Favorite bushcraft knife

I grew up with lockback folders so any woodscrafting I do nowadays is with my 14 year old Gerber Gator clip point.
 
Wish I could post a pic!

My favorite bushcraft knife is a custom I had forged for me by G.L. Drew. It has a 5" blade with a straight spine, belly like a roachbelly. With a good handfilling handle of desert ironwood. Full flat grind that I've convexed the edge on. 5160 steel (I'd prefer 0-1a) and it takes a razor edge easily, keeps it well.

This knife performs excellently in most every bushcraft task I've put it to. Although it is a bit larger than most of the knives I see termed "bushcraft knives".

Works fantastic in the kitchen too. Flat glides through meat.
 
RoyalM said:
Koster Bushcraft in O1.

Simply put the knife just works for me. I can use it for every task I need to and it does them with ease. Holds a good edge, sharpens easily and doesn't take much to maintain or clean.

Worth every cent and to be honest I haven't bought a knife in this category since.
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I can't say that I haven't bought another bushcraft blade after I got my Koster, but damn if it isn't a great knife. Mine's 3V which is a bit tougher to sharpen, but my diamond stones take care of it just fine.
 
PayetteRucker said:
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The Rodan has been seeing more miles the last few weeks than anything, ugly as sin but it's just too ergonomic not to use-the blade shape and full convex grind just scream "use me!". The steel is very soft-I have to sharpen it quite frequently and I find the edge rolling alot. If this blade were heat treated a notch or two higher and had typical Condor wood scales...
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It's an addictive knife, isn't it? :D

Strange that yours has a soft edge--mine takes the finest edge out of nearly any knife I own! :eek:
 
oh it's sharp to high heaven and very easy to make so-but it does roll with woodworking. I use a hardstone and make it right as rain again, I just wish the steel were a bit harder so it would stay that way.
 
I use a DMT Diafold and free-hand it, then finish by stropping. :thumbup:

Payette Rucker:
I know that they're running the steel at 56-58 RC, so while it's not as hard as a standard pocket knife it shouldn't have rolling issues. Perhaps the convex edge on yours was done a bit on the thin side? They do have a fair degree of variation piece to piece. :o Also mine is a first-gen so that may account for the difference. Mine is even uglier than yours because the grinds aren't as precise. Maybe there's some difference between the two generations. :)

Either way it's amazing how much $25 can get you isn't it? It's like a Mora on steroids! :eek:
 
I'm gonna have to vote for the BHK Bushcrafter. It's scary sharp, well balanced, built to work, feels great in the hand, AND it's a great looking blade! Oh yeah, and very reasonably priced!!
 
:D Check out the new line of Condor knives. I have some and though I haven't beat them to death, they look hungry and they want to come back for more. Even if they break, you haven't lost a lot of money.:D
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I use a DMT Diafold and free-hand it, then finish by stropping. :thumbup:

Payette Rucker:
I know that they're running the steel at 56-58 RC, so while it's not as hard as a standard pocket knife it shouldn't have rolling issues. Perhaps the convex edge on yours was done a bit on the thin side? They do have a fair degree of variation piece to piece. :o Also mine is a first-gen so that may account for the difference. Mine is even uglier than yours because the grinds aren't as precise. Maybe there's some difference between the two generations. :)

Either way it's amazing how much $25 can get you isn't it? It's like a Mora on steroids! :eek:
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They are anything but perfect but that convex edge really performs. It could definately be on the light side, my blade hooks slightly to the right towards the point, apparently it warped slightly in heat treat. If my Rodan is within that range it's definately at the low end. I still love it though...
 
The warp could also be due to being ground more on one side than the other--I've seen that before. Condors may not win any awards for consistency but they sure do perform! :D

I plan on picking up a second Rodan for myself to stash in my laptop bag. I may strip the coating off of my old one and polish it just for kicks. :p
 
Spyderco bushcraft uk. Handle fits so well theres no hot spots for me. The blade is the easiest of any I own to sharpen like a razor.
 
Can't decide. I have too many that are really good and stand out in their own little way. I guess if I had a favorite, I would just stick with the one, but I rotate them often.

Bushy's I like: Breeden Cub, pathfinder, peacemaker; RC-4/3, Koyote Skinner. I just received a B. Andrews Bushcrafter in trade with JCAVSD. I like that one a lot right now, but its too new to say if its schwing bling or will test use in time. Seems like a winner from the day or two I've played with it.
 
B.G. Andrews Bushcrafter with mesquite scales made from wood that I harvested with my father 35 yrs ago.--KV
 
posted these beofore, but i'll post them again..
here are some more recent addictions, i mean additions....:D

Spyderco Bushcraft knife...:) i love it.. mine doesn't have any cracks(yet), but did have a little shrinking in the scales.. nothing to worry about..

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Fiddleback Forge made, Joezilla designed "Terrasaur"... awesome all around knife..

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Ray Laconico/ Mark Wohlwend collaboration knife... this is such a great user oriented design.. it feels rediculously comfortable and agile in the hand..

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oh.. i also recently scored a nice user BRKT Golok... i am so stoked.. i have wanted one for years...:D

cheers... Mike
 
I didn't expect this large of a response. I'm in the market for a bushcraft knife my self. Nice knives! Keep em coming.
 
I gotta go with my Bark River full tang Kephart. Thin enough to handle fine slicing but still thick enough to be durable under batoning and other abusive tasks. Handle is comfortable and can be used all day long with comfort. I saw someone mention rubber handles. While they are nice a grippy they also give me blisters after about 10 hours of use. The Smooth Maple on my BR Kephart allows me to use it constantly without fatigue. It had a decent convex edge on it when I got it... now it has a terrifying razor sharp convex edge on it thanks to me LOL. A2 tool steel is a wonderful steel. I polished mine and it's pretty rust resistant now. The Sharpshooter sheath is nice and has a place for a fire steel. With that setup, my Leatherman Charge XTI, and Silky Big Boy saw... there really isn't any task I can't get done.

I think the Kephart is the ultimate wilderness knife design (No offense to the scandi boys). So look into that pattern from whatever company you like. I'm looking into Kepharts from ML and Laconico.
 
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