Help me find a new bushcraft knife.

3

3wolves

Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
1,061
around 5" (blade length)
wood, stag, or micarta for handles but am open to other suggstions,
a bit of a guard,
nothing tactical,
3/16" blade thickness prefered but definately no thinner than 1/8.
and around $100 but will go higher for the right knife.

I was looking at some of the bark rivers, I like the looks of them alot but couldnt find anything with a 5" blade.

Thanks.
 
The Aurora and Nebula are made for exactly what you're describing (as far as user needs). The blade is about 4.5", if I remember right. Too short? Check their Kephart model, too.

Dan Koster (check the makers forum) also has a new blade coming out called the Bushmaster that you might be able to get in on, good looking blade that ought to have the features you want.

The Fallkniven S1 is another good option in that blade length, if you're looking for a production blade. If you can wait, the RAT Cutlery RC6 will be out soon, too.

You could also find many different custom makers around here, who can set you up with something for surprisingly low costs, built exactly to your needs.
 
Swamp Rat is supposed to have another Ratmandu release.
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I'll tell you what I would get If I was looking for something with those exact requirements....The Helle Brakar I''ve been drooling over that for a while and it seems relatively modest in price check it out at ragweed forge .com
 
3Wolves,

Lakota Hawk. These knives don't get enough press IMHO, thick and tough, beautifully crafted and reasonably priced. I doubt you would go wrong with a Fiddleback Nessie either, but I'm not speaking from personal experience yet:D.

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Grohmann makes some quality blades for a very good price:

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Any Becker will also fill the ticket. And yes, I am a wee little pixie (my feet?)

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You mentioned preferring a guard - would a choil work for you or are you needing a true hilt?

If a choil will work, while you are still considering options - don't forget to check out Grossman's knives in the Maker section as well.

Just picked up a PSK knife from him this week - and it's an awesome little knife - but he has also put out a larger version - think it is around 4 inch for the blade, so may be under what you are needing in blade length.

Good news is though that you can stay around your price point with a cord wrapped handle - or you can spend about $50 more and get micarta scales I believe / sheath is included.

Good luck with your decision, and let us know what you decide on.

sp
 
At the top of the picture below is a new Buck #408 Kalinga Pro in S30V (4.88" x .160" thick blade). While a bit upswept, a la a skinner, it is a quite useful size and style - and very comfortable in the hand. It comes with a well made leather sheath. The MSRP is $175, but careful shopping will land you one for ~$100. Made in the USA, too.

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I also like my Bark River 'Fox River' and 'Gameskeeper', shown below as the third & fourth knives from the left. The Fox River is traditionally thought of as a 'bushcraft' knife - but only has a 4.25" x .170" A2 steel blade with a choil, where the Gameskeeper has a 4.5" x .215" A2 steel blade with a guard and choil. It also has a larger palm-swell, which fits my medium-large hands quite well. You can get Micarta handles, like mine, for <$150 - or spend a bunch more for some real beautiful handles... mine are users.

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Below is the Fox River and a Northwoods Gladstone Drop Point Hunter in Cocobolo/D2 steel. That little guy feels great - and is a bargain for <$80. Like the similar background BRK&T knives, it is convex ground. Of course, it's even shorter - just less than 4" - but what a neat knife. Those UP MI knifemakers are great.

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Of course, there is always the Buck #105 'Pathfinder'... it's a real 5"-er, but .125" thick. The best buy in Buck for 'bushcraft' for me has always been a 192 Vanguard with a 4.1" x .138" blade (420HC or S30V), but the 119 Special, <$34 at Wally World, see's some use even by Les Stroud ('Survivorman'). It's a 6" x .174" Bowie-style blade of 420HC, with it's fine point it's only Achille's heel. Great choices, all - and made in the USA.


Stainz
 
Rat-5 seems to fit the bill, 5 inch blade, micarta scales, about the same thickness as you want, can be has shipped for about 85 bucks, and it has a guard and finger coil. It is kind of tactical, you could strip the black coating though.
 
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