Knife recommendation?

[AreBeeBee]

A fellow named Ross Gilmore runs a blog named Wood Trekker (http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com) which has illustrated reviews of equipment which he obviously uses. These include knives and specifically Mora models.

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/search/label/Knives

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2010/10/mora-knives.html

He appears to have stopped reviewing knives after buying a custom bushcraft knife. But earlier reviews are worth looking through because he has/had a set of standard operations he used with each knife, which makes comparisons easy and informative.

 

[mtangent]

I have a couple of Helle's. No real quality issues. great knives to use.

 

[pinnah]

I use a kabar fullsize for batoning. Works perfect.

Since you already like Mora Knives. I say Bushcraft Black or Garberg.

Might also have a look at the new Mora Kansbol. Should be available shortly. Sort of a rehandled Mora 2000.


Or go completely off the charts, and out side the box, and grab yourself a Fallkniven NL-5 Idun. Or maybe the New F-1 Pro.

Deer and Lost Viking,

I know you guys both use the full sized Kabar.

I'm growing intrigued as I really like the grind and the not awful weight.

Could you say more about it's usefulness for batoning and quick detwigging of firewood (light chopping)?

When making fires, I carry a small folding saw. Worst case scenario here is processing something like balsam fir or small spruce. Logs might be in the small but dense 3" - 4" range and covered in tiny branches/twigs that don't need a hatchet to clear off but are a pain to clear off with a saw.

I'm also considering the Mora #3 with a 6" blade but the picture above reminded me that the Kabar has a sabre grind so...

 

[Mingecutter]

A couple off the top of my head that I've owned, used, and liked for similar purposes as yours....\

Ka-Bar Becker BK16 ffg
ESEE 3 ffg
ESEE Izula II ffg
Enzo Trapper scandi
Fallkniven F1 convex
Numerous Moras scandi (buschraft black, companion mg, companion hd)

Also, take a look at the Real Steel Bushcrafter II. I've been curious about it but haven't picked one up. Drop point, d2 scandi, g10 scales, and kydex sheath.

Good luck in your search!

 

[hexenjager]

I have a Helle gt with no quality issues that I've found. I don't use it a lot because the handle is a bit short for me. Might be a consideration in your knife research if you have larger hands.

 

[Andy137]

+1 for the bushlore. I've had one for a little over a year and love it.

Condor also just came out with the Swamp Romper as well. Caught my eye but yet to grab one.

People compare it to the tops bob knife from what I've seen.

The plus on condor is the ability to buy a blank for under 20$ and customize it yourself.

Here is my bushlore with custom marble wood handles and a hybrid sheath i did

Looks great brother! Well done

 

[Andy137]

Since you already like Mora Knives. I say Bushcraft Black or Garberg.

Might also have a look at the new Mora Kansbol. Should be available shortly. Sort of a rehandled Mora 2000.

I've been looking at the Bushcraft Black and the Garberg quite a bit lately. Both seem great, quite a big price difference but since I'll do some batoning with it, I tend to lean a bit more towards the Garberg. I may not need it, but I like that peace of mind knowing that it's a full tang and I can abuse it if I really need to.

The Kansbol looks pretty good although 2.5mm blade thickness is a little thin for me

 

[Andy137]

The biggest question is budget. Next is your definition of light batoning.
A mora is tougher than most give it credit for and will never break under the intended use (cutting stuff). I've seen moras handle some ridiculously heavy batoning.
That being said, I consider light batoning being anything I can wedge using palm strikes. Anything more than that, I would rather use a full-tang knife.

Budget-wise the Mora Garberg is as high as I want to go. So a Fallkniven F1 for example looks pretty good too but is a little more than I'm looking to spend.
As for my definition of light batoning, I'm not going to chop down half a forest with it. Palm strikes is pretty much what I mean or a little heavier but not much. If it's too thick, I'll just use an axe. An issue though for me is that I don't like to carry my axe with me all the time out here when I go fishing. So I may encounter a situation once in a while where I need an axe (we do make quite a few fires out here while fishing since temperatures drop to -45°C) but only have my knife. This definitely wouldn't occur often but I would be nice to know that my knife could take that beating.

 

[Andy137]

A couple off the top of my head that I've owned, used, and liked for similar purposes as yours....\

Ka-Bar Becker BK16 ffg
ESEE 3 ffg
ESEE Izula II ffg
Enzo Trapper scandi
Fallkniven F1 convex
Numerous Moras scandi (buschraft black, companion mg, companion hd)

Also, take a look at the Real Steel Bushcrafter II. I've been curious about it but haven't picked one up. Drop point, d2 scandi, g10 scales, and kydex sheath.

Good luck in your search!

I love the Enzo Trapper but the exposed tang would probably be too cold for me.. Too bad because it looks like a brilliant knife!

 

[Andy137]

I have a couple of Helle's. No real quality issues. great knives to use.

Can they stand some batoning? Or is this something you want to avoid with Helle unless they have a full tang?

 

[mtangent]

Can they stand some batoning? Or is this something you want to avoid with Helle unless they have a full tang?

I don't do a lot of batoning, so I can't give a great answer on that. I am happy to split a piece that goes easily. If a piece doesn't go easily, I move on. So I am babying it a bit.