Bushcraft: ESEE vs. Steak Knives

S

sovereign

Joined
Feb 25, 2002
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Ignorant question here. I'll start right off with that.:D What is up with using the various types of knives for "bushcraft" which basically look like a cheap steak knife:barf: from the kitchen drawer? I guess I don't really understand what bushcraft is:confused:, so that is probably the problem.:o Why do I think that using an ESEE 4, 5, or 6,:cool: or a similar Becker,:thumbup: etc., would be better than a steak knife:barf: in the woods?
 
I live in Britain where the Bushcraft steak knife is very popular. I've got an ESEE 4 (and an Izula).

Claudiasboris
 
sovereign said:
Ignorant question here. I'll start right off with that.:D What is up with using the various types of knives for "bushcraft" which basically look like a cheap steak knife:barf: from the kitchen drawer? I guess I don't really understand what bushcraft is:confused:, so that is probably the problem.:o Why do I think that using an ESEE 4, 5, or 6,:cool: or a similar Becker,:thumbup: etc., would be better than a steak knife:barf: in the woods?
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While the shape might be the same or similar, there's a large difference in the quality, edge geometry, thickness, and metal of your standard el cheapo steak knife and your "bushcraft" knives.

Different strokes for different folks is all...if you're happy with one of your esee (no reason not to be, right?) then it's all good!
 
md02geist said:
While the shape might be the same or similar, there's a large difference in the quality, edge geometry, thickness, and metal of your standard el cheapo steak knife and your "bushcraft" knives.

Different strokes for different folks is all...if you're happy with one of your esee (no reason not to be, right?) then it's all good!
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I don't have an ESEE yet!:grumpy: I do have steak knives:barf:, but I do not think I would take them in the woods.:confused:
 
I have no idea what this thread is about...all the emoticons are distracting me.

Buy an ESEE if steak knives make you vomit!
 
I like using the term "bushcraft" when referring to simple knives that are used in the woods. It makes me seem like I'm cool.

It's similar to when I used to use the term "tactical" back when that word was en vogue. Or, more recently, when I used to say "running" instead of "using" so that I seemed cooler. i.e, I'm "running" an ESEE pack and lite machete for this op.

So, bushcraft means I'm cooler than you when I refer to my simple knife. And it means I'm a follower of Ray Mears. That makes me even cooler. So, there. All the cool kids know that the knife you carry is more important than anything you actually know how to do in the woods.




ESEE KNIVES: Our Ops are Blacker than Your Ops.
 
I'm not really a fan of blades that are purpose designed for one particular use at the expense of other tasks and I kind of put the dedicated "Bushcraft" knife into this category.

I think that all around blades, like the ESEE offerings (excluding the 5) or the Beckers and the like are a better style all around.
 
an esee IS a steak knife. they cut steak very well. theyre pretty good at cutting everything else too.
 
I prefer a hedge trimmer for my bush craft.

hedge-art-02.jpg
 
LOL, with this crowd you can never tell. Glad Expat showed up though :thumbup:.

Its a matter of preference my friend, some folks tend to hold a "snobbish" ideal that you have to use this or that, honestly, its a knife, whichever one you are the most skilled and comfortable with, is the one to use. Whether it be an ESEE4 (great all around knife) or a $200 custom FBF Bushcrafter, use what you got or know.

I agree with the Shotgunner on this one, I don't like use specific knives, I like a knife to fit alot of roles, but your personal skill level will dictate what to use. I am perfectly comfortable hitting the woods with a BK14 ESKabar, it will do all that I need it to. But I likes me some big blades, so I usually have a BK2, BK9, I can do all that I want to with those three. That said, I can use my ESEE3 or ESEE4 or my Izula just as well. I often trade out depending on what I want to do when I go out.

Use what you got, what you know, and what you want. If all you have is a cheap steak knife, I hope you know how to use it.:D

Moose
 
This thread has made me decide something; next time I'm in the woods I'm taking a steak knife to see how well it batons.:D
I think I actually will.

I can also get a bunch of steak knives and etch "Bushcraft" on the side and induce a patina, then sell them for the extremely reasonable price of $89.99.
I'll be rich!
 
Took a sledgehammer to all my steak knives and POS cutlery and threw it in a dumpster.

Maybe the guys in Steakforums use Esees :confused:

Use a steak knife in the bush , then die of hypothermia and starvation because the knife broke and you couldn't use it to build a shelter or do proper bushcraft.
 
I just used the 5 as a steak knife a while ago. I had 2 frozen KC strips packed together and I used the 5 to baton the frozen steaks apart. I went "Man I wish I had something to split those with" and was looking the the kitchen. Then the light came on in my head. :D
 
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Only if they're carbon/tool steel stabman. If you tell the bushcraft guys they're stainless they'll kill you just with their looks of disdain.
 
rocketbomb said:
Only if they're carbon/tool steel stabman. If you tell the bushcraft guys they're stainless they'll kill you just with their looks of disdain.
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Carbon steel for sure.
Otherwise I couldn't induce the all important patina.;)
Patina shows that it's Old School authentic woodsy goodness.:D
 
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