Bushcraft defined

gud4u · Sep 8, 2006

I've spent some time reading about 'bushcraft' knives (including the British Blades site), and I fail to understand the meaning of the term.

It seems to something that is highly stylized. Perhaps it's a religion, style, philosophy, ritual or has some some mystical content.

From what I've read, no knife offered by Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw or Buck quite meets the criteria of a 'bushcraft' knife - if for no other reason than they're not made in Europe.

Surely, it can't refer to an implement meant to slice wood. It couldn't be that simple, could it?

Cliff Stamp · Sep 8, 2006

It would be a knife used for the crafts commonly done in the bush, wilderness living. In his TV shows Mears describes how the blade must change depend on the enviroment. You would also expect it to depend on the users characteristics as well.

Several UK groups have very specific characteristic preferences such as natural handle and sheath materials, carbon steels, sabre flat grinds, etc. . This of course would be no different than you defining a fillet knife as having to have a stainless blade, micarta handle, kydex sheath, etc. .

-Cliff

wayne37 · Sep 8, 2006

Bushcraft is a forgotten way of using your natural surroundings to exist in the bush. To go into the woods with nothing more than the bare essentials
example : Firearm,Knife,axe . and make everything else with the tools you bring, shelter, food , fire, water. True hardcore bushcrafters go into the woods with nothing more than the clothes on thier back,and using rock shrapnel for a knife!!!

Thomas Linton · Sep 9, 2006

wayne37 said:
Bushcraft is a forgotten way of using your natural surroundings to exist in the bush. To go into the woods with nothing more than the bare essentials
example : Firearm,Knife,axe . and make everything else with the tools you bring, shelter, food , fire, water. True hardcore bushcrafters go into the woods with nothing more than the clothes on thier back,and using rock shrapnel for a knife!!!

Seemingly, you have not "forgotten" since you have explained the "way."

And there must must be d@@n few "hardcore bushcrafters."

[G]ud4u, there are entire threads at BushcraftUK explaining the UK view of what "bushcraft" means. That view may not agree with the views outside that fine forum or the views of all who post on that forum. Apostacy abounds.

tirod3 · Sep 11, 2006

I thought bushcraft was the art of clearing a path to the nearest timber worthy of a Stihl 027.

Dumb me.

gud4u · Sep 11, 2006

Several UK groups have very specific characteristic preferences such as natural handle and sheath materials, carbon steels, sabre flat grinds, etc. .

That does seem to define a 'bushcraft' blade. Mears sets the definition. All who would be 'bushcrafters' follow. To deviate from that one true path is heresy.

Thus, my impression that 'bushcraft' is a religion.

That's fine. Just wanted to check my understanding. Thanks for your help!

Thomas Linton · Sep 11, 2006

And yet, and yet -- In a posted review article at BushcraftUK, when their staff tested several knives, the one selected as best was a Finnish puukko that did NOT, in all repects, meet the criteria of the "official" "bushcraft" knife. For example, it had a filler and secondary bevel and was not made of O-1 steel.

Not that some folks at BF would EVER have a strong opinion as to the best brand, steel, type of knife. Not that. Never!

Rat Finkenstein · Sep 11, 2006

Might have something to do with the fact they cannot legally carry these knives in the UK, unless they are engaging in said "bushcraft".

The knives seem to be designed as small & benign looking as possible, most likely as a result of the incredibly stupid state of the law and people's perception of all knives as "terror weapons".

Cliff Stamp · Sep 11, 2006

gud4u said:
Mears sets the definition. All who would be 'bushcrafters' follow. To deviate from that one true path is heresy.

To clearify, this is more "Life of Brian" direction than an actual following of Mears. Mears demonstrates which knife is optimal depends on the enviroment, He shows using a small sandinavian knife, a rough golok, machete, Bruks axe, hook knife, etc. . I would also assume he is aware it depends on the individual as well.

Mears is very much adaptive and improvisional, it would be absurd for anyone who uses him as a reference to be so focused on the defination of a BushCraft knife. Note he also uses a lot of plastic and synthetics in his gear. So restricting a BushCraft knife but accepting general BushCraft gear on the same qualifications is highly contradictory.

-Cliff