In need of a woods walks knife

[Jack Black]

Those are some fine looking knives, ive been kinda put off by d2 as ive only had 2 knives in it. One was great, the other took hoirs to sharpen and lost its edge quickly. When done right d2 is wonderful though

Thanks I've long had a liking for D2, but if I could have got a flat-ground Elver in O1 (they do a Scandi-ground model in O1), I'd have had that. I don't mind a Scandi-ground knife, but give me a flat or convex grind anyday :thumbup:

 

[pinnah]

Not traditional

Gary and Frank can clarify but I don't think they have clear guidelines on what is considered outside of the category of traditional fixed blade.

We can't say that coated blades are a no-no, as that would exclude the Ka-bar. Plenty of slab handled traditionals and plenty of Micarta handled traditionals too. I see no justification to exclude the ESEEs or the Beckers.

If there is any design feature that I don't care for it is curved grind lines. I associate them (rightly or wrongly) with modern small radius grinders and I see the use of curved grind lines as an entirely non-functional aesthetic feature. In this way, I see the Buck 113 as non-traditional despite the use of brass and wood.

If somebody could point me to vintage knives with such curved grind lines, I'd happily adjust my thinking.

 

[bluecow]

D H Russel #2 bird and trout.

 

[popedandy]

Gary and Frank can clarify but I don't think they have clear guidelines on what is considered outside of the category of traditional fixed blade.

We can't say that coated blades are a no-no, as that would exclude the Ka-bar. Plenty of slab handled traditionals and plenty of Micarta handled traditionals too. I see no justification to exclude the ESEEs or the Beckers.

If there is any design feature that I don't care for it is curved grind lines. I associate them (rightly or wrongly) with modern small radius grinders and I see the use of curved grind lines as an entirely non-functional aesthetic feature. In this way, I see the Buck 113 as non-traditional despite the use of brass and wood.

If somebody could point me to vintage knives with such curved grind lines, I'd happily adjust my thinking.

This probably wasn't the best forum for the question. There are a few knives I could suggest, but it's rather difficult to figure out what is considered traditional and what is not.

Edit: I had a bit more written, but decided to start a separate thread.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would definitely take a good look at Hess knives as they are in 1095 and fairly inexpensive. Their Outdoorsman is a really nice knife. I almost ordered one last night, then hesitated as I thought the handle thickness might be a bit thin. You see I am looking for essentially the same kind of knife but fairly traditional. Yes, I know, I already have knives I use for this, but want another. I started with the Kephart design as my reference point, but tend to like a sabre point/clip point design overall for woods stuff. The Outdoorsman model has a blade just short of 5" which is about the perfect size for me, but a little large for the OP in this thread.

 

[JupiterPaladin]

Mora knives in carbon steel always seem like a good choice to me

 

[Coke]

Sometimes I wonder... it is as traditional as a Mora. Mods can delete my post if they want. The line between traditional and modern is sometimes pretty thin.

Isn't everything that's made today modern? How can a new knife be traditional, even if it looks traditional? Aren't the only true traditional knives those which were made decades or more ago?

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary...

 

[fishcakes]

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions and awesome pictures. I really dig the hess caper/ mini caper, enzo elver and the little western yellowswiss showed off. Hess, michael morris and enzos are on my radar now. Im gonna see how i like the mora and go from there. Ive been looking up a couple mora videos and they look pretty sweet :thumbup:

 

[Peregrin]

Isn't everything that's made today modern? How can a new knife be traditional, even if it looks traditional? Aren't the only true traditional knives those which were made decades or more ago?

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary...

For the discussions in this sub forum, there's a definition in the guidelines. You don't have to agree with it, just use it when posting here.

 

[abbydaddy]

Someone else mentioned it, but I thought I would mention it again with a picture. What about the Ag Russell Woodswalker?

I mean, how is it that it took until the second page to even come up that there is a low cost knife designed to be exactly what the OP was asking for. Whether or not the OP decides to try it out, it is an example of a little utility knife designed for woodswalking.

 

[Peregrin]

Great little knife, abbydaddy. I had one that my wife decided was her paring knife. Then she managed to mistakenly toss it the trash one day ..... It was perfect for a walk in the woods.

deltaboy mentioned it and posted a link a few posts back but, a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[SonnyJim]

Surprised no one's recommended the LT Wright Patriot yet. 5 5/8" overall, D2 steel and starting at $65 bux you can't go wrong! If you want to step up in style, check out Fiddleback Forge for an Esquire or any number of their numerous smaller offerings for the purtiest, most ergonomic handles (careful though, it can be addictive).

~Jim

 

[Halfneck]

The AG Russell Woodswalker is a great little fixed blade for the money. Mine actually sees more use around the house than the woods though lately. I'm actually working with a maker on a modified version of one. One of those "What if it had some nice wood scales & a little better steels" kind of things.

 

[Pàdruig]

I am a little late to the party, been pretty busy the last few days. I do love this discussion though, I find that fixed blades is an oft neglected subject on the Porch here and it is always a pleasure to see it come up once in awhile. That being said, I think the line between modern and traditional when it comes to fixed blades tends to be more easily blurred in discussions as opposed to folders.

But back to the OP's original queries:

I am going to parrot those who have recommended Moras and Bucks. I have had a Buck 119 for close to 16-17 years and it has been through a lot, had it with me when building houses in Mexico, had it with me canoeing in Ontario, its been all across the States, and it has never failed me. Though it may be on the larger side in regards to your set criteria, it is a stout knife and I couldn't recommend it or Buck's other offerings more highly.

Moras provide the absolute best bang for your buck, in my opinion. You are getting quality steel in an economical package. Bushcrafters love Mora knives, and for good reason. They are inexpensive, comfortable, durable, sharpen easily, and their grinds are excellent. Plus, you can get 3 or 4 in different sizes/configurations to try out for the price of one Buck or other comparably priced blade.

Posts are always better with pictures:

My Buck 119, I'll try to get a better picture on my lunch in a bit.

A new Mora Classic #2 that I am going to mod and gift to my buddy for his B'day. (Bullnose not included)

 

[fishcakes]

Someone else mentioned it, but I thought I would mention it again with a picture. What about the Ag Russell Woodswalker?

I mean, how is it that it took until the second page to even come up that there is a low cost knife designed to be exactly what the OP was asking for. Whether or not the OP decides to try it out, it is an example of a little utility knife designed for woodswalking.

It certainly fits my size requirement, but im not sure about that slightly upswept blade. Does using it result in "overcutting"(not sure if thats the term, but i mean having to make more exagerated cutting motions to compensate for the upsweep)?

 

[fishcakes]

Surprised no one's recommended the LT Wright Patriot yet. 5 5/8" overall, D2 steel and starting at $65 bux you can't go wrong! If you want to step up in style, check out Fiddleback Forge for an Esquire or any number of their numerous smaller offerings for the purtiest, most ergonomic handles (careful though, it can be addictive).

~Jim

Ive looked at the patriot over and over again for a couple years. But ive seen too few real people talk about it for me to pull the trigger. If youve got one id love to hear your impressions

The esquire looks nice, but its quite a bit out of my price range. Thats a little over half my weekly paycheck

 

[fishcakes]

I am a little late to the party, been pretty busy the last few days. I do love this discussion though, I find that fixed blades is an oft neglected subject on the Porch here and it is always a pleasure to see it come up once in awhile. That being said, I think the line between modern and traditional when it comes to fixed blades tends to be more easily blurred in discussions as opposed to folders.

But back to the OP's original queries:

I am going to parrot those who have recommended Moras and Bucks. I have had a Buck 119 for close to 16-17 years and it has been through a lot, had it with me when building houses in Mexico, had it with me canoeing in Ontario, its been all across the States, and it has never failed me. Though it may be on the larger side in regards to your set criteria, it is a stout knife and I couldn't recommend it or Buck's other offerings more highly.

Moras provide the absolute best bang for your buck, in my opinion. You are getting quality steel in an economical package. Bushcrafters love Mora knives, and for good reason. They are inexpensive, comfortable, durable, sharpen easily, and their grinds are excellent. Plus, you can get 3 or 4 in different sizes/configurations to try out for the price of one Buck or other comparably priced blade.

Posts are always better with pictures:

My Buck 119, I'll try to get a better picture on my lunch in a bit.

A new Mora Classic #2 that I am going to mod and gift to my buddy for his B'day. (Bullnose not included)

Yep, i really do love bucks steel. It just works. I think ill do a thorough rundown of the mora when i get the chance.

The only thing that turns me off a but about bucks fixed blades is that im simply not a hunter. Ive herded deer, been on some hunts, but ive never actually hunted myself. I feel like buck makes their fixed blades more for hunters and i just dont do it. That aside, their fixed blades are generally quite a bit bigger than id like.

 

[Pàdruig]

Yep, i really do love bucks steel. It just works. I think ill do a thorough rundown of the mora when i get the chance.

The only thing that turns me off a but about bucks fixed blades is that im simply not a hunter. Ive herded deer, been on some hunts, but ive never actually hunted myself. I feel like buck makes their fixed blades more for hunters and i just dont do it. That aside, their fixed blades are generally quite a bit bigger than id like.

I can understand that, you certainly do have a point there. That being said, though I hunt now, I did not grow up hunting and I acquired my 119 when I was still a teenager. It did not get used for hunting and still performed the myriad of tasks I put it to quite exceptionally. Though they undoubtedly have the classic hunting knife look, I don't believe that will prevent it from doing other camp/bushcraft related tasks.

Actually, here is a post from a little while ago where one of the members here demonstrated a variety of camp/bushcraft tasks with his Buck.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1447257-To-get-a-Buck-fixed-blade?

At the end of the day though, it certainly comes down to your personal tastes. Quite honestly, my Buck doesn't travel into the woods with me much anymore (I should probably remedy that). I have a variety of others to choose from now and the Buck gets neglected all too often these days...

Do let us know what you think of the Mora though, if you end up going that route.

 

[Jack Black]

Couple of cheapies I like :thumbup:

 

[fishcakes]

I can understand that, you certainly do have a point there. That being said, though I hunt now, I did not grow up hunting and I acquired my 119 when I was still a teenager. It did not get used for hunting and still performed the myriad of tasks I put it to quite exceptionally. Though they undoubtedly have the classic hunting knife look, I don't believe that will prevent it from doing other camp/bushcraft related tasks.

Actually, here is a post from a little while ago where one of the members here demonstrated a variety of camp/bushcraft tasks with his Buck.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1447257-To-get-a-Buck-fixed-blade?

At the end of the day though, it certainly comes down to your personal tastes. Quite honestly, my Buck doesn't travel into the woods with me much anymore (I should probably remedy that). I have a variety of others to choose from now and the Buck gets neglected all too often these days...

Do let us know what you think of the Mora though, if you end up going that route.

Thats a really great thread that pretty much blows my "knives for hunters" argument out of the water. Haha

Well see how the mora goes, im hoping for the best and ill give it the old college try. I looked took a closer look at the buck 113 and and 102 and although both are a bit bigger than i wanted, they seem like theyd perform fairly well.

Im mostly just excited to try a new knife out