Bar models with the same handle, but the Ontario is less than $40.
If the top guard bothers you (and it probably will for bushcraft), it's easy to saw off.
But for a good bushcraft knife, you have to be ready to spend more than $50.

As to stainless vs carbon, I agree with most and prefer carbon, because in general, it is less brittle than stainless. Buck's 420HC, is what I call the "1095" of stainless. meaning it sharpens easily, and holds an edge about as well as 1095.

 

[hannibal lecter spyderco]

Essentially they are both the same design.

You will not really notice a big difference in steel performance, Buck 420hc is done right. People in the states are spoiled by all the choices we have other countries aren't so lucky when it comes to the steel choices. If you visit various forums, at your price point, most people will recommend 1095 etc.. the problem is that 1095 done wrong is worst than 420hc done right.

With that being said, here my take on both knives

buck lifetime warranty no question ask good customer service.

Ka-bar warranty I'm not quite sure

handle ka-bar handles are round they tend to roll in your my hand


Buck handle looks good till you hold it, it way too slick for my taste.

besides that everything is pretty much the same.