Knife Choice Evolution

B

BenHarris

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Apr 30, 2014
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After several years of outdoor skills being a hobby, I have basically found what kind of knife works for me, (for now). I tried the big knife/hatchet thing and most of the time its more than I need. I tried ultralight and just carried a SAK or a small folder, but that limits your primitive and bushcraft type skills. So, I finally think I've got what works for me. A smaller Scandi or full flat grind bushcraft knife with a wooden handle and a leather sheath. What do you find works for you?

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I am all over the place. I get the most use from the smaller 4" and under blades. I have a few Scandi and like them for carving but for general use I like a full flat grind. I also like to play with a big blade sometimes but for most of what I do it's not needed.
 
Over several decades I've tried everything from a Becker Machax (Cincinnati original) to a SAK (and a whole lot of knives in between) and have reached a similar conclusion. My favorite knife without question is an LT Wright Genesis in FFG.
 
I used to think bigger was better, but over time my taste in folders and fixed blades has drifted towards the smaller end. Right now my "big" fixed blade is an ESEE-3, and my biggest folder is a Vic Rucksack. My current EDC is usually a spy-dk, or roadie, or a 91mm SAK.

Although there is a change in the air, and I might be able to start carrying my griptillian in the new year, but its been a while, so I might want to go for a mini-grip instead.
 
I haven't evolved much :D. I still use smaller knives, I've only owned one knife over 4" and that one (now sold) was a whopping 4.5". :)

I will carry a saw and axe when needed, but after many years still haven't found a need for a large knife
 
Great thread!

I have "Evolved" but I am slowly "Devolving" back to where I started from. In my youth I carried a buck 102 Woodsman or similar sized knife. Still one of my favorites actually.

But somewhere around ten of twelve years ago, I started getting more into knives. I bought into the bigger is better philosophy. I managed to amass quite a large collection of knives.

As time marches on. I find myself back at the beginning. As I said in the Helle Harding thread earlier today. I don't find much I can't do with the Harding, or my little Buck, if paired with my GB Outdoor Axe and a Silky saw.

I am always amazed when I pull that little Woodsman out of the draw after a few months of inactivity. Just what a cool little knife it really is.

The Harding was a present from my bride, so it is special to me. Another one fast becoming a favorite is my Fallkniven TK-2.
 
I love big knives (>7" blade). The problem is that I don't use them for anything. Doesn't stop me from buying them. But I have slowed down.

I'm in a machete phase and love the short machetes as choppers. But I don't much like carrying one on the trail unless I know I need it. I mostly do day hikes, sometimes long ones, but still usually out of the woods by dark.

Never really developed an appreciation for Mora blades. They are certainly functional and good cutters.

My current woods knife is a Kabar Becker BK-15. It has a 5.5" blade and is very manageable for little tasks. It actually is a little long, but the thin blade stock makes up for the added length. I have others in this size range with the Blackjack 124 being the newest. It is a nice blade, but I wouldn't beat on it unless it was a life or death situation. So, I have settled in a 4-5.5" range which is very typical (mostly 4"-5"). I can work with a BK-24, but the handle does not lend itself to rigorous cutting. Regardless of what fixed blades I like and carry, I still do most of my cutting with a 111mm SAK.
 
I've gone from thinking that 9" is enough, but testing and experience has taught me there is a lot to gain from an extra inch or so.

I've also found tube handles chop a lot harder (if you squeeze them enough to prevent rolling) just because of the broader width between thumb and forefinger: My Model 18 chops twice as much as my identical blade style Model 14, whose perfect form-fitting micarta handle is a nightmare to chop with...

Both of these Randalls are way, way too small to be of much use anyway: I prefer by far the Model 12... Good thing the edges stay the same 0.020" thickness when wearing up, which a lot of makers could learn from...

Gaston
 
It all depends on where I am and what I'm doing. For the past month or so, I've been carrying in hand a Huntsman machete with a small Bark River on my belt. (Lil' Canadian, Trailmate, Kephart, or Canadian) This was mostly for walking through dense thickets.

For long trips, I'd carry a knife similar to those above or slightly larger and a Silky folding saw. The first-aid kit has a disposable razor and Victorinox Classic.

I like big knives, but I also like to keep the weight down.
 
Relatively similar blade but I don't mind the plastic sheath after evolving the way I carry it and some simple modifications. I had started to appreciate thinner blades after downsizing my folder years back. Picked up this Mora about 6 years ago and it ended up becoming a favorite of mine. Simple, light, thin, comfortable, functional.

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