need knife buying advice

M

michiganitis

Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
6
Helllo!

Last year, I started getting interested in knives and multi tools. And I acquired a bunch of Kershaw and mostly Gerber knives. I know...everyone hates Gerber. I like them just fine!

For the most part, the only time I every use any of my knives or multitools are when I go hiking/camping and at work occasionally to open or breakdown boxes. So, essentially, I'm just a collector. But I like to pretend I'll NEED all my toys one day! lol

Anyway...I'm looking to get something other than Gerber, Kershaw or my one Benchmade. I'd like a good camping/hiking/survival knife. I'm looking at the following:

Fallkniven F1
ESEE 4
Mora 2000/Force/Forest
Bark River Bravo 1
Helle Temagami

I like the Mora's and the Temagami because they're thinner and in my head that means they could do finer work. Then I could get something else to be a more heavy duty knife. And on that note...I've been looking at knives in the 5"-6" range as well.

ESEE 5
ESEE 6
Ka Bar BK2
Fallkniven A1

Any suggestions there? Feel free to suggest other knives as well!

Thanks!
 
I recently got a convex blade sort of like that Bark River Bravo 1 that you're looking at, and it's been a different type of animal. I may pick up a Mora or something similar so that I can use it like my Shun paring knife but in the outdoors. the ESEE knives are appealing and I bet the ESEE 3 would make a great EDC if you got a sheath made for it for that purpose. That ESEE 4 is probably what I would choose for an out doors knife, but those Beckers get a lot of praise and for the 60 dollars for a BK2 that is one seriously popular blade. Ive only heard of one guy talking about the Fallkniven's blade steel chipping, but you may want to check into it if you plan on battoning . Between the choices you put up it seems like drawing straws may be best. good luck
 
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I have the Fallkniven F1 (with BRKT handle) and ESEE 4 (with TKC scales). Both are great knives but if I had to pick just one it would be the F1 every time. In the larger size, look at the Fallkniven S1 as well, and depending on your budget, the Swamp Rat Ratmandu. Again I have both, but would still pick the F1 as my main go to knife.

My two cents worth.
 
i own alotta different knives and without going into the pros and cons of the different brands, i will say this...
if i were to be dropped into the woods with only one knife, it would be the BK2. easy to keep sharp, big enough to spit firewood and pry, and handy enough for smaller work as well. alotta knife for the money, and made in the good ol USofA
 
michiganitis said:
I'd like a good camping/hiking/survival knife.
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A lot of it depends on what you mean by "camping/hunting/survival." For many that means cutting things like flesh and cordage, and a nice, thin, dedicated slicer (like a Mora or even a SAK) would suffice.

For many that seems to involve bashing big pieces of wood into smaller pieces of wood. That Becker BK2 seems to be universally beloved by members of that crowd who also like to slice things.

All that said, it's kinda hard to beat a Fallkniven F1. It's as "general purpose" a knife as one can buy, in my book.
 
marcinek said:
That Becker BK2 seems to be universally beloved by members of that crowd who also like to slice things.
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heck yeah we love that knife. far more expensive knives in my collection gather dust while the ol BK2 goes darn near everywhere with me.
 
I'd stay away from the Ka-bar, made with cheap 440A steel. I own one Cutco lockback. It was basically first knife I bought as I was becoming a collector. before I knew anything about good steel for knife making. not worth the money.
 
In the entry level area, Buck makes several different solid knives that would make good bear killers.

But as one who does a good bit of hiking / camping / hunting / back woods stuff... there is a lot to be said for a smaller folder over the traditional "survival" sized knife... IMHO

God Bless,
 
F1 and Bravo1 are great, the S1 is also a nice size. And there are so many more from BR, EESE, ect.
For a two blade combo, if you choose a decent larger knife, the Mora force in sandvic is a killer companion blade.
It's super lite and thin and if you use your larger blade for the heavy stuff, you don't need to ask it for much in the way of abuse.
As for medium size blades, I have EESE 6, BK2, RD7, RD9 and a few more that are not worth mentioning.
They all are great in their own way, even the RD's after a handle mod are tough to beat in that price range.
I have not handled an A1 but I like the size and if its any thing like the F1 or S1 it seems to be a solid choice to
pair up with a smaller blade like the F1 or Force.
 
I agree with Dakota, I see know reason to buy a fixed blade knife anymore that has be be on your belt in a sheath. the higher end folders are as solid as a fixed blade full tang knife when opened. Thats why I only have folders in my collection. I can grab one and tuck it in my pocket comfortably. Even the larger folding knifes I own are supprizingly comfortable in the pocket. I recomend a Benchmade Onslaught. its a size knife that is pretty comfortable to carry. I cant see that I will ever want to strap a sheath to my hip.
 
Count me as another vote for the mighty (and mighty affordable) Becker BK2.

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Beckerhead #42
 
ericvar101 said:
...I see no(?) reason to buy a fixed blade knife anymore that has be be on your belt in a sheath.

...the higher end folders are as solid as a fixed blade full tang knife when opened.

...Thats why I only have folders in my collection.
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Somebody hasn't figured out that fixed blades are for hard use, :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:

...folders are for, ...well, ...eh, :rolleyes: ...you know, ...folding. :eek:





Big Mike
 
Bk2 or 7, Esee 4 or 5, Falkniven F1 are all extremely solid choices. I'll add to it Condor knives. They have a ton of knives under $100 and a bunch under $50. My bil just got a Toloza and it's rock solid. I am looking at a Garuda and a Two Rivers to try them out. Tops also has several offerings that would treat you well. I will be ordering their new Brothers of Bushcraft knife soon most likely. I have a big soft spot for bushcraft and hunting knives. The one knife that might beat the Tops for #1 on my list is the Fox Pro Hunter.
 
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For the money,the BK2 is hard to beat,but you can beat it hard:D!The ESEEs are also great knives,but at a higher price.
 
ericvar101 said:
I agree with Dakota, I see know reason to buy a fixed blade knife anymore that has be be on your belt in a sheath. the higher end folders are as solid as a fixed blade full tang knife when opened. Thats why I only have folders in my collection. .
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I'm speechless ...... don't know what to say ...
 
michiganitis, I moved this to our Outdoor Gear section. You will still get as many different answers as there are people answering. :)

Keep in mind what you're going to do with a knife, starting out anyway. A good folder or a small fixed blade will cover your needs. The BK2 for heavy duty, F1 for versatility, and one of the new Mora blades for 99% of what you'll actually use a knife for in the woods now. All the rest is distraction. Of course there are a dozen knives for every task at hand. Pick one or two at most and learn to use them, and you'll decide later what direction you want to go to expand your collection.

Remember the first rule of knives: knives are for cutting and thinner cuts better. :p
 
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