Best Edge Retention Bush Craft Knife for the Money?

This custom I had done has pretty good edge retention. High RC CPM-M4. I can't be stupid with it and it can be a butt to sharpen if I let it get dull but the edge retention is high and toughness is "tough enough."

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The ones I probably use more often, in reality, are A2 or 52100 as the edge retention is good and the knives are tough to the point I don't have to be careful, just not reckless. If they chip, it's a lot easier to repair. But, M4 will do a lot of work before you need to touch the edge up.
 
91bravo said:
I've been looking at that exact same blade! The handle looks comfy and the blade shape so very useful for a myriad of cutting tasks! Buy one Ben and if you don't like it, send it to me... Or I might just pick one up and like it so much, that I'll tell you to go buy your own! :D
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Ok, I never saw this one, but why this and not the Benchmade - Bushcrafter 162?
 
22-rimfire said:
For pure bushcraft, I think it's hard to beat 1095, 01, or Cruwear. Generally pretty easy to sharpen if you need to in the field. Just carry along a small diamond hone for this purpose. As long as you don't beat the hell out of your blades on a regular basis in the woods, I think just about any reasonable stainless (S35VN or similar) is good gives you a slight edge holding edge over many of the 1095 blades. Chipping is the issue with the really hard steels. But they do tend to hold an edge longer and generally harder to sharpen.

Bushcraft means making things in the field (woods) from natural materials. Woodscraft is probably a broader term which I like better. It embodies all the things we do in the woods including tents, clothing, footwear, fire making, cooking and so forth.
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Thanks! I am not opposed to 1095, but I just want people with more experience to provide their opinion. I'm not sure I'll buck up $300 for a knife, maybe $200, but if it make sense...
 
You SHOULD be opposed to some of the 1095 out there, but that has very little to do with the steel. :p
Mark Becker said:
Thanks! I am not opposed to 1095, but I just want people with more experience to provide their opinion. I'm not sure I'll buck up $300 for a knife, maybe $200, but if it make sense...
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Mark Becker said:
Thanks! I am not opposed to 1095, but I just want people with more experience to provide their opinion. I'm not sure I'll buck up $300 for a knife, maybe $200, but if it make sense...
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If you can get anything at a good price that please you, with the higher end steel, you wont regret it. I have nothing against High carbon steel but from the maintenance pov, High end, semi or full stainless steels are preferable.
 
LT Wright knives look pretty good. Never used them but Ive heard good things. They look very well made. Ive been trying to set funds aside to try one out.
 
Kreyzhorse said:
Hard to go wrong with carbon steel. Easy to keep it sharp and make it sharp if you must.
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Not to be a Fan Boy of Becker knives - but Ethan's a guy (on his forum all the time) who lives bushcraft who has the envious position of being a knife designer with the good ear (read production ear) of KaBar.

Give me a 1095CroVan Becker and a decent sharpening stone - or even he bottom of a ceramic coffee cup .. and I'll get by just fine.
 
91bravo said:
I handled a BM Bushcrafter at Mark's Outdoors and the handle fit in my hand was awful to me. I'm a big Resiprene fan, so the rubber handle and blade shape on the BM Puuko looks like my style of handle.
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I own the BM 162 and it feels really good to me, so it's just gonna depend on your personal preferences.
 
My personal favorite bush knife is made of 1/8" A2 @ 61.5 HRC. Holds an edge a good long time and is tough enough for anyone who isnt a complete dummy (it will handle my level of stupid which can get high at times).

Scott Gossman is the maker and the Polaris is the model.
 
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