Looking for a nice 4" Scandi Bushcraft Blade ~$150 or Less

LightGuy

LightGuy

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2010
Messages
1,097
I've been looking for a nice scandi bushcraft blade, and don't want to spend over $150. I tend to be very finicky when it comes to handles, and need a nice full handle with some contouring.

I tried the BHK Bushcrafter, but I didn't like the handle. The strong taper toward the front vs. the very thick back end didn't feel right to my hand, and then the index finger groove made it worse when using the hammer grip.

I also seriously considered a Koster bushcraft, and recently picked up one of his 3V scandi Woodlores. It is very nice, but I had to sell it because of the jimping - it is much too sharp for me. I'm not really a fan of jimping anyway but can live with it. But for some reason Dan makes his jimping especially sharp. This is the only reason I decided against the Koster.

Another blade in this price range that is getting my interest in this price range is the Canteen Shop BHK Woodcrafter. But in looking at the spine shot, the handle really seems to narrow toward the front similar to the BHK Bushcrafter, so I don't know if it will work for me.

So I've been looking at the Spyderco Bushcrafter since people have raved about the comfortable handle and heat treat. I like the look of this blade, it looks to have pretty full, nicely contoured handles, and don't mind G10 for this type of knife because of how grippy it is. This is the way I'm leaning right now..

Any other blades I should consider in this range besides the Spyderco Bushcrafter?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
I would look at the Koster Bushcraft, Its right at your price range.
I was lucky enough to get one in 3v. It sounds just like what you are looking for.

If you go to his site, the knife on the top is a Bushmaster.
You have to scroll down to see a Scandi grind Bushcraft.
 
Last edited:
I just use the $10 Mora's with the plastic handles from Frosts. I still have and use one I bought 21years ago. Sure, she isn't as pretty as a custom, or a Spyderco........but it works great.
 
FTR-14c said:
I would look at the Koster Bushcraft, Its right at your price range.
I was lucky enough to get one in 3v. It sounds just like what you are looking for.

If you go to his site, the knife on the top is a Bushmaster.
You have to scroll down to see a Scandi grind Bushcraft.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually did consider a Koster bushcraft, and recently picked up one of his 3V scandi Woodlores. It is very nice, but I had to sell it because of the jimping - it is much too sharp for me. I'm not really a fan of jimping anyway but can live with it. But for some reason Dan makes his jimping especially sharp. This is the only thing that is keeping me from getting a Koster.
 
Helle makes some VERY nice production blades in your price range.
 
sugarcreek knifeworks woodie

woodie.JPG
 
Adam Gray (AA Forge) and Aaron Gray (Gray Wolf Knives) make superb sub-$150 custom scandis that will blow your mind with their fit, finish, design, ergonomics, sheath, and compact-yet-versatile size. Check them out on this forum.
 
I agree with you about the newer Koster jimping. VERY aggressive.

My older Koster Bushcraft has much finer jimping that does the job without causing bodily harm. I wish he'd go back to the old style but I think it was done by hand and the newer style done in the CNC phase of construction.
 
Agreed that Kosters jimping is a little aggressive.
I smoothed it out to my liking with sandpaper in about twenty seconds.
 
I went through a similar search that quickly ended once I tried a spyderco. It just melts into my hand. I have the original bamboo (I think it's bamboo) handle version and I'm planning to add a G10 version just to have two of them.
 
Thanks for all the great input! I thought I researched most of the options already, but I guess not....

Tops Fieldcraft BOB - looks like a great hard-use knife! I actually saw this one out there, but didn't check it out since it didn't look like a typical scandi blade. I read up on this one a little bit, and it actually does appeal to me as a harder-use knife. It has a thicker stock (3/16") and it is a little larger than most bushcraft blades (10" overall, 4.5" blade). I should have mentioned I already have a couple non-scandi blades for harder use (Fiddleback convex bushcrafter, J. Oeser) so I have that covered. I need a good scandi with about 1/8" stock for good woodwork. This one also has 1095 steel, and my preference for a scandi bushcraft is O1, although I know 1095 is no slouch.

Helle - I looked at these a lot, but couldn't find "the one". Part of the problem with me is I know very little about them, and have no idea which one to consider. I haven't seen many reviewed, or heard much about them. I just have no idea where to begin on these. The other issue is that all the ones I looked at are stainless, and I definitely want a good carbon steel for this knife (O1, 3V, A2, etc.) Is there a particular model that many have tried and liked? How does their handle feel? The one on the harding knife looks very comfy...

WoodBearKnives, Nordic Bear 2 - Yep - looked at this one and did consider it. The only issue I had was that there didn't seem to be any contouring to the handle (palm swells). Just wasn't sure about it and haven't seen/hear too much about it. I just watched a YouTube video on this one and it really peaked my interest. I'm going to have to give this one a second hard look...

Ragweed Forge - I haven't heard of these, but are they a maker or a dealer? I did a search and just saw a bunch of people mentioning a Mora or Helle blade that they picked up from Ragweed forge. Not sure if they make their own blades or not. On their website, I can only see links to knives from other makers/manufacturers.

sugarcreek knifeworks woodie Where can I get one of these?? This looks amazing and possibly right up my alley. I found only one dealer through the Sugarcreek website, and they are out. Anywhere else to pick up one of these? Also, I couldn't find any good pics from their website. Does the handle have contouring? More info please!

Adam Gray (AA Forge) and Aaron Gray (Gray Wolf Knives) - Don't know too much about these two makers, but I watch the Exchange quite a bit, and their knives look superb. AA Forge has a design that actually does really appeal to me for this type of a blade. I really haven't seen any AG knives that fit this bill. I really considered the AA Forge bushcrafter at one point, but in the end the thin-ish handle was the sticking point. I really need a fuller, more hand-filling handle on my blades. I'm sure that most would love the handle he uses, but I like them to be pretty thick. My finicky-ness on handles does thin out my options quite a bit...
 
FTR-14c said:
Agreed that Kosters jimping is a little aggressive.
I smoothed it out to my liking with sandpaper in about twenty seconds.
Click to expand...

I actually did think about doing that. In the end, I wasn't sure how the jimping would feel to me and how the knife would look with a slight "dip" where I sanded. The jimping spines looked pretty thin, so I thought I'd have to take them down quite a ways to fix it to my liking. I just couldn't bring myself to do it and destroy the resale value if I didn't like it in the end. There are other options out there, so on the market it went.

remmmm said:
I went through a similar search that quickly ended once I tried a spyderco. It just melts into my hand. I have the original bamboo (I think it's bamboo) handle version and I'm planning to add a G10 version just to have two of them.
Click to expand...

Good to hear you like yours. It does appear to have pretty much everything I'm looking for, but wanted to consider all the options before pulling the trigger. I do have experience with other Spyderco knives (folders), and have always been happy with their fit, finish, and durability. I love my PM2 and use it constantly - probably harder than I should. But it is still rock solid. So, I already trust Spyderco's quality.
 
you are waiting on a custom knife or something go get yourself a mora! It some cases people find that it is all they need.
 
MORA for the win. LEss than 20 bucks and will do everything that a weekend woodswarrior could possibly want.

Also, a FFG is more useful in a survival type environment. Better slicer, just as easy to sharpen.
 
LightGuy said:
Ragweed Forge - I haven't heard of these, but are they a maker or a dealer? I did a search and just saw a bunch of people mentioning a Mora or Helle blade that they picked up from Ragweed forge. Not sure if they make their own blades or not. On their website, I can only see links to knives from other makers/manufacturers.
Click to expand...

Ragweed Forge is a very reliable dealer who specializes in traditional Scandinavian brand knives.

Some Helle knives are stainless, but others are carbon steel. Check out the Viking and the Temagami models.
Ahti knives are carbon steel and worth looking at. More affordable but less fancy and less finely finished than Helle.
Check out the carbon steel Aito Puukko from Järvenpää.
Marttiini knives are mostly known for their stainless inexpensive fillet knives, but they also have a line of more artistic higher-grade knives, and a selection of traditional Scandinavian blades. The Lynx Lumberjack model is carbon steel and costs only $30.

If you want something tough, heavy, very inexpensive, and carbon steel, Condor knives from El Salvador have quite a following in the Wilderness Skills forum area. The Bushlore model seems to be the style you're looking for.
 
you can contact mike directly for the sugarcreek knives and ask him. His email is on his website.

There are several other makers who make similar knives in the same price range.

river bottom blades you can find on bushcraftusa.com
DSCN1339.JPG


red neck knives on bladesandbushcraft.com
100_0277.jpg


SDS knifeworks
047.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top