Looking for first fixed blade / bushcraft outdoor use

adamrockcrawler

adamrockcrawler

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Oct 26, 2011
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Hello All first thread so I would like to introduce myself and say hello!

There's probably a million threads like this but here we go... Looking for a hard use knife for the outdoors, something to be used for bushcraft and likely some batoning. I want something that's not gonna make me sad to give a good beating.

Currently torn between the following...

The Mike Snody Blue Boss paracord handle currently for sale http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/910297-Blue-Boss-Only-99-00-FOR-SALE-NOW-ONLY-38-Pieces-Available-The-Blue-Boss-2011

Becker BK-2

Ontario Rat 5

ESEE 4

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I think you can see the trend in price range here. What are the other recommendations, are these a good size knife to go with?
 
Well it looks like you've done your homework. All of these knives are good to great. If you can afford it go with the ESEE 4. If yo are looking to save a little money go with the BK-2. Both are great but I would choose the ESEE because of the micarta scales and the warranty. Just my 2¢
 
I don't own one yet but would recommend something from Busse Combat like a Boss Jack or Basic 6, or a knife in the Busse family like Scrap Yard or Swamp Rat Knives. After researching on this forum and knifetest.com you will find that Busse makes arguably some of the best production knives around and scrap yard and swamp rat are a close second at half the price. I currently own a Gerber LMF 2 and I like it, I beat the crap out of it for about 3 years (mostly bush craft) and its held up great. Its not very comfortable though and u have to wear the leg strap to deploy it from the sheath properly. It could also use another inch of blade for easier batoning. With that said at $70 its a great knife. I am currently saving for a CG Boss Jack. I really recommend going to knifetest.com that site will give you a whole new appreciation of what a hard use knife should really be and that cost is not always the high factor when it comes to quality. The LMF beats knives 3 times more expensive and no one can even hold a candle to Busse's INFI steel. Falkniven is defiantly a worthy mention for a bad ass knife under $200. Welcome to BF.
 
Thanks all for your recommendations! A little bit suprised but the lack of call outs to the Rat 5, seems like D2 is good steel. That said I think I am leaning towards the ESEE 4.

nosrak, knifetest.com is a very interesting site to say the least!

The Busse's look sweet but just too expensive, it seems as tho they can only be purchases directly through Busse Combat?

Almost forgot to wish all a Merry Christmas!
 
+1 more for the ESEE-4. I love mine. I promise it will stand up to any beating you can give it and come back wanting more.
 
those are all hard to beat but I think the BK2 is the cheapest at ~$60. I have one and love it.
 
i have the ESEE 4 and love it. i think it is a great blade for general outdoor use the coating will wear. the sheath is amazing as well. i dont have a becker but hear their knives are equally as good. main difference is the handle and sheath if i remember correctly.

now i have been eyeing that SNODY as well, but at 3.5" i think it might be a little too small for as a main bushcraft/outdoor knife, particularly if you would do any splitting of wood, or need the extra length for something. i dont split wood but i have used my ESEE to dig something out of the dirt a few times before. but also i think some of his knives are simply beautiful and would have a hard time wanting to use them outdoors.
 
Take a look at Fallknivens F1 and S1. They're excellent backpacking knives made of laminated stainless steel with a thermorun handle. Convex ground too with a square spine that works with a firesteel. The pros list is long...do a search, the subject has been discussed many times before and there are many Fallkniven vs. Xxxx threads.
 
The mighty BK2 is the least expensive in your list but it's far from cheap. Get one - you'll be amazed at what it can do for you.

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Merry Christmas!

---

Beckerhead #42
 
Busse Combat are more expensive than the knives you have selected , BUT if you want a Busse kin knife by Scrap Yard , you can get the Srcao Yard Sykco 511 on their site right now for less than an Esee 4 . They have a no questions lifetime warrante as well . I have one on the way :D


HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
 
You should consider the bark river bravo 1 i would recommednd the rampless version. I've beatin the crap out of mine and it wont even go dull!
 
Can't beat the Becker for toughness but my favorite fixed blade is my Buck 119. I've batoned, dug, cleaned fish, garden duty, pryed pallets apart, cut metal banding ties. I've never been so hard on a knife and it just asks for more.
 
Becker BK2 is great, but its thickness bothers some (still does most everything, but for instance, its not the ideal fillet knife). That same issue applies to the ESSE 5, perhaps even more (because of the lower saber grind but same blade thickness).

The ESEE 4 is a good knife, but smaller. The ESEE 6 is more similarly sized to the other knives you were looking for.

The Scrapyard 511 is another great knife in that size category, as is the Becker BK12 (Ritter MK2), which is basically a 6in, 3/16 thick version of the BK2 with a different tip shape.

Good luck :).
 
I'm gonna suggest the bk5, it is the MAGNUM camp knife and it won an award dontcha know.

But to pick of the choices you said, bk2. The esee 4s handles are to small for the Blade. It has the same handles as the smaller esee 3. If you want and esee spring for the 3 or the 6, otherwise get a bk2. Or like I said a bk5.....or a bk10.....

Bk5
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Bk10
DSCN1463-1.jpg
 
really appreciate all the suggestions you guys have really opened my eyes. Totally missed the Fallknivens and the BK-5, but it seems a bit longer than what i was looking for, also looking at the ESEE 6 now.... so many quality knives...

I know its a deal shorter than the other knives discussed here but any comments on the Spyderco Bushcraft?
 
The ESEE-4 is a decent little knife built more than strong enough for my outdoor needs.
Maybe you can support the local forum makers? They do make some nice pieces that aren't too expensive..
 
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