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

I love my Bark River Gunny, but for a smaller knife you can not beat the Izula 2 IMO.
I have two of them (my first knife I have a backup for).
I hate the coating so I took a trip to HomeDepot and removed the coating with some paint stripper. Now the blade is nice and smooth, and cuts way better.
 
Smithhammer said:
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 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" over those, just because of how it fits my hand.
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Alright! ill look all of those up! thanks!
 
sisk61 said:
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!
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That is the BF 2012 Traditional of the Year Knife. I'm pretty sure Spark still has a few left. It's made by GEC, and is an outstanding knife.
 
My Enzo Trapper O1 full tang zero-scandi grind 3 1/2" knife in micarta is excellent and comfortable
Sub $100

Honestly
If you are splitting wood with an axe, then a Mora Companion for $12...
 
People should carry a knife that makes them happy and fits their camping/backpacking style.

I prefer a 3" to 3.5" locking folder carried in my pants/shorts pocket as my primary knife. Sheath knives interfere with my pack's hip belt. Folding saw in the pack in the winter. Opinel #9 and Buck Ecolite 112 are current picks. Actually, the Ecolite 112 has moved to my "essentials" bag as an always there back up.
 
I use my Izula all the time, but not as the primary knife. It's in my EDC, too, although it's not the primary EDC. (Don't usually need fixed blade strength for my EDC tasks.)
 
sisk61 said:
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.
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I'm actually leaning toward that very same axe, I just haven't convinced myself I need to spend the money, yet :D

The maker is James Terrio, don't think he's started on my knife yet, but hopefully I might be able to snag some WIP pictures from him when he does - and update the thread I started a while back when I was looking for a maker :)
 
pialia said:
I'm actually leaning toward that very same axe, I just haven't convinced myself I need to spend the money, yet :D

The maker is James Terrio, don't think he's started on my knife yet, but hopefully I might be able to snag some WIP pictures from him when he does - and update the thread I started a while back when I was looking for a maker :)
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Well if you want, i can let you know how i like the Gransfors bruks after i get it. Ive had a Wetterlings before, which was awesome, but i traded it away a while back. I did have problems with the wetterlings, so i thought this time around id give Gransfors a try.

You should check out Brian Sargent's knives.. hes a newer maker, but his knives are already just as high quality as Laconico, Fiddleback, JK, etc..

Ive had a Mora and i liked it a lot. But Now im looking for something in the 7" - 6" overall length. Im really leaning towards Bark River at the moment, mainly because its all i can think of..
 
sisk61 said:
Ive wanted to try an F1, but that handle seems too thin for me. I have big hands, so i like really thick handles.
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I had that same concern when I bought an F1, but it fits my big (size XL glove) hands well enough.
 
Ive owned the RC-3 and it was a great bushcrafting knife. I sold it because of the shortish handle though, but it had a great blade size.

I've also got the F1 and its a keeper. The F1 and SFA is a great combo, you don't need a larger blade than that if you're good with a axe. I've got big hands too (size 10) and the F1 is a great fit. I got a kydex sheath made for it and carry it in my front or cargo pocket, but the stock zytel sheath is pretty slim too.

For wet weather camping i prefer my A1. It's lighter than my SFA and a safer and better choice as I'm still a axe novice.
 
Ive heard that its hard to keep a true convex edge with the F1, but im not sure how true that is. Thats the only thing keeping me from getting one now
 
readyme said:
I love my Bark River Gunny, but for a smaller knife you can not beat the Izula 2 IMO.
I have two of them (my first knife I have a backup for).
I hate the coating so I took a trip to HomeDepot and removed the coating with some paint stripper. Now the blade is nice and smooth, and cuts way better.
Click to expand...

My Izula will be getting a similar treatment at some point, along with some scales.
 
sisk61 said:
Ive heard that its hard to keep a true convex edge with the F1, but im not sure how true that is. Thats the only thing keeping me from getting one now
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It's not difficult. Don't let that stand on the way of getting a blade with a convex edge. You could always put a regular V-grind on it, and there's nothing wrong with that.
 
sisk61 said:
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!
Click to expand...

As has been pointed out, yeah, it's the 2012 Traditional Forum knife, made by Great Eastern Cutlery. It is an excellent knife for me, and I've always liked the wharncliffe trappers as that straight blade is nice for so many things.

All my knives end up with a convex final bevel, regardless of the primary grind. Not hard to maintain at all.
 
Fiddleback Forge Hiking Buddy

Takes care of small tasks including fish and feather sticks:

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C89C536C-4501-41D1-9B43-A33718FFF739-845-000001368261296F.jpg
 
I like my bush crafters to be less than 9 inches. My favourite config is 4 inch blade and 4.5 inch handle..

4finalb.jpg
 
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