Pair, Big and small

J

Jackofall

Joined
Sep 17, 2021
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18
Hello everybody, first post here with a question about which knives i should get to make a big and small pair. (Possibly with a custom piggyback sheath for them).

Budget: 200 for both

Use: mostly camping/bushcraft type use

Preferred carbon steel and more traditional look and about 1/8in stock on the small knife

Looking for one knife blade length around 9-11 inches and another around 4.5-5.5. Im currently looking at the Condor Kephart and the Condor Ironpath. I have also been looking at the Condor Bushlore. In the same kind of class I currently own a Buck 105 and a Mora companion. Looking for any other reccomendations for either size knife.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: Bumped up from 150 to 200 for budget.
 
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Welcome to the forums.

I hate to talk someone out of buying a knife but if you think you will doing a lot of chopping, you might be better served with a small axe/hatchet or possibly a folding saw to pair with a 6" fixed blade. Unless you go the machete route, a 9-11" blade is pretty darn big imo. The big problem with hatchets is the added weight too.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Cold-Steel-SRK-Search-Rescue-Fixed--52053
https://www.baryonyxknife.com/cotoha.html
I carry a 10" Corona folding saw from Lowes when I used to hike/camp (don't get out much anymore). About ~$24. Very light too.

You could buy the 3 above and hit your $130 if you have a Lowes close. Chances are Home Depot or Menards has something similar in a folding saw too amongst other online places.

Just a thought.
 
Thanks for the reply!
I agree with the axe/hatchet sentiment. I have an Estwing 16in and 26in that see a fair bit of use when i go out and might have a chopping need. I guess im just looking to try out one of these large knives that could maybe take the place of a hatchet in some situations(i see alot of people like the junglas) and looking for a new moderate sized one too. Im also really enjoying the idea of the combo sheath i might be able to make for them to be carried together.
 
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Congratulations on your first post & thread J Jackofall

When you have time, check out this link I’m providing you to look through. All about sheaths and such. You’re bound to find an idea in it about a possible double sheath, and if not, you can post some questions there too.

Welcome to the BladeForums community Jackofall, best of luck to you.

Direct link to sheaths:

Sheaths & Such

They hold your knives & tools. Yeah.
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
I assume the length you mentioned above is the actual blade length? I had to ask. If so, the Becker 9 is up your alley and widely used by folks on the forum. I like mine a lot, and the 1095 cro-van is good stuff. And if you want to a Kephart style, I think you will be much happier with then LT Wright Bushcrafter HC, you know the heat treat would be good as opposed to Condor’s hit or miss, and the warranty is much better. I also have it and I like the general feel of the broomstick handle, comfortable in a variety of grips. I think the cost for both may be above your limit, but there are good bargains out there for used Bk 9s, I recently saw one for about 95.00 on the exchange, and the cost of the LTW without the sheath is pretty reasonable. I am sure you have a general sheath to for the LTW. Let us know what you think. I was going to recommend a Mora classic with a Buck General, but you mentioned you were looking for something different. Hope this helps and would love to know how it goes or what you choose. :thumbsup:;) I also apologize since I forgot you were looking for a good combo sheath.
 
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cbach8tw cbach8tw the length mentioned above is in fact blade length (sorry, shouldve specified). I dont know why, but i havent thought to look for used, that may bring some more options in to budget for me, thank you. Just as i got your reply i was actually looking at a Mora Classic no. 2F. Ill check out that LTW. Thanks for the ideas!
 
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Thanks, Jackofall, I appreciate it and you got my attention with this thread, it peaked my curiosity and had fun thinking about what you would do. Just for fun. :thumbsup:
 
AntDog AntDog ive never heard of them and had to look those up. Glad i did! I like that combination. I do wish they had a wooden handle option though. On my radar for sure! I also really like their Woodsknife Traditional. Thank you
 
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I have great GB and Hultafors hatchets, but I still prefer one of my Mini Dukus or the Bushcraft Parang for chopping because I think they are safer to use. My outdoor knives are a puukko, a Mora Bushcaft Triflex, the Condor Sapien, the Hultafors OK4 and OK1, and a few more expensive Barkies. Sometimes I also carry a Victorinox Rangergrip, a Trekker, a Pioneer with a saw and any suitable 3-4" folder as backups and INOX Opinels in the camping kitchen.

If you go with machetes, check out reallybigmonkey1 on YT (and also here), for loads of sheath combos and tips.
 
The Kershaw Camp 10 has some good reviews for the price. You will need to sacrifice your wood handle (which is a big sticking point at your budget).
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Camp-10-Fixed-Blade-Knife--80576
If you really didn't want to spend $ on a custom sheath, the sheath for the Camp 10 looks like it has some potential to strap a smaller sheath onto it with the lanyard holes. It might not be the prettiest sheath ever but it would be serviceable.

Now you get a nice, wood handled one to pair with it.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Condor-Bushlore-Knife-Fixed-Blade-w--11206

It should be a few dollars under your ideal $130 limit.
 
So while checking out the skrama, i found that i really liked the woodsknife (brand?) Traditional 120 and have moved more toward scandi/ saber ground blades for the smaller knife also still looking at the mora classic and the bushlore. I have also been looking at the ontario rtak ii and the cold steel woodsmans sax for the bigger knives. Any experience with any of the bigger Condor knives from anyone? We've had one mention of spotty heat treatment here, and even with some searching i cant find much on them.
 
Also wanted to add, i thought i was pretty into knives. Ive been mostly into edc folders and especially SAKs for years and have just been using the tried and true buck and mora for my camping and hiking needs. Since starting this quest for the pair, i have come across and been recommended so many different brands and styles that i havent heard of and that i really like. At price points low and high that seem totally reasonable both ways for what is being offered in the quality and materials. I see many that shall be added to the collection at some point.

Tldr: Im falling into a fixed blade rabbit hole and i see way more money being spent than initially intended
 
It is fun to explore and see the options available, but it can be overwhelming. Some good advice I have heard is get what you want to try it, you can always pass them along, you can find good bargains to work for you, but you do not have to break the bank to do it. Decent quality at a decent price are out there. And do not forget about used items. I would also like to hear others’ experience with large Condor tools, at least if you want to try them for yourself it is possible, and can be fun.:thumbsup::) I hope I didn’t imply that all of Condor’s line is spotty, just sometimes its heat treatment and quality control can be hit or miss. I have a Hudson Bay knife that has served me well. As I have mentioned elsewhere, I hope Condor makes a good faith effort to improve its quality control overall.

The problem I have with my whole collection is I have too many knives and not enough time and opportunities to try them, and I admire some of the persons who are trimming down the herd to those they actually use, no safe queens.
 
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