Good jungle knife???

J

JungleNut

Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
6
Greetings everyone! I'm new here and I just wanted to ask some folks for their opinion on a good, versatile, relatively cheap knife for camping/surviving in the jungle. I've had my eye on the Becker BK2 based on the many great reviews, but Ontario's Task Force Infidel, or TFI has popped up on my radar. I know 1095 and 5160 are pretty prone to rust, especially in a wet place like the rainforest. If I had the cash I would go for a Fallkniven... Any recommendations? Some more info on the TFI would be appreciated. Really like the design...

Thanks in advanced! :D
 
In jungle environment one of the best knives to have is a machete IMO as it is a great tool to clear brush. The knives you consider are great secondary knives. Have a look at ESEE knives as well. They do jungle courses and if you look at their pictures you can also see they emphasise the importance of a machete in a jungle environment.
 
If your looking to stay in the Becker price range take a look at Condor knives. They have plenty of great knives for a jungle environment like the golok or boomslang and you should have plenty of money left over to get yourself a mora or something for the small stuff.
 
Junglenut,

I am also from the tropical rainforest region. An inexpensive machete like Tramontina is indispensable for clearing dense vegetations. It is light and you can work longer hours with it then heavier parangs or goloks. It will also useful for chopping small branches. The BK2 should be alright for camping, just oil it and sharpen often and it will work. A lighter smaller knife like ESEE 3 or Mora works as well for preparing food and fire. Dont worry to much about rust, all steels (stainless included) can rust if not taken care off. Light rust are easily removed when you use or sharpen them.

All the best!
 
I agree with others here. machete

As far as a small fixed blade goes, check out a Stainless Mora or the Cold steel Finn bear
Lightweight, inexopensive and super functional
 
I love the heck out of my BK2 and it works great in the "jungles" of central Ohio. Not sure that translates to real jungles though. :)

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Beckerhead #42
 
Thanks for all the replies guys! I have a few old Imacasa machetes, and have ordered a new cold steel kurki. I think for a secondary knife I'm gonna go for the bk2. But that TFI still appeals to me quite a bit...:jerk it:

Any more options for knives that are similar to the bk2 but are under 100 bucks?? What do you guys think bout the Condor Toloza?

Thanks! JungleNut. :D
 
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I always thought the Condor Jungle Bowie with wood handle would look great strapped to a pack in the jungle. Just seems... fit for the job. Or even the Cold Steel True Flight, it'd make for a sturdy and effective improvised spearpoint.
 
My gawd! That Jungle Bowie is sexeh! :eek: Wish Condor made a non-double edge version though so it would be a better bush-craft knife.

Dang it! Just too many knives to choose from... Might as well go with the bk2 for my secondary blade. Any objections?
 
The BK is fine although you may need to sharpen it frequently when new because their glass filled plastic sheath tends to dull any razor sharp edge. It is a bombproof knife and will last a lifetime. If you dont want to carry much weight and know the right techniques of bushcraft, even a small Izula is enough since the Imacassa Machete will be capable of doing everything else.

Here is a shot of my BK2 on one of my riverine trips besides the Parang Tangking workhorse.

dsc00251h.jpg


Cheers!
 
Thanks for the info bullosa! Beautiful pic. I just ordered the 2nd gen bk2 aswell as a izula :p. Can't wait to try them out on my next expedition.

Thanks everybody! :D

-JungleNut
 
JungleNut said:
Thanks for the info bullosa! Beautiful pic. I just ordered the 2nd gen bk2 aswell as a izula :p. Can't wait to try them out on my next expedition.

Thanks everybody! :D

-JungleNut
Click to expand...

Two great choices! Now, pick up a cheap machete and sharpen her up (usually a machete's edge is badly done on the cheaper ones) and you will be sorted for the rest of your live :)
 
bullosa said:
The BK is fine although you may need to sharpen it frequently when new because their glass filled plastic sheath tends to dull any razor sharp edge. It is a bombproof knife and will last a lifetime.
Click to expand...

Solved by drawing it so the spine contacts the sheath rather than the edge. Easy peasy! Cool photo, btw.

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Beckerhead #42
 
esee machete is sweet but it is quite literally a rehandled tramontina, so unless you really value micarta handles id go that route.

pair that with a sheath knife like an esee, and you good to go.
 
Local machetes and knives from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian areas were developed for that climate and environment. Condor knives come from Central America, with similar requirements.
 
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