Cheap Bushcraft Knife???

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YoungBushcraft

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Mar 10, 2015
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Hello!
My name is Sam and I'm 12 years old and am trying to get into bushcraft. I had bought a Gerber folding survival knife (And do I ever regret it) and have done some bushcrafting this winter but the knife does not suit my needs. Being 12, I'm not exactly a millionaire so I need that is 70$ MAX but preferably 50$. It also has to have:

- Scandi Grind (I am not good at sharpening)
- Full tang (I want to be able to beat the crap outta this thing)
- A 4 to 4.75 inch blade (Bushcraft size)
- 90 degree spine
- High carbon steel
- Drop point (It does not have to be though)

I have looked at the condor Bushlore but I am not sure because people say it has a weird grind on it

Thank you so much for helping!
 
The Condor Bushlore would work well for you, I believe. I don't think the grind is weird, but it does have more curve than many other Scandi offerings.
 
Welcome to the forums, nice to see other kids on here.

My favorite bushcraft knives are Beckers (made by KABAR). Take a look at the BK16. It's not a scandi grind, but Beckers are pretty easy to sharpen and they hold an edge for a good while before you need to sharpen them.
 
I think it's hard to beat ESEE for durability vs. price. That said, Mora is also the real deal for real cheap. If budget is important, check Mora out. They have knives that meet every one of the criteria you listed for under $70. The Morakniv Bushcraft, with 4.25" carbon steel blade is $47.95 on Bade HQ.
 
Condor Bushlore.

You can get the micarta handle version for just over $50 the wood handle version for just under $40. It is a great knife that should last a lifetime.

Edit to add - Mora Companion is a really good knife, but not full tang and not as durable. I own one and like it a lot, but understand its limitations.
 
Thank you to everyone! I have looked at moras but im afraid they will break on me because the tang.
Also, the condor bushlore, is the grind ok on it? Because i am really bad at sharpening and am afraid I will end up with a dull blade
 
Moras for sure come in carbon (its 1095 if that helps at all). I'd recommend a carbon companion, or a carbon "craftline robust". The robust has a thicker blade than the other moras (although the bushcraft black has the same thickness), and while its not full tang, I'd be somewhat impressed if you managed to break it.

Also, the Marttiiini Condor Timberjack is also very similar to the Mora (and similarly priced, around $20) With a thicker blade than most moras.

Condors knives are what some people refer to as "scandivex" grinds, since most of them are not true scandi grinds, but rather have a convex, scandi grind. I like their Bushlore model (~$35). The Woodlaw is a true scandi grind condor, but they cost a bit more (~$60), and have no finger guard at all (not what I'd want if I were just beginning... heck, I don't want it now).

Beyond those, The Becker BK16is a great knife, and is currently ~$60, but it doesn't have the scandi grind.

If it were me, I'd be getting a Mora robust or bushcraft black, and seeing how I like them. If those didn't work for me, I'd at least know WHY I wanted something that cost more, and wouldn't be out much for the learning experience.

Good luck man :D.
 
YoungBushcraft said:
Thank you to everyone! I have looked at moras but im afraid they will break on me because the tang.
Also, the condor bushlore, is the grind ok on it? Because i am really bad at sharpening and am afraid I will end up with a dull blade
Click to expand...

For sharpening check out the Maintenance Tinkering and Embellishment subforum, lots of good info there and if you follow it sharpening shouldn't be an issue.
 
Moras come in either carbon steel (C100, not 1095), laminated O1 steel or 12C27 stainless steel. They are all good knives. Some of them have square spines, some you'll have to square yourself.

I think the "Bushcraft" series are ridiculously priced - but they have all the bells and whistles. Personally, I would be looking at any of the Companion, Craftline, 711 knives or the new Pro knives. All are under $15, some have squared spines and all have rubberized grips. The main difference between them is going to be blade length, height and thickness, plus handle shape. Blades are either 3/4" or 7/8", and run between .078", .098" and .126".

Check out these models:

Craftline Robust.

Morakniv Pro

Mora 711.

Companion HD.
 
YoungBushcraft said:
Thank you to everyone! I have looked at moras but im afraid they will break on me because the tang.
Also, the condor bushlore, is the grind ok on it? Because i am really bad at sharpening and am afraid I will end up with a dull blade
Click to expand...

Mine had an OK grind, but not all do. Regardless, it is not a big deal to correct. As far as sharpening, you should find out how to do it. It is not that tough, and it is part of the game when you own and use knives.
 
RX-79G said:
Moras come in either carbon steel (C100, not 1095), laminated O1 steel or 12C27 stainless steel. They are all good knives. Some of them have square spines, some you'll have to square yourself.

I think the "Bushcraft" series are ridiculously priced - but they have all the bells and whistles. Personally, I would be looking at any of the Companion, Craftline, 711 knives or the new Pro knives. All are under $15, some have squared spines and all have rubberized grips. The main difference between them is going to be blade length, height and thickness, plus handle shape. Blades are either 3/4" or 7/8", and run between .078", .098" and .126".

Check out these models:

Craftline Robust.

Morakniv Pro

Mora 711.

Companion HD.
Click to expand...

Really, this whole time I thought it was 1095 for the carbon. Is that something they changed recently? Or have I just been told wrong and been parroting it this whole time :/?.

Also, just to slightly clarify for YoungBushcraft, the blades will be either 3/4in or 7/8in "tall" (when viewed from the side, this is also called the "chord" of the knife), and will have blade thicknesses of between .078-.126in. The rest of it is usually just differences in handles, and blade lengths.

The Craftline Robust is what I'd go with, but that one is one you will need to grind/file a 90 degree spine on yourself, because it doesn't come with one.

For what its worth, my preferred small blade when I go camping is a Mora Companion. They hold up well, and cut like gangbusters through most wood.

Good luck.
 
I will be taking an axe with me so I think a rat tail tang will be good. Now I just need to find the more ;) I think I might take bushcraft black to be honest.
Thanks again!
Sam.
 
Another way to go is by building the knife yourself. You can buy a very high quality stick tang blade from Lauri and other for $12 to $18. Or an O1 steel full tang Enzo Trapper blade for $40. Mounting and carving scales and sewing a a leather taco sheath are not difficult - and can be redone if you want a do-over.

You can also buy kits that include a sheath and handle material. Enzo has this one available for $40:
enzo-antler-knife-kit-95-4__95519.1409965869.1280.1280.jpg


Check out Thompsons, Omaha knife trader, DLTtrading and Ragweedforge for Scandi blades and kits. Very rewarding to build it yourself.
 
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