Bushcrafter Vs. Arete

C

Crow-Bar

Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Messages
125
Hello folks, I am going to be in the market for a midsized belt knife (ie one of Andy's 4" designs) and have found myself very torn between the Bushcrafter and the Arete. It is going to be used primarily as a hard working utility knife in the woods and around the farm. I would be happy for any opinions people are willing to share between the two and if anyone out there has both I would love to see some images of them side by side or in hand. Really interested in the handles too they look quite similar are they?
Thanks any input you can offer will be much appreciated.
 
I have had both and still own the Bushcrafter. I found the Arete to be a little on the small side for my taste. I prefer a Knife with a little more heft to it, not that the Bushcrafter is a large Knife by any means.
 
Hi Crow-Bar,

Welcome to the forum! Schmittie, thank you for the introduction!

I do have both knives and they are extremely familiar, especially with how they feel in the hand. They both have an OAL of ~8.5 and a blade length of ~4". The big difference is in the width of the blade (as measured from spine to cutting edge). In this respect, the Bushcrafter is much wider than the Arete. If I recall correctly, the Arete's blade width was ~1" while the Bushcrafter was ~1.25". I like the Arete over the Bushcrafter because the blade is narrower and is strong enough for my knife applications which include batoning. In choosing between the two, I think personal preferences may dominate here and nothing more.

I hope in some way I have been of help to you. :)

You may find this Thread useful:

Fiddleback Forge Comparison Photos Round Three (PIC Heavy)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...hotos-Round-Three-(PIC-Heavy)?highlight=round

Sincerely,
Mark

Bushcrafter in Hand

2012_0929PhotosCameraMichael0076.jpg


2012_0929PhotosCameraMichael0075.jpg


Arete in Hand

2012_0929PhotosCameraMichael0070.jpg


2012_0929PhotosCameraMichael0069.jpg


Comparison Shot
The top 2 knives in the left photo are Bushcrafters and the 6th and 7th knives from the top in the right photo are the Arete's

2012_0929PhotosCameraMichael0032.jpg
 
Oh very nice thanks for the input; opinions useful, photos very helpful side by side like that. Also, thank for the welcome Maw. I have found this to be a very friendly and helpful community. I was already leaning towards the bushcrafter and even more so now like the slightly wider blade profile.
 
Crow-Bar said:
Oh very nice thanks for the input; opinions useful, photos very helpful side by side like that. Also, thank for the welcome Maw. I have found this to be a very friendly and helpful community. I was already leaning towards the bushcrafter and even more so now like the slightly wider blade profile.
Click to expand...

Hi Crow-Bar,

I do hope you find the knife you are looking for. It sounds like the Bushcrafter is right up your alley and is an outstanding choice! :)

Sincerely,
Mark
 
Crow-Bar said:
Oh very nice thanks for the input; opinions useful, photos very helpful side by side like that. Also, thank for the welcome Maw. I have found this to be a very friendly and helpful community. I was already leaning towards the bushcrafter and even more so now like the slightly wider blade profile.
Click to expand...

Yep. maw rules! :)
 
If you like the wide blade profile - certainly stay with the Bushcrafter. Not that the Arete is slim - it is about the width of a traditional Kehart - but width would be a great deciding factor for you.

Good luck in your search.

The awesome thing? If you buy one - and it doesn't quite fit - you will NOT be out money!

Buy both - and see what you like - and sell one.

to maw probably.... ;)

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
If you like the wide blade profile - certainly stay with the Bushcrafter. Not that the Arete is slim - it is about the width of a traditional Kehart - but width would be a great deciding factor for you.

Good luck in your search.

The awesome thing? If you buy one - and it doesn't quite fit - you will NOT be out money!

Buy both - and see what you like - and sell one.

to maw probably.... ;)

TF
Click to expand...

Hi TF,

Well said. :)

One thing is for sure...it is very hard to stop at one FBF knife. Andy has a blade for any task or occasion and the fit and finish of his blades is outstanding. But here is the catch. This fit and finish of his blades is extremely consistent from one knife to another...from one batch to another. Yep...Andy's knives are extremely well made and are of high quality.

Mark
 
Maw, I cannot express how much I appreciate your answers to posts like this. I couldn't answer them as well as you do it. I don't have the models to comapre around here in stock. Thank You.
 
You are quite welcome Andy. I think you have earned it! Your knives offer all the evidence one needs to draw the same conclusion. :)

Sincerely,
Mark
 
Sometimes I'm in a Bushcrafter mood, sometimes I'm not (Arete)...But I'm always in a Bushfinger mood! :D
 
Blaid said:
Sometimes I'm in a Bushcrafter mood, sometimes I'm not (Arete)...But I'm always in a Bushfinger mood! :D
Click to expand...

If I may "borrow" the thread - Maw, what are the knives just below the Bushcrafters in your left column of knives? Are those Bushfingers? What are folks' thoughts on Bushfinger vs Arete for a good mid-size bushcraft/utility knife?
 
BlackKnight86 said:
If I may "borrow" the thread - Maw, what are the knives just below the Bushcrafters in your left column of knives? Are those Bushfingers? What are folks' thoughts on Bushfinger vs Arete for a good mid-size bushcraft/utility knife?
Click to expand...

Hi BlackKnight86,

The knives in the left column from top to bottom are:
Bushcrafter (convex grind)
Bushcrafter (convex grind)
Terrassaur (convex grind)
Terrassaur (convex grind)
Terrassaur (scandi grind)
Ladyfinger (convex grind)
Hunter (convex grind)
Hunter (convex grind)

The knives in the right column from top to bottom are:
3-Finger Joe (convex grind)
Bushboot (convex grind)
Hiking Buddy (convex grind)
Hiking Buddy (convex grind)
KE Bushie (scandi grind)
Arete (scandi grind)
Arete (convex grind)
Kephart (convex grind)
Bushfinger (convex grind)
Bushfinger (convex grind)
Bushfinger (convex grind)

The Bushcrafter, Arete, and Bushfinger are all roughly the same size in length. The Arete's blade has the least width as measured from spine to cutting edge while both the Bushcrafter and Bushfinger blade's are wider. The Bushfinger's blade is also pointier than the Bushcrafter. One may argue that the Bushcrafter has the strongest tip due to its design if that is a concern for you.

They are all so close for me that it comes down to personal taste. I like blades with the width around an inch give or take a tenth of an inch. Hence, I favor the Arete and Kephart. They will all perform for sure, and probably sing a louder tune per se when in the hands of someone who has called it their own and enjoys its companionship.

I hope this has been of some help to you. I do wish you are able to find the right knife that will sing a loud tune in your hands. :)

Sincerely,
Mark
 
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