Do it all bushcraft/camp knife

strategy9 said:
My take on the bk5 vs bk9 after handling both, (as I was stuck between the 2 myself), is;
While both have the same spine thickness, at almost 0.2" thick;
The 9 is by far a better "chopper". It's an inch longer and 6.5 oz heavier, with more belly in the tip, and the saber grind gives it much more "meat" in the spine for handling abuse...
The 5 however won me over as being the better "knife"... the missing inch is neither here nor there for me, at 8" it is plenty of knife, but the 6.5 oz difference is a valuable weight reduction when carrying/using. I'm no slouch, and don't mind weight, but all things considered, factoring in other gear as well, <1 lb vs. >1 lb (by almost 1/2 a lb) does make a difference in long term fatigue. The full flat grind makes it a much better slicer, the tip makes a better poker, and with the same thickness in the spine, (albeit less of it), it can still handle chopping duties as needed, if simply not quite as much abuse, (which i don't typically abuse tools).

If you wanted a chopper, I'd say the 9 all day, but as you asked for a "do-it-all" knife, the 5 hands down is the more versatile of the 2. You'd be much better off trying to chop with the 5 then you would be trying to fine slice with the thick slab of 9...
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That is a pretty convincing argument in favor of the BK-5 (8"). I have passed on buying one often. The size is what always pushed me away from it. May have to pick one up and play with it. Don't know... trying to slow this whole knife buying thing down and use what I have rather than always looking for the next one.
 
Just to throw something else in there, Bradford guardian 5 - in 3v, great overall, highly rated, etc etc. Or, for about $20 more, the guardian 6 :)

3d-guardian-5-3v.jpg
 
Becker campanion would certainly be tough tool. You people have given me something to think about.

The Enzo camper has a higher grind than other Enzos and a secondary microbevel. This might give the best of both worlds.
 
gadunz said:
Svord combined sticker, skinner, boner.
Svord%20Deluxe%20Hunter%20Knife%20-%20Model%20280H%20copy.1.jpg

Hunter 7
Model 280h
Length of Blade (inches) 7"
Over All Length (inches) 12"
Blade Shape Hunter
Handle Material Mahogany and Brass
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 3mm
Sheath Leather
http://www.svord.com/index.php?id_product=16&controller=product
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This is nothing at all like what he said he wants in the examples. Why are you recommending random knives you like on this mans thread?

H HFinn Any of those would work. I think the chipping problem with certain stainless steels like s30v, 154cm, etc...are only a problem if you mistreat the knife. In a smallish knife like you are talking it should not be an issue. HOWEVER the 1095 blades from Esse that you mentioned or someone like Kabar Becker, Ontario, or many others are REALLY easy to sharpen. You can with a stone spend about 1-2 minutes and get a dull knife shaving sharp, sometimes only needing a strop.

Get a less expensive 1095 blade imo now and use it for a long white to discover what you really like. Might be all you need. I have been satified with my BK16 in 1095. I have many knives with better more modern steels however they are smaller and carried in pocket.
 
Of the knives you listed, I'd go with the ESEE 6 HM. I also dislike choils, and the HM version seems soooo much more appealing to me.

Also, if you're looking at the ESEE 6, I'd be remiss if I didn't also recommend the Becker BK12/ Ritter MK2. This one was designed as a collaboration between Doug Ritter, and Ethan Becker, and is the only current production "Becker handled" knife not made by Kabar. Its actually made by Rowen (the manufacturer that makes the ESEE knives), and shares the same warranty/etc. I've not handled the BK12, nor the ESEE 6 HM personally, but I do find that the Becker handle design is very, very comfortable for me in extended use.

For a cheaper knife in that same size category of "larger than your typical bushcraft knife, but not quite chopper", look at the Schrade SCHF 42D. I normally wouldn't recommend a schrade (not a huge fan of them personally), but this one was designed by Mistwalker (member of this forum), and the design reminds me of a Becker BK16 on steroids, which is a complement. Its a ~5in, 3/16in thick blade made out of 1095. It is also made in Taiwan, instead of China, like most of the rest of the Schrade SCHF lineup. It runs ~$40-45.

The BK2 is undoubtedly a very tough knife, but I don't really carry mine much, just because I've found that I don't need as much strength as it provides on a regular basis, and prefer to carry less weight. You might be interested in the BK10 though (similar overall size, but made out of 3/16in blade stock, so a fair bit lighter). And personally, once you get over ~6in in blade length, its starting to feel more like a chopper to me, and in that case, I'd rather double down and get an actual chopper (BK9, machete, etc), and then bring a smaller knife like a Mora, and getting knives that are good at both tasks, instead of just mediocre at both (large/small work).

Anyway, good luck finding something that works for you :).
 
Yes to the BK-10 over the BK-2 if leaning toward the BK-2. The BK-2 is just too much knife for me.... meaning sharpened prybar. My BK-2 sits unused and it will stay that way. I was really impressed (and so many good reviews/recommendations at the time) with it when I bought it, but then I started playing around with it and it just wasn't for me.
 
HFinn said:
I had in mind to strip them, then force a patina.
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Stripped the’ll need some sanding otherwise rust becomes an issue as there are generally a lot of gouges from the grinding process which tend to hold moisture. Another thing to consider is that these survival type knives tend to be overly thick in the edge. You may want to pad your budget with sending it off to be thinned in mind. Maybe have them polish it up too. Both food prep and carving become problematic the thicker the edge IME.

No experience with tops other then a super overly thick(read unusable) eco hawk but I’ve had a few esee’s. They’re nice but they run their knives a bit soft IMO. My Izzy 2 couldn’t finish up a green soft maple spoon without getting dull. Something my mora 137 devoured like it was chuckling at it. I’d look harder at Becker over esee. The one tweener and the laser strike are IMO essentially kepharts which is a solid design.

Or get a mora companion. :D
 
I love my Becker BK5s and BK15s ... but both mostly for butchering and food prep kitchen duties as 91bravo said ...

the BK5 is more than capable in the woods but it's a big knife ... I would have to say give LT Wright knives a look ... they are great knives and you can pick from several models ... uncoated blades in 01, A2, and a few now in 3V ... IMHO they are great utility knives and great knives ... about any size or style you might want ... and not alot higher cost than those mentioned ...
 
Out of your original choices, for me it would be Esse every time. I have never been disappointed in an Esse product. I also have a few KaBar/Becker knives including the bk5. It is a very capable knife. If you want one get on it because they are discontinued and are getting a little harder to find.
 
This is a very interesting conversation and it has made me think of my needs and preferences again. Originally I had wished for a knife that can chop within limits, that can baton (not anything huge but make kindling to start fire) and that can be used in kitchen duties. I might have expressed myself wrong by mentioning carving, by this I ment only rudimentary whittling. For precise carving I surely have other knives. Now I understand that these needs can counter each other and I have to be more precise.

Blade lenght plays some role because I find it usefull in the kitchen, but also in other duties. For this kitchen work the edge needs to be somewhat thin, but not enough to counter working with firewood. Now I wonder is there such a beast and am I overthinking and reasoning this too much. :confused::D
 
strategy9 said:
KaBar Becker BK5 magnum camp is my favorite go-to "do it all" camp knife... pointy tip, sweeping belly, thick spine, flat ground, 8" of awesomeness...

Pair with a mora companion and SAK and you're all set for any adventure...
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Emphasis mine.

This is always the problem with a “do it all” quest. There is no such beast. Your trio would serve much better than any single, “do it all” choice.
 
HFinn said:
Blade lenght plays some role because I find it usefull in the kitchen, but also in other duties. For this kitchen work the edge needs to be somewhat thin, but not enough to counter working with firewood. Now I wonder is there such a beast and am I overthinking and reasoning this too much. :confused::D
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Kitchen and splitting wood are exactly opposed. One benefits from thinness, the other from thickness. A middle of the road will disappoint both. I bring a North Arm Knives Mallard (essentially a thin s35vn paring knife) for food prep, so my belt knife can be as thick as I like for wood.

Bring a trio of more specialized knives (big, small, food) and you will meet all your needs better (except pack weight).
 
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Dr Rez said:
This is nothing at all like what he said he wants in the examples. Why are you recommending random knives you like on this mans thread?
Click to expand...

Don’t think of Gadunz as answering the literal question in the thread, as he often does not. Think of Gadunz as answering the question, “Which Svord model is the closest to being relevant to the thread?”

Then all the posts make sense.
 
HFinn said:
Fallkniven S 1 with zytel sheath. Absolutely at the upper end of my budget. 5 inch blade, VG 10 so it should handle any foodstuff without rust. Plenty sturdy for batoning, rubber handle. Any thoughts?

https://www.fallkniven.com/en/knife/s1/

s1_png_1200px_72dpi2_compressed.png
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You won't regret the Fallknive S1, I have poseted about it here many times. Great all round woods knife. They call it the Forest Knife, and I think that fits.

Another slab of solid VG-10 worth Considering is the Spyderco Temperance iI. I have found it to be an excellent all round woods/camp blade.
IMG_4808-XL.jpg



It'll break wood down, and slice it up,
IMG_4803-XL.jpg



It does a fantastic job as a camp cook too. As a one knife camp option, it's pretty cool. And I do really like the S-1, but the Temp 2 is more slicy.

Do your homework.
If you are going to be prepping a lot of food, making tent/tarp pegs, tripods, feather sticks, and curls, batoning some, and just general woods/camp related tasks. You may love the Temperance II.

If your hopes and dreams are closer to John Rambo, there may be better options.

It is also a very interesting knife to just sit and stare at.
IMG_4805-XL.jpg



I find it to be a great all around blade. And nice looking too.
IMG_4811-XL.jpg


For the record, out of the 3 on your original list. I'd go with the 6HM, strip it and use it.
 
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