Looking for a knife that I can use for most things

OKC has made, on and on since about 1930, their Old Hickory Outdoor Fish and Small game knife. It is their cheaper but well made version of the Kephart Bushcraft knife. I have one and it has the blade form of the Kephart but has a thinner blade. I like the BK62 better because of its heft. Shop around their price varies but you can get one for about $40 USD.

1724424573887.png
 
I would recommend the Buck 110, a knife that many on this forum started with. It’s safe, relatively inexpensive, and can be found everywhere. If your state has length laws that would make the 110 a legal issue, you can get the shorter bladed Buck 112.

Back in the day this knife was carried by kids in school, adults at work, hunting, fishing or just wildlings sticks. I’m over 60 years old and still carry one on my duty belt. Use it for a year and learn to be safe and efficient with a knife and then you can try others.
 
A knife that you can use for" most things"?

I live in a suburban/urban setting. I do not live on a farm or ranch. I do not work in an industrial setting.

A multi tool deals with "most things" for me. Mine is a Leatherman Waver.
 
transmaster said:
OKC has made, on and on since about 1930, their Old Hickory Outdoor Fish and Small game knife. It is their cheaper but well made version of the Kephart Bushcraft knife. I have one and it has the blade form of the Kephart but has a thinner blade. I like the BK62 better because of its heft. Shop around their price varies but you can get one for about $40 USD.

View attachment 2643209
Click to expand...
Unfortunately Ontario Knife Company has been sold and their factory is gone. We do not know if they are going to come back.

N2s
 
No one outside of BRK knows what form the new OKC will take. Many are expecting a move to a large Asian nation. I’m hoping for US production.
 
SharpBits said:
No one outside of BRK knows what form the new OKC will take. Many are expecting a move to a large Asian nation. I’m hoping for US production.
Click to expand...
The original Ontario Knives failed for two reason:

1) There is a lot of good competition out there, even at the budget end of the market. I recently picked up a couple of the new fixed blades from SwissTech at Walmart and they are good well made Bushcrafting knives for around $50-60

2) Ontario's solution to the problem over the last few years was to lie to their customers. They downgraded their blade steel from 1095 to 1075 and just called it carbon steel on the packaging. That more than anything else cost them market share once we figured it out and customers (retailers) dropped them.. The only knives they kept at 1095 were the ones produced under military contracts. It was especially confusing because they continued to allowed their retailers to describe the knives as made from 1095, without correcting the communications.

I like my old Ontario Knife knives, but towards the end I considered the new stuff to be on par with those cheap Chinese imports that always claim to be made out of something they are not.

If they try to come back; I hope they come back with a credible product line that is US made, from solid quality materials, and while they are at it, it is past time they improve their lousy sheaths on the Spec Plus line.

n2s
 
OP is looking for a knife but his budget is given in GBP, which definitely puts a damper on literally any choices. I don't know if there's anything he can legally have.
 
madcap_magician said:
OP is looking for a knife but his budget is given in GBP, which definitely puts a damper on literally any choices. I don't know if there's anything he can legally have.
Click to expand...
I did mention to the OP that they should shop local to ensure a legal knife. No knife is worth going to jail.
 
captaincalamari said:
Im looking to get a knife of decent quality that I can use for multiple things from cutting an apple to doing something sturdy but I dont know what knife to get, Ive got barely any knowledge of knives, Im a really big fan of these knifes, because of the shape and the ring
https://imgur.com/a/xdfWIpT
however some people say its inpractical, Im looking for something thats strong and can take damage, not be tiny, an around 5 inch blade thats reliable and will last me a few years or a good amount of time, mostly made out of metal AND the made thing it being not a straight blade - I dont mean for it to look like a sickle just not straight (like the ones in the pics) + ideally under £150. any recommendations are much appriciated (sorry for the bad description)
Click to expand...
Lol... I mean no disrespect, but honestly, cutting an apple can be done with a 2" blade, all day long. Go check the traditional forum, those guys do that for a pastime with a small Case or GEC. For any kind of food knife, a full flat ground blade is best, followed by a high hollow grind.

Take a look at a standard kitchen paring knife and you'll see a fantastic 'apple' knife.

There is no 'one knife for everything', that's why we have knife blocks in a kitchen, and here we are at a knife forum, where that is expanded to hunting, bushcraft, machetes, self defense/offense, swords, etc.

Each knife has a purpose. Some do okay at many things, most excel at one thing.

Things to consider - how do you want to carry? On your belt, in your pocket? Might want to take into consideration your local laws. Where I live, I can conceal carry any length of folding knife, but fixed must be worn on the waist and openly carried.

If you want a knife that is strong and will take damage, a full tang fixed blade, all day long. Keep in mind, the best ones won't be 'apple knives'.

Someone mentioned a ESEE 6. Here is mine. Definitely belt carry, and HUGE, by my standards at least.





For a pocket knife, 3.5" is what I consider the sweet spot, and trust me, there are a million of those.

As to what you truly prefer? I've been down the rabbit hole for 15 years and it took me 10 of them to really discover what I liked the most.

Good luck on your journey!
 
not2sharp said:
The original Ontario Knives failed for two reason:

1) There is a lot of good competition out there, even at the budget end of the market. I recently picked up a couple of the new fixed blades from SwissTech at Walmart and they are good well made Bushcrafting knives for around $50-60

2) Ontario's solution to the problem over the last few years was to lie to their customers. They downgraded their blade steel from 1095 to 1075 and just called it carbon steel on the packaging. That more than anything else cost them market share once we figured it out and customers (retailers) dropped them.. The only knives they kept at 1095 were the ones produced under military contracts. It was especially confusing because they continued to allowed their retailers to describe the knives as made from 1095, without correcting the communications.

I like my old Ontario Knife knives, but towards the end I considered the new stuff to be on par with those cheap Chinese imports that always claim to be made out of something they are not.

If they try to come back; I hope they come back with a credible product line that is US made, from solid quality materials, and while they are at it, it is past time they improve their lousy sheaths on the Spec Plus line.

n2s
Click to expand...
I have noticed that with the OKC Fish and small game knife I have, it is 1075 steel what I call a sour steel. If used for cutting vegetables it adds a metallic sour taste to them.
 
I have a Japanese Makiri Knife, Japanese Fisherman's knife. It is also resides in the knife block in the kitchen. it is a single bevel utility knife that has endless uses. as a kitchen petty knife, for cleaning fresh caught fish, repairing fishing nets, etc. It is not an expensive knife the one I have cost $55 bucks. It has a very nice 0.85% Carbon Molybdenum Vanadium Tungsten blade. It is a right hand blade with a hollow ground urasuki on the back of the blade, dry shaving sharp. The only thing I am careful about with any knife purchase of Japanese pattern knives is making sure they are made in Japan and not Chinese knock offs. This Makiri is made in Seki, Japan.

This is a knife that I would love to go back in time and hand one to Horace Kephart for his evaluation.

mh_makiri-135-1__38855.webp
 
Last edited:
Knives that I have that might suit you:
Becker BK16
Old Hickory 7” butcher knife. You might be able to find some New Old Stock. Pair it with a $10 sheath for a KaBar for a nice setup.
Russell Green River 4215 fish knife. Just under 5”, pairs nicely with a 5 1/2” sheath for a smaller KaBar.
Becker BK 62 Kephart. 5” of as much do-anything as you can find.
Jääkäripuukko 110
Peltonen Sissipuukko in two sizes.
More Companion
Mora Kansböl

There are plenty of other good recommendations here that I cannot speak to.
 
One thing you will notice is universal knife designs have been around for a very long time, in some cases for centuries. You can see how similar their design is. Here is the Finnish Puukko it has been in use in Finland, and especially by the Sámi of Northern Finland since the 12th Century. This example is an issue Puukko for the Finnish Army. A version of the Puukko is on the list of equipment authorized for US Special forces for Arctic use.

1724645235497.png
 
transmaster said:
One thing you will notice is universal knife designs have been around for a very long time, in some cases for centuries. You can see how similar their design is. Here is the Finnish Puukko it has been in use in Finland, and especially by the Sámi of Northern Finland since the 12th Century. This example is an issue Puukko for the Finnish Army. A version of the Puukko is on the list of equipment authorized for US Special forces for Arctic use.

View attachment 2645626
Click to expand...
Not a puukko. Lapinleuku maybe, but looks to be an inexpensive repro of a Norwegian made Stromeng knife sold through Sportsmans Guide and other discount houses. That is where the picture came from.......
The real deal would look more like this
evhpbTN.jpg

Real Finnish-made knives would look more like these, made in Rovaniemi Finland
These are lapinleuku
Ruqjr7h.jpg

these are puukkot
mdsAV5g.jpg
 
Last edited:
VorpelSword said:
A knife that you can use for" most things"?

I live in a suburban/urban setting. I do not live on a farm or ranch. I do not work in an industrial setting.

A multi tool deals with "most things" for me. Mine is a Leatherman Waver.
Click to expand...
ADDENDUM: When I do carry a folder it is a hefty Spyderco with plain edge. Dunno the model as it is not identified on the knife itself. Don't really like the Spiderco "big eye" esthetic though. To my chagrin, it is plainly marked, "Made In China". It was given to me for Christmas by a family member and so I sorta have to keep it. When it comes along, it is often in the admin pocket of my day bag or fanny pack.

I might prefer a CRKT M21 instead if they were a step or two higher in specs and made here at home.
 
Last edited:
captaincalamari said:
Im looking to get a knife of decent quality that I can use for multiple things from cutting an apple to doing something sturdy but I dont know what knife to get, Ive got barely any knowledge of knives, Im a really big fan of these knifes, because of the shape and the ring
https://imgur.com/a/xdfWIpT
however some people say its inpractical, Im looking for something thats strong and can take damage, not be tiny, an around 5 inch blade thats reliable and will last me a few years or a good amount of time, mostly made out of metal AND the made thing it being not a straight blade - I dont mean for it to look like a sickle just not straight (like the ones in the pics) + ideally under £150. any recommendations are much appriciated (sorry for the bad description)
Click to expand...
The knife in your picture is the 'Daryl Dixon Walking Dead knife'. Easily found on the bay and most say they are 'custom, handmade of D2 Steel in Pakistan'. Any knife made in Pakistan is suspect and regarded as junk by most knife guys, especially here on Blade Forums. Mystery steel, dubious heat treat, if any, and plywood handles. That knife is a wall hanger or for cosplay.
 
Since you are in the UK I've picked you out three from Heinie Haynes. They have a big selection and these three are at various price points. All three will serve you well and do anything you need done in basic bushcraft/survival/camp chores. HH have a good selection and you can buy with next day delivery.

There have also been many other good suggestions above. Let me echo the recommendation of the ESEE brand. On a quality/value for money basis they are hard to beat.

heinnie.com

Mora Kansbol Fixed Blade

Morakniv Kansbol is the ultimate all-round knife. While in the woods, on a hike, hunting or at sea, it’s the perfect partner. The knife is designed and made in Mora, Sweden, where Mora specially treat the Swedish stainless steel to enhance strength
heinnie.com heinnie.com

heinnie.com

Fox Vox Core Becut Scandi

There are many elements that make this an excellent knife for all your outdoor work. Fox Vox Core Becut Scandi
heinnie.com heinnie.com

heinnie.com

Casstrom No.10 Swedish Forest G10 14C28 Flat Grind Fixed Blade

The Casstrom No.10 Swedish Forest Knife is the original bushcraft knife designed and produced by Casstrom. Now in its 10th year and still popular with outdoorsfolk the world over,
heinnie.com heinnie.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top