If you were going to the jungle and needed a good bushcraft knife do you think that the TOPS B.O.B would do a good job? Is 1095 steel good for holding a decent edge for a while? I don't need a machete or an axe, but a good bushcraft knife and the sea of threads isn't helping me out. Thanks for your feedback and happy holidays.
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In the Jungle
- Thread starter Bomba07
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I have a BOB and it's a very good knife for the money. It does not hold an edge as well as my Battlehorse knives in O1 or my Bark Rivers in A2. However, it does resharpen very easily so it is really no chore to keep it nice and sharp. It will rust like crazy in a tropical environment. If you choose such a knife, a little chapstick will go a long way toward keeping it rust free.
Then you should get one. I suppose if I wanted a Bark River bushcraft knife, Id get one designed for bushcraft...like one in their Bushcraft Series.
IMO, the B.O.B. is a very good knife. Yes, 1095 is a good, tough steel. If your post was rhetorical and you just meant going into the wild, you would probably be pleased with the B.O.B.
If I knew I was going to a real tropical jungle I might choose another knife although the B.O.B. would probably suffice. Point is there are better choices than 1095 in a humid environment.
If I knew I was going to a real tropical jungle I might choose another knife although the B.O.B. would probably suffice. Point is there are better choices than 1095 in a humid environment.
What steel do you think they make the machetes out of?
1095--and other lower grade carbon steels--are just fine for jungle work. Just ask I dunno... ESEE, Tramotina, Condor, Imacasa, etc. All of which specialize in making carbon steel cutlery for use in jungle enviroments.
How will anything else arrive in time?
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Really - 3G? In the jungle? I now live in an area with jungle and ease of sharpening is a big deal. I also have a Fallkneiven knife in 3G and it is a relative bear of a knife to sharpen. It would absolutely not be my choice for a jungle knife.
Ben
Lee D
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I have a couple of their 3G knives and a small fine ceramic stone is all I need to keep it very sharp...and it holds an edge much longer than my F1 in VG-10. not that one in VG-10 wouldn't be a good choice as well. just my .02
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Fair enough - different strokes. 
Ben
Ben
You might take a look at some of the Becker offerings for a knife. They are less expensive than BR and top notch. The steel is an upgraded version of 1095 called 50100B or 1095V. The Ka-Bar Johnson Adventure Potbelly is pretty nice, too.
If I were going into the jungle (all around me, here) I would carry a parang or golok. The Buck Hoodlum might be worth a look, too. I have heard good things about it, but no direct experience.
Coated Carbon Steel will simply need wiping off and keeping dry if wet.
If I were going into the jungle (all around me, here) I would carry a parang or golok. The Buck Hoodlum might be worth a look, too. I have heard good things about it, but no direct experience.
Coated Carbon Steel will simply need wiping off and keeping dry if wet.
I couldn't agree more. I'd rather have a small machete, and no knife, than no machete in the jungle (or swamp or Southern forest or anywhere else overgrown).
I highly recommend TOPS' 0.170 machete. It's small, light, and designed to be used in a variety of grips. The micarta handles are comfortable, and the choil allows for surprisingly detailed work. It's also coated, so only the edge will rust. Also, it's sheath is brilliant, the best nylon machete sheath I've ever seen.
I'll second this as well, and would highly recommend OP look at one of their stainless offerings. They just did a run of Aurora LT in Elmax, if you like Bushcrafter style knives.
I'm not sure how stuck the OP is on a "bushcraft" styled knife. If you don't mind a different shape, you can get a Gunny (smaller, thinner, lighter Bravo 1) in Elmax or S35VN. The handles are great for prolonged use (real bushcraft!) and the Gunny does not take up much space at all on a belt. The grip is also more secure than any 'bushcrafter' for use in an emergency.
Were I going to "the Jungle" I would bring a Tops 0.170 and a BRKT Gunny S35VN (in a kydex sheath) and would feel quite prepared.
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1095 is a good steel with it's ease to sharpen and holds a decent edge. easy enough to keep it cleaned up and remove rust and after it patinas it will help keep rust away.
BoB is a decent knife but it comes down to what you like. I would prefer a ESEE laser strike or a BK16, but I agree with everyone saying get a machete.
A Tramotina paired with a neck knife like a izula, Bk14, or even a mora would seem to be a better choice than just a bigger knife.
BoB is a decent knife but it comes down to what you like. I would prefer a ESEE laser strike or a BK16, but I agree with everyone saying get a machete.
A Tramotina paired with a neck knife like a izula, Bk14, or even a mora would seem to be a better choice than just a bigger knife.
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Check out the Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter as well. It's got a good shape, a nice grind, and it's made of S30V which will help with corrosion issues in damp and humid environments. I really like mine.
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- Jan 27, 2012
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Use whatever the locals are using... be it a parang, machete, bolo, or whatever. More often than not they are very cheap, like 5$ or so. You can wait to buy the knife when you are in country.
Alternatively, I don't think you could go wrong with a Tramontina Machete and a Swiss Army Farmer multitool. One reason why I would buy a machete before leaving is just so I could have it perfectly sharpened before arrival. New machetes sometimes need major work to get them sharp and I like to have my gear in tip top shape before a trip.
Alternatively, I don't think you could go wrong with a Tramontina Machete and a Swiss Army Farmer multitool. One reason why I would buy a machete before leaving is just so I could have it perfectly sharpened before arrival. New machetes sometimes need major work to get them sharp and I like to have my gear in tip top shape before a trip.