- Joined
- Mar 18, 2008
- Messages
- 9,491
I'm quite taking back with the performance I have gotten out of the Brian Andrews Bushcraft knife I snagged off the exchange from a member some months ago. Big Mike and Marcelo will tell you that it is usually on my hip the majority of times I am out in the woods. My wife will tell you that it is annoying cleaning up all the wood chips off the patio I leave after I have whittling session with it. Its almost addicting. I really wouldn't change anything about it.
But then why did I ask Brian to make that other design I recently posted?
Well it's simple. I'm addicted to steel like the rest of you freaks.. I also like a fat round handle. Kind of like a beefy Mora #1 with contours and built in guard that locks your hand in place. I didn't want it to be too round, so the knife wouldn't spin in my hand. The ramps are about the same as Brians. It is a feature that allows the thump to rest comfortably on the blade in the chest leaver grip.
The blade shape is definatly different than Brian's Bushcraft. It is not a spear but does drop. It has alot of belly closer to the tip allowing a secure hold if pinch gripping the knife. Some said it was skinner like. I actually use that grip for detailed and controlled carving, scraping, and etching in spoons etc. Brian's Bushcraft has a noticeable continous curve that gives the knife incredible cutting power. Mine has a curve, but not quite as pronounced as Brians. It however plains wood very nicely! You can drill all day with Brian's Bushy and it does it perfectly. Mine doesn't quite drill as well as Brian's Bushy.
When I drew out the design, I immediatly thought Brian Andrews. His Scandi grind is about perfect imo. His steel choices and materials are all top grade, and ofcourse his fit and finish is as well.
I had my new knife on my hip the whole time when I was in the Catskills. It performed food prep, trap making, notching, across grain batonning, snap cuts, etc. I whittled a spoon with it as well. My spoon making sucks, but it gave me an idea of how comfortable the handle would be for long use and in different grips. I am proud to say that there was no hotspots and I believe the handle with its rounded tapered but section will be liked by large handed as well as small handed users.
I made sort of a ladle with BGA Bushy as well. I can not say I preffered one over the other. It is nice to have a narrower blade for allot of things. In that case the BGA Bushy is my favorite. But if you pinch grip the blade in any tasks then my design is easier. I doubt anyone would dislike either. Sorry if the people who asked for a comparison of the two didn't get a clear cut answer as to which I prefer more, but I'm being honest.
Specs
Comparison pics of the two.
Tony's style
8 3/4" overall
blade 4" of 1/8th thick 01 tip to handle and all edge baby!
Widest part of blade 1 1/8"
Handle is stabalized birch with black liners. 4 3/4" long
Fattest part of handle is 1 1/4" wide X 1" thick
Balance is right at the first pin
BGA Bushcraft
9" overall
blade is 4 3/8" long of 1/8th thick o1 tip to handle. Edge is 4 1/4"
widest part of blade is a hair over an 1"
Handle is green micarta no liners on this one. 4 9/16" long
fattest part is 1 1/16wide X 7/8" thick
Balance on first pin
Oh well, enough of my blabber. How about some pics!!! Most of the in hand shots are of my new knife. Brians knife felt comfortable in all grips as well.
If you want specific in hand photos of any knife, let me know.
The BGA Bushy is a drilling machine!
With out that much curve in the blade, you can plain very even.
stay tuned, abit more coming...
But then why did I ask Brian to make that other design I recently posted?
Well it's simple. I'm addicted to steel like the rest of you freaks.. I also like a fat round handle. Kind of like a beefy Mora #1 with contours and built in guard that locks your hand in place. I didn't want it to be too round, so the knife wouldn't spin in my hand. The ramps are about the same as Brians. It is a feature that allows the thump to rest comfortably on the blade in the chest leaver grip.
The blade shape is definatly different than Brian's Bushcraft. It is not a spear but does drop. It has alot of belly closer to the tip allowing a secure hold if pinch gripping the knife. Some said it was skinner like. I actually use that grip for detailed and controlled carving, scraping, and etching in spoons etc. Brian's Bushcraft has a noticeable continous curve that gives the knife incredible cutting power. Mine has a curve, but not quite as pronounced as Brians. It however plains wood very nicely! You can drill all day with Brian's Bushy and it does it perfectly. Mine doesn't quite drill as well as Brian's Bushy.
When I drew out the design, I immediatly thought Brian Andrews. His Scandi grind is about perfect imo. His steel choices and materials are all top grade, and ofcourse his fit and finish is as well.
I had my new knife on my hip the whole time when I was in the Catskills. It performed food prep, trap making, notching, across grain batonning, snap cuts, etc. I whittled a spoon with it as well. My spoon making sucks, but it gave me an idea of how comfortable the handle would be for long use and in different grips. I am proud to say that there was no hotspots and I believe the handle with its rounded tapered but section will be liked by large handed as well as small handed users.
I made sort of a ladle with BGA Bushy as well. I can not say I preffered one over the other. It is nice to have a narrower blade for allot of things. In that case the BGA Bushy is my favorite. But if you pinch grip the blade in any tasks then my design is easier. I doubt anyone would dislike either. Sorry if the people who asked for a comparison of the two didn't get a clear cut answer as to which I prefer more, but I'm being honest.
Specs
Comparison pics of the two.
Tony's style
8 3/4" overall
blade 4" of 1/8th thick 01 tip to handle and all edge baby!
Widest part of blade 1 1/8"
Handle is stabalized birch with black liners. 4 3/4" long
Fattest part of handle is 1 1/4" wide X 1" thick
Balance is right at the first pin
BGA Bushcraft
9" overall
blade is 4 3/8" long of 1/8th thick o1 tip to handle. Edge is 4 1/4"
widest part of blade is a hair over an 1"
Handle is green micarta no liners on this one. 4 9/16" long
fattest part is 1 1/16wide X 7/8" thick
Balance on first pin
Oh well, enough of my blabber. How about some pics!!! Most of the in hand shots are of my new knife. Brians knife felt comfortable in all grips as well.
If you want specific in hand photos of any knife, let me know.
The BGA Bushy is a drilling machine!
With out that much curve in the blade, you can plain very even.
stay tuned, abit more coming...
