Bushcraft knife design?

[ROCK6]

I know many think the UK guys are a bunch of bushcraft snobs, as they are pretty critical of what a bushcraft knife is supposed to do. I must admit that after seeing the "bushcraft" projects done by a skilled bushcrafter and proper knife is pretty amazing. Many of the draw and pull cuts are good examples of why a bushcraft blade has a handle the way it is. The Aurora, although not a scandi-grind, is a good example; handle is comfortable for prolonged use and the big, fat butt is perfect for applying pressure when "drilling".

The narrow, drop pointed (almost spear pointed) blades are pretty useful for carving, although a typical scandi-blade is just as effective from what I've done. I like the Aurora, but I also like the Skookum Bush Tool and Koster's Bushcrafter.

Some other non-bushcraft types that still do pretty good "bushcraft" duties:

Just a few "Scandi" bushcrafters:

I know there are some who think of only one or two types as bushcraft blades, but evolution will continue and personal preference, skill and experience will weigh heavily on ones' choice.

ROCK6

 

[StretchNM]

I don't have an Aurora, but I have a host of other BRKT blades, to include the Northstar and mini. They're both similar in design to the Aurora.

They're just fine for Bushcraft - a knife that will do what you ask of it while camping, hiking, cutting, skinning, scraping, boring, whittling, and, sometimes, light chopping.

 

[stingray4540]

Dam* nice collection you got there Rock6. At first I was worried you didn't have any hidden tangs, but you pulled through for me!

 

[Raymond1000]

When everything is fine and you are paying attention, a guardless knife is fine. I’ve used plenty of them myself. It’s the other time I worry about. Bleeding and/or shock and/or hypothermia and/or sick; Got to get a fire started now! Got to cut some splints now! Got to whatever now! This is when I am most likely to cut my fingers on a no-guard knife. This is when I can least afford it. This why I want some sort of guard on a field knife. Just in case.

 

[TWBryan]

When everything is fine and you are paying attention, a guardless knife is fine. I’ve used plenty of them myself. It’s the other time I worry about. Bleeding and/or shock and/or hypothermia and/or sick; Got to get a fire started now! Got to cut some splints now! Got to whatever now! This is when I am most likely to cut my fingers on a no-guard knife. This is when I can least afford it. This why I want some sort of guard on a field knife. Just in case.

Well,at least you understand.:thumbup:

 

[hollowdweller]

RE: Guard

Most of the bushcrafty type blades I have have very contoured handles with a LOT of palm swell so as long as you are gripping the knife properly I've never had any problem with my hand sliding forward.

The only knife I have had my hand slide forward on is on my Bark River Northstar. The handle tapers to where the back is very wide and the front is very narrow. The orange G10 handle is highly polished. When my hand has been very sweaty or the knife muddy my hand has slid onto the blade. Only a slight cut but I reserve that blade for dry conditions:thumbup:

On the other hand with the length of the handle on the Aurora and the countouring it would be real hard for it to slide forwrd.

 

[Jeff H]

RE: Guard...The only knife I have had my hand slide forward on is on my Bark River Northstar. The handle tapers to where the back is very wide and the front is very narrow.....

I'm with ya on that one, HD. I've been through three of them; a tapered tang prototype, an '07 with the longer scales and an '07 "Limited Edition" with the lightly contoured handle, and they all posed the same issue for me. I even had a modified Fox River with long scales and had the same issue. LOVE the blade but could not get along with the handle. I finally, reluctantly gave up my last - the "LE." Beautiful knife otherwise. I thought it was just me.

Nice lineup there, by the way. I have two Kosters coming soon - thanks to your review some time back.:thumbup:

Edit:
I have others but this is a "fresh" shot of my two most recent; top MMK Bushcraft, center my own design materialized by Bryan Breeden.