New to the Boards, Questions on Blades

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schm9311

Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Messages
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OK, so first, Hi all, stubmled on to this site, looks like a great place to gain some knowledge, anyway I have done a fair amount of research (mostly video reviews) on knives for camping/survival situations. All I know is there are alot of knives out there and picking the right one, for the right price, and right capabilities is harder then I thought.

Some knives I have been looking at are: Esee 5, BK2, Bravo 1, S1.

Now, the way I intend to use the knife is for woodwork (battoning, chopping, feather sticks, making notches, etc), and for skinning fish, and small animals.
Im from MN so a knife that can adapt to warm and cold weather well, and perform when wet is important.

Im also still a little confused on Carbon Steel or Stainless Steel, is there one that is more tolerant then the other, edge wise, chipping, breaking, rusting, those types of things.

Anywho, are my knife choices acceptable for their intended uses? Or is there a other choice I overlooked.

Thanks for all the help, I didnt intend to make it this long, but wanted to give some basic info.
 
Good first post. Most ask for “what type of knife”, yet they never mention their location or intended uses or requirements. Your research has done you well and you’ve identified some excellent choices. I don’t own the ESEE 5 or BK2, but I own other knives from those manufacturers. I do have the BRKT Bravo-1 and I’m assuming your S1 is from Fallkniven.

To be honest, any of those knives will serve you and your needs. It’s good to note reference cold weather use. Fully enclosed handles like the Fallkniven are specifically designed for that, however the larger grips such as what’s on the ESEE or Becker knives really help when wearing gloves. The Bravo-1 and S1 would most likely be easier to manipulate for smaller cutting chores such as skinning game and gutting fish. The Bravo-1 is one of my regular go-to blades as I just prefer the size for carrying and the convex edge is the easiest to maintain for more delicate cutting tasks. I’ve handled both the ESEE 5 and BK2…both are brutish knives that will easily handle much tougher chores; they are pretty stout blades. The S1 is surprisingly svelte and balances well. It gives you a decent length blade that is shaped will for more precise cutting.

As to all the knives you’ve mentioned, only the Fallkniven is considered “stainless” with the VG10 steel. There are a few that I actually don’t mind if the heat treatment is done well and VG10 is one of them. For the most part though, I prefer carbon steel. I’ve been all over and even here in the southeast with the high humidity, I’ve never had issues with a carbon steel blade. As long as it’s being used and you take an opportunity to clean off food, animal guts, tree sap or mud/clay/dirt, damaging rust won’t really be an issue…you may get a nice patina, but that won’t affect the performance of your blade.

Last consideration is the sheath. I really don’t care for too many of the stock sheaths that come with most knives, but the important aspect is to make sure the sheath works for you. Of course it needs to be secure and protect both you and the knife, but also consider access, ease of re-sheathing, positioning when worn and if you care for add-ons such as a firesteel or sharpener or you want it fairly slim.

Hope that helps and let us know what you decide on. If you can get your hands on any of the above, it really helps make the decision. Even if the best knife in the world doesn’t fit your hand well, it probably won’t get used much either.

ROCK6
 
Welcome schm, I don't think you could get a better response than what Rock6 just gave you. I'd say that the BK2 and ESEE-5 would meet your needs for the rough and tumble chores you identify, but that are too big and clunky for fine chores like skinning fish. I can't quite imagine trying to fillet with 1/4" of steel at the spine. Here, these two knives are very deceiving about their size because of their 5" blade length. However, they are both very tall (as in blade height) and thick making them feel and behave like a much larger knife then their specs might suggest.

I agree with Rock6 that the Bravo-1 and S1 would probably provide better options for a do everything blade that includes the fine chores like processing fish and game. Between those two, it really comes down to a lot of aesthetics. The Bravo can be had in many really nice handle types and can be upgraded to a really nice leather sheath at the time of ordering. The S1 has its stainless qualities if you like to keep your blades shiny. I'm not crazy about the false swedge of the S1 but that is just a personal thing. I also don't like the ramp on the bravo, but that can be ordered as ground off.
 
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I have both the Bravo 1 and S1. The BK2 and ESEE-5 are pretty stout for your application. ESEE-4 may be better but all three are coated blades if that is a consideration. I have an ESEE-4 but am not a fan of coated blades. The Bravo 1 and S1 are about the same length but the Bravo 1 is a bigger knife. The S1 handle is "rubber" and fairly flat sided where the Bravo can be wood, micarta and G10 and is more hand filling. Bravo probably would have the edge on batoning and light chopping and the S1 a little better at fish and game processing. Bravo 1 comes with standard with kydex sheath but you can buy a leather sheath. S1 comes with either type sheath but leather one is a little more expensive. If you are out in the wet or on the water alot, the kydex or synthetic sheath may be better than leather. I carry the Bravo on my pack strap so the kydex works better for me. My S1 is in a leather dangler sheath so it is carried on my belt.
 
Welcome, and good job outlining your uses:thumbup:
None of those uses call for knives in this size range, though. They call for smaller and thinner for the little stuff, and longer for the chopping.
You might consider buying two knives, instead of one, because right now you've got two round holes that you're trying to fit one square peg in.
None of those knives is going to chop well. They're too short, and lack a forward balance.
All of them will be fine for splitting wood, at least as far as their profile goes, but their blade lengths will limit the size of the wood.
They're also going to be anywhere from mediocre to just plain bad at finer woodwork, and processing fish and small game.
You can do all those things with the knives you list, but they won't be any good at most of them, and you'll have minimal results for maximum effort.
 
Welcome to BladeForums!

I see see two distinct types of knives you might be looking at: tanks for survival, and utility.

The ESEE5 and BK2 are tanks. They are overbuilt because they are designed to help get your ass home in one piece if that's all that you have on you. The Bravo1 fits into this category to certain degrees too. If you are talking Fallkniven, I'd thow the A1 (excellent knive BTW) in with this bunch.

The other is utility. While tanks can be used as such, they aren't necessarily the best for those tasks. I thinner, more nimble blade like a Fox River, Aurora etc from BRKT or a F1, S1 from Fallkniven, ESEE4 and so on, are all much better at utility tasks.

I went BIG first and have gradually become more inclined to use a simple 4" than a really thick, robust blade.

A word on chopping you'll have a difficult time with chopping anything with a blade length shorter than 6". A 5" can do it but it's going to be a whole lot of effort. Either go really big (8-9") or bring a hatchet/axe. I use a folding saw personally.

On the steels, to make very broad generalisations - stainless steels are less tough than carbon steels. Fallkniven's VG10 is excellent but it isn't a miracle steel. It will chip out if it comes into contact with rocks or pebbles. A2 is very tough, t's also really easy to maintain and holds an edge surprisingly well. These are my two favourite steels at the moment in fixed blades. CPM3V will soon take A2's place though!

My recommendation - get a fallkniven F1. Stainless, tough, great for utility and is small enough for skinning fish and small game.
 
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You have already received some excellent advice from some of the brightest members on this forum, and all of which have spent ample time in the bush.

So, I do not find it too pertinent to reiterate what has already been stated.
But, I highly recommend the S1 as an all around excellent knife, I honestly
have not had any experience with the others. However, I have heard great things about them, as have you.

Well, I really just came here to say:

WELCOME TO BLADEFORUMS
:cool::cool::cool:
 
Welcome to this forums.
You got great advise already.
my $.02:
+1 on the S1
Reasons:
-no worries about rust/patina (if you care about it)
-if used for battoning, the handle absorbs the shock
-if used in a cold environment, there is no hand/metal contact (if there are no gloves involved)
-lam vg10: best of both words. Some people complain about chipping. If you know what you are doing, I wouldn't worry about it.

Honestly, in time you should try them all and see what works best for you.
 
Get the S1 and a SAK (Swiss Army Knife) for the smaller tasks.

Most of the bias against stainless is in the low grades like 420, AUS-8 and such. The higher end steels like VG-10 hold up much better, and Falkniven makes very nice knives.
 
The only thing I would suggest is start cheap

I say this not because I dont believe in a long term knife investment, I very much do! But, rather your tastes, preferences, likes will change as you grow. This will give you a chance to learn what you need and want.

Pick up a BK2 (Carbon for gross work) and a Mora (Stainless for fine work). You can hit both for under $100 maybe even $80. You can get a feel for both types of blades, coated, non coated, stainless, carbon, sizes, edge type, etc.

At the same time you will never regret your purchase!

I wish I had started this way. I ended up with a number of coated blades I dont use. I have since grown quite fond of non coated convex blades. (BRKT Falkniven)

Food for thought
 
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Welcome to the forums.

Also thank you for outlining your intended use and wants perfectly.

I am used 3 out of 4 of the knives you mentioned. Like the other guys said, I agree that the ESEE-5 and BK-2 are overly built tanks that excel in heavy use/abuse. However the thick edges they come with will make fine wood work and skinning game hard.
The edge geometry on the Bravo 1 will lend itself more useful then the those other two. A2 tool steel is a high carbon steel that resists rust pretty well.

That said, I have heard great things about the S1, and have experience with the F1 and H1 knives by Falkniven. The stainless VG-10 Steel is a great performer.

I would choose either the S1 or the Bravo 1 for the use you intend to give it,and I doubt you will be disappointed with either of those.
 
Welcome.

I think only one previous poster mentioned the Mora. A very good Mora knife can be had for under $15. Some of the newer models can be $35 or so. I'm not trying to dissuade you in any way against any of those more expensive models you're considering. The thing is, if you can afford to even consider those more expensive models, then there's no reason you shouldn't at least try a Mora or two.

The humble Mora knife gets a lot of respect around here. Even if you don't love it, it can be a lightweight and very capable back up. They're too inexpensive not to at least try one.
 
Scott Free said:
Welcome.

I think only one previous poster mentioned the Mora. A very good Mora knife can be had for under $15. Some of the newer models can be $35 or so. I'm not trying to dissuade you in any way against any of those more expensive models you're considering. The thing is, if you can afford to even consider those more expensive models, then there's no reason you shouldn't at least try a Mora or two.

The humble Mora knife gets a lot of respect around here. Even if you don't love it, it can be a lightweight and very capable back up. They're too inexpensive not to at least try one.
Click to expand...

+1 ^^
The Mora is a great knife and inexpensive. I cant comment on the other knives eese, s1, etc. Because I don't own them. But the people here know their stuff.
What I can say is, I've bought A LOT of knives, big, beefy, long, rugged, coated, etc. Trying to find that great all around knife. And after eight or so purchases and a few years, I have found that my Mora 2000, $ 30 some bucks, is my goto knife. It will do great for skinning, filleting, notching, feather, even batonning. As far as chopping I agree with the other posters that a second knife would be a good idea. You'll be surprised what a cheap (price) Mora will do.

WELCOME TO THE FORUM !!!!!!!

mora1.jpg


.
 
Rprecision said:
The only thing I would suggest is start cheap

I say this not because dont believe in a long term knife investment, I very much do! But, rather your tastes, preferences, likes will change as you grow. This will give you a chance to learn what you need and want.

.......

I wish I had started this way. I ended up with a number of coated blades I dont use. I have since grown quite fond of non coated convex blades. (BRKT Falkniven)

Food for thought
Click to expand...

VictGerbSogCamill said:
.......
What I can say is, I've bought A LOT of knives, big, beefy, long, rugged, coated, etc. Trying to find that great all around knife. And after eight or so purchases and a few years, I have found that my Mora 2000, $ 30 some bucks, is my goto knife. It will do great for skinning, filleting, notching, feather, even batonning. As far as chopping I agree with the other posters that a second knife would be a good idea. You'll be surprised what a cheap (price) Mora will do.
Click to expand...

The above posts seem to catch the essence of it. Bottom line is that many of us keep buying knives in pursuit of 'that one knife' that will do everything. Some folks seem to find it, others like myself, keep searching. Do recognize that your tastes in what you like and don't like in your edged tools will change as you spend more time working on knife skills under different types of wilderness settings.

Now had I bought my favorite knives that I own today as the first knives that I purchased, would I be equally happy with them? The answer is probably not. I sort of view my evolution of knife preferences going hand in hand with my exploration of different kinds of wilderness experiences. For example, I needed to experience chopper knives before I decided they were not for me whereas many other forumites absolutely love them.

So I would probably say that unless you really have a good feeling for what you like in a knife based on your own experiences then go with your best choice for today and while you are using it keep logging in your head what you really like about that blade and what little things annoy you. Then upgrade as you see fit. Some folks recommend its better to go cheaper at the beginning, but I don't really know. If you really want a falkniven, you won't be satisfied buying a mora, what you will do is buy a mora and then eventually buy the fallkniven. Thats how it goes, unless you are a sane person and can just make your knife purchase and go off and do wonderful things never to return to BF again :D
 
I'll throw in my two cents.

I have an S1. I don't use it much now because the handle is too small for my big hands. If you have regular or small hands, it's a great knife.

The Esee 5 is probably a bit too beefy for what you want. The Bravo 1 would probably work. I don't know much about the BK5.

While you can chop with a 5" knife, it won't be very effective. Choppers are usually over 6" or 7".

Also, usually skinning knives are shorter than 5" (and thinner than the knives you have listed). The Fallkniven F1 is more of a skinning blade than the S1. The handle is also a bit beefier. It's also stainless.

You could consider carrying a thinner, shorter blade and carrying a folding saw to handle firewood.

Finally... go custom! You can get exactly what you want for less than $150 from one of the custom makers on this board.
 
Thanks Everybody, Alot of great information and suggestions, and after hearing it all, I think Im going to go with a couple knives, or a knife/axe combo.
So I still want a High Quality Knife, I would prefer to get the Bravo 1 or the F1,and some type of hand axe if not that a 2 knife setup.
So what im wondering what lengths of Blade would be appropriate for running a axe/knife, or a 2 knife setup , and well as far as axes, could some of you reccomend a few specific brands so I could do some further research.
I would prefer a durable, small, light, easy to carry axe.
Thanks again everyone, I was set on a BK2, but this has changed my opinion, I think for the better!
 
The F1 is just under 4" (3.8" blade) and is very well suited to use with an axe. The B1 is fine as well.

As for axes, my suggestion would be a Gransfor's bruks small forest axe (pretty much the king in this class) or a wetterlings 26" axe (I prefer the little bit extra length over the 19" for its leverage). Another choice to consider would be the Council Tool Hudson Bay Axe (26" with a 1.75 lb head).
 
schm9311 said:
I would prefer a durable, small, light, easy to carry axe.
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Pretty sure a small, light axe isn't going to work. Thus, a good folding saw. Get a Silky or the Kershaw folding saw. I carry the Kershaw and it's light enough to not think about it. You'll also be able to cut stuff faster and easier than an axe (until you get to the larger axes).
 
Wildewinds said:
I have an S1. I don't use it much now because the handle is too small for my big hands. If you have regular or small hands, it's a great knife.
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this is a common complaint about Fallknivens. it's worth noting that the handles are designed to be used while wearing gloves.

i have itty-bitty girly hands for a 5'10" bloke and even I find the handle on my S1 to be on the slim side.

that said, i find that the ergos are still excellent and it's a very comfortable knife in my hands.

Some knives I have been looking at are: Esee 5, BK2, Bravo 1, S1.
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these are all excellent knives and any of them will serve you well for many years if you look after it.

personally, i'd go with either the S1 or the ESEE5.
 
Don't overlook a good machete.

Light, versatile, very capable

I looked over machetes for years thinking it was a jungle tool not suited for my Alpine environment. Thankfully I opened my eyes
 
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