Big Expedition - Which knife to choose?
- Thread starter NickW
- Start date
RenFieLd,
You spent 4 months in Bali? I'm Indonesian, and I wish I had the chance to spend that much time (and money) in Bali. Nice!!
NickW,
You have a lot to chose from: Cold Steels with Carbon V are usually good. Look at their Recon Scout, TrailMaster models (some are expensive), and of course like DDS mentioned, SRK.
Fallkniven A1 might also fit your bill though it doesn't have a carbon steel blade (VG-10, plenty strong). And of course Busse Basic 5 (5" blade, Modified INFI carbon steel) being my favorite. I don't know what you're going to do with the knife, but Busse Basic 7 (7") might also fit your needs although it is slightly outside your size and price range.
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Reynaert
You spent 4 months in Bali? I'm Indonesian, and I wish I had the chance to spend that much time (and money) in Bali. Nice!!
NickW,
You have a lot to chose from: Cold Steels with Carbon V are usually good. Look at their Recon Scout, TrailMaster models (some are expensive), and of course like DDS mentioned, SRK.
Fallkniven A1 might also fit your bill though it doesn't have a carbon steel blade (VG-10, plenty strong). And of course Busse Basic 5 (5" blade, Modified INFI carbon steel) being my favorite. I don't know what you're going to do with the knife, but Busse Basic 7 (7") might also fit your needs although it is slightly outside your size and price range.
------------------
Reynaert
NickW,
You can click the Links button on the upper right side of this window and click on Dealers. Most of them carry Busse knives. You can also click on Dealers: Sorted by Brand Names Carried and then click on Busse Combat, though it leaves out many dealers which carry Busse knives. You can also e-mail Andy Prisco at andyprisco@worldnet.att.net to get the list of their dealers.
Which part of Sulawesi are you going to visit? If it is anything close to a typical Indonesian forest (tall grass and trees), according to my limited experience, you might not want a folding knife. A medium fixed blade is fine for light uses though. I forgot to mention this in my previous post: Indonesia is a country with high humidity, so you better take care of your carbon steel knives. Nothing a wipe of Tuf-Cloth or any oil rag can't fix.
My experience with customs are not entirely good, because I'm Indonesian (!!). If you're a Westerner, they will be a bit cautious with you though and will leave you alone. My advice: if this is a big expedition, list your knife as an expedition property (although you may want to carry it on your own luggage).
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Reynaert
You can click the Links button on the upper right side of this window and click on Dealers. Most of them carry Busse knives. You can also click on Dealers: Sorted by Brand Names Carried and then click on Busse Combat, though it leaves out many dealers which carry Busse knives. You can also e-mail Andy Prisco at andyprisco@worldnet.att.net to get the list of their dealers.
Which part of Sulawesi are you going to visit? If it is anything close to a typical Indonesian forest (tall grass and trees), according to my limited experience, you might not want a folding knife. A medium fixed blade is fine for light uses though. I forgot to mention this in my previous post: Indonesia is a country with high humidity, so you better take care of your carbon steel knives. Nothing a wipe of Tuf-Cloth or any oil rag can't fix.
My experience with customs are not entirely good, because I'm Indonesian (!!). If you're a Westerner, they will be a bit cautious with you though and will leave you alone. My advice: if this is a big expedition, list your knife as an expedition property (although you may want to carry it on your own luggage).
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Reynaert
Maby im to late to be of help, but you cant go wrong with any of busse basic models. They come in 3, 5, 7 and 9 inch blades. Also Cold Steel Carbon V models are worth a look. I have a Master Hunter and love it. I hear good things about the SRK to. A lotta people think very highly of Fallkniven, but i havent had any experience with their knives. Oh, and one last thing: Ive had my swiss army knife in my pocket from the time i was 9. A very usefull knife. Hopefully this post was helpfull.
Andrew
Andrew
I would still take along the SAK, but consider getting a good fixed blade. The 7" Busse Basic is one good knife. I would also suggest considering either a Gurhka House or Himalayan Imports khukuri. These will take all the abuse you can give them and still look good. I would suggest the 15" Ang Khola model as a good choice.
Harry
Harry
Brian Jones
Moderator
- Joined
- Jan 17, 1999
- Messages
- 7,560
Nick,
For under $30, you can get a SAK Rucksack model online with the locking blade and most especially, a longer saw that is very, very effective. The saw can be used to notch wood and pop out larger pieces, as well as cut down saplings if you need to. Bring the SAK along for small work, like whittling and shaping -- the awl on the back is excellent for drilling holes in wood and other items where needed.
A good multitool with an awl, saw, and tough pliers will come in handy, too, as a substitute. Ron and Karen Hood, who are experts in wilderness survival, recommend the Gerber Multilock.
I know they're not sexy like a big fixed blade, but if you can only bring one knife, these are the way to go if you know how to use them to make what you need. Coupled with a large blade that has an exposed tang (in case you need to hammer on it with a piece of wood or other material) -- and you're in golden shape. If customs won't allow for entry into the country with a large blade, then these small knives will be your only truly effective choices, because they are multi-use tools in small packages, and unthreatening to most people around the world.
If you have only one choice of knife, multi-use tools are the best way to go in the wilds, rather than a fixed blade.
Hope this helps,
Brian.
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Brian Jones
Co-moderator
Wilderness & Survival Skills Forum
For under $30, you can get a SAK Rucksack model online with the locking blade and most especially, a longer saw that is very, very effective. The saw can be used to notch wood and pop out larger pieces, as well as cut down saplings if you need to. Bring the SAK along for small work, like whittling and shaping -- the awl on the back is excellent for drilling holes in wood and other items where needed.
A good multitool with an awl, saw, and tough pliers will come in handy, too, as a substitute. Ron and Karen Hood, who are experts in wilderness survival, recommend the Gerber Multilock.
I know they're not sexy like a big fixed blade, but if you can only bring one knife, these are the way to go if you know how to use them to make what you need. Coupled with a large blade that has an exposed tang (in case you need to hammer on it with a piece of wood or other material) -- and you're in golden shape. If customs won't allow for entry into the country with a large blade, then these small knives will be your only truly effective choices, because they are multi-use tools in small packages, and unthreatening to most people around the world.
If you have only one choice of knife, multi-use tools are the best way to go in the wilds, rather than a fixed blade.
Hope this helps,
Brian.
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Brian Jones
Co-moderator
Wilderness & Survival Skills Forum
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,842
I don't know much about Indonesia, but from what I've seen, it looks like there may be a fair amount of bushwhacking. If that's the case, an 18" Ontario military machete should probably be tops on your list, no? On the other hand, a machete or the Indonesian equivalent should be so easily available once you get to Indonesia, maybe you shouldn't bother humping it all the way out there, and just pick one up once you arrive.
Joe
Joe
NickW,
Here are some dealers that sell Busse knives:
Knife Outlet at http://www.knifeoutlet.com/busse.htm
Knife Center of The Internet at http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-CustomListProducts?Busse%20Combat%20Products,2,16,=,bs
ABC-Direct at http://www.busseknives.com/
NDS Products at http://ndsproducts.com/busse.html
888 Knives R Us is supposed to have them e-mail or call them. This is their website: http://www.888knivesrus.com/
Discount Knives at http://www.discountknives.com/
Northwest Cutlery at http://www.nwcutlery.com/busse.html
Pete's Tactical Knives at http://www.petestacticalknives.com/military.htm#Busse . Check if they have any Busse Basic in stock.
And don't forget to e-mail Andy Prisco at the address mentioned above.
Hope this helps.
Edit:
Come to think of it, as Joe mentioned above, if you have time to visit Java island (the capital is in Java), don't miss the chance to visit West Java. Many quality goloks (Indonesian equivalent of machetes) come from an area called Cibatu. Many other areas sell goloks, but only Cibatu's are proven over time. Unfortunately, you have to buy it there (Cibatu), they don't sell it in other areas.
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Reynaert
[This message has been edited by Frantium (edited 01-24-2000).]
Here are some dealers that sell Busse knives:
Knife Outlet at http://www.knifeoutlet.com/busse.htm
Knife Center of The Internet at http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-CustomListProducts?Busse%20Combat%20Products,2,16,=,bs
ABC-Direct at http://www.busseknives.com/
NDS Products at http://ndsproducts.com/busse.html
888 Knives R Us is supposed to have them e-mail or call them. This is their website: http://www.888knivesrus.com/
Discount Knives at http://www.discountknives.com/
Northwest Cutlery at http://www.nwcutlery.com/busse.html
Pete's Tactical Knives at http://www.petestacticalknives.com/military.htm#Busse . Check if they have any Busse Basic in stock.
And don't forget to e-mail Andy Prisco at the address mentioned above.
Hope this helps.
Edit:
Come to think of it, as Joe mentioned above, if you have time to visit Java island (the capital is in Java), don't miss the chance to visit West Java. Many quality goloks (Indonesian equivalent of machetes) come from an area called Cibatu. Many other areas sell goloks, but only Cibatu's are proven over time. Unfortunately, you have to buy it there (Cibatu), they don't sell it in other areas.
------------------
Reynaert
[This message has been edited by Frantium (edited 01-24-2000).]
- Joined
- Jul 7, 1999
- Messages
- 639
Check out NEWT LIVESAY knives. The are excellent working knives with a outstanding price to boot. Personally I think the knives are way underpriced, but that's just me.
I have 2 of his knives, the CW Woo and custom Air Assualt http://www.jungletraining.com/air.htm they both are on my short list of must have things for any deployments. I'm also thinking about getting a RETAK knife. http://www.jungletraining.com/rtak.htm
The Air Assualt or RETAK might be what your looking for.
Newt's forum http://server3.ezboard.com/blivesayknives
His web page http://members.tripod.com/~Newt_Livesay/index.html
Also check out Randalls Training & Adventure forum & web page for reviews and info on Newts knives. http://pub2.ezboard.com/brta.html http://www.jungletraining.com/
I have 2 of his knives, the CW Woo and custom Air Assualt http://www.jungletraining.com/air.htm they both are on my short list of must have things for any deployments. I'm also thinking about getting a RETAK knife. http://www.jungletraining.com/rtak.htm
The Air Assualt or RETAK might be what your looking for.
Newt's forum http://server3.ezboard.com/blivesayknives
His web page http://members.tripod.com/~Newt_Livesay/index.html
Also check out Randalls Training & Adventure forum & web page for reviews and info on Newts knives. http://pub2.ezboard.com/brta.html http://www.jungletraining.com/
Brian Jones
Moderator
- Joined
- Jan 17, 1999
- Messages
- 7,560
If you are going to be bushwhacking primarily and noithing else, then I agree with Joe: a machete of some sort or a good Nepalese Sirupati Khukuri (20") would be a great idea. I would prefer it over a 9" or 10" survival type knife for this purpose. Just get a multi tool or locking SAK either way!!!
Best,
Brian.
Best,
Brian.
I already have a SAK and don't have the need for another multi-tool type knife. A machete or larger knife would be useful but not practical when I go on expeditions here in the U.K. so I think I will go for a fixed blade knife but I'm not sure which one. What is everyone's opinions - the Mod.A1 Fallkniven or the 5" Busse Basic Combat ??
I don't have a Busse so I can't comment on it, though I don't think you'll be disappointed. I do have the A1 and it is one tough knife. There has been plenty written here on the forums so I won't repeat that. Do a search of this forum as well as the general discussion forum. Also look for the 7 inch knife test. Both the A1 and the Basic 7 were tested. That should give you an idea of how the Basic 5 will do. Good luck and have fun on your trip.