Custom bushcraft knife

C

cybrok

Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Messages
4,741
Hi guys.

I see the tax return coming and I started to check for a Bushcraft knife, 4-5" blade.

But why get a production knife when I could get a custom at a decent price?

In my idea at the moment, Koster Bushcraft, Fiddleback Nessie, NWA forum knife (next run). Maybe even a stripped Ranger TFI.

I'm sure some of you guys have used more than one of them. What are their strengths and, if there are, weaknesses.

Other imputs also welcomed.
 
All of the ones you mentioned are great knives. I'd like to toss in the ML Knives Kephart, Nessie, and my favorite, the Woods and Bush. The Woods and Bush is what a bushcrafter would have looked like if it was made 100 years ago in blacksmith shop.
 
Fiddlback also makes a Bushcrafter that looks ridiculously handy, you could check that out.
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I'd also look towards ML knives, awesome stuff there. His Kephart or Woods&Bush knife look like real winners.
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Breeden knives is up-and-coming, looks like wicked stuff too:
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The NWA knife also looks cool, but you've already seen more than a few pics of that one.

Anything from Scott Gossman would be really wicked, but some may fall outside your price range. He makes some knives made intently for the wilderness, by all accounts.

It sounds like you already know what you want pretty well, but some fun productions would be the new RC4 or even an F1, maybe with custom handles.

Just some thoughts!
 
I don't know, there is something about Gossman knives that I just don't like.

I'm not questioning the quality, just that I don't really like the look. Simply a matter of personal taste. I like his nessie though.

Thanks for the imput guys, the kind I was looking for.

Keep the suggestions and experiences with these blades coming :)
 
I gotta tell you, I used the Koster Bushcraft at a 3 day wilderness survival course, and it handled everything I threw at it with no problem. We made traps, rabbit sticks, bow drills, etc. The scandi grind works like a dream for me (I'll never use another grind for bushcraft again), the size was just right, the tip was actually useful for starting holes in fireboards. I just can't say enough good things about the knife. A Nessie-style blade's not going to be what you want for general bushcraft.
 
mapper66 said:
A Nessie-style blade's not going to be what you want for general bushcraft.
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My bad. I forgot to mention it was to be part of a kit, nessmuk style :P

If I am to carry only 2 knives, I'll carry a SAK and my RD6. But at the moment I'm looking to get something to fit between the 15" BAS khukuri and the SAK.

I know Dan makes great knives, but as I already have an order placed (K-tusk) I want to explore other knifemakers' work.

(I know, I'll eventually get a Koster Bushcraft anyway, but maybe not soon)
 
As far as true customs my all time fav bushcraft knife is my Stewart Marsh Bushcrafter on O1 tool steel with an antique ivory Micarta handle.
It has the overall feel of a tool rather than just a knife. It drills and smooths wood like no other blade I own and the handle is pure comfort in any position. Most great woodcraft knives are a little thick for general skinning and slicing so you may want a heavy duty woodcrafter for woodworking duty and a smaller thin blade knife for skinning and kitchen chores.

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As far as premium factory bushcraft knives it is a toss up between the Bark River Aurora and the Nebula. Both feel and perform about the same but the Nebula resists rust a little better.
 
David Farmer's knives work great for bushcraft chores. I use one daily. His convex grind on 1095 is heat treated spot on, so it holds an edge well and is very easy to maintain. I have 5 or 6 of his blades now and like them all. From a couple different EDCs to a larger roach belly, good stuff.
They don't break the bank either and the wait ain't bad!
be safe... Ted
 
redscorpion6 said:
I am a fan of the Horan Knives Companion
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I've never heard of them but really like that blade a lot. I found the homepage but there is no pricing. I wouldn't want to put you into any kind of 'foot in mouth' position, but do you know what a rough price range is on his knives?
 
But ROS, the Aurora and Nebula are made of 2 very different types of steel IMO. The Aurora being made in A2 high carbon steel, and the Nebula in more Stainless like 12C27 if I'm not mistaken. The difference in weathering would be apparent in side by side usage due to SS's lower carbon content, which also makes the knife more 'brittle' in some respects. Not trying to divert the thread, but thought it was worth noting on these 2 models mentioned.
 
1Tracker,

Steel type aside, he seemed to be talking more about the general handling characteristics, which would be more about balance, thickness, length, handle, geometry etc.
 
Shing over on British Blades makes a really nice bushcraft knife.

Also SWC Steve Cox makes a nice one.

I have bought blades off of both of those guys.

Also like others have said the Koster is nice. The only thing for me is on the stock koster the scales are a bit too thin for me.

The Skookum is really worth the wait. Besides the nice handle, it is much thinner than most Bushcraft knives so it slices way better.

Charlie May makes a great bushcraft but make sure he makes your scales thick enough.
 
hollowdweller said:
Shing over on British Blades makes a really nice bushcraft knife.

Also SWC Steve Cox makes a nice one.
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Hey, HD, were they reasonably priced? I love the look of the Stewart Marsh pictured earlier (I have zero idea how much it might be), and have looked at SWC's website, but the high price scared me off. :eek:
 
only customs i own are Nick Allen NWA BF knife...I have a Koster bushcraft in-bound one day but not in hand,the RC3 does well also
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Gotcha Brian! How come your 'green light dot' is'nt showing you're onboard tonight, yet you're posting right along with us? Was going to shoot you an email...
 
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