I need some help!

O

outdoorgeargeek

Joined
Dec 23, 2015
Messages
5
Hello fellow outdoor adventurers. I am a noob with knives. I love the outdoors and was looking for a all purpose/survival/bushcraft knife for everything such as mild chopping, batoning, and bushcraft like whittling. The problem is, I have a very limited budget. my preference is a knife for around 70$ (CAD) but I can go up to 160$ (CAD). I wanted a schf37 because of the low price but quickly discovered it can have many issues with the heat treat and quality. My dream knife is the esee 6 but I can't fathom spending this much on a knife. Is it better to go out and buy a "cheap" knife or to save up and buy a good quality knife? Also, which knife would suit me best keeping in mind that it would take me a very long time to save up for a knife over 100$ (CAD)? Would it be better to save the money and just use what I have (Victorinox Hunter XT, Spyderco Delica, and Fiskars X11)?
 
Replying from the US here, so apologies in advance if I'm messing up the exchange rate, but the ESEE 6 looks to be going for around $130 US around the web, which seems to be just over your max budget. Have you looked at the Ontario RAT line? Same designs for a lot less. The RAT 7 ( 1" longer) goes for around $80 US.
 
I'll give you same suggestion as I always do for others. The Ontario rat line or an anza knife my uncle had one last five years of him and that's impressive
 
Beckers could work. don't know how much they are up north. It is generally better to save and get the quality you want. Don't compromise.
 
KaBar Becker BK5 Magnum Camp is going at great prices right now, pair that versatile 8" blade with a 4" Mora Companion for finer tasks, and you are set for pretty much any knife task thrown your way...

Then save up for a Victorinox Swiss Army knife or Wenger (same difference) model of your liking, preferably one with a saw blade, to give you the extra versatility of a pocket knife with some fixin's. (I prefer the Huntsman or evogrip s18)



It's a killer combo that together can handle all you camp knife needs, and all 3 combined if you shop around, can be had for around $100 (u.s.)
 
^^^^

Yes the Condors are very good. Basic and affordable camp knives.

I prefer the Mora Bushcraft Black to the Condor, but that's just me. You would be well served by either and come in well under budget.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a good general use camp/survival knife. I have spent many 3 day weekends in the woods with nothing but a $17 Mora no 1 and a Leatherman or Victorinox tool and was able to do everything I needed to do.
 
I'll second the Beckers, they fall within your price range, come in sturdy 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel, and are great for the outdoors. From your description it sounds like you want something like a BK2 or BK7. If you want something thinner than the BK2, check out the BK10 or the Becker tweeners like the BK16 or BK17. If you want something bigger, the BK9 is a great knife. Problem is, it's hard to stop after your first one... :)
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From left to right: BK9, BK4, BK5, BK15, BK24, BK13 Remora
 
Becker, Ontario, Condor, and Svord all have some excellent choices in your price range.
 
Use what you have and save up for a battle grade busse. They are taking orders on a new version of the BAE in sr101.
 
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