Master of none...

H

hillmillenia

Joined
Dec 2, 2014
Messages
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Through the years my interests have run the gambit from guitars, to guns, to dirt fishing and of course knives. This forum, like so many forums that allow the public access for advice or information on any subject are invaluable. You guys here are so into knives and I really appreciate the insight I find in these "pages" Knives are an American pass time and I really enjoy the subject. I have a few knives from my youth...a couple of Bucks and only recently have I began to get more involved in "collecting" knives. After reading through this forum, I have learned there are several classes of knives. I enjoy backpacking and primitive camping and of course I always have a blade or two on me for various uses. We used to call them hunting knives or woodcraft knives...now I see the term bushcraft which is as appropriate as any other I suppose. In the purest sense however, I know of very few people who can eek out an existence without the benefit of tools and clothing supplied by industry...but I can appreciate that we have a kindred desire to survive in the wild using only what can be found in nature. As for the knives of choice in this endeavour, I have been collecting what I would term as low cost knives...in the 25 to 80 dollar range...well except for the Mora knife...what a deal those are! I hope to eventually use all of these knives in some limited capacity in the field and I have a pretty good collection under way so far. Mostly fixed blade, 4-5" with wood, micarta or plastic handles and steel ranging from 1075, 95, SS, 420 C or HC and I know there are others...and better grades but I want to keep the cost in the every day mans range and a 100-300 is a bit over the top...or am I setting my sights too low? I would ask your advise...what knives would you suggest I consider in this foray? I ask because you are knife people or at least have a great interest in it. I appreciate your input. Hill
 
hillmillenia said:
.... I enjoy backpacking and primitive camping and of course I always have a blade or two on me for various uses. We used to call them hunting knives or woodcraft knives...now I see the term bushcraft which is as appropriate as any other I suppose. ...
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Actually, the term now seems to be "survival." Which makes me crazy. :D I guess "backpacking" or "camping" or "hunting" aren't sexy enough.
 
hillmillenia said:
I would ask your advise...what knives would you suggest I consider in this foray? I ask because you are knife people or at least have a great interest in it. I appreciate your input. Hill
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I suppose it depends on what you like and what you want to spend. You can get nice knives that work well and look good in "not super" but perfectly usable steels in a wide range of prices.

AG Russell right now has these beautiful, very traditional Classic American-Style Hunting Knives for about a hundred bucks. I think they would feel very at home in the woods, and there is nothing (thankfully) "survival" about them at all.
 
From what you say - I think that I know what your next knife could be -

I have the Boker Plus "Bushcraft XL" designed by Tom Krein. It is 440C, and Boker has the heat treat down - so it is done right. It is stainless, and easy to sharpen. Plus, with the full flat grind - it really performs.

My suggestion, as I have been highly impressed with this $75 knife. (although I am not into "extreme survival" - just your regular everyday normal guy).

Eric

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snippy said:
From what you say - I think that I know what your next knife could be -

I have the Boker Plus "Bushcraft XL" designed by Tom Krein. It is 440C, and Boker has the heat treat down - so it is done right. It is stainless, and easy to sharpen. Plus, with the full flat grind - it really performs.
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That is a really nice-looking, sensibly-designed cutting tool. :thumbup: What's not to like?
 
marcinek said:
That is a really nice-looking, sensibly-designed cutting tool. :thumbup: What's not to like?
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I have recently fallen in love with the Enzo Trapper or similar Enzo knives, although I do not own any. From the photos, the way handle meets blade... the way handle and blade look... it's just purely marvelous.

And now that I googled it, it seems obvious I should have guessed what dirt fishing was.

And heck, while I am here, congrats on the new addition to your extended family. :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the responses so far...there is nothing "sexy" about me and hiking...Survival huh? Well here in Oklahoma it's a given you have a stash of food and water just in case a 'nado comes through or any more an earthquake. Dirt fishing i.e. metal detecting...It's a lot of fun and my wife loves it! go figure...of course, she a licensed gun packing down home woman and I am one lucky SOB! I have picked up a few knives lately that I find are quite amazing...A Camillius, a Condor and a Boker...all of the "Bushcraft" genere but it was the design, not the name, that got me. I also have an old Buck 119 I purchased new for $20 back in the mid 80's and a 110 folder I've had about 25 years...funny, I grew up in El Cajon and have many friends who worked at Buck even before they got the military bayonet contract...little shop then. I have a skinner and a Vanguard both relatively new... I look at the expensive knives, Bark River and Fallkniven and so on...at least expensive to me and they are really nice but I just can't justify 100, 200, 300 dollars to myself...don't get me wrong, I understand handmade quality. I'd be mortified to touch one of them blades to anything harder than a tomato. I'm really a gun guy....like I said, master of none. There is not enough life to fully appreciate everything to it's limit...but I'm damn well gonna try! Knives should be used and I have no qualms using a $50 knife and if I break it I'll recover...That's my line of thought. Again, I appreciate your views!
 
I think the Becker BK-15 is a smokin deal right now. Not sure how much longer they will be around.

That Boker looks really nice as well.
 
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