Bushcraft Knife: In the middle.

O

OpKey

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Jun 6, 2011
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Well, I've just recently gotten back into bushcraft and going out in the woods for long dog walks and all that. Work really put me out of it for the past few months, and I'm just coming to realize...I don't really have a real dedicated bushcraft knife. The point of this is thread is for a recommendation for a good, all around woods blade. I like to go with least as possible, if I can. Talking blades, I have a neck knife that I'm waiting on a sheath for, so that will be on me at all times for delicate tasks, food prep, etc. I have an axe, a folding saw, and a machete aswell. I don't really want to carry the axe or the machete. Axe is weight and "bulky". The machete doesn't really have weight, but it's cheap and can't baton or really chop wood. Not to mention it's size. The folding saw will come with me on some days, but I would really like to cut it out on my very minimalist trips. That's why I need something in the middle. Hip carry, dangler style or something. I want it to be able to chop some wood and baton, but still be able to choke up probably with a choil, and do some more finer work. I know I could always get a Becker, because I love them, but I would much rather something with maybe wood scales and no black coating. I know the Beckers can be modded to exactly fit my needs, but I want to look at some other options before I make that attempt. I checked out the Fox Parang knife, but I keep hearing certain bad things about the knife and at that price I don't think I should be hearing so many bad things. So, guys, please recommend me some blades. I'd like to keep the price under $150, and lower is always better. I'm absolutely open to any suggestions. Thanks.
 
Baryonyx has a 12" ontario machete on his site that's been modded to have a point and a fantastic edge. It'll chop, slice and baton all day. If I recall, mine was around $35 a feew months back. Pair that with an ESEE 4, and you're right at $150 shipped with a woods pair that'll last several generations.
 
Wow, I thought this thread would have gotten atleast a few replies. 95 views, 1 reply.

Well, thank you 357fan. I'll check it out. Do you think one of the HI Kukri would fit my needs? I don't know much about them. I know they chop, but I don't know if they can baton through logs or anything like that.
 
save your money, get a Condor Bushlore... dremel some jimping on the top of the blade, a number of swipes with 80->120->320->400->600 grit wet-or-dry on a mousepad and you're good to go (shave the hair off your arm)...

JMHO, YMMV

bl.jpg


(woodburned some prettiness in mine for extra grip - initials on other side for body identification in the underbrush)

:-)
 
I would say Fallkniven A1 if you want to baton (personally I believe that this practice is an unnecessary fad that will soon lose popularity). Typically large blades are not adorned with fancy wood scales, but a hatchet will 'process' wood while satisfying the wood handle craving. That said a Bravo 1 can do both....still say a blade of about 4-5 inches and hatchet is best though. A knife 'good' at everything proves good for nothing IMO.
 
What size are we talking about here? You say bushcraft knife and I automatically think 4in Mora, but since you talk of chopping and batoning, I assume you're thinking something larger.

And you want wood handles eh?

To me it sounds like you want a Condor Hudson Bay. Here is a photo of one stripped. It does come coated though (but still with the wood handles).

1294792930-CondorHBstrip_1.jpg


And as you know the BK7 can be great for this type of use. You could also look at the Ritter MK2 (Becker BK12), its slightly smaller with a spear/drop point. The ESEE 6 might work for you as well.

And have you thought of the good old KaBar USMC or the Leather Kabar MK1? Not wood handled, but pretty "rustic" and very comfortable.

Good luck with whatever you do :).
 
The fallkniven A1 is a sound suggestion it's a great medium-large fixed blade for general use the VG-10 they use is an excellent blade steel that is reasonably tough and has above average edge retention however some find the handles to be a bit on the rough side.
 
Great suggestions, guys and I really appreciate it. I thought about one of those falkniven knives but they don't quite have the length I'm looking for. OcnLogan, I am really liking that Condor Hudson Bay especially if it had a choil. I guess I should have been a little more precise with what I was expecting from the knife. I know batoning isn't necessary but if a knife can do it, I know it's tough. I don't want a huge blade, but something I could use to chop through 1-2" diameter sapplings and such is what I'm looking for.

Keep it coming. Thanks alot, guys. I am open to any suggestions.
 
Well, you could try some of the other Condor knives, as there are actually quite a number of them that have wooden handles. And the Hudson Bay is a bit larger than you want from the sound of it (its 13in long total, with a 7.5in cutting edge).

The Bushcraft basic 5in would work for you then?

All I know is that condor makes a TON of budget knives with wood handles, but I honestly don't know them that well. Either way, good luck with whatever you do :).
 
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