Bushcraft Blade...I am ready to add one to my collection

S

soapboxpreacher

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Apr 3, 2010
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I have the itch for a bushcraft blade. I have enough tactical and folders that I dont use nor fit the definition so I want to get a decent bushcrafter. I dont need a Mora...got a few and do love them but want something a little more substantial. I have been eye balling a Survive Knives GSO 4.1. I have also been looking at the cheap route and doing a BK16 and get some micarta scales. I currently have a few blades that might work as a bushcrafter but I still have the itch to get something else! DAMN IT! HA!

I currently have a F1, ESEE 4, and a Bravo 1 all of which I believe would work for bushcraft. I love some of the JK like the Camp and Trail, Michigan Trail, and the Compact Combat Survival (which looks like it would be a great all around blade). I also like the BHK woodsman Pro and the bushmaster...they arent my favorites but they have a good reputation. I really like the GSO 4.1 from Survive Knives. Like the design, profile, everything! And then there is Koster...bushcraft...nice not much else to say...awesome reputation! Let me know what you guys think.
 
I had a 3rd gen Koster's bushcraft and sold it because the handles were too blocky for me and I still regret that decision. I just recieved a GSO 4.1 in 3v this week and I like it. It has lots of features I like. It is also a bit more 'tactical' that I thought it would be, but Kiah's kydex work is outstanding. I don't plan on changing the sheath to something else, if only for the fact to have something different. I've not had much of a chance to do anything with it but work on improving the edge a bit. But I hope to play around with it as time allows.

You have mentioned lots of good knives. What is it that you are looking for when it comes to use? A general field knife or a carver? What does bushcraft mean to you?
 
I have Koster Bushcrafter and Survive Knives 4.1 (good utility but not pure bushcraft) on order

Also consider:

Fiddleback Forge Bushcrafter
Bark River Bushcrafter, Liten Bror
Helle
check out ragweedforge for huge selection of blades from Scandinavian makers
 
I have a EDC 4 (precursor to GSO 4.1) from SURVIVE Knives myself and that thing is awesome. Like others have said, it's not a pure "bushcrafter". I also have a fairnumber of custom (Fiddleback, Dogwood Custom and Diving Sparrow). If you have the funds, hard to go wrong with a Fiddleback. A more economical (at least before the word is out) route would be to grab something from Dogwood Custom Knives. Dan Eastland (Dogwood Dan) apprenticed with Andy Roy (Fiddleback) and is putting out some great stuff. I've got a Trailhiker from him that is still one of my favorite cutters.
 
I've got a few Koster Bushcrafters (one in a flat grind and a couple in scandi). They are all great designs and work very well. I've got a 3V Bushcrafter (generation 2, I believe) with green canvas micarta scales that I'm looking to trade. Contact me and maybe we can work something out.
 
To me, a "bushcraft" knife has:
1. A large, comfortable handle. (Think Helle or the Spyderco Bushcrafter for different takes of this concept)
2. A scandi grind. (for its carving ability)
3. A generally carbon steel blade (but the important thing is the ease of sharpening).

I started out my "bushcraft knife" quest with a Koster Bushcrafter as well, but after going through several phases, I found that the handles just weren't suited to the task, even less so than a Mora. This really changed the way I looked at what I wanted to do and what was usually marketed as "bushcraft" gear. Once I got past the buzzword appeal, I found that what a bushcraft knife was to me was simply a camp knife that was optimized for carving. This meant a Becker or ESEE didn't fit the bill, given their thick blades and relatively obtuse grinds. This also meant a very comfortable handle, which meant the Koster fell just short. Last, the blade should be Scandi ground and easy to sharpen. This is because I've found these grinds are best for woodworking while remaining versatile for other camp chores, and when you're really working with a knife, you don't want to take an hour out to sharpen it when needed. This meant Bark River was out, as was the F1.

What I ended up with from this as a low-to-high priced lineup was Moras, specifically the #1, #137, Triflex, and 711. They had everything I wanted in their own unique and value-oriented package. A step up is an Enzo Trapper in O1. Great handles (which are fully customizable if you buy a blade or kit), O1 steel for a great balance of edge-holding and sharpening ease, and a zero Scandi grind. This is a heck of a knife for as little as $60 for a blade or a litte north of $100 for a prefab knife. The top of the heap in my opinion has been the Spyderco Bushcraft. Same basic materials as the Trapper with the best handles I've ever seen on a production knife. For the same price as a Bark River, you're getting one of the best specialized bush knives around.

This is just my opinion of course, and my definition of a bushcraft knife may be different than yours. I'm sure the JK knives lineup is great, I've only heard good things.However, from a value standpoint, you can't do much better than an Enzo Trapper in O1 it's a great option sine it uses the same materials as knives twice the price and if you want, you can really make it your own by assembling it yourself. Then again, if you want the best around and can take the financial hit (if you're looking at Koster, I assume you can), it's the Spyderco all the way.
 
My Kosters have thicker scales and are contoured nicely making a comfortable handle. I handled an early one and it was thin like a Fallkniven F1 and not as comfortable in prolonged use.
 
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Try some others options. For example:
~spyderco bushcrafter
~blind horse knives bushcrafter
~fiddleback forge, has a couple options.
~J Oeser has some beautiful examples, like the Uinta or Alta

The blade style, grind type, and handle ergos better match the "Bushcraft" genre.

Good luck
 
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You have a bushcrafter. Moras are what most consider bushcrafters. If you're looking for a reason to spend a lot to do the same your Mora can do, don't ask for permission. You need to ask what you need your knife to do. Most people don't know that, or are already using a knife that does what you want. Bushcraft knives don't exist. It's a gimmick to charge more for a knife.
 
Spyderco bushcrafter is my fave of all ..

Its all about the handle. Helle handles are comfortable but not as fat as the spyderco...

I have been looking for ages and put all the below up for sale after I found the spyderco bushcrafter.

As soon as I held it I realised, it was the one for me...

wp000697.jpg


P.S. I realise a dagger isn't a bushcraft knife, it just got sold with the rest..
 
This is the only bushcraft knife I own, but I've been happy with it. Condor Bushlore. At just $30 it's a really good value.

bushlore-mar13.jpg
 
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