Beat the Dead Horse - Bushcraft Knives

[ISP 5353]

I have several that will work, but I prefer my Skookum BT or my Adventure Sworn. BHK is close behind.

 

[JV3]

The spydie bushcraft looks nice, but I've heard alot of stories about this particular knife failing when being batoned.

according to sal glesser, there's only one that broke (from the spalted maple first release) and that hole under the scales is now gone in the g10 version.

Hi LightGuy,

While the break shown was the only incident with the model, we did go ahead and remove the first hole from the tang.

sal

here's the thread which was actually posted just recently: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1022946-Spyderco-Bushcraft-Change-to-Skeletonized-Tang.

i have one of the more heavily used ones out there (i treat it like my knives from becker, esee, etc.) and it's still going strong 2+ yrs later.

 

[dougcov]

One of the most important qualities is how comfortable to "you" a knife is. Assume the steel is up to the task, how it feels in you hand is the key. Just something the reviews can't help with most times.

 

[pap11y]

I agree that comfort is a huge factor thats why I like woodlore or timberwolf/spderco designs with big handles..

 

[desmobob]

I have a lot of knives, a few of which I really WANTED to become my favorite "bushcraft" knife but, after lots of woods time, it's my Brian Andrews "Off The Map" Bushcrafter that always accompanies me on stays in the woods.

Here it was, fresh from the maker:

The only thing I'd like to change is the balance. I'd love to remove the scales, drill some lightening holes in the tang, and put 'er back together.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[sisk61]

You should draw up something with all of the attributes of knives that youve liked in the past. or just whatever you think will work!

 

[scraca]

I think batoning is overrated. When you are out in the woods, all sorts and sizes of fuel is available. No reason to baton.

 

[thelastbestplace]

A few thoughts on Bushcrafty knives I own. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these knives:

Becker BK16 : Love this knife. The handle could be a little thicker where my pointer finger wraps around the handle. I wrapped some tennis racquet grip tape around the handle and it feels VERY nice. Next I will be trying the self vulcanizing tape which hopefully will be a more durable, rubbery cover. Price/quality/made in USA... what more can you ask for?

Spyderco Bushcraft: This is a great knife, high quality. It's just heavy for me. Also the balance is more towards the rear of the knife than I like. More expensive than other choices but quality is A+. If I was on a backpacking trip I might go with a lighter choice.

Mora Companion: Maybe perfection because it's a great knife that's ultra cheap and light. I bought an Azwelke kydex sheath (which adds to the weight) and I like it even more. The original sheath doesn't inspire confidence for me. I've used this knife for a number of years and it gets a big thumbs up.

Mora Bushcraft Triflex (Stainless): Great knife. Obviously good for more rust prone environments. It's thicker than the companion. Really like this one. Better original sheath than the companion.

ESEE-3,4: Very nice knives. They have the whole package: quality, great sheaths, great company, made in USA, etc. I would like to see them made without choils though.

I have batonned with all of these knives without problem. I have chipped my Mora Companion batonning old, dry oak but that's not surprising and I once rolled an edge cutting a metal box (it's a cheap knife and I had a couple beers ). Anyway the knife is too small to do too much battonning aside from splitting kindling IMO.

I have a Busse CABS LE (not yet used ) which I am sure would be great and I want to try the BHK Bushcrafter and Koster Bushcrafter next. I see the BHK is available right now but I think I have to wait on the Koster (?).

Lastly, it seems most Bushcrafty knives come with leather sheaths. I prefer kydex myself. I get the whole leather, old world style but I just feel like Kydex is more practical.

 

[sisk61]

I think batoning is overrated. When you are out in the woods, all sorts and sizes of fuel is available. No reason to baton.

Unless its been raining for a few weeks.. I do agree with you that batonning isnt always necessary, but if all the wood is soaking wet, the only dry wood is found in the center of the branch/log. I suppose it really depends where you live

 

[JollyRoger3]

desmobob-
That is a sweet knife!

Those that think batoning is overrated and not viable need to get out more. Like maybe in a rain storm in November when it's 45 degrees and finding anything dry, to include you, is almost impossible. However, what is guaranteed to be dry, is the inside of standing dead wood, which is accessed through splitting, which is done by ax or (gasp) batoning your knife through it to gain access to the dry core. You can also make wedges and such, but that takes up more time. When you are soaked and cold, things need to happen as fast a possible.

Sisk61, you are right. It really does depend on where you live. Where I live and roam, the above is fact.

With that said, I have been using a Skookum Bush Tool in A2 and also a Dave Beck Bush Pilot #3 as of late.

 

[Woods Walker]

I have a bunch of knives but always prefer the one actually on hand when needed. Yea that isn't an answer but often reality in the field.

 

[scouter27]

I have a bunch of knives but always prefer the one actually on hand when needed. Yea that isn't an answer but often reality in the field.

Well, unless you rely solely on "battle field pickup", so to speak, for knives in the woods, you probably chose the one that you happen to have on hand when you need it. You probably picked it for a reason, and in all likelihood you have established a pattern of what blade or blades you choose most often.

Every single time I read this response I get the feeling that the person making it doesn't spend a lot of time using their knives. That's my perception, which may or may not be based in the reality of any given situation.

But seriously, we all realize that having a good enough knife when you need it is preferable to not having a knife at all because you didn't have the "perfect" knife.

 

[Woods Walker]

Every single time I read this response I get the feeling that the person making it doesn't spend a lot of time using their knives.

You would be mistaken. If these photos aren't enough proof I use my knives and gear check my past posting history. My statement is IMHO and based on my experience. Yours might differ and that's cool.

Extra credit video.

[video=youtube;DxH6tCTus1M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxH6tCTus1M[/video]

 

[jwren]

Woods Walker - is that a scandi Tiger Knapp?

 

[zpstl321]

Benchmade just introed a new Bushcraft blade design. They list it for $200, but street price is running around $150. The bushcraft forum guys preordered and they are shipping now so pictures are starting to show up. Benchmade used S30V for the blade.

 

[zpstl321]

I just ran across this video...pretty impressive.
[video=youtube;3ntmZKvsvVA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3ntmZKvsvVA[/video]

 

[Woods Walker]

Woods Walker - is that a scandi Tiger Knapp?

Yup. Makes an ok bow drill set.

Or a fishing pole.

These days it sports a Paracord wrap and the yellow lanyard is a bit less yellow.

On the topic of the thread that isn't the "perfect bushcraft" knife but it was on my person so far better than the blades at home. Everything is a compromise IMHO. Sometimes I will pack a Mora because I want something UL and inexpensive. Other times I want something bigger and don't care about weight and bulk. Just depends but no matter what I pick for me it will be a compromise on some level and far from perfect.

 

[scouter27]

You would be mistaken. If these photos aren't enough proof I use my knives and gear check my past posting history. My statement is IMHO and based on my experience. Yours might differ and that's cool.

Did you stop reading my post after that line? In all your experience, as documented, you have most likely developed a preference. From what I can see, you like thin blades under or around 4" in length. I realize that describes a lot of knives, but it leaves out many more.

The point is, you have a preference, or set of preferences, not just "whatever knife" you happen to have at the time.

 

[Woods Walker]

Did you stop reading my post after that line? In all your experience, as documented, you have most likely developed a preference. From what I can see, you like thin blades under or around 4" in length. I realize that describes a lot of knives, but it leaves out many more.

The point is, you have a preference, or set of preferences, not just "whatever knife" you happen to have at the time.

Ok I will respond to what was written after that line.

That's my perception, which may or may not be based in the reality of any given situation.

But seriously, we all realize that having a good enough knife when you need it is preferable to not having a knife at all because you didn't have the "perfect" knife.

1. I honestly believe your perception was incorrect. I wouldn't have come to such far reaching perceptions of another person based on IMO very little.

2. I agree with the last sentence.


Here is what I wrote before you posted your response. Maybe it will help clear things up.

Everything is a compromise IMHO. Sometimes I will pack a Mora because I want something UL and inexpensive. Other times I want something bigger and don't care about weight and bulk. Just depends but no matter what I pick for me it will be a compromise on some level and far from perfect.

Maybe there is a misunderstanding as is sometimes the case with a communication format that only uses the written word often done on the fly aka message boards. Maybe this example will help. I picked this knife because it was larger and with outside temps around -20F overnight much of the wood splitting would be done inside the shelter. Now if I needed to press that blade into jobs it wasn’t best suited for I would simply make do because that’s the knife I have.

However this knife isn’t the perfect Bushcraft knife. But it was what I took with me. This wasn’t random but sometimes it is do to situations that might come up. Naturally if doing the same activity I will gravitate to the same type of tool so by that standard I do have a set of preferences. On a side note IMHO you should consider being more polite to others. You didn't NEED to accuse me of not using my gear all be it in a passive aggressive manor based on one line or of not reading your post because my answer didn't meet your expectations. There are more polite ways of saying things. Not the biggest deal in the world but just something to consider.

 

[superc0ntra]

I have a lot of knives, a few of which I really WANTED to become my favorite "bushcraft" knife but, after lots of woods time, it's my Brian Andrews "Off The Map" Bushcrafter that always accompanies me on stays in the woods.

Here it was, fresh from the maker:

The only thing I'd like to change is the balance. I'd love to remove the scales, drill some lightening holes in the tang, and put 'er back together.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

I was going to say virtually the exact same thing so you saved me some work.