Bushcraft Knife

S

SR69

Joined
Apr 30, 2012
Messages
238
I own a wicked ESEE-6 and I'm looking for a Bushcraft Knife now that's a little more, say
"suited" to bushcrafting tasks (whittling, carving, detailed work, making implements, etc...).
I'm definitely getting an ESEE-3 as a companion to the -6, but I still would like a knife that I'll
use just for bushcrafting tasks. I'm not looking for a sharp crowbar or something to baton with.
The ESEE pair would stay in my Hellcat Pack with an Estwing Hatchet and an Ontario Machete.

I tried the Search and everything came up ESEE, ESEE, ESEE, just about. LOL

I've been looking at the Bark River Bushcrafter and the Blind Horse Knives Bushcrafter.
That's the style I'm looking for. Something in or under 4" size with a compact handle.
I have large hands so when I say compact, I don't mean small. I just mean ergonomically
designed for being able to be held in a variety of different positions and grips. It'll be a
blade I'll carry in my bushcrafting pack (a Swiss Military Engineer's Rucksack) along with
a Gransfor Bruks Forester's Ax for day hikes and excursions where I just get lost from the
world and practice my skills.

What should I look for in a Bushcraft Knife?

Budget: I'd like to be in the area of $150., but I'd say my max is $200.


And just "because", here is my magnificent obsession... :cool:

Whittling002.jpg


ESEE-6001.jpg


ESEE-6002.jpg


ESEE-6RangerBands001.jpg


LegStrap001.jpg
 
Kosters are really nice. I have the larger bushmaster ( 3V, 5", around .200-.210 ? ( can't recall exact number) and I had to go back for seconds ( I paid around $230). It's V ground, not convex which a lot of Bushcrafter types like but it is a beautifully made knife that is small enough to do real stuff with, while being large and strong at the same time. It is currently what I'm carrying in the 4inch to 9 inch range. If I need a bigger knife I get the Fehrman or L6 Von Tempsky out but it's really amazing how I find I need a large knife less and less as I get older. Some kind of co-incidence I guess. :)

Looking through the Koster line I find a few I could get along with as an only knife if I had to. The Bushcraft 3V, 4 ", .140 is another, along with the EDC at 4.5" or 5" but a thick .220" .



Joe
 
SR69 said:
What should I look for in a Bushcraft Knife?
Click to expand...

A knife that's comfortable to hold in various grips for starters.

I picked up a Spyderco Bushcraft 2nd when they were cleared out for $90.00 and it fits my hand like a glove.

IMG_1560.jpg
 
Boker Plus have just released a 440C bladed bushcraft knife with very, very similar dimensions to the Wilkinson sword/Ray Mears.
I've linked to a thread from another knife forum, because I've been caught out before on here "deal spotting". http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?153049-Boker-Bushcraft-has-hit-Heinnie.
I'm very impressed with mine. The presentation/packaging is extremely impressive (I've bought knives 5x the price that aren't so well presented) and considering its price point competition; Condor Bushlore Micarta, Mora 2000 etc. You get a heck of a lot of knife for the money. HT seems to be holding up well, although I've only done some food prep and a little whittling (seasoned cherry). I think Boker slipped up here as they could easily sell it for double the price.
I think for the intended useage 440C is a good steel and you don't get the "tang" of O1 for food prep.

EDIT: Of course if patination is your thing, you might want to look elsewhere.
PPS: If something more exclusive (and american made) tickles your fancy, Fiddleback Forge Bushfinger looks the bizniss!
 
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My bushcrafters, are as follows,

Fiddleback Forge Bushcrafter (my favorite, and most used)
Blind Horse Knives Bushcrafter (great blade, and great price)
Morakniv Bushcrafter Force, Triflex, and Forest (all great, inexpensive, and workhorses)

I have recently been working with the Kabar Becker BK16, and its holding its own, against most of my customs for comfort, and ease of use. And it priced to fit in everyone's range.

Good luck, and hope you find a new bush buddy.

Moose
 
Here are a couple of my favs from Koyote Knives- GBB and LBK.

IMG_3692.jpg


Dogwood Dan and Fiddlebacks are sweet too!
 
I would suggest these for the price range would mentioned. Some will be a bit higher but all under $200.
BHK Bushcrafter- these one had no hot spots at all fills in the hand.
BHK Woodsman pro - little different blade and handle shape. Great bushcraft knife.
Spyderco bushcraft - great offering from Spyderco with there quaintly and finish. I comes scary sharp!
Bark River Bravo 1 - is a great knife every time and most will agree. Some slight hot spots over say the BHK Bushcrafter or the Spyderco dues to there almost completely rounded handles.
Bark River Gunny- awesome knife that gets looked over by the Bravo 1. This is the knife that stays in my pack. I bring others along but this one is always there. 4" and compact.
There's also a the Fallkniven F1 and S1.
I'll post a few pics.
 
Fallkniven S1, F1
Dpx HEFT 4
BRKT Bravo1
BRKT Gunny
Spyderco bushcraft
0a552719.jpg

Here's a few setups I've done for these knives.

Spyderco
48dc09c6.jpg

Bravo
8504f358.jpg

Gunny
21141f19.jpg

BHK bushcraft
2ac6d6a7.jpg

Becker bk16
020c60f6.jpg


BHK woodsman pro
4ebd63b5.jpg
 
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I would take BHK over any Bark River. I have the Bushcrafter and it is a superb knife. Great fit and finish and it's a really good size. My favorite though is a JW Knives Tanto. Got it of the exchange here from Mr. Woytaz. Now THAT is an incredible knife. Probably my favorite fb I've ever owned.

Of these pictured I only own the 2 I mentioned. The Esee and Jeff White have moved on. The Bushcrafter is pretty obvious, the JW is the blue one.
004-12.jpg
 
To each his own, but if you have not really used knives like Moras and puukkos or the North American equivalent Green River or Old Hickory you are missing out on the knives that defined "bushcraft" before bushcraft became a marketing slogan.
 
SR69 said:
I own a wicked ESEE-6 and I'm looking for a Bushcraft Knife now that's a little more, say
"suited" to bushcrafting tasks (whittling, carving, detailed work, making implements, etc...).

And just "because", here is my magnificent obsession... :cool:

Whittling002.jpg
Click to expand...

Whatever you get, THIS is a fuzzstick that your knife needs to be able to make.

IMG_7530.JPG


In your price range, BHK immediately comes to mind.

Knives are great, but "bushcraft" is a skillset.
 
cwl beat me to it...i'd recommend picking up a mora (i like my carbon steel companion) and get your knife-handling skills down first.

mora_companion.jpg



making a proper feather sticks is a start then continue onto carving a "try stick" to get your techniques down (carve tent pegs, figure-4 traps, pot lifter, etc.):

crkttrystick.jpg


509527487_1d4727993f.jpg



once you get it down pat that you can do those things with any type or length of knife (v-grind, convex, scandi, etc.) then pick up a nice and expensive scandi-grind knife and you'll appreciate a "bushcraft" knife that much better.


i can make this feathersticks with an izula so any esee you already have should be able to do it too with proper technique:

esee_firesteel_snapped.jpg



...all the way up to the longest esee:

040_016.jpg
 
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