Input on survival/hunting knives

Ok I am pretty close to making a decision. I think the Koster Bushmaster looks fantastic. However, I am not sure that this will be the knife I get now since it appears that unless it is second hand I may not have it to use any time soon.

I also like the GSO 4.1. They have a few now and some coming soon with jimping. I think the bow divot and his ferro notch are nice additions. It is a good size with 3v.

I am serious now - I just listed a coupe of folders for sale! I will always have a good folder or two but I am excited to get my first general use fixed blade.
 
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I have not field dressed a deer with one yet but I really like my GSO 4.1. However I have field dressed enough that I know what I prefer. I prefer a thin, non coated knife. One of the things that drew me to the Survive knives was that they were thin in relationship to what most makers make in that size. I also like the fact that if I should loose it I can get another one (although they are so popular I might have to wait awhile.) I look at it as almost a semi custom knife. I think it would be a great survival and field dressing skinning knife.

BK16 would be a great knife without the thick coating that is on there but I prefer the uncoated 3v steel of the GSO 4.1

I have really wanted to like the Fallkniven knives but the handles are way too thin for me.

I have used a Cold Steel Master Hunter for years but I do have some doubts (quite possibly unwarranted) about the new laminated steel.

I really like the Busse Basic 4 but they can be harder to come by.

I also think that a Gerber drop point Gator folder in 154CM is a great sleeper and a much better field dressing and gutting knife than it gets credit for.

Good luck.
 
Frito, if you need help finding a new Bushmaster fast, pm me. Fast as in shipped after Wednesday sometime if you are in the US and can pay by money order.

Joe
 
My preferred blade is a SurviveKnifes GSO 3.5" which should arrive shortly, in 20CV. I did just order a Becker BK2 last nite for a camp knife, chopping, batoning, general purpose anything knife. BK2 is cheap and can be hammered through steel bolts if necessary, and regrind the blade edge once you get home. The new SurviveKnives from Guy have now been made thinner behind the edge for improved cutting, slicing, skinning. Also available in CPM-3V.
 
Joe, I sent you an email. I don't have PM privileges on this site. I had to change my saved email address so just click on my name to send a message back as the portland... one is no longer valid.
 
Frito, I responded to your e-mail but it came back as undeliverable. As you can e-mail me ok please send me the address of your non hotmail acct so I can respond. Right not I have no way to contact you.

Joe
 
Many have to get the large knife thing out of their system first, I did. I still have a few big choppers around just for wood processing fun.
 
I like the multiple blade concept regarding outdoors knives. Keep in mind though, a large blade can do almost anything a small blade can, though not always as efficiently. The inverse of this isn't true though.
 
frito said:
Thanks for all the GREAT input.

I think this and some more reading has convinced me to go a little smaller or at least not really larger. The Fallkniven F1, would be a good knife but the larger Bravo 1 in S35VN stainless steel looks compelling too.

That Dozier is simply beautiful.

I am going to do a little more looking and pull the trigger on one of these.
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It hurt to pay for it, but my S35VN Bravo 1 has been the best fixed blade I've used (and I've used a lot, including a pile of ESEE knives, Swamp Rat, Chris Reeve, etc.). What I like is that the grip is almost as long as the blade, so there is plenty of room for a good grip, and just enough blade to get any job done without getting in the way. Mine's done everything I've needed it to, is comfortable in the hand, and looks great:

 
upnorth said:
Many have to get the large knife thing out of their system first, I did. I still have a few big choppers around just for wood processing fun.
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I picked up a BK2 yesterday and that is for sure not what I am looking for.
 
I have a BK-2 also and it was in fact my very first KaBar Becker knife. It is such a tank. I don't use it. Too heavy to carry. I much prefer the BK-7, or the BK-16 for general purposes. You can strip off the painted coating fairly easily I'm told.

Frito, I don't know about you but this thread made me order that Dozier that was pictured earlier. I'll call it a Christmas present. Like I needed it?

By the way, that Survive knife mentioned earlier is nice. It has a fairly thin bar steel.
 
frito said:
I picked up a BK2 yesterday and that is for sure not what I am looking for.
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Yeah I'll never understand that knife. It is the most oddball size.

I've been trying to come up with the perfect woods knife for a while and I just haven't found it. Multiple blades is where it's at IMO. I keep trying the 4-6 inch belt knife and they just don't work for me. I always gravitate back to a SAK, modern folder(military) and a wood processor blade of some sort. Either a small knife for summer like the izzy 2 or for bad weather my silky saw. I'll throw in my Scrapyard 711 in there for funsies sometimes. Like upnorth said, big knives are a thing. You gotta get at least one. ;)
 
Shotgun, I spend hundreds of dollars seeking my ultimate woods fixed blade. I get to the woods and all I use is my SAK. :D Hunting is a different matter however. I may have my SAK with me, but it as purely a backup if I loose my "hunting knife". Honestly, I have never seen a deer that my SAK would not be up to the task.
 
The GSO 4.1 is my first choice. I have one in S90V and the M390 or CTS-20CV would also be nice. If you want stainless, do NOT get it in 3V, as it will rust without due care. I have quite a few custom fixed blades, mostly in carbon steels, which are great as long as you take care of it like your shotgun or handgun.
 
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