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So I am considering the usual suspects (Spyderco, Bark River) any brands/models I should be looking at? I am not a huge fan of Condor - they just don't seem as refined.
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Best BUSHCRAFT blade for @ $200?
- Thread starter PoorlyTiedFly
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DeadboxHero
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Mora knives are great but other knives at this price range out perform them. Whether that performance is worth the cost depends on the user.
I'd rather save my pennys and have one awesome knife then just 4 good ones.
Bark river bushcrafter 3v is what I'd buy. Scandi grinds can be delicate and 3v steel is very hard and tough.
Condor uses 1075 machete steel which is too soft for a small knife.
The spydie uses O1 tool steel which is good but for $150 you good get an LT wright Genesis or GNS (woodlore clone) in either A2 or O1 with scandi grinds.
The Spyderco bushcrafter is still a beauty though but there is a mark up on all Spyderco fixed blades just to have that little hole in the blade. Still a great choice.
I'd rather save my pennys and have one awesome knife then just 4 good ones.
Bark river bushcrafter 3v is what I'd buy. Scandi grinds can be delicate and 3v steel is very hard and tough.
Condor uses 1075 machete steel which is too soft for a small knife.
The spydie uses O1 tool steel which is good but for $150 you good get an LT wright Genesis or GNS (woodlore clone) in either A2 or O1 with scandi grinds.
The Spyderco bushcrafter is still a beauty though but there is a mark up on all Spyderco fixed blades just to have that little hole in the blade. Still a great choice.
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I own a Bark River Ultra Lite Bushcrafter, a BCNW 01, and a Finnish puuko knife. I use all of these regularly in the mountains, but I have been really admiring the Koster Bushcraft knife. It looks like the base price is in your range. Not sure how many add on options you would require. I don't have any hands on experience with the knife but It looks like a great knife.
UPDATE: Just learned that his ordering list is closed for 2015 so this may not be a practical option for you.
UPDATE: Just learned that his ordering list is closed for 2015 so this may not be a practical option for you.
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DeadboxHero
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Hey Surly, what kind of puuko?
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Could you get an becker15 or so for less and still have it do what you need it too, absolutely! But If you're really looking for a higher end blade, can't go wrong with TOPS models, and they come in all different styles and sizes to suit your needs and stylistic/design preferences. Quality work horses.
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The Condor knives aren't as refined, but you don't pay $200 for them either. The Bushlore is not a bad little knife.
If I were you, I would be looking at Kabar Becker (BK-15, BK-16, BK-17 or larger with the BK-10 or BK-9), ESEE (4 or 6 or one of the new ones depending on the size you are considering), Fallkniven (F1 or S1), Survive knives (don't own any), Bark River (lots of choices and all good and tend to push your budget limit), Blackjack (125 or 1-7, or Bushcraft Companion), or perhaps the inexpensive Mora line which are quite good for the money.
What you intend to do with the knife pretty much defines the size. If you don't know, I would stick with a 4-6" fixed blade until your experience dictates your choice of size. Things like batonning are fun, but frequently there are other options for larger thickness wood. Hard to beat the Fallkniven F1 or S1. I generally carry the Blackjack 125 because it is a medium sized fixed blade, like the classic look of Randall type knives, and have had good service with 01 steel. I do not baton with it or if I do, I am very careful as to where I "hit". Lately I have really liked the BK-15 and take it out sometimes, but many would simply suggest you go right up to the BK-9 or ESEE 6 size due to the flexibility that a longer blade gives you; you loose some dexterity or I do.
Also will always have a folder in my pocket in the woods. A small folding saw like a Silky addresses many needs that a larger fixed blade might handle.
If I were you, I would be looking at Kabar Becker (BK-15, BK-16, BK-17 or larger with the BK-10 or BK-9), ESEE (4 or 6 or one of the new ones depending on the size you are considering), Fallkniven (F1 or S1), Survive knives (don't own any), Bark River (lots of choices and all good and tend to push your budget limit), Blackjack (125 or 1-7, or Bushcraft Companion), or perhaps the inexpensive Mora line which are quite good for the money.
What you intend to do with the knife pretty much defines the size. If you don't know, I would stick with a 4-6" fixed blade until your experience dictates your choice of size. Things like batonning are fun, but frequently there are other options for larger thickness wood. Hard to beat the Fallkniven F1 or S1. I generally carry the Blackjack 125 because it is a medium sized fixed blade, like the classic look of Randall type knives, and have had good service with 01 steel. I do not baton with it or if I do, I am very careful as to where I "hit". Lately I have really liked the BK-15 and take it out sometimes, but many would simply suggest you go right up to the BK-9 or ESEE 6 size due to the flexibility that a longer blade gives you; you loose some dexterity or I do.
Also will always have a folder in my pocket in the woods. A small folding saw like a Silky addresses many needs that a larger fixed blade might handle.
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Do you want a knife labeled as "bushcraft" or a knife good for bushcraft?
In the second case, you are asking about a knife good for woodwork but suitable for other outdoor tasks like butchering and skinning and processing word for fire starting.
The F1 is a good multipurpose knife (love mine) but is not optimized for woodwork.
As always, when asking about a tool, the work to be done is critical if you are to get informed advice.
There is also the pattern of people with a hammer seeing everything as a nail and advising accordingly.
In the second case, you are asking about a knife good for woodwork but suitable for other outdoor tasks like butchering and skinning and processing word for fire starting.
The F1 is a good multipurpose knife (love mine) but is not optimized for woodwork.
As always, when asking about a tool, the work to be done is critical if you are to get informed advice.
There is also the pattern of people with a hammer seeing everything as a nail and advising accordingly.
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A BK16 will do all you could ever need in a single bushcraft blade. I've used the heck out of mine and have never thought "I wish this blade would do _____ better". It handles anything wood-related and its half of your posted budget, so you could buy 2.....one for each hip 
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As there are sites devoted 100% to bushcraft, you could try to find out.
Not my thing, but as I understand it they do woodwork so they can enjoy being in the woods without bringing as much gear with them.
And most carry a saw and/or axe in addition to a knife, so something like a puukko, or the Aurora miltmaldo mentions makes sense. The bowie, on the other paw, would not compensate, much less overcompensate, for the lack of a knife good for woodworking. But it might do the "weird" part.
The Buck 102 is designed to cut meat. Better than nothing for woodwork, but hardly a top choice.
Not my thing, but as I understand it they do woodwork so they can enjoy being in the woods without bringing as much gear with them.
And most carry a saw and/or axe in addition to a knife, so something like a puukko, or the Aurora miltmaldo mentions makes sense. The bowie, on the other paw, would not compensate, much less overcompensate, for the lack of a knife good for woodworking. But it might do the "weird" part.
The Buck 102 is designed to cut meat. Better than nothing for woodwork, but hardly a top choice.
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Yep, bushcraft is a nebulous term, at best.
When I think of bushcraft, it really doesn't conjure up anything knife-specific. I see bushcraft as a mixture of skills... navigation, finding something to eat and drink, and if you have to stay the night, finding or constructing a decent shelter and getting a fire lit.
Hunting and fishing could be "bushcraft" related skills I suppose. I don't know, I'm just a guy who's lived in the Northwest all his life. I've hunted, and used a hunting knife at the time. I've fished, and used a fishing knife. I've camped and hiked the hills and dales, and I think the most important gear so far has been my boots and a compass.
But if somebody handed me $200 and said: "Go buy a knife, we're going bushcrafting!", I'd run up to Renton, Washington and get a Bradford Guardian 4 in S30V.
When I think of bushcraft, it really doesn't conjure up anything knife-specific. I see bushcraft as a mixture of skills... navigation, finding something to eat and drink, and if you have to stay the night, finding or constructing a decent shelter and getting a fire lit.
Hunting and fishing could be "bushcraft" related skills I suppose. I don't know, I'm just a guy who's lived in the Northwest all his life. I've hunted, and used a hunting knife at the time. I've fished, and used a fishing knife. I've camped and hiked the hills and dales, and I think the most important gear so far has been my boots and a compass.
But if somebody handed me $200 and said: "Go buy a knife, we're going bushcrafting!", I'd run up to Renton, Washington and get a Bradford Guardian 4 in S30V.
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I have one of these that I purchased used off here for slightly over $100.00, it does all the crafty stuff very well,
A splendid knife for woods related tasks,
But depending on how serious you think you will get. It might make more sense to grab one of these,
And supplement it with one of these,
Don't get too caught up in the terminology. Get A good knife that fits comfortably in your hand. With a decent sheath.
Then get out and use it. You can adjust from there.
Other Options,
Becker BK-16
Buck Selkirk
ESEE-3 or 4
TOPS BOB
KA-BAR Mark 1 (a seriously underatted knife)
Tons of great choices out there.
I personally love my S-1 as a woods knife. Because it is so well rounded.
And since you mentioned Bark River, I find the Special Hunting Knife to be very handy in camp and the woods,
.
Here it is with a ML Kephart, it does a lot of things well, but will blow your budget and then some,
In reality, any Kephart style knife will serve you very well in the woods. They just don't look as exciting as some of the other choices.
A splendid knife for woods related tasks,
But depending on how serious you think you will get. It might make more sense to grab one of these,
And supplement it with one of these,
Don't get too caught up in the terminology. Get A good knife that fits comfortably in your hand. With a decent sheath.
Then get out and use it. You can adjust from there.
Other Options,
Becker BK-16
Buck Selkirk
ESEE-3 or 4
TOPS BOB
KA-BAR Mark 1 (a seriously underatted knife)
Tons of great choices out there.
I personally love my S-1 as a woods knife. Because it is so well rounded.
And since you mentioned Bark River, I find the Special Hunting Knife to be very handy in camp and the woods,
.Here it is with a ML Kephart, it does a lot of things well, but will blow your budget and then some,
In reality, any Kephart style knife will serve you very well in the woods. They just don't look as exciting as some of the other choices.
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