Cold Steel's Mini Bushman

Nick jarvis

Nick jarvis

Joined
Mar 28, 2002
Messages
111
I am thinking about getting a Bushman (probably the mini version)to stick in the bottom of a pack with a load of other "stuff" to keep in the boot (trunk) of my car. I dont want to be too tempted to take it out and play with it but I wanted something a bit more flexible, than a mora. The Idea of sticking a staff in the end to extend it sounds good (18'spear....GOOD...Go tell the Spartans), This would be a sort of 3rd/4th back up.
Has anyone got any coments on the Bushman's, as if I were to go for it I would have to get it mail order so I would miss out on the first hand eyeball.
Nick.
PS I am not too bothered about the sheath, more the handle, is there a cap,bung,stopper? and the weight feel ect.
 
Oooh Oooh I know this one!

I got the biggie for similar reasons. Since most everyone reading this has probably already seen the advantages (or can look them up), I will concentrate on the drawbacks/limitations I see. This is not to be interpreted to mean that it is not worth what it sells for or that it is useless, just that it has limitations like every other knife. (oops, except for the Sebbie...)

The knife starts out as a solid flat sheet of steel the thickness of the blade. The blade and handle are cut/stamped out (no offense meant if these are nowhere near the precise terms or sequence) as one piece, and the handle is wrapped/formed around until it almost meets itself. The junction of the blade and handle is crimped and formed in such a manner that the blade is roughly centered on the handle's axis. (Mine is crooked by 4 degrees or so.)

This is very similar to a stamped and formed shovel. The hollow handle is open at both ends, has a slot down one side (the side rarely shown in the photos), and is tapered. It is very like the handle socket of some garden tools. The slot on mine is a good 1/8 inch wide or more.

The construction is rock solid and virtually unbreakable without some mechanical force multiplier. Yes, the edge and tip are subject to the same damage from abuse as most any other carbon steel blade of like thickness and geometry, but that handle is not coming off..

If you want to store anything in the handle, you can wrap it in leather or cord and friction fit it in and hope for the best, or put a bolt or cabletie (or velcro, tape, etc) through the hole near the back end of the handle provided for nailing or screwing on an extended handle. If you are looking for waterproof storage, you will have to provide your own container to insert.

My only real irritation is the flaking coating. Kind of made it useless in the kitchen area.
 
Both models of the Bushman are great. I prefer the old coating by far to the new one, but other than that, there's probably not a better knife value out there except for Mora knives....
 
If these knives appeal to you at all then get one. You will not be disapointed. I have both sizes and like them both but use the smaller more. I've used it mostly to clean fish and food prep in camp. The idea of making a spear was what made me look at the knives at first but I have yet to try it but I have made a 4in extention to make it a better chopper. I have not had any trouble with rust and find the knives very easy to sharpen. The sheath has some to be desired but if you are going to carry it in a pack it will do just fine. I read on some other web site where someone wrapped a flint rod with paracord and stuffed it into the handle and the friction keeps it in there. I tried it and it works. I also put a small screw in there to help keep it on the extention.


Dean
 
I have one of the normal Bushmans and think for the price it is a great knife. Mine came very sharp out of the box, with no crookedness of the handle as mentioned by Grommit.

It doesn't come with a cap or bung, but if your keeping it in a bag with other equipment them you won't need one. All in all I would say that if your going to put it in the bottom of your bag and forget about it then go with this knife.

Just be careful, you know what the Police are like in the UK :)

Orm.
 
This knife is a great bargain. I too carry it in a back in my trunk for emergencies.

I made one mod that I'll share; works for me but YMMV.

I have added 1" wide gray anti-slip tape to the handle.
I found this stuff by 3M, I think, in an ACE hardware for cheap. It feels rubbery and is about 1/16" thick.

It works great for keeping a firm grip and preventing one's hand from sliding into the blade. Not pretty but it works. I have tried encircling the handle in two locations as well as trying strips along the handle. either works OK.

(I first tried skateboard tape: it's like adhesive 220 grit sandpaper: but it was too anti-slip and chewed up my hands.)

O. Neman
 
I was thinking about good'ol para cord around the handle, mainly to even out "grommits slot"...
Orm please dont start me off on 'plod' I went to a party at the weekend one of the wifes friends......she's old bill, her bloke's old bill.................lots of the others there were old bill. Had to leave after a coulpe of hours to keep my head straight, being stuck in a room with a bunch of spotty twats who all thought they were so cool,clever,hard ect what a load of pricks :barf: Thank god for the older wiser bill.See you have started me off on one...
What about a bung for the end....of the bushman.
 
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