In need of a woods walks knife

[Burgers86]

Burger86,

Welcome to traditionals. I thought I'd take a moment and comment on your knife review.

It is very clear that you like your Ka-Bar and that point was sufficiently made by stating "... it's been a good knife for me so far." The interjection of "holy hell" is inaccurate because hell is not holy. Those two words used together could be misleading to someone who is uninformed (as to their definition) regarding a place that actually has no bearing in the discussion.

The Ka-Bar is a great knife but it can hardly be "as durable as hell" since hell is eternal. There is no such thing as an eternal knife so that statement is also inaccurate.

When you wrote "I've chopped wood in a bind with this damn thing." I wondered how you determined that your Ka-Bar was condemned beyond redemption to eternal punishment, which is the definition of damn.

Certainly your intent was to share your views on what is in fact a superb knife but please remember we have all agreed (during registration) to leave crude talk and religious discussions out of our postings.

Hope this was helpful, -James

Sorry about the crude language, I spend 90% of my time living "on the hill" so my communication skills are a little rusty lol.

 

[KBA]

Sorry about the crude language, I spend 90% of my time living "on the hill" so my communication skills are a little rusty lol.

Welcome to the porch Burgers86. Appreciate the effort in keeping it kid friendly. Im looking forward to seeing some your knives while reading your post. The USMC Kabar is one Ive read about many times but Ive never tried it myself.

 

[redsparrow]

Sorry about the crude language, I spend 90% of my time living "on the hill" so my communication skills are a little rusty lol.

No problem Burger86. If I came down too hard I apologize and I look forward to your future post. -James

 

[Burgers86]

Welcome to the porch Burgers86. Appreciate the effort in keeping it kid friendly. Im looking forward to seeing some your knives while reading your post. The USMC Kabar is one Ive read about many times but Ive never tried it myself.

If you spend a lot of time in the hills away from civilization, it's an amazing survival knife. I have a bunch more that I use, I'm sure I'll find an opportunity to share them before I go back to a no-internet zone

 

[GooberBoober]

Not traditional

Whoops, sorry about that, I didn't realize where I was

In that case maybe one of the smaller Fiidlebacks would be a better suggestion. I'm thinking a Handyman, Hiking Buddy or Esquire or a Patch but they make a few smaller models as well if those are too big.

This is my personal fav, the Bushboot:

And a Hiking Buddy:

 

[neal70]

The only problem with those or the Dozier's I suggested is that they are slightly above the approximately $70 price point of the OP's budget. Otherwise, great knives. Not to sound snarky , sorry.
Thanks, Neal

 

[Cory Hess]

I've handled puukko 35+ years now, no slippages.
(Well honestly couple cuts on finger when I was kid, nothing serious. But it did teach me how to handle puukko.)
First thing I was taught by grandpa, was how to handle puukko right, so that slippages -should not- and could not happen.
Guess it's that one just learn to use puukko from kid, so you know it like a good friend, even if it's sharp friend
that can be dangerous if you not respect it..

Grandpa said:
"Fingerguards are for small children!"

Thanks for the response. I was laughing because it seems like you're trying to be polite while saying that I'm like a child. Everything you and Brett said makes perfect sense. I'm sure it's just a mental hangup because I very rarely cut anything in a way that would force my hand toward the blade anyways.

 

[leghog]

Consider a Finnish puukko. Especially something like the Ahti Tikka. Small and inexpensive. But plenty of knife.

Mine was a gift from Humppa here on BF. It's a favorite.

 

[screened porch]

If you grip firmly with the little fingers, you're not likely to slide over the central swell of a barrel-shaped handle, and if it has an oblong cross-section you can tell where your edge is.
I still like a little something in front of my index finger myself.

 

[Tilley Knife]

I would suggest searching some old brick and mortar hardware stores for a NOS Ole Hickory. They have good steel, cost less than $10 (usually), and are easy to mod to the specific length, shape, etc with simple hand tools. Here is one that belonged to my grandfather and it has done everything that I could ask from a woods knife, including batoning. I modified it to a Kephart'ish shape some years ago.

 

[WhittlinAway]

I have limited experience with fixed blades and I've been reading this thread with interest.

The two that I own-—a Marttiini Lynx Lumberjack and an Ahti Tikka—have both been mentioned in this thread, so I thought a comparison shot with a couple of Opinels for size reference might be of use:

From top to bottom: Opinel No. 10, Marttiini Lynx Lumberjack, Ahti Tikka, Opinel No. 6.

I've modified and refinished the Marttiini's handle, but the length is unchanged.

 

[fishcakes]

OP, I still believe the Mora I sent is the best to start with. I hope you get an idea from of what you may enjoy. Another knife I really enjoyed and will one day find another is the Hess Tiburon.

Edit: just realized i posted 3x back to back, sorry about that folks.

Im hoping itll be perfect. Im really excited to try out a mora after everything ive seen of them.

 

[fishcakes]

Consider a Finnish puukko. Especially something like the Ahti Tikka. Small and inexpensive. But plenty of knife.

Mine was a gift from Humppa here on BF. It's a favorite.

Thats one of the puukkos i was looking at. Looks like your dog got ahold of the sheath though

 

[Jack Black]

I would suggest searching some old brick and mortar hardware stores for a NOS Ole Hickory. They have good steel, cost less than $10 (usually), and are easy to mod to the specific length, shape, etc with simple hand tools. Here is one that belonged to my grandfather and it has done everything that I could ask from a woods knife, including batoning. I modified it to a Kephart'ish shape some years ago.

Nice work :thumbup:

 

[Tilley Knife]

Nice work :thumbup:

Thanks Jack! The patina on the shoulders was developed over 30+ years of use by granddad. It's a very special knife :thumbup:

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks Jack! The patina on the shoulders was developed over 30+ years of use by granddad. It's a very special knife :thumbup:

Fantastic Daniel :thumbup:

 

[screened porch]

Condor mini bushlore might suit OP if the Mora's too big.

 

[FinnWolf]

Thanks for the response. I was laughing because it seems like you're trying to be polite while saying that I'm like a child. Everything you and Brett said makes perfect sense. I'm sure it's just a mental hangup because I very rarely cut anything in a way that would force my hand toward the blade anyways.

Ooops!
I did not mean that at anytime.
Forgive me!
I was merely pointing out, what my Grandpa and other men at his generations, and also my dad
and I guess nowadays I too (at least here) think of fingerguard.

My Granpa being WW2 veteran told: "Finnish Soldier always has a puukko with him".
And: "Finnish man has to have a puukko, no man go into woods without puukko."

IMO fingerguard easily will hinder when you work with puukko.

P.S.
And, btw, since english's not my first language, sorry if I type something funny.
I have no slightest intention to insult anyone here!
Take care!

 

[Cory Hess]

I wasn't insulted at all. I thought it was really funny. I actually laughed and my wife came to see what was so funny. It's like you know me even though we've never met and are thousands of miles apart. In many ways, I am just a giant child.

This seems to me to be like the thought that a folder needs a lock. If you need the lock you're probably using the wrong tool for the job. If you need a finger guard, you're probably better off using a different technique or tool.

 

[leghog]

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.

The A.G. Russell Woodswalker basically is a pairing knife. Had one for years. Gave it to a mentor of mine a few years ago. The back pocket sheath made it a handy knife to have.