BA3, PD, or Groove Master?

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
7,764
Hi guys and galls, I'm thinking of ordering either a Badger Attach 3, Public Defender or a Groove Master in Canvas Micarta when finances permit. Am on a college budget so I can only get one for now.

So which do you all think would be a good choice for a small-mid sized camp knife? (cutting veggies, wood, rope, prying and other camp chores).

Thanks.
 
The Groove Master is an awesome blade for close up/delicate work, as well as other camp chores. You'll never want to pick up another small blade without a finger choil again IMO:D;):p
 
Hi Wildmanh,

only one knife? It is bad.;) My advice is the groove master; you can handle it on several ways, good for kitchen work and something else. You have to know, that heavy chopping is not so well with them, like the other. For very well chopping you need a natural outlaw or bigger knifes.

good luck

Fugazi
 
How much chopping and prying will you be doing? If not much I'd say get the Active Duty instead and then save up for a SH or maybe even a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp. The Active Duty is a great knife and will handle most anything short of the chopping and prying. It will also work well for many general utility tasks around the house, you may even like it so much as to make it your EDC.

Either that or go for a larger knife and get the SJ or the NO. These can handle all the jobs plus some more large ones. :D
 
If you're looking for a smallish camp knife, I don't think you can go wrong with either the BA3 or the GM. The GM is more versatile, as has been stated, and is so much so that it has become my EDC. But, Eric's suggestion is a good one also in that the NO and SJ are only nominally more expensive than the BA or GM. And you get a whole different level of performance.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Please keep the info coming.

I'm starting to lean towards the BAIII do to blade shape and the fact that it has more cutting edge than the GM. Not to mention, it's between 8.5" and 10" OAL which I think is a good size to carry in and around camp. But since I have to wait till my Tax return gets here (2 weeks?) I still have time to change my mind;).

Eric, you shouldn't have mentioned the SJ;). I've been eyeing that one since the Basic Line was discontinued. Maybe I'll have to order one of those next?:) My Tax return would cover 2, but my car needs a clutch and....;)

I just wonder, how is the BAIII and SJ at slicing onions? I'm big into Camping/outdoor stuff and am really starting to like cooking in my new Dutch Ovens.:D You can never have to much Onion (And I favore the larger 4.5+ diam ones) in your Dutch Oven Recipies.;):D
 
I have a GM, and I think it's gonna be a great knife for me during Hunting season. If you're going to use yours as more of an all around camp knife, and especially for food prep, etc, I think you're leaning in the correct direction with the BA III's blade shape.
 
For your stated task profile I would go with the Satin Jack. With that said, I would go with the BAg3 out of the three choices you present.

I prefer a larger knife as generally a larger knife can do smaller kninve's job better that the other way around. I am self-conscious about parading around with a larger fixed blade in most social settings I frequent unless I am afield, in which case I care more about being properly geared up than what others think of how I look. Moreover, unless you are backpacking/camping, weight is not an issue and more knnife, to a point, works better for me. Get the SJ baby unless size matters to you.
 
Originally posted by Nimrod
For your stated task profile I would go with the Satin Jack. With that said, I would go with the BAg3 out of the three choices you present.

I prefer a larger knife as generally a larger knife can do smaller kninve's job better that the other way around. I am self-conscious about parading around with a larger fixed blade in most social settings I frequent unless I am afield, in which case I care more about being properly geared up than what others think of how I look. Moreover, unless you are backpacking/camping, weight is not an issue and more knnife, to a point, works better for me. Get the SJ baby unless size matters to you.
Click to expand...

There is that Satin Jack mentioned again.:eek::D maybe I should get an SRTW HR and SJ (that way I could aford both).:confused:
 
Well......
The SJ is my favorite "usable" Busse, bar none. I find it to be the ideal "all-around" woodsin' knife: not too big, not too small, and Not Too Heavy to be carried all day.

I personally wouldn't recommend it as a camp knife - I think smaller/thinner blades are better for that. But you couldn't go wrong with it in the combo you just mentioned, either. :)
 
Your combo would serve you well. Other than the fine slicing that is sometimes needed during food prep, I do not think that 3/16ths" is necessarily too thick. I've gotten along just fine with many 1/4" knives, but do prefer something a little thinner when doing my wilderness Emeril routine.
 
After reviewing all the information (thanks guys:)) I think I will probably get a HR then the SJ at a later date.:D
 
I think I will be ordering a AD for my knife for these tasks.

All I can say is BAM! Emeril is one awesome dude!.


Ed
 
Originally posted by wildmanh
After reviewing all the information (thanks guys:)) I think I will probably get a HR then the SJ at a later date.:D
Click to expand...
Good choices both! I haven't used my HR for food prep yet, but would be more careful to wipe it down. INFI has better stain/corrosion resistance... ;) The Satin Jack is very nice, you might also want to look at a 3/16 NO for slightly heavier chores, while maintaining the slicing ability.
My 0.02...;)
 
Originally posted by Tohatchi NM
I think you have the big chopping end of the spectrum covered, right Heber? ;)
Click to expand...

Oh Yeah!!:D Here are 2 of my choppers: 16.5" WWII and a 20" Sirupati both HI Khukuris.;)

-- Edit --

Bobby, After looking at my finances, I won't be able to get the SJ or even an HR for at least a few more weeks. Turns out that I have already spent most of my tax return on knives and food.:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top