Bushcraft Knife Help

G

glockfire

Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
312
Gents,

Lets speak hypothetically here. If you were able to have one of the following knives, which would you pick as a bushcrafting knife and why?

Fiddleback Forge Bushcrafter 01 Convex
ML Kephart 1095 Convex
Blind Horse Bushcrafter 01 Convex

Dont worry about handle scales, prices, or wait times. Just the mfg themselves, the knife shape, the reputation of each knife, and your own personal preference.

I realize that there are other models out there, and Im sure someone here will reccommend them in a post, but Im interested in the three listed currently, and would like some guidance from those more experienced than myself.

My bush/woodscraft background: Experienced backpacker, recently started getting rid of creature comforts while in the woods in order to live life a little closer to my one of my pioneering outdoorsman ancestors. I grew up in the rockies, and feel at home in the mountains. Ive completed Mountain Warfare School in Bridgeport CA where I learned and honed alot of my survival skills, most shelter building and game processing.

Plans for knife: the knife will be coupled with a GB Short Forest Axe. I like a small but stout fixed blade for gathering greens, carving/whittling/notching, I do some batoning but the axe generally fits the bill.


Thanks for the advice!
 
I've never owned a Fiddleback so I can't comment on that one.

I do own several BHK Bushcrafters and an ML Kephart.

My pick is based on you having the GB on your person also.

I love BHK knives and the people but I'd pick an ML.

Matts' knives just have a unique handmade organic feel about them. The ergonomics are excellent as is the performance of the steel and grind.

Everyone of them is also very different than the last one he made so you feel the knife is truly yours.

Matts' knives for the most part are a true full convex where the BHK is a full flat grind with a convex bevel ........ I find Matts' edge easier to maintain.

The ML is 1/8" stock and differentially tempered (the edge is hard and the spine handle are softer) ....... the BHK knives are 5/32" and hard all the way through.

In the long run it's about personal preference because you will most likely be able to make both perform about the same.
 
Brian, thanks for the reply. Im trying not to go by looks, but Matts Kephart has something about it that just screams rugged. Would you foresee and issue with batoning the ML Kephart over the BHK?

baldtaco-II said:
One of Andy's. I think they contain more of what I would be looking for if I wanted a custom.
Click to expand...

What is it that you are looking for in a custom knife?
 
I've batonned my ML several times without problems.

Being that the BHK is thicker stock and hard all the way through it will be stronger ........ but the the thinner ML is super tough because it is differentially hardened.

Saying that ...... if you were really abusive the BHK might snap and the ML might bend.

Don't really think either would happen though.
 
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glockfire said:
Brian, thanks for the reply. Im trying not to go by looks, but Matts Kephart has something about it that just screams rugged. Would you foresee and issue with batoning the ML Kephart over the BHK?What is it that you are looking for in a custom knife?
Click to expand...
Difficult to promote one without disparaging others so I'm going to try to tread lightly: The only factors that make a custom knife appealing to me are exactitude, artistry and the time it took to achieve them. Performance alone I can get from a factory knife either NIB or modded. To even contemplate a custom those other elements must popinjay their presence. Of those three makers Andy's have the insistent whisper that reaches me.
 
For me personally I think Fiddlebacks look too nice for a woodsbum such as myself to use and abuse,

I do own an ML Kephart and it's an awesome knife although if I were to order one again I'd ask for a slightly longer handle ( Which Matt does ).

BHK's....nice knives but not quite in the same class as the other two....JMO of course !


So it would be the ML for me !;):thumbup:

Although maybe Andy could have an off day one day and produce something I wouldn't mind getting dirty !!!!:D


Mine~

p60900191.jpg

By pitdog2010 at 2011-06-09
 
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Ive owned all three. For me the Fiddleback is my favorite. I really like Matts blades but like Pit, find the handles to be too short and I don't like rounded butts. The Bushcrafter has the best handle Ive ever used bar none. All great knives though. Here is mine.
Fiddleback006.jpg
 
Thanks for the great posts guys. So, between a FBF Bushcrafter in Tiger Maple, and a ML Kephart with a longer handle in Tiger Maple, does the award still go to the FBF?
 
I think that the ML Bush & Hunting knife is a closer comparison to a "bushcraft" knife, not the Kephart.

If it were me, I'd choose knives in the following order:

1. Fiddleback
2. ML
3. BHK
 
Can't say much by way of comparison, since I only own one of these knives. I got an ML Kephart a bit over a month ago, it is a superb piece of work. I requested a handle size that was right for me, and Matt took care of it. Chose the blade length that I wanted, Matt took care of that too. The handle ergonomics are marvelous. I usually have my belt knife for woodsy things and my pocket knife for everything else. I naturally reach for the pocket knife for most things. Not since the ML Kephart. I strongly recommend it.


God bless,
Adam
 
Another thing about ML Knives is that Matt really gets his heat treat bang on. When I first got my Kephart I wanted to test the edge so truncated the knife through a piece of Arrowwood, which is pretty hard stuff, with a baton. I cringed all the way through but upon inspecting the edge there was no damage at all !
 
Another vote for ML. Great do-it-all knife.
IMG_0777_ML_JK.jpg


Fiddleback prices went beyond what I usually pay for a user/beater.
BHK makes good knives, I just prefer Matt's grind.
 
I love my Fiddleback Bushfinger. The knife has laughed t hard work and still looks fantastic. Mistwalker has a lot of mileage on his and still is in amazing condition. I have never owned a ML knife but I would not mind giving one a try.
 
I've owned both a Fiddleback and a ML. Both great knives from good guys. Both will do whatever asked of them, stay sharp and are easy to resharpen. FB are expensive but his handles are amazing!
 
OK, I am a have a preference for Matt's knives, but all 3 are great blades. I would pick the one you like the look of and go with it.

DSC_0214.jpg


I also have several of the Blindhorse knives and they are quality as well. My 16 yr old son has not been able to destroy a Bushcrafter in the last 2 yrs.

Doc
 
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I vote Fiddleback all the way! Andy has quite a reputation for his handle designs, but his incredible talent on his grinds is sometimes overlooked. I have a few FB and was a little worried about getting them dirty. Once I got over that, they have quickly become my favorite users. (in fact, I started selling off some of my other blades so I have more FB time). Yes, his knives are beautiful, but do not let that fool you. They are incredible tools!!!
 
I have not owned any of those makers, but the asthetics of each maker has its own character. Of the three, Fiddleback is the asthetic that appeals to me the most. Cheers.
 
I want to thank everyone for their responses. I went ahead and contaced some of the makers, and after some discussion I realized that Matt with ML knives was my best bet. I ordered a Kephart with 4.5" handle, tiger maple, and a sheath from him. He was extremely easy to work with, very respectful, and he really supports the troops!

In the end, I decided that although the FBF Bushcrafter had very nice aesthetics, it cost far too much to really be used an abused. I was also looking for a more traditional design, which the ML Kephart fit the bill nicely. The FBF came with a pancake sheath, which I hate, so I chose a fold over with a ferro loop. I also love the look of the Matt's Tiger Maple, more so than the current offering of Cocobolo from FBF.
 
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