leuko or BK7

They'll both do the jobs that need doing around a camp site. The question is do you want the traditional Finnish good looks of a Leuku, or a basic military looking camp knife?
I love a knife that looks good(gives ya braggin' rights around the camp fire:) ) and works like a plough horse too. But, I also love a knife I can beat the daylights out of and not have to worry about marring up too badly.:rolleyes: It's all a matter of personal preference, they are both great knife styles. The BK-7 will probably be the stronger of the two overall IMO.
It all depends on what kind of Leuku you get. I've seen some with 1/8" thick stainless steel blades and others with 1/4" thick forged blades.

by the way,
Welcome to the Forums!


All the best,
Mike U.
 
whitedoor: to be frank, my answer would be depending on who you're camping with. If I'm camping with my own friends, then I'd bring a BK7, otherwise, I'd brink the leuku.
 
Thanks for the answers so far, and thanks for the welcome, Misque. It's good to be here.

Any other opinions?
 
The CU/7 has a full flat grind where as a leuko is just on flat stock. The full flat grind has many advantages in cutting ability and sharpening. Assuming both handles are comfortable, the CU/7 has a clear advantage. The only critical point would be the balance of the Leuko. The CU/7 is neutral in balance and thus isn't an effective chopper.

-Cliff
 
Cliff,

When you refer to the critical point being the balance of the Leuku, do you mean that it is a better chopper?

Hugh (aka whitedoor)
 
What uses are you going to be putting your "camp knife" through?
I would go with the leuku and a good hatchet.

Paul
 
BK-7. I think this is the best all-around camp-knife. The new (but smaller) BK-10 might also be a good choice, and if you feel a need for a large knife, then the BK-9 would fit nicely.
 
Damn Dan,
You are Becker's newest best friend!:)
THat BK-7 must have really made an impression on you.
I'll have to get one sometime.

Hugh, camp knife is a pretty general term.
I tend to use mine to poke at stuff. Lift the lid off the cooking pot.
Food prep, and general small woodcraft.
My favorite in this role is a Livesay Air Assault.
THe BK-7 would also excel in this role.

If you intend to skin anything, chop a lot, or need something more precise other choices are better.
Of course there's no need to limit yourself to only one knife..
 
Whitedoor,

The question you asked is too vague to answer. It really does depend on what tasks you need the knife to do, and what other tools you'll have along with you. Most people packing a Leuko will have a puuko with them too. So, the puuko does their food prep, small wood working stuff, etc. The Leuko is there for chopping/hacking. For one knife, the Becker 7 is probably ideal. It will chop, slice, poke, etc. If you will go buy a $6 Mora in carbon steel, then get that and a leuko! And a Gransfors Brux small forest axe. ANd a copy of Mors Kochanski's Northern Bushcraft! Enjoy :)
 
whitedoor :

When you refer to the critical point being the balance of the Leuku, do you mean that it is a better chopper?
Click to expand...

I have not used one so I don't know where the balance lies, though I have used many puukkos and am familar with the basic profile. That profile (just an edge bevel), is the worst way to make a knife. They only advantage they have is for the maker, they are quick and easy to make. They have a reputation for high cutting ability simply because they get compared to western "tacticals". If you compare them to flat ground knives with thin and acute edges, like the CU/7, they are outperformed across the board.

-Cliff
 
Well I've used puukko style knives for many years and have found them quite satisfactory. I didn't know there was a "best" type of grind on knives. While I prefer flat ground knives, the single bevel puukko seems to work just fine for whatever I've needed to cut from carpet to meats/vegies. They're also easy to resharpen.
 
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