Bushcraft knife - any suggestions??

hollowdweller said:
I like all the makers you mention and have blades from all.

Here's my observations based on the samples I have.

As far as fit and finish I think that that Brian would be #1 Koster #2 and Mark #3

As far as tempering I think Koster and Andrews are tied with Mark being behind them. The 2 knives I have from him vary slightly in their edge holding ability.

As far as eveness of the grinds Andrews #1 Koster #2 and Mark #3. The Andrews ones I have owned or used would shave from tip to ricasso out of the box. The Kosters were even but I had to sharpen them to get them to max sharpness. The ones from Mark one was perfect and the other I had to spend considerable time evening up the grind esp near the tip and ricasso. It was very sharp in the middle of the blade though.

As far as personal service Mark #1. He will make you exactly what you want a true custom knife. Also in my opinion if you have an idea he comes closer than any other maker I have worked with to actually making what I asked for. Brian is also good at this so I give him #2 but I'd give Mark the edge. He's also nearly as quick as getting back to you as Mark was. Dan is for sure #3 here. I don't consider his blades custom as much as semi custom. VERY hard to get a hold of due to the volume he's cranking out. Probably due to him being a 1 man operation. For instance Bark River is also semi custom but it is very easy to get a hold of Mike Stewart the owner. Also no chance of getting any sort of design tweaking from Dan. Also I got a Bushcrafter from Dan one time and loved it. So I ordered a second with Osage Scales. When it came he had changed the way he ground them to where the edge did not come all the way down to the guard like on the first I ordered. I asked if I could get a return. NO. Interestingly later due to consumer demand he changed them back. Comparing that to say Bark River if you don't like it for whatever reason they will fix it. I have no experience with returns from Andrews or Mark.

As far as what you get for the money I'd say Mark and Andrews are a tie. Andrews is more expensive but his knives are more higly finished. Koster I THINK is slightly less expensive than Andrews last I looked, but the blades don't come as highly finished or sharp and I don't like his handle contouring that well.

As far as the actual Bushcraft model I can't comment on Mark's because the 2 I have from him are true customs and really nice. I prefer the Koster Bushcraft to the Andrews one because the Koster is smaller and more compact although I think for people with bigger hands Andrews would be a better fit and he puts a lot more work into his handles.

Hope this all helps.
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I don't own anything from Andrews and Mark but quite agree with Hollowdeweller regarding Koster.
Many quirks in service, fit and finish... yet I'm not disatisfied. Just better know about it first so you don't get upset.
 
KGD
Looks like we both got the same knife! This one is still my 'one' when it comes to a bushy knife that has everything I want in my outdoor belt knife. Here's mine.
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Indeed. I was so taken by that design when you posted it last April, that I called and ordered one just like it. I believe it's name is the "Ken's Hybrid". I carried mine on a long hike along the Withlacooche River yesterday. There was not a task assigned to the knife that it did not perform perfectly. This is an amazing knife.
I thank you for your design input, and I thank Brian for his flawless execution.
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As a maker and in my opinion, i think that a flat grind knife will suit your needs better than a scandi and alot easier to maintain a nice edge on,just my 2 cents?? im not a bushcrafter though? what the hell do i know!! heheheh, thanks alan for posting pics an metioning me and chris
 
bacustomknives said:
As a maker and in my opinion, i think that a flat grind knife will suit your needs better than a scandi and alot easier to maintain a nice edge on,just my 2 cents?? im not a bushcrafter though? what the hell do i know!! heheheh, thanks alan for posting pics an metioning me and chris
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I agree to a degree. A full flat grind with a very slight secondary will cut every bit as good as a scandi.

The problem I have found is that with most knifemakers the edge is sort of secondary to say the handle or other aspects.

When Bark River started to rise up you heard how the convex edge was the best edge.

What I think makes Bark River so popular and why they raised the bar for knives and swept the internet knife communities is not because of their convex edge, but because their convex edge is so thin. So they cut more efficiently. If you hear any complaints about the edges on Bark River it usually has to do with chipping just like a scandi, because of the thin edge.

Same with scandi. If a maker produces a scandi that pretty much means they have to grind a zero edge which means it's going to cut better (depending on the angle and blade thickness)

So really cutting efficiency depends more on the angle of the grind rather than what type of grind in my experience.

BUT- I think most makers who do a flat grind generally make a secondary grind on it that is both hard to sharpen and too steep. So flat grinds get a bad rap.

I have tried a few of Dan Kosters flat grinds that were near zero with a very slight microbevel that were amazing cutters and better slicers than scandis too. But nearly all other makers make their flat grind secondaries too steep so they don't live up to their full potential.
 
If you are looking at scandis, don't forget Fiddleback Forge and Adventure Sworn.
Scott
 
Yah Iz's (Adventure Sworn/Turley Knives) knives are great too...I haven't ever used one, but I put my name on the waiting list for a Green River just recently...It should be done in the next 2 years. I am going to try my best to forget I ordered it.
 
hollowdweller said:
When Bark River started to rise up you heard how the convex edge was the best edge.

What I think makes Bark River so popular and why they raised the bar for knives and swept the internet knife communities is not because of their convex edge, but because their convex edge is so thin. So they cut more efficiently. If you hear any complaints about the edges on Bark River it usually has to do with chipping just like a scandi, because of the thin edge.

Same with scandi. If a maker produces a scandi that pretty much means they have to grind a zero edge which means it's going to cut better (depending on the angle and blade thickness)

So really cutting efficiency depends more on the angle of the grind rather than what type of grind in my experience.

BUT- I think most makers who do a flat grind generally make a secondary grind on it that is both hard to sharpen and too steep. So flat grinds get a bad rap.

I have tried a few of Dan Kosters flat grinds that were near zero with a very slight microbevel that were amazing cutters and better slicers than scandis too. But nearly all other makers make their flat grind secondaries too steep so they don't live up to their full potential.
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I have to agree with this HD. However, I think you are a bit overly inclusive by stating 'nearly all other makers make their flat grind secondardies too steep'. Somebody should link the bushcraft knife challenge thread where HD's statement was completely verified from good data. As I recall, the top knives in the sharp categories included V-edge, convex and scandi's.

I also have to admit that I used to simply not believe barkies perform the way they do based on how thick the spine specs were until I procured a few and began to appreciate just how aggressive they make their edges. As mentioned, there is a sacrifice to edge robustness that comes with a wicked edge like what they put on it. Some people really do want a more robust edge then that. I can vouche for B. Andrews and B. Culberson putting a really aggressive flat grind to their knives if you ask them to. B. Andrews will even tell you the specs for the knife thickness at the secondary bevel which he checks as part of his QA.
 
I have a few scandi blades that work well for bushcrafting, but lately I've been using a couple of my customs (from Bill Akers "Backwoods Knives") for some fun in the woods. These particular blades were not intended for bushcrafting tasks, but I just had to try my hand at some minor stuff just to see how they performed. My bushcrafting skills are just plain pitiful, which explains the very elementary pictures:D But for a "non-scandi bushcraft" blade, I'm very happy with the performance of these blades. Also take a serious look at Koyote Knives (Great Basin Bushcrafter) and Fletcher Knives (Delta 4).

Backwoods Custom Knives:










Koyote "Great Basin Bushcrafter"


Mark Wohlwend "Simple Bushcrafter", Koyote "Great Basin Bushcrafter", Fletcher Knives "Delta 4"
 
kgd said:
Somebody should link the bushcraft knife challenge thread where HD's statement was completely verified from good data. As I recall, the top knives in the sharp categories included V-edge, convex and scandi's.
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I included the results to the challenge in my post, but here it is...http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...esults!!!?highlight=Bushcraft+knife+challenge

I pulled up the gallery as well, but none of the pictures Big Mike posted seem to be there anymore...it might just be my computer so here it is as well...http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/798739-WSS-Bushcraft-Knife-Challenge-Gallery


and a maker i don't think has been brought up yet, but that I also really want to get ahold of one of his blades is Rick Marchand. the picture below is the knife he entered in the contest. I have never used one of his knives, but I am sure that anyone who has would tell you it is a great bushcraft knife as well.

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Rick knows his sharp. I have his S-curve and got to handle that little bushcrafter entry even before Tonym could get his grubby hands on it. I'm sure its still got a little KGD kuddies in between its wraps:D That thing handled very nicely at carving tasks! One day I will buy that same model. I have a Turley coming my way on order right now (my custom knife for this year), Iz is another maker who knows how to grind a sharp edge and makes a great knife!
 
Guess who acquired a Koster in 3v, canvas micarta?

I'll post up picks when it comes in!
 
kgd said:
I have to agree with this HD. However, I think you are a bit overly inclusive by stating 'nearly all other makers make their flat grind secondardies too steep'.
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You are probably right there KGD, I was just going on the ones I've owned or handled which is a limited slice.
 
schmittie said:
Guess who acquired a Koster in 3v, canvas micarta?

I'll post up picks when it comes in!
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Greetings,
I'm curious how you scored one? I've been looking online and hadn't seen any for sale and thought orders from Dan weren't currently available..

hope you share your secrets :) thanks in advance.
 
meismjg said:
Greetings,
I'm curious how you scored one? I've been looking online and hadn't seen any for sale and thought orders from Dan weren't currently available..

hope you share your secrets :) thanks in advance.
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It's used bro.
 
Have a Koster MUCK on order. The process was smooth and the service was great.

Like someone said make a short-list and contact them for their turnaround times. Unfortunately, the 2011 Koster Bushcraft 3v list is closed.
 
I can recommend MW and Koster . I have used their knives and both are great. I like MW better of the 2 . you might want to consider blind horse knives , and the enzo trapper was IMO a really nice knife.
 
On a budget? Get a Mora. Otherwise, I'm fond of the BushCrafters NorthWest O-1.
 
If you want something "quick" while you wait for the custom, you might consider a Fallkniven F1 or if you want to go inexpensive, Condor makes their Bushlore knife and sells for about $30. The Condor is a quite a knife for the price. But it certainly is no custom.
 
Ray Laconico makes a great knife as well.
I have a short 3" blade from him,
most used knife when camping.
Great value,excellent ergonomics,razor sharp.
He is here on BF.
Shoot him a message.

Mine is similar to the bottom one
(picture is one of Ray's from his for sale threads)

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