Best Knife for general bushcraft?

Lims

Lims

Joined
Jan 1, 2010
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I'm new to the world of bushcraft and survival skills and was wondering which knife you guys would recommend?

I've been looking at Fallkniven F1's and the Idun and Frej from the northern lights series. I've heard nothing but good things about the Lam. VG10 steel and I love the stacked leather handle.

The other brand I have been looking at is RAT cutlery. I will probably buy an Izula regardless but I have also been considering a RC3 or RC4.

I will mainly be using the knife for shelther building, carving, batoning, fire starting ect. Not much hunting or cleaning although I wouldn't rule it out.

If anyone can provide me with some info and experience with these knives I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
 
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You can't go wrong starting out with an F1 and an RC-4, if you like the look, will certainly do a fine job from what I have read. Unless you expect really constant moisture favoring the F1 just pick the one that fits your budget and looks best to you.
 
Any of those are excellent. That being said, I love my inexpensive Condor Rodan. Cuts like a Mora, but a lot more sturdy!

CIMG8278-1.jpg
 
I have an F1, an NL4 and a Rat RC4. All are great knives and you can't go wrong.

THe RC4 is the oldest and I have beat the ever living snot out of it and never chipped or rolled the edge.
 
You could ask that question every day and get a different answer from each of us everyday. We are a fickle bunch. Today's best is tomorrows old news.:D

The best is just a matter of opinion because there is no absolute standard that make any one tool the best. For the money, the Mora and the Bushlore from Condor are right in there. Many would say and maybe rightfully so that the Bark River Aurora is the best, many more will claim that onlt a custom with a new super steel will do. AND of course many will say, "Get a Busse" No matter what you ask.

If Condor would get off their hands and start producing the product, they would have a great following here.
 
udtjim said:
You could ask that question every day and get a different answer from each of us everyday. We are a fickle bunch. Today's best is tomorrows old news.:D

The best is just a matter of opinion because there is no absolute standard that make any one tool the best. .
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:thumbup::thumbup:


Excellent answer:thumbup:


Now go get a scandi!

:D
 
countryboycansurvive said:
I have an F1, an NL4 and a Rat RC4. All are great knives and you can't go wrong.

THe RC4 is the oldest and I have beat the ever living snot out of it and never chipped or rolled the edge.
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This is pretty much the exact same set I was looking at. Both the F1 and RC4 seem great for fine detail and general use, while the NL4 looks a bit more substantial for light chopping ect.

Does anyone here have experience with the Fallkniven Idun NL5? It is suppose to be primarily a hunting knife but looks to have a nice thick belly and seems it could take some punishment.

udtjim said:
You could ask that question every day and get a different answer from each of us everyday. We are a fickle bunch. Today's best is tomorrows old news.:D

The best is just a matter of opinion because there is no absolute standard that make any one tool the best.
Click to expand...

Of course this is the case, but because I am new I would like to gather as much information as I can before deciding for myself. If you have an unlimited budget maybe you could just buy different knives and see which is best for you but unfortunately I'm not in the category (yet). :)
 
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there is a lot of great knives out on todays market... productions and customs included.. so there are going to be many different answers for this question, of course...

from what i have noticed, the Fallkniven F1 and H1 both seem to be really popular and well used amongst bushcrafters and avid outdoorsman..:) i had an F1 for many years and loved it, it is superb knife well suited for most woods tasks..i ended up passing it along to a bowhunting friend of mine...
 
udtjim said:
You could ask that question every day and get a different answer from each of us everyday. We are a fickle bunch. Today's best is tomorrows old news.:D

The best is just a matter of opinion because there is no absolute standard that make any one tool the best. For the money, the Mora and the Bushlore from Condor are right in there. Many would say and maybe rightfully so that the Bark River Aurora is the best, many more will claim that onlt a custom with a new super steel will do. AND of course many will say, "Get a Busse" No matter what you ask.

If Condor would get off their hands and start producing the product, they would have a great following here.
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Get a busse:

DSC_0055.jpg


Seriously though, i think you really have to experiment to see what suits you best. I do think both knives you mentioned will serve you well
 
Lims said:
I'm new to the world of bushcraft and survival skills and was wondering which knife you guys would recommend?

I will mainly be using the knife for shelther building, carving, batoning, fire starting ect. Not much hunting or cleaning although I wouldn't rule it out.

If anyone can provide me with some info and experience with these knives I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
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Both of them are excellent knives.

The Fallkniven have a convex edge, which will likely either require a learning curve on your part to sharpen, or you will have to remove the convex edge. Something to consider. Also, traditionally, rubber handles have not been preferred, as they can cause hot spots. That being said, the rubber handles insulate against cold quite well, which is probably the second reason why they use them.

The Rat Cutlery are more a moderm tactical/practical style. A bit more durable in the handle, but coated in the blade, so they will start to show where as you use them. Many choose to remove the coating and just deal with the carbon steel surface. Or with a little work, you can apply a new coating.

[editorializing removed for brevity]
 
why not toss this one into the mix too... :) BlindHorse knives "boat tail scandi".. i love this knife.. :thumbup:

IMG_6724.jpg
 
tonym said:
:thumbup::thumbup:


Excellent answer:thumbup:


Now go get a scandi!

:D
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That's right...or a flat grind...or a sabre grind...or a micro convex grind....:D

Bushcraft is as much about understanding the characteristics of the materials you are working with as the tools you use to work with them. My favorite "bushcraft" knife for an entire decade was a my old SOG Bowie. From what I've seen getting hung up on knife type is a lot like getting hung up on steel type when in reality it is, in the end, the skill sets involved that really make the difference in the outcome.
 
Ha! All things in moderation, eh Tony?

How do you like that Helle model btw? Thought about getting one for a while.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
Ha! All things in moderation, eh Tony?

How do you like that Helle model btw? Thought about getting one for a while.
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Yeah Will, it has been a loong seach for the perfect knife, and I don't think it is going to end... Thank god:cool:

The Helle is a cool lil cutter. Big fat handle makes it a great long use carver:thumbup:
 
tonym said:
Now it's usually 1 of these.

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great looking blades Tony... :thumbup: this pic and Spooky's are not helping, my new found thirst for another scandi..:o

love the looks of that Mark Wohlwend knife...:thumbup: if all goes as planned i'll be metting up with him and Ray at the end of the month..:D
 
Sorry Mike.

But if you want, I have a brand new extra 1 of these laying around in need of a new home. Feel like spending some money ;)

 
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