Bushcraft Field Knife??

LostViking

LostViking

Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
3,431
Anybody sporting this new Bushcraft Field Knife yet?

Looks like it should run well in the woods. I like the simplicity of it. Always seeking that perfect woods blade. Which for me means it has to work well for food prep too. It helps to be light on the belt. And if it doesn't scare the uninitiated that is probably a plus.

I would have preferred a leather sheath. But that's just me, and easily remedied.

I have been waffling back and forth between this and a Quartermaster. Apples and oranges, I realize. Both have appeal for different reasons. Such is the life.

Any feedback from the woods would be greatly appreciated,
LV
 
LostViking said:
Anybody sporting this new Bushcraft Field Knife yet?

Looks like it should run well in the woods. I like the simplicity of it. Always seeking that perfect woods blade. Which for me means it has to work well for food prep too. It helps to be light on the belt. And if it doesn't scare the uninitiated that is probably a plus.

I would have preferred a leather sheath. But that's just me, and easily remedied.

I have been waffling back and forth between this and a Quartermaster. Apples and oranges, I realize. Both have appeal for different reasons. Such is the life.

Any feedback from the woods would be greatly appreciated,
LV
Click to expand...

I don't own one, but I read some reviews that indicate it's a bit pricey for what it is, plus some issues with QC (unfinished handles). Given what's available for just a bit more, I'd probably pass on it. If you end up getting one, I'd love to hear that I'm wrong.
 
Yes, I have heard that as well. But then again, I have heard that about most of the blades I own.

Knives are such a subjective thing. One guy loves it, one guy hates it. I see a lot of bad reviews on knives that seem more realated to bad choices than bad blades. The guy who tries using a fillet knife to baton and chop. Will not be happy long.

Likewise the guy who uses the Marine Raider to fillet fish will most likely be disappointed.

What drew me to this knife is the well rounded look of it. Sort of an Old Hickory on steroids. Price/value I usually wait a year or two to decide whether I have made a good purchase.

I bought a used Spyderco Bushcrafter. Another knife reported to be plagued with quality control issues, and way over priced. I picked mine up in the secondary market for around $100.00 Mine has been faultless. Not perfect, but no issues what so ever.



I like a knife that can process wood, but more often than not. I need a knife that can process this kind of stuff. I find Scandi grinds like the Spyderco to be poor slicers.



Again, so much boils down to what you need a knife to do. Where you need to do it, and other specific criteria.
I live about nine miles from Canada in extreme northern New York. So cold weather usage is a factor for me here.

I have a lot of hardwoods here. Some places are predominately conifers and soft woods. Then there is the whole game processing end of it. No knife is perfect. But I kind of like the looks of this one. I may take the plunge after the holidays.
If I do I will put it through its paces and report back.
 
Last edited:
LostViking said:
Yes, I have heard that as well. But then again, I have heard that about most of the blades I own.

Knives are such a subjective thing. One guy loves it, one guy hates it. I see a lot of bad reviews on knives that seem more realated to bad choices than bad blades. The guy who tries using a fillet knife to baton and chop. Will not be happy long.

Likewise the guy who uses the Marine Raider to fillet fish will most likely be disappointed.

What drew me to this knife is the well rounded look of it. Sort of an Old Hickory on steroids. Price/value I usually wait a year or two to decide whether I have made a good purchase.

I bought a used Spyderco Bushcrafter. Another knife reported to be plagued with quality control issues, and way over priced. I picked mine up in the secondary market for around $100.00 Mine has been faultless. Not perfect, but no issues what so ever.



I like a knife that can process wood, but more often than not. I need a knife that can process this kind of stuff. I find Scandi grinds like the Spyderco to be poor slicers.



Again, so much boils down to what you need a knife to do. Where you need to do it, and other specific criteria.
I live about nine miles from Canada in extreme northern New York. So cold weather usage is a factor for me here.

I have a lot of hardwoods here. Some places are predominately conifers and soft woods. Then there is the whole game processing end of it. No knife is perfect. But I kind of like the looks of this one. I may take the plunge after the holidays.
If I do I will put it through its paces and report back.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right. I'm just more sheepish about purchases lately after spending a bit too much and not loving the knives, so I'm probably being needlessly critical. Again, I'd love to see images/anecdotes from others saying otherwise.
 
We're not going to offer our opinion, since it's clearly biased anyway. We will, however, take this chance to brag that the Bushcraft Field Knife received Field and Stream's Best of the Best Award.
 
I have talked to the designer of this knife, Dan Maragni at length about this knife on the phone, we talked about the steel choice and the hardness he chose, and thats one of the complaints I often hear about this knife, the hardness rating. But 5160 at the hardness level that the blade has, has some great advantages, easy field sharpening, super tough, and less likely to chip out of come into contact with anything other than wood, or flesh. I can't wait to get one for myself and work her through the Japanese water stones 800, 1200, 6000, should be fun!
 
I tried to like Scandi's, I really did, but I really, really don't.

5160 is a great choice for a hard-use knife though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top