Bushcraft/fixed blade recommendation

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kershawguy13

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Looking for a good fixed blade around ~5" for outdoor uses (batoning, carving etc) I have been looking at the Becker BK-2. What would you recommend?
 
Bradford gardian 5 if it's in you're budget

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the BK2 is a excellent blade but i don't consider it a bush craft knife i think its more of a camp knife. Have you looked at the Tops BOB its a bit less bulky than the BK2 but still a stout blade without braking the bank.
 
I've had a BK2 for several years and wore it almost every day working on a wilderness ranch in the mountains of SW Alberta. It's a real tank ... wicked strong ... and I had a pro at an industrial sharpening shop in Lethbridge to make it more of a sabre grind (as opposed to the convex grind). The sheath was a POS and was heavily modded to a Tec-Loc system.

My new favourite knife is a wonderful Camillus Bushcrafter that sells for $100 at Canadian Tire up here in Canada. ($65 US?) Made in Idaho. Primo micarta handle. 1095 steel. Classic sheath that looks(and smells!) like it was made at a good saddle shop. Lifetime store-exchange warranty ...

You don't hear too much about it, but I strongly urge you to check it out. It's all that most people need. You could supplement it (when required) with a small Fiskars X7 hatchet or a Silky folding saw ... about $30.
 
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I just got my first Becker last friday. (BK 22 - BK 2 with different sheath) I love it. If batoning is what you want, it's def the knife for the job. If thinly slicing potatoes is what you're after, way too thick for that. I chopped a two inch tree down the night I got it, chopped me a baton off of it and batoned 10 or 12 pieces of already quartered and seasoned wild cherry into kindling and couldn't have been more impressed. Still shaved my arm hair after all of that. Took some of the black finish off, but that is about to be stripped and force patina'd as soon as I electro etch the logos deeper. I need to upgrade my account to a paying account and I'll post some pics when it's finished. Also bought the micarta scales for it.
 
The BK2 is a very strong knife and one of my favored Beckers but for your stated purposes the 9 and the 16 are the choices. If you threw in a Mora Comoanion HD into the mix, along with a good multi-tool, you would never be in need or want.
 
I'd recommend the 16 over the 2, I know the blade's thinner but at that length is still more than enough for most woodsy tasks. The 2 is a bit heavy for its size
 
Got home today and had a knife on the porch! Ontario Blackbird sk-5. Paid $105 and am initially impressed... don't think it will be great at batoning but looks like a great stainless steel bushcrafter.

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Here's the bk-2, the gardian 5 and the okc sk-5

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SALTY said:
The BK2 is a very strong knife and one of my favored Beckers but for your stated purposes the 9 and the 16 are the choices. If you threw in a Mora Comoanion HD into the mix, along with a good multi-tool, you would never be in need or want.
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This. +1
 
Love my Becker 15...ESEE has the new handled model out now...the 4 hm I think it's called.

I like Scrayyard and Swamp Rat knives too...or Survive.
 
Depending on your budget, look into LT Wright knives too. They are a bit smaller then 5 inches for the most part but they are built to last. With that said I can second any suggestion already made.
 
If you are looking for a general duty camp knife a Becker is a fine blade, possibly the best bang for the buck. If you are truly looking for a dedicated "bushcraft" knife then a scandi grind or V grind is the norm, the blade excels at the fine wood work involved. BHK, and LT Wright make very rugged and affordable bushcraft specific blades.
 
The 2 is a knife/axe which doesn't lend itself well to bushcraft. As far as knife use. If you want it as a replacement to an axe, then I can see it but it's not the best. Get a mora for the bushcrafty stuff like carving and use whatever you like for the wood cutting. I'd recommend a machete, saw, or hatchet but if you want a knife maybe get the 9? Definitely take the mora though because it's a lot easier to use for carving projects.
 
I will second, if you have the funds get the Guardian 5. I have the BK2, which is nice for the money but is a not in the same ball park as the 5.
 
Battle Horse Highlander in a saber grind best 5 inch production fixed blade on the market imo. FAR SUPERIOR to the Becker line up. The Swamp Rat Ratmandu is also a fine knife.
 
PatrickKnight said:
Battle Horse Highlander in a saber grind best 5 inch production fixed blade on the market imo. FAR SUPERIOR to the Becker line up.
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I should hope so!!! At nearly 3x the price of the Becker BK2, it had better freakin' well be a better knife.

For the price, the BK2 is a superb value for a camp knife.

For an inexpensive "bushcraft knife", the humble Morakniv "Companion" is a great bargain. Otherwise, i really really like my EnZo Trapper for bushcrafty stuff.
 
PatrickKnight said:
Battle Horse Highlander in a saber grind best 5 inch production fixed blade on the market imo. FAR SUPERIOR to the Becker line up. The Swamp Rat Ratmandu is also a fine knife.
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I have and have used most of the knives mentioned and the BHK highlander (I have ffg) is head and shoulders above all of them. Can't recommend it enough. It's an amazing knife from an amazing company.
 
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