hello everybody and thank you

J

josephus

Joined
Sep 7, 2003
Messages
20
hi all.

ive been lurking here for ages and learning loads as i go. thanks to you i have avoided making some dreadfull purchases, and now know what i want much better.

so ive finally decided to ask a question.

im moving from belfast northern ireland to banff in canada shortly. i wanted two knives for camping, hunting and protection. over here we have strict laws regarding what we can carry, but i cheat and carry my first knife purchased with your help, a buck strider 880 spearpoint. now i want to compliment this with a fixed blade as soon as i move over,

whats it to be ? i want a semi fighting knife thats allso great for the outdoors, ive discounted MOD and Buck, and like the Busse battle mistress, buts its too costly, so maybe the swamp rat instead. i REALLY like the 101st airborn by newt livesay, the chris reeves green beret or the Camillus ovb fisk southwest bowie, as i love bowies especially big bowies. im worried though as it seems i should avoid metals except tool steel ats34, and vg10, (if thats wrong forgive me) and loads of knives i like are of steels im not sure about.

please gice me an idea of what youd carry if you were me. i love my strider, ive loosened the bolts a little and it allmost acts like a flick knife, and where i live its needed.

thanks you again for the wonderfull knowledge youve imparted


josephus
 
Welcome to the Bladeforums, Josephus! :)

If you want a big bowie and an affordable one, you may want to consider the BK9 combat bowie. It's value for money. Or, if you wish to spend a bit more, may the Swamp Rat model Battle Rat.
 
I don't have an answer to your question, I just wanted to welcome you to the forums.
 
Welcome Josephus!

I think any of the choice you mentioned would fit the bill on an excellent outdoor knife. If you choose to spend less it would be worthwhile to take a good look at the Becker line.
 
The Becker BK-7 or BK-9 would be great, and any of the Swamp Rats, too. Swamp Rats have soft but durable handles, and the Beckers are best for big hands. Since you're happy with the Buck/Strider, the Becker line will do fine, and the BK-7 is a good size to start with. These are all pretty reasonably priced. No need to spend too much money until you've had a chance to try different size blades to see what works best for you.

The Livesay is probably fine, and I've got many of Chris Reeve's folders and one-piece blades. But the Bk-7 is their "Combat/Utility", meant to replace the old Marine Ka-Bar.

Stainless steels are fine, but if you are going to maintain your equipment, carbon steels will hold up, too. The Livesay and Camillus OVB are carbon, so they will take and hold a great edge.

You really want to check out BladeForums.com Knife FAQs. Great information on steels and sharpening and more.
 
Hi josephus and welcome.I'm a multi-tooler and folder type so I can't suggest anything...just saying "HI" :)
 
Hi and Welcome!

Your first post is a good one.

I'd say you'd make a good choice with Camillius, BK&T, or Swamp Rat... all are a really decent value.

You may wanna check out khukuris as well, many sizes available, mighty bang for the buck, and pretty ideal for outdoors/defense... they're wicked tools!

There's a forum under "Makers & Manufacturers" for Himalayan Imports. Talk to Uncle Bill. This stuff is great! Handmade too.

Go here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=739
 
Welcome josephus to the forum and I'm sure you'll be welcomed in Banff as well.

It's beautiful there and there's lots of stuff to cut in the forest, not like here in California!

If your interested in a fighting knife I agree that it should also be great for the outdoors as you'll probably never have to use it for fighting.

A relatively inexpensive but capable knife is the USMC Kabar. File off the top portion of the cross guard till flush with the handle and you'll have an excellent general purpose/fighting knife.

You'll soon find that you'l need more than only a couple of knives for the Canadian wilderness.

I would also recommend a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe or Hunter's Axe. They are designed for medium chopping and are light enough to carry in a pack.

A knife larger than a Kabar will chop better than the kabar but won't be as usefull for the regular cutting chores and it won't chop better than one of those axes.

When you graduate to full wilderness nut like many of us here in the forum, you'll have many knives, axes and saws in your kit because there is not one knife that is capable of doing everything well.

Good luck in all your future adventures.

Cheers,
Collector
 
Hello, Josephus,

I'm 50% Ulster myself, and I can see why a good, big knife could be a comfort!

I would suggest a Cold Steel Trailmaster. They're tough, priced to sell, readily available and take a good edge. Here's a review of one, pitted against a Busse. Bear in mind the price difference.

Have a good time in Canada.

maximus otter
 
Welcome! If I could afford it I'd get the CRK Green Beret. Great steel by a fine maker. Rats are well liked by their owners, and I wholeheartedly concur about the Beckers being a great value. Yep, this place has kept me from buying some bad knives, but cost me alot too by turning me on to some really good ones:D Good luck on your move.
 
Originally posted by josephus
hi all.

ive been lurking here for ages and learning loads as i go. thanks to you i have avoided making some dreadfull purchases, and now know what i want much better.

so ive finally decided to ask a question.

im moving from belfast northern ireland to banff in canada shortly. i wanted two knives for camping, hunting and protection. over here we have strict laws regarding what we can carry, but i cheat and carry my first knife purchased with your help, a buck strider 880 spearpoint. now i want to compliment this with a fixed blade as soon as i move over,

whats it to be ? i want a semi fighting knife thats allso great for the outdoors, ive discounted MOD and Buck, and like the Busse battle mistress, buts its too costly, so maybe the swamp rat instead. i REALLY like the 101st airborn by newt livesay, the chris reeves green beret or the Camillus ovb fisk southwest bowie, as i love bowies especially big bowies. im worried though as it seems i should avoid metals except tool steel ats34, and vg10, (if thats wrong forgive me) and loads of knives i like are of steels im not sure about.

please gice me an idea of what youd carry if you were me. i love my strider, ive loosened the bolts a little and it allmost acts like a flick knife, and where i live its needed.

thanks you again for the wonderfull knowledge youve imparted


josephus
Click to expand...

Whatever knife you choose, it's not for "protection" against humans. It's a "tool".

I can't reccomend many fixed blades, but a Spyderco Military is a worthy rival to your Buck Strider.
 
any of the Chris Reeve fixed blades are awesome knives! Highest quality, beautiful in simplicity.
 
Welcome, don't rule out any of the older Pumas, or even some of the Kabars.

kabextreme.jpg
Picture courtesy of The Knife Outlet
 
When you get to Canada you might want to contact Ron Leuschen of Little Hen Knives. He has a model called the Cadet that sells for a very reasonable price. It is not made from stainless steel, but that shouldn't be a problem. It does not get humid often in the Banff area and with minimal care you will have no trouble with the O-1 steel that Ron uses. This may not be as big as you would like, but I am sure that Ron could build you something bigger if you wanted.

www.littlehenknives.com
 
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