Bushmaster Survival Knife ???

Jesse Morales

Jesse Morales

Joined
Sep 25, 2001
Messages
6
I bought a Bushmaster Survival Knife (UC212) by United Cutlery yesterday.
It wasn't expansive ($30) so I knew it wouldn't be a great blade but I just cant find any hollow handle survival knives anymore, I am sure the popularity and demand is decreasing for these kinds of knives but I would really like one for my collection.

The handle is about 4 1/2" and the hollow goes about 2 1/2 deep and is high tensile aluminum. I am a weightlifter and though I can't come anywhere close to crushing the handle with my grip alone, there is a sense of softness to the handle. I love the blade's configuration but it's just 420 stainless steel and doesn't look like it would hold the edge for long.

I was mainly sold on the ton of stuff that come with the nylon 3 pocket sheath and also in the handle. It even includes a Mini-Flashlight and snake bite kit.

I heedfully ask, for anyone in the forum who can, to give me your opinion on this knife.
Is there anything I can do to improve on it flaws?
I cant' seem to find any of the Steve Reves Survival Knives, can anyone tell me what type of survival knives I might want to invest my money in?
I don't mind spending upwards in about $200 to $300.
Thanks for the help!
Jesse
 
Welcome to the forums.

Chris Reeves makes some of the best hollow handled knives. Each machined out of a single bar of A2. You can find him at Bladeforums under the Makers and Manufacturers section. You may also want to take a look at the Randall Models 18,17,16,15, and 14 which have long been popular survival knives. You can find information on Randalls in our Randall Knife Society Forum (Look under the heading of General). There are still a few knife makers making these knives, like Robert Crain, but there are many 1980s vintage knives in circulation.

There is nothing we can do for the United Cutlery knife. Either put it up on the wall as a curio, or, use it and take note of every weak point you encounter. The failings of the Bushmaster knife can help to guide you in selecting its' replacement. Use it and ask yourself whether you really need a hollow handle.

n2s
 
Hi N2S,

You wrote Robert Crain in the ending of your first paragraph, but I guess you meant Robert Parrish, and Jack Crain:). Do you know if Mr. Parrish still takes orders? His model was very nice.

Hi Jesse,

If you like the Bushmaster's general design, there is a Marto Brewer survival knife that is in the same vein, but a much better knife overall, on Ebay right now.



HTH:D:).
 
Bob,

Thanks, I am working through a bad cold and I am probably not all here. Then again it could be the cold medicine.

The Marto Explorer is a good knife, as is the Aitor Jungle King.

n2s
 
I collect hollow handle knives, and have a small selection of them. Try these out:
Check ebay; I've bought a few there, but you will wade through a pile of junk.
One knifemaker I have dealt with is Colin Cox. He makes superb knives. I have his large hollow-handled survival knife and it is a striking example of the knifemaking art(though, the blade is a bit on the thick side). It is huge and wicked looking as well as sturdy. You go to Mr. Cox's website: http://hometown.aol.com/colin4knives/myhomepage/business.html . Mr. Cox is very easy to deal with, but expect to spend in the $700.00 range for the one I got, but he will make smaller models or just about anything you want.
A German business called the Toolshop still carries a very nice hollow handle knife originally made by Al Mar. Go to "tool-shop.com" . Click on "Knives" on the left side, then click "Al Mar" on the right side near the bottom of the list(it has a Japanese flag next to it). On page 2 of the Al Mar knives click on "Green Beret Knife". This is also a beautiful REAL hollow handle knife within the price range you listed. It is so good looking I've never had the heart to actually use, so it stays in my collection as display.
As was already mentioned Aitor makes a couple of good hollow knives; I have the larger, the Jungle King 1.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Mith.
 
Do yourself a favor; go to ebay right now, and search for "Buckmaster survival knife" or similar and get a Buck 184. You can find them for around $200, and they are AWESOME. Definitely one of the LARGEST, TOUGHEST knives you will EVER see. I have one, and it is amazing.

Well worth the money!

drjones
 
This should be over on the survival forum but gotta say having owned both a Chris Reeve and a Buckmaster at one time or another get a good belt,put a good utilitarin knife on it{Busse,BK&T,Cold steel or a fine handmade}a military surplus ammo pouch to put your "survival" kit in and a military canteen/cup combo then go out and play in the great outdoors. Leave those hollow handled things at home.
 
I guess I thought I was somewhere else but this is the survival forum. Not wanting to upset anyone{because blade people have strong opinions about their blades,me included},the ammo pouch holds a lot more stuff than any hollow handle can,the canteen/cup combo lets you purify{boil}water and then store/transport it and a good full tang knife will always be stronger than those with hollow handles. For the record my Buckmaster lost its point in a log while searching for fishbait and party or parties unknown decided he/she/they needed my C.R. more than me.
 
Having USED many different knives, Hollow handled and conventional handled, I would say the best of the hollow handle's that I have had experience with are,

Robert Parrish, Jack Crain (limited use), Randall 18 (limited use), Buckmaster, and last but not least numerous Chris Reeve models.

Out of them the best IMHO are, Parrish for its sawing facility as the teeth do work very well it is also very well put together, but I was still put off by the fact that it is constructed from two pieces.

Next would be the Chris Reeve (one piece) Shadow 1, with its A2 8.75 inch x .255 inch thick blade its stout and is as strong as any full tang knife with added convenience of the hollow handle. I have smashed through firewood, pried, chopped and used it. I have NO reservations of its strength.

I do know someone who swears by his Crain LSS1, it has performed admirably for him and he has total confidence in it.

One should never put it on the line with a mini kit in just the handle of the knife, that would be foolish, but for some, it may be all they have left after any given situation. To know that the added insurance is there is a comfort. To know its in a knife that will not fail is much more than comfort.

Get a Reeve.
 
Hey Jesse...

I hate to be the $hit on the stick,, I guess one buys what one likes..

For $30.00 you could have got a pair of Cold Steel Bushman..
In my opinion twice the knife as the Bushmaster, even without all of the stuff..

As far as survival knives are concerned..Pure survival knives..Depends what you want to do with them..That will depend on the knife you pick...

A survival knife can range from anything like a SAK to a Busse Battle Mistress.. not one knife with do every chore you want it to 110%..

Myself as well as many here use the three knife rule..
Large blade for chopping/building, medium size knife like a Falkniven SI or FI for camp chores and a small fixed or folder like the SAK for fine tight in work such as trap triggers and things of this nature...You might also want to throw in a decent multitool,, like the Wave or Gerber...

When you are on a budget,, you have to look long and hard at what you buy..
Do it right the first time, and they won't leave you hanging when you are in a pinch..

Just my opinion...

ttyle

Eric...
 
I have an Aitor Bucanero which is about 7 years old. It is a mother of a survival knife at about 14 inches total length with a recurved drop point blade with false edge in the first 2.5 inches. The saw on the spine will cut through sheet metal if need be. Believe me when I say I have tried and tested this knife (see my post under Knife reviews). The next most similar knife is the Aitor Jungle King. There is a plastic holder which is also waterproof which contains a basic survival kit with hooks line sinkers etc etc. and a water-filled compass on the handle cap which has a rubber o-ring that waterproofs the handle.
 
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