Any of y'all use a sub 4" blade for bushcraft/camping?

[sisk61]

I know a sub 4" knife isnt ideal for camping, or bushcraft for that matter, but ive been trying to find a good small knife that could easily make feathersticks and process wood well. Something good for a relaxed hike that you could also rely on to some extent. I was thinking a Bark River Woodland special or Northstar Companion would be good, but i just wanted to hear your opinions! Feel free to post pictures!

 

[Hammer67]

Yes. In fact many of my favorite blades for general outdoor use are sub-4" (and I would beg to differ that a sub 4" blade can't be ideal for camping or bushcraft). But I'm also of the opinion that a knife is a knife - if you need a saw or an axe, carry a saw or an axe.

I would take a serious look at BRKT's Bushcrafter (or their recently-unveiled "Ultra-Lite Bushcrafter" if you want to go smaller). The Bushcrafter, with a 3.8" 3V blade, is my favorite sub 4" by a longshot, and definitely capable of lots of serious work.

 

[pialia]

I'm actually having one made that's going to be just around 4" in 3V. I have been using an old Mora and an EDC with just under 3" for the small tasks coupled with a hatchet, but they're almost too small to process kindling so the axe sees a lot of action.

I'm really looking forward to putting my custom through its paces once it's done.

 

[HardTripper]

I usually back up a chopper with one, if I have my bk9 I usually I usually have an izula or scrapivore with me as well.

 

[sisk61]

Thanks! One of the main reasons im looking for a smaller knife for bushcraft is that ive found that i can split kindling very fine with a hatchet after practice. Im about to get a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest axe, so that should take care of most of my uses.

Smithhammer: I like the look of those Bark Rivers!
pialia: who is making the knife for ya? 3v is a beastly steel..
Hardtripper: i had an Izula at one time, but i didnt use it as much as i wanted. It didnt slice too well, but i think that was due to the coating on the blade.

 

[foxyrick]

Two of my most used knives are the Fallkniven TK2 and F1.

The TK2 is officially 4", but it lost a bit of the tip to a previous owner so mine is sub 4". It's my go-to knife that gets thrown in my pack for most walks. Both Fallknivens are strong enough to batton with and will handle most real-world knife tasks with ease. There's nothing at all wrong with a 4" (or a little less) knife.

If I expect more serious wood processing, I'll also take a big Busse, saw or axe. Or all three if I'm not walking too far.

Bark river knives are good too and should serve you well - I just prefer my Fallknivens over the Barkies that I've had. Mostly because the Fallknivens fit my hand better.

The F1 is in the middle here, with the TK2 below and a Bark River Fox River on the bottom:

 

[heresay1]

I use a 2"-4" blade for camping and backpacking. I discovered that 85% of what I do is better done with a blade of that size. The other 15% is better done with an axe, heavy chopper (9"-11" blade), or a saw.

Check out the following:

Izula II
Survive Knives EDC4
BRKT Mini Northstar
ESEE 3
BRKT PLSK2
TOPS Skinat

 

[sisk61]

Two of my most used knives are the Fallkniven TK2 and F1.

The TK2 is officially 4", but it lost a bit of the tip to a previous owner so mine is sub 4". It's my go-to knife that gets thrown in my pack for most walks. Both Fallknivens are strong enough to batton with and will handle most real-world knife tasks with ease. There's nothing at all wrong with a 4" (or a little less) knife.

If I expect more serious wood processing, I'll also take a big Busse, saw or axe. Or all three if I'm not walking too far.

Bark river knives are good too and should serve you well - I just prefer my Fallknivens over the Barkies that I've had. Mostly because the Fallknivens fit my hand better.

Ive wanted to try an F1, but that handle seems too thin for me. I have big hands, so i like really thick handles.

Ive been considering making my own knife, i have a few old files that ive been wanting to make a knife out of, although ive never done it before. Its worth a try!

 

[facablade]

hi for me I prefer a 3,5" blade for my 95% of task for 5% left (=chopping) I use my 10" parang.

 

[foxyrick]

Ive wanted to try an F1, but that handle seems too thin for me. I have big hands, so i like really thick handles.

I don't have big hands (I think they are about average for my 5'8 height) but prefer big handles on big knives (magnum Busse sized) and smaller but still not 'small' handles on smaller knives. My problem with a lot of handles is that they are too shallow, top-to-bottom of the grip, rather than too thin. Apart from the Doug Ritter fixed blade which was high enough but too thin. The handle on the TK2 is better than on the F1 and I find it just about perfect.

Getting a knife that really works with your hand is, to me, far more important than the type of steel, blade profile, etc (up to a point, anyway)

Ive been considering making my own knife, i have a few old files that ive been wanting to make a knife out of, although ive never done it before. Its worth a try!

I have a very big, 16" long, file that I've been keeping for that for years, and still not got around to it.

 

[Wandering_About]

I actually only use a knife longer than 4 inches for cooking. All my outdoors knives are 4 inches and under. My most used knives are an Izula II or a custom made Turley. The Turley is right at 4" which to be honest is a bit long for my taste, but it sure works nice when butchering deer.

This pair will keep you happy in the woods for a good, long time.

Though to be honest most of the time nowdays I carry a slipjoint or just use the knife on my Swisstool. The following blade gets used a fair bit.

 

[Foilist]

Although I have knives that I LIKE more, the ones that I actually seem to USE the most these days is my Izula. Sometimes the knife picks you, if you know what I mean.

 

[Hammer67]

Here's my Bark River Ultra-Lite Bushcrafter in hand:

And with a DLT Moreau sheath:

Mine with micarta scales weighs 2.5oz.

 

[HardTripper]

Yeah the izula coating is rough stuff, really binds up. I have hands on the slightly larger than average side and I find the f1 a little thin, in use its ok but when batoning it kinda digs in my palm.

 

[Hammer67]

Yeah the izula coating is rough stuff, really binds up.

I have yet to meet a blade coating that I like. If someone can please explain what the point is, I'd love to hear it.

 

[sisk61]

I actually only use a knife longer than 4 inches for cooking. All my outdoors knives are 4 inches and under. My most used knives are an Izula II or a custom made Turley. The Turley is right at 4" which to be honest is a bit long for my taste, but it sure works nice when butchering deer.

This pair will keep you happy in the woods for a good, long time.

Though to be honest most of the time nowdays I carry a slipjoint or just use the knife on my Swisstool. The following blade gets used a fair bit.

Awesome pictures! what slippie is that?

I mostly use a custom made by Brian Sargent that has about a 4" blade. Its my favorite knife, but im thinking about a knife that has a 3" blade or so for hiking and whittling for fun.

Ive never owned a Bark River, but From what i hear, theyre great blades.

Thanks for all the replies! its helping a lot!

 

[sisk61]

I have yet to meet a blade coating that I like. If someone can please explain what the point is, I'd love to hear it.

I suppose its just to protect the blade for hard use. Also to protect the carbon steel from rust.. but i have quite a few carbon steel blades without coatings, and i manage to keep them perfectly dry with ease..

Has anyone tried the Bark River Woodland Special or Northstar Companion? Local knife store has both, and Im tempted to buy one..

 

[Firestrike]

Only my Victorinox Huntsman or my Leatherman Sidekick.

 

[Hammer67]

And for comparison, here's the full-size BRKT Bushcrafter, with a Sharpshooter Forest sheath:

Bushcrafter in hand:

And a side-by-side comparison pic of the Ultra-Lite and the Bushcrafter:

Fit is obviously a personal thing, but personally these two BRKTs, with contoured scales, are the two most comfortable knives I've ever held, regardless of how I hold them.

 

[Hammer67]

I suppose its just to protect the blade for hard use. Also to protect the carbon steel from rust.. but i have quite a few carbon steel blades without coatings, and i manage to keep them perfectly dry with ease..

Has anyone tried the Bark River Woodland Special or Northstar Companion? Local knife store has both, and Im tempted to buy one..

That's the general supposition you hear, but just like you, I've never had a problem keeping my blades maintained and rust free. And I'm sorry, but I have yet to see any coating that allows for smoother slicing than a highly polished steel finish does. Nor do I buy into the notion of making the blade black for "tactical" reasons, either. Unless of course, you're talking about the highly gullible "civilian tactical" market...

I have a Woodland as well, and it's a really nice, stout blade for the size that it is. You may also want to check out their Mini-Fox River, which is about the same size. But for me, the ULB has become my "go to" EDC over those, just because of how it fits my hand.