Cold Steel Bushman

I wouldn't complain. I think I'd like a bit higher rockwell number (54), and I've heard the handle is uncomfortable, but I think the sheath alone is worth the price. The hollow handle is a plus. The price is great, ~$20. With a bushman on my belt, a mora S1 around my neck, and a vic super tinker in my pocket, I'd have all the bases covered for well under $100.
 
Excellent knife. I've dealt/sold Cold Steel products for years and have never had a comback or bitch from a customer. Sure, they're not the fanciest on the block but still a quality product and razor sharp right out of the box. I carry a Rajah II on duty and/or a Tilite VI. Both are excellent and do what I want, mainly cutting seat belts following an accident or slashing/stabbing a tire when some a-hole pulls over and then has intentions of stepping on the gas. Frequently, I give Bushmen to customers as a bonus for their business. They really appreciate it and tell me they are excellent camp knives. BTW, when I buy a couple of dozen at a time, I get a really good price.
 
I've been trying to find the old small one for a while - nice kit used to own the larger model - makes a great spear with a little work
 
For the money I say go with a Condor Rodan. They cost the same and while the Rodan doesn't have the cool socket handle you get a better blade profile with a nice stout blade, practically indestructible handle, and leather sheath. Also a full flat grind and mirror polished convex edge. I have both and I hardly use the Bushman anymore. The round handle can be a problem for many, though I cord wrapped mine so it's not a problem anymore. I stripped the coating off of mine (looks nice that way) but noticed that lurking beneath the coating were some REALLY wonky grind lines. It's also a shallow hollow grind which is ok for most stuff, but not ideal in my mind for serious woods work. It's a very well made knife, though, and has withstood outstanding abuse on my part without so much as flinching.

Just my thoughts on the matter, so feel free to disagree. I just think that the Rodan is the best $20 knife on the market if you manage to net one. SMKW has them in stock I believe. :)
 
Last fall, Cold Steel was selling 'seconds' at three for $30.00

I bought them, keeping two for myself, and gave one to my Son for Christmas.
After looking long and hard at them, I could not spot any defect. They cut, chop and hack just like an expensive woods knife.
The sheath was ok, a simple ballistic nylon and rivet affair. Does the job.

For the money, they are simply the best deal out there, even at full boat.
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you wont find many knives of this size and quality for the price. I've used mine as a spear pretty hard just to see what it could take. After a whole day of throwing at errant trees, the knife was still as straight as it came out of the box. Just be sure to use a lanyad if you use it as a spear. I lost one before I learned that lesson
 
Riley called them a poor-man's leuku once, and after owning one I'd have to agree with him. They do well as a thin-bladed, general purpose camp knife. The Bushman is quite durable too and isn't something you get worried about hurting (always a plus in a woods knife!).

I ended up selling it just because I couldn't really get used to the handle shape and I don't love the hollow grind, but that's a personal thing. I'd have liked to try the small version though.
 
I bought an older, not made in China one from ebay a while back for $20 and made my own kydex sheath for it. I really like the blade size and shape, it's perfect for this type of knife.
 
Best blade for price I have ever owned right next to Opinel. I tossed an old honing stone, ferro rod, cordage, and other random extras in the sheath pocket and into the car it went tucked up under a seat.

If you do not like the grip, pull out the hockey tape and go to town! taller / wider / stickyer, guard - whatever you need. (Maybe this is just a Canadian tradition?)
 
Its a fantastic knife for the money. It sharpens nicely, and easily, which is a plus in the field. It seems a bit thin, but in reality it is an incredibly resilient and durable knife. I hate to stir up things with a reference to noss, but his over the top testing could give you an idea of what the blade can take. I think he shot it out of an air cannon and through a TV. LOL

IMO, the only disadvantage is that it isn't much of a chopper. The grip does suck, but mine was VASTLY improved with the simple addition of some tennis racket grip tape.
 
The reason I am not going to make any socket handled knives. I'm 50/50 on cold steel in general, but a good portion of my 50% positive feeling towards them is those durable, cheap, usable socket handled knives. (most of the rest is the hawks).

Tape the handle, don't count on it as a tree felling chopping knife, but have fun- baton with it, reprofile for better chopping if you like. make a spear and mess around with it.
 
I don't own the Bushman, always been intrigued though... but I did just get the less expensive kukri model they sell.

I am quite impressed with the kukri. GREAT chopper. (I know the OP asked about the Bushman specifically, but you cant beat a decent chopper for 13.00)!
 
It is a fantastic blade. I've never heard anyone complain about one, just the fact that they don't use it often because they have another bajillion knives first. (my problem) I have a mini-bushman that Bushman 5 Sent me and it is one of my all time favorite knives.
 
How to do the wrap I did to mine. It comes out great, and the woven side of it helps shape out the grip a bit and prevent twisting in the hand.

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Just make sure that on your first loop around the handle to do the weave you bring the cord under BOTH vertical lengths before starting to weave over and under them. This prevents the wrap from slipping up and off off the tapered handle. A buddy of mine did this wrap from the diagram and it came out perfectly, except he didn't do that important step and one loop of the cord shrugged up awkwardly over the end of the handle. :)
 
The hollow grind is an issue, but a reasonable convex final helps out some. There's the stock thickness has no issues with durability. Some 3/32 blades around here have done long and involved shelter building projects in the NE forests.

But- it's not an axe.

The handle storage idea is fantastic. I need to look at that and see what can really bit fit in there.
 
I like mine ok, though I haven't had an opportunity to really do anything with it. I had ordered the original bushman, but the company I bought it from sent me the Bowie instead. I also found the handle uncomfortable so wrapped it with camo-form tape. Feels good, but doesn't fit the sheath too well now.

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I have used the paracord method that 42 blades posted above, and it works extremely well. I would not really consider using the knife without it. It would also be nice if there were another hole on the "spine" of the handle for a lanyard, I just need to find a drill press.
 
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