bush knife for s. florida

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lokiman123

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I'm running into a problem choosing a knife because to be frank with you i'm always worried about corrosion... especially at some of the preserves near salt/brackish water... not to mention summer time t.s. and rain every damn day.

So, i've narrowed it down to a few too many knives and now need help deciding.

sog seal pup elite black tini p/e
bm rant dpt satin blade p/e or rant bowie black blade p/e
cold steel srk
ontario rat-3 d2
falkniven f1 black blade
falkniven s1 black blade

i feel like the sog, srk, and s1 are too long and God forbid anyone sees me with those blades i don't want them to have the wrong impressions. i'm worried about rust and ease of sharpening with the rat-3. i'm worried about ease of sharpening in the woods with the falknivens because of their grinds; but, those are the two that i'm most considering.

Any advice?
 
Did you consider any of the spyderco H1 blades? I had an H1 folder with me for two weeks in Hawaii and it rode IWB in my boardshorts the whole time, in and out of the water, I never rinsed it off, and it didn't rust at all. Really impressed me. They do make a few fixed blades too.
 
The F1 is what first came to mind even before I saw your list, it's perfect for that use in that environment. It's a great size and shape but can still handle 'heavy' work. Maintaining a convex is pretty straight foward actually, and there are tons of tutorials. You don't need any pricey equipment to do it right.
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/pages.php?pID=4&CDpath=0

Edited to add: I'd just go with the plain/satin blade on the F1 and ditch the coating. It won't add anything, except some drag when you're trying to cut things.
 
I would vote for the F1 too, very useful size and shape, excellent steel, won't draw attention and very simple to keep sharp.
 
i did consider the spyderco h1 models. in fact, my first spyderco was a yellow tasman p/e... I hate h1 with plain edge and find that with true outdoor chores and such it dulls way way too quickly. i have read many things about the work hardening capabilities of serrated h1 and for that reason i'm going to get a salt 1 se.

i'm really glad that you don't think the black coating is too necessary because i really detest black blades.

looks like i'll end up with the f1 satin blade kydex sheath... unless anyone wants to throw in other reccomendations.
 
I don't have an F1 but from what I've read they seem to be good knives. another cheapy but good little knife you might want to add to your kit for a nice back up - MORA stainless model :thumbup:
 
I live in FL, and have never had an issue with knives/tools rusting; granted, I am in central FL. When the day's work is finished, clean up the knife/tool/sheath and oil both. All done.

It's even easier with stainless knives/tools, just clean them each week or so.

Yes, there will be rust if you just leave your knives/tools out in the rain; but, who does that?
 
The Mora is the least expensive way to go. May I recommend the new Bark River Stainless Bravo-1 in CPM154? This is a .21" thick, razor sharp convex ground little beast.

Bravos001.jpg
 
Sub $50 knife= M2K.
Over $50= Fallkniven or Bravo1. I would go Bravo one..but...that one has been on my list for quite some time now...
 
lokiman123 said:
I'm running into a problem choosing a knife because to be frank with you i'm always worried about corrosion... especially at some of the preserves near salt/brackish water... not to mention summer time t.s. and rain every damn day.

So, i've narrowed it down to a few too many knives and now need help deciding.

sog seal pup elite black tini p/e
bm rant dpt satin blade p/e or rant bowie black blade p/e
cold steel srk
ontario rat-3 d2
falkniven f1 black blade
falkniven s1 black blade

i feel like the sog, srk, and s1 are too long and God forbid anyone sees me with those blades i don't want them to have the wrong impressions. i'm worried about rust and ease of sharpening with the rat-3. i'm worried about ease of sharpening in the woods with the falknivens because of their grinds; but, those are the two that i'm most considering.

Any advice?
Click to expand...

Please dont get the seal pup elite i bought one thinking it would be a good bush knife ist a pos imo. Holds and edge like a lead bar.
 
I would recommend the H1 spyderco in yellow. First off, easy to sharpen, second, NO RUST, third, its yellow, not nearly as evil looking.
 
Fallkniven H1 or F1, the outer layer of 420 SS will protect the blade don't need the black coating. May I suggest the Zytel Sheaths option.
Gerber Prodigy, serrations maybe an issue but the 12C27 SS is hard and resist corrosion comes with a synthetic sheath.
Bark River Super Stainless Bravo-1 or Nebula or Wet Environment Recon. Get the kydex sheath or the EEP protected leather (permanent water and environment proofing)
Cold Steel Master Hunter hard stainless flat ground non-threatening in a synthetic sheath.

Sharpening convex is easier once you learn, carry 2-3 strips of sand paper and strop them against your thigh (away from you of course).

if you need links to convex sharpening or where to find those let us know. Welcome to the forum!
 
I'm down in SE FL and my Fallkniven F1 has not rusted on me. I have hiked through mangroves, filleted fish, and walked through the surf with no problems.

Even with knives of other varieties of steel... If you take care of your stuff, your stuff will take care of you. I have sweated all over my tool/carbon steel blades with no ill effect.

Where are you at that you might get stink eye for carrying a blade? I'm in Palm Beach Co. and I get no guff.
 
I have a bark river Wet Enviro knife that fits your needs. It has a big fat handle on it which I love. It is a bit bigger than an F1. The blade is a bit longer. I prefer stainless because it is wet where I live and I spend alot of time in the water. Bark River's original kephart was also in stainless. I bought one but sent it back because I found the handle to be to thin. It is a beautiful knife and when I see one i still want one even though I know it doesnt work for me. I would love to see a review of what you get because the options are a lot more limited for a bush knife in stainless.

Matt
 
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