Bark River Hudson Bay vs CS trailo master vs Spyderco Forester

[bushcraft]

Hi Everyone,
I have the CS trailmaster in carbon steel. It was $140ish (great knife)
The Bark river Hudson Bay is around $220ish. (I know A2 steel is good)
The Spyderco forester is around $130 with the sale price. (I know nothing about the steel.)

How would these two do against my cols steel TM Which is a better knife? Which one do you recommend?
pics stolen from the net:

 

[untamed]

Hello. I don't have either, so I don't know if my opinions count.

As both tools come from both excellent companies, personally from a purely "old school" design preference, I'd go for the Hudson Bay. Simple, straightforward and purpose-built. A piece of history there, at a time when it was a "do all" knife that took on ALL of the tasks of the home/settlements and the wilderness.

 

[Big Mike]

If your Trailmaster is an older “Carbon V” (50-100B) version,

…it will be hard to beat (especially in its price range).






As much as I like Bark River’s A2,

…the Hudson Bay is not my favorite chopper,

…I prefer a longer handle and a more weight forward balance,

…I have several BRK Bowies that I prefer,

…but my big hands and love for Bowies effects this opinion,

…many say it’s a great chopper.





That said, I find the Hudson Bay to be a great all around camp knife;

…food prep, fire duty, site clearing are all task this big blade works well at.


I have no experience with the Spyderco Forester,

…but it sure looks cool.



Big Mike

 

[tholiver]

Hopefully the Spyderco Foresters grips are thicker than the Spyderco Dayhikers. From the pics they both appear to have the same handles. I recently bought a Dayhiker, nice knife but the panels are barely 3/16ths at their thickest.Hopefully the larger versions like the forester have thicker grips.
I will probably rehandle mine.

 

[Ravaillac]

The spyderco is stainless steel. Design is a bit... special. If you want stainless I'd say go for a Fallkniven A1.

Never hold the Bark River but it looks good "on paper", blade might be a bit too light for chopping.

Now if you want a real chopper, go for an hatchet.

 

[Razorsharp1986]

The Hudson Bay seemed too light to be a heavy chopper. Though indeed I liked the design a lot.
The Spyderco seems better of a chopper. I found that the balance of this knife is superb and that the steel, being stainless, is still very capable in the woods. The handle is indeed thicker than the dayhiker.
Honestly, I would buy neither, but if you really like these, any would be good.

 

[readyme]

I personally like the look of the Spyderco knife....I too am in search of a larger camp knife, and that is one that caught my eye. I look forward to hearing more people's opinions on them.

 

[Mentor]

I have always liked the look of the Spyderco forester. It has a nice, flowing design, and it looks like it would be a good camp knife.

Since I don't have any first-hand experience with either of the knives in question, allow me to put a plug in for our local makers, all of whom can throw together a great camp knife / chopper in the same price range.

I'm particularly partial to JK's interpretation of the Hudson Bay:

All the best,

- Mike

 

[hollowdweller]

Only one I've tried is the Bark River.

I still need to actually buy one.

I think the bark river is a super nimble knife for a big knife great cutter. Not great for chopping.

 

[scrumpy jack]

I,ve had the spyderco since it came out. For a blade of 9.25" and 5mm thick its a light and quick knife. It bites very deep on all but very hard seasoned wood. I,ve had no edge damage and for a stainless it sharpens with ease. It cuts wrist size diameter branches as quick as any saw, and splits wood great with the employment of a batton. This is comparing it to my battle mistress as they are the only other large knives i have.
regards mick

 

[readyme]

I,ve had the spyderco since it came out. For a blade of 9.25" and 5mm thick its a light and quick knife. It bites very deep on all but very hard seasoned wood. I,ve had no edge damage and for a stainless it sharpens with ease. It cuts wrist size diameter branches as quick as any saw, and splits wood great with the employment of a batton. This is comparing it to my battle mistress as they are the only other large knives i have.
regards mick

What are the knives in this picture?

 

[beef]

Spyderco Forester, Schrade Extreme Survival, Fallkniven F1 I believe. I'm such a nerd.

 

[sawgrass7]

Spyderco Forester, Schrade Extreme Survival, Fallkniven F1 I believe. I'm such a nerd.

Maybe, beef - but knife nerds are COOL!

 

[Raining]

Better knife...for what?

I like the traditional look of the Hudson Bay. Also, DLT Trading has some nice ones in wood handles for ~$170. :thumbup:

 

[readyme]

Do you know the model # for the Schrade Extreme Survival?

 

[tholiver]

I personally like the look of the Spyderco knife....I too am in search of a larger camp knife, and that is one that caught my eye. I look forward to hearing more people's opinions on them.

If you want one you better buy it now. All the Spyderco Hossum fixed blades (Forester/dayhiker etc) are discontinued for 2010. They are currently in deep discount and the supply is drying up. I got my Dayhiker cheap, its the big price drop that finally caused me to buy one.
The MSRP and even the street price on these were nuts until recently. If the price had been this low before they would have sold a lot more.
Still want a Spyderco Bushcraft knife but again its a little pricey for an overseas knife. I'll probably wait and see if they sell well and see if there is a similar discount on those next December.

 

[chewbacca]

I thought I read that the Spyderco Bushcraft is discontinued as well. You might want to check on their subforum. Something about the wood used in the handles was not stabilized, and was cracking and shrinking after install.

Thanks for the heads up on the Hossum's.

 

[scrumpy jack]

Do you know the model # for the Schrade Extreme Survival?

Its a SCHF9 and it retails for about $34!!!.
1095 steel
flat saber ground
6mm stock full tang
The spine is squared to take a fire steel
and a sheath packed with features......$34.

 

[Sharp Eye]

Better knife...for what?
:thumbup:

The Hudson Bay is one of the best all around knives that I have used.
Good at light chopping.
Great at food prep and fire bulding.
Large but usable for finer stuff like trap making.

 

[bushcraft]

What is the best knife at chopping?

Thanks