Need (okay, want) Another Bushcraft/Hunting Knife. Suggestions?

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Wyoming762

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Feb 24, 2016
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I'm looking for a bushcraft/hunting knife to go along with my Mora and Bucks and would like some suggestions.

Requirements are:
Must be carbon steel
Must be 4" or more but less than 5"
Must be under $200 dollars
Must have full length tang
That it doesn't look tactical

Preferences are:
That it have a wood handle (if not, at least a decent looking micarta handle)
That the blade be uncoated
That it be a drop point
That it comes with a leather sheath to begin with

The last four aren't necessary.

Knives I'm looking at are the BRKT Aurora, the Fox River, the Kalahari, and the Trail Buddy; but especially the Aurora. However, I've been told that BRKTs are more of slicing knives rather thatn hard use Bushcraft type knives, I have no idea if that's true, but that's what I've heard. I've also heard breakage stories about the Aurora, so I'm a little weary to take the plunge.
I also really like the look of the Landi Bushcraft, but know nothing of this brand.
I'd appreciate some comments on the knives I'm looking at as well as suggestions on what knives you think would be a good choice.
 
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For just a tad over budget you can grab a 5" BRKT bravo 1.25 in 3v
-3v is supposed to be the bees knees in terms of tough carbon, non stainless steel while still holding an edge

The Gunny, Aurora, or Bravo 1 in a2 are all under budget.
Not sure about not being up to task, as the convex grind should certainly provide a sturdy and stable edge, capable of withstanding hard use.

For around $100+ you can grab a nice large model Hazen, a design I really like, nice choil, and not laser etched to death like NASCAR sponsors..
Also an ESEE4, or TOPS BOB/Cochise Hunter/Ute/Dragonfly all fit that range, all in good old 1095.

With the extra $ left over you can put it towards a leather sheath.

There's also the Blackjack Bushcraft Companion
 
I really appreciate the Enzo Trapper. A good and fun option is to buy a kit which includes all the hardware, machined wood or micarta handles and a finished sheath. All you do is glue, sand and finish the handles. You can get a variety of steels with O1 being the least inexpensive and Elmax at the top.

They just look nice.
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I love Puukos and Scandinavian knives as well. I just interpreted the OP's request was for a full width tang. But tapered tang knives can be incredibly tough with the right handle construction.

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Condor Bushlore.
Then get a Condor machete and axe.
They'll all come with leather sheaths, and cost less than $200 for all three combined! :thumbup:

Decent steel with a decent heat treat, and people have had good luck with replacements in the rare instances where one of their products breaks.
 
Slightly out of parameters, but I'm going to throw it out there anyway. I'd say the ZT 0180. Just over 4" blade, great steel, solid, and perfect fit (for my hand). Ok, doesn't come with wood handle, but I've seen some really pretty aftermarkets. Doesn't come with leather, but that can also be remedied. I made my own. The included nylon sheath is well made, bidirectional, and very functional for the bush. But I spend more time in the burbs on a motorcycle, and I'm just a leather lover.

Love some of the suggestions above, but once I held the 180, the solid feel and balance really stands out.

Street price is just over your mark, but I bet with a little search you could find it for less. Or even a lightly used in the exchange for even less.

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I wouldn't agree with BRKT knives not being good for bushcrafting. There seem to be plenty of people that use it for those types of tasks. There are certainly models that are better for slicing and lighter work, while others would do just fine bushcrafting.

Out of the knives listed I like the Aurora handle the best but it does have a finer point than the others. The fox river would be my choice of the models listed.

Other knives to consider would be the Hess Outdoorsman. 1095, full tang, 4.75" blade, leather sheath, and about $120. I would also look at some of the offerings from LT Wright. Their GNS is a solid knife with a full tang, 4.5" blade, O1 steel, and a nice dangler sheath for just over $150.

The enzo trapper is also a good choice. The blade is a little shy of 4" but is a good value at just over $100 with the sheath or you can save a few bucks and buy the kit like RX-79G said.
 
RX-79G said:
I really appreciate the Enzo Trapper. A good and fun option is to buy a kit which includes all the hardware, machined wood or micarta handles and a finished sheath. All you do is glue, sand and finish the handles. You can get a variety of steels with O1 being the least inexpensive and Elmax at the top.

They just look nice.
enzo-2031.jpg


Knife-Timoshin-OHD-115-Elmax-Black-G10-09.jpg
Click to expand...
+1 on the Enzo Trapper. They come in a variety of steels, scandi or full flat grind. The kit with curly birch handles would be a fun project IMO. If you need more blade, the Enzo badger or camper are bigger
 
RX-79G, it doesn't have be full tang where their are two slabs on each side for the handles, just has to extend the entire length of the handle.
Thanks for the suggestions, by the way.
 
Wyoming762 said:
RX-79G, it doesn't have be full tang where their are two slabs on each side for the handles, just has to extend the entire length of the handle.
Thanks for the suggestions, by the way.
Click to expand...

If that's the case, then go look at all the knives from Helle, Karusaundo, Ahti, Lapin, Marttiini, Brusletto, etc. I think DLT has some as do several other US Scandi knife sellers. The original bushcraft knives, in a sense.

Carbon, laminated carbon, stainless and laminated stainless blades available in a variety of lengths and thicknesses:

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Something on the inexpensive side is the Condor Two Rivers Skinner. I have one. It is really a nice knife and sharpens up to hair popping sharpness. Just providing options..... You don't have to spend $200.
 
The Aurora is an excellent choice if you are looking for a bit larger blade, and it comes with a nice sheath w/ a firesteel loop as well. And at only 5.5 ounces, the LTversion is my preference - so light it is a joy to carry:



Btw, the micarta versions are sub-$200, but a wood handled version will send it over $200 (unless yu find one second-hand).
 
Wyoming762 said:
RX-79G, what is the Knife in the second photo?
Click to expand...

Right click and do a "search google for this image" on anything you want to know more about. The site I lifted these from have probably 150 knives of this variety to choose from. Wood handled knives (not Moras) start at $30. Lots and lots of choices.
 
No doubt the Puuko is a fine knife, and I appreciate the suggestions, but it looks rather similar to my Mora, and I'm looking for something with a different flavor. I'm also not extremely wild about handles without any groves, just worries me that my hand might slip up at a time a really wouldn't want it to.
Nobody has any comments about the Landi? With the Bark Rivers I'm now leaning towards the Trail Buddy because, unlike the Aurora and the Kalahari which have convex grinds, it has a sabre grind. Just my preferences.
 
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