Please guys - Bushcraft knives - I need info

S

Socalled

Joined
Sep 17, 2012
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Im in the market for quite a while now for a new knife to use on my hiking-kayaking trips.

I dont have any specific budget.

Im looking for a "bushcraft style" knife, but with 6 inches blade, full tang and under 8 oz weight (knife only).

There is a truckload of 3.5 to 4.75" classical bushcraft knives on the market. 5 inches is already exceptional. I know none at the 6 inches mark. And I emptied the entire internet for months.

I know Condor K&T makes a descent 5" Classic Bushcraft knife at a very good price. I know Bark River makes a (very tempting) Bravo 1.5 and a Magnum Fox River but those will go around 300$ with taxes and shipping to my place (Canada). For 300$, I will invest a little more and go full custom and have a thinner, lighter blade.

The knife I use for years now is the Buck 119. I think it is the best knife for me since there is no comparable knives up to its specs. 6 inches long (almost), full tang (rat tail but still good) and an awesome weight 7.4 oz for a stout, slim, very sharp and very easy to maintain blade. And it cost 50$. Its just the best knife out there, period (for my use).

So my question is this one : Do you know any bushcraft style knife that I might not know about, 6 inches blade and weighting under 8 oz that wont cost 300$ with tax & shipping (but still tell me anyway, I might be interested) ?

No military style knives (Esee 6, Ontario RC or Rangers, Kabars, Vox Rold ...) just plain classic bushcraft "woodlore" or alike models.

Thank you guys.
I know im very specific. Its just I know what my needs are now.
 
There's a reason you don't see many 6" blade knives, its kinda in between usefull sizes, too small to chop, to big for detail and camp chores. Maybe pick up an Old Hickory butcher knife and mod it into a 6" nessmuk? I suggest a combo of knives, one 2.5" blade, and one 8" blade.


-X
 
Thx Fast14Riot

Yea, you are right. 6" is just "in between". But over time the 6 inches size just became perfect for my use. And it sucks manufacturers stick to known blueprints. The Bravo 1.5 was requested over and over again until Bark River decided to give it a run. It wasnt in their mind at all.

But 6 inches is great.

And I use 6" to avoid combo.
 
Look at the Mora 748. The blade is 5.75 inches, nice and inexpensive and it's sandvick steel which should hold up pretty well in the water and still take a good edge.

There's also the 731 which is carbon if you prefer that. Not sure if they have any others close to that size.
 
If you like your Buck 119 and can do so much with it in yor hands, you need look no further. 'Bushcraft' is a word people use to hock stuff to people that would never pay as much for it without the 'bushcraft' attached. Your Buck is a legendary blade. What more do you want?
 
Jimh0220, you are right about the 119.

When I bought it, like 10 years ago, I wasnt really aware of what I bought. I just went in a hunting-fishing store looking for a larger knife to carry on long remote, solo hiking trips for wood tasks and, of course, to feel a little safer.

Few years ago, when I got interested a little more in knives, I went back and forth and soon realised very few knives can match this affordable 50 years old design blade, weight wise (my main concern, I carry it on long distances). For this reason, I never bought and used any other knives beside folders. My only outdoor fixed blade is still my Buck 119. Maybe I just want to try and use something else and I like the simplicity of the bushcraft type knives.

But prices 200, 300$ ... Fuck man ... I bought used cars for these prices when I was a kid. I agree most are clearly overpriced. But if I find a 6" blade, good HC steel like 1095 or A2, D2 or whatever, fairly priced, I will give it a try. Im a user. Not a collector.
 
Why don't you check out some Kellam knives. IIRC their Wolf Pack knives have an option of 6" (or very close) and 7"..... plus I think they offer a couple other options in and around that size, I'm also confident they will meet or come in lighter than your weight requirement. Good luck!
 
The Rule of Thumb when choosing a bushcraft knife is for the blade to be no longer than the width of your palm. This is so you can use it easily for carving, notching and similar "tool making" and food prep functions without causing yourself harm.

This is why you don't see 6" blades called "bushcraft". Unless you have hands the size of dinner plates, you probably don't need a real "bushcraft" knife that's 6". If you really want one, then you'll probably need to custom order one.

Personally, I think you are looking for a "camp knife" and not a bushcraft knife. "Bushcraft" is a set of skills, it is not meant to be a noun.
 
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@Sidetracked

Thx. I didnt know Kellam. The Tracker model is interesting (5.7") and 106$ is good. I will look more closely. Appreciated.

@CWL

You are absolutely right. I used the term "bushcraft" more like a style rather than a skill or end use. Im not a bushcrafter and my knife wont see much carving action. But the blades those guys came up with seems excellent. Clean, no bs, no frills. My 119 looks like "im about to slit your throat" in comparison. I just like those spear or drop point bushcraft blades.
 
I have been on the search for a good bushcraft knife, like you I didn't want to spend a gazillion dollars on one.

But I think I found my solution.
I have a Mora companion, and just picked up a BK-7.

Granted yes I know you wanted a full tang (mora is not) and the BK-7 is a military type knife which you didn't want also.

What I am doing us using the BK to handle the big camp chores, like processing the fire wood, and use the Mora for the finer work like feather sticks and shavings.

You can have both for just under 90.00
 
the tracker is really nice, look into the Glock 78 or 79, 6" blade and is only 30+ dollars

its one heck of a knife and can really take a beating
 
Hey @MnoFusn

The Glocks look like very good knives but clip Kabar-likes and I will stick to my 119 for this style. I am looking for "woodlore" style of knives, wooden handle, spear or slightly drop point, fairly light but about 6 inches long (hard to find).

Your BK7 is a beast. Its a hell of a good knife and affordable too. Among the best if it fit your needs.

Thx.
 
Socalled said:
Hey @MnoFusn

The Glocks look like very good knives but clip Kabar-likes and I will stick to my 119 for this style. I am looking for "woodlore" style of knives, wooden handle, spear or slightly drop point, fairly light but about 6 inches long (hard to find).

Your BK7 is a beast. Its a hell of a good knife and affordable too. Among the best if it fit your needs.

Thx.
Click to expand...

How about a rampless bark river bravo 1.5 its close to what you are looking for.
 
@MRaymond

Yes. The Bravo 1.5 is, indeed, the closest to my needs I found. I read on it extensively for the last months and it sure looks like a winner to me. Awesome knife. But, as I mentioned, 300$ is too expensive for a production knife imo (yes, they will say semi-production. but semi of what ? BR is a big seller). I dont know. Its machine made you know. Not hand forged by Gods.

If I reach this price point, I will go full custom with my own specs, Im afraid. Too bad, the BR looks awesome. Its just my common sense (a rare superpower these days) tells me its overpriced by a large margin. You can buy a pretty good hunting rifle for this price. Now, which one require more work and craftmanship ?
 
I heartedly recommend going the custom route, which you hinted at.

Done right, it will bring a smile to your face.

This 'Buchcraft' knife certainly brings a smile to my face (not in a weird psycho way either, but only because I find the lines pleasing ;-) )

 
Good morning BladeScout

Great knife, really. Leaving the rough texture above the grind is a good idea. And perspective is tricky but what 4 - 4.5 inches long ? And I like the steel "hammer" butt. I always liked that hammer design. Usefull and well tought.

Custom is very tempting and I have a pretty good idea of what I want
 



Socalled said:
Good morning BladeScout

Great knife, really. Leaving the rough texture above the grind is a good idea. And perspective is tricky but what 4 - 4.5 inches long ? And I like the steel "hammer" butt. I always liked that hammer design. Usefull and well tought.

Custom is very tempting and I have a pretty good idea of what I want
Click to expand...
Thanks.
Yes, good eye: 4.5 inch blade, OAL 8 3/4 inches.
The design is an amalgamation of features from various 'Bushcraft' knives, that I like: The end cap is a design feature seen on, amongst other knives, the Skookum Bush Tool.
There are plenty of very nice production knives out there, but a custom will just bring that little bit of extra 'oomph' to the table.
Personally, I like that personal touch you find in custom knives, but thats just me. That this knife is very well executed, exceeds my expectations and further more was made by a friend of mine, just makes it all better.

A few more pics of the textured end cap








Socalled said:
Wow. Nice.
Almost a clip. And the small grinded patch on the spine, its for the firesteel ?
Click to expand...
Yeah, I went for the 'almost a clip' design, as I didnt care for the spear point design for this type of knife.
The small 'cut-out' is for a firesteel, correct.






 
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