Question: opinel vs. pocket bushman

R

RDog

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Those who have both, or at least handled them...How would you compare the larger Opinels #10,12 with the CS pocket Bushman?

I'd expect the pocket bushman to have a stronger lock, but then again I don't expect a folder to be a fixed blade.
 
The Opinel would be more comfortable in long use, and a very good slicer. But not being flat like the bushman, pocket carry would be more difficult, even if it is lighter.
Anyway, I don't have the pocket bushman, but the douk douk, from which CS took the idea, and i really enjoyed carrying and using it. Hell of a slicer, and the strongest back spring I've seen.
 
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IMO, the pocket bushman is a pig of a knife. It is very strong, & the steel is suitable.
But the mecchanism is horrible, hard to clean, & probably dangerous. I tried to get used to mine, but couldn't. the more I used it, the less I liked it, and the feeling of an accident waiting to happen got worse & worse. Eventually I tossed it. I wouldn't give it away.
It is also heavy. There are many fixed blades of similar size that weigh the same or less.

I think it is an interesting design project: a large, indestructable folder. but it is not user friendly. I would definately not want to use it when the chips are down, or with cold wet hands in the middle of nowhere.

If you want a slicer, get an Opinel.
If you want a tough general purpose knife, get a fixed blade.
If you want a big folder, take a look at SOG spec ops.
Edit: it might be spec elite, can't check at the moment.

I don't have a pocket the pocket bushman could fit in.
 
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I'm surprised so many feel the pocket bushman is dangerous. Its awkward without a doubt. I use mine allot and it fits in jean pockets fine for me. I don't feel its dangerous though. Course I figured out my own way to unlock it and close it and I feel safe doing it. I have no idea if the way I close it is the "right" way or not though.

That said as far as user friendly......agree completely with the others. Still useable and a good solid desgn for wanting to carry a large strong budget folder. For an edc, imho, it would be one of the worst choices out there.

I also own a couple opinels. I find them awkward for pocket carry, but its a personal preferrenced kinda thing.

Now the large douk douk, is one of my budget favorites. Back spring is amazingly strong.

Given the choices....alll depends on what I would do with the knife. Swamp use i go with the bushman folder. More normal cutting tasks..... the opinel. They arent really comparable knifes other than being larger.
 
I should have added I am not looking for an EDC blade, but a day pack knife.

I'm not speaking of hiking or all day in the woods kind of thing either, (i'd have a folder and mora for that) but more like a small backpack/"bookbag".

I want something with a larger blade than my normal edc...rat 1 folder or #8 opi. But not a fixed either. Something to put in a bag and forget untill its needed.
 
I sure like my pocket bushman.

The longer I have it, the more I like it.

Frequently, I just get it out to play with it.

Great blade shape, ground thin, interesting lock, what's not to like!

I think Opinels are cool too.
 
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I simultaneously EDC both a Pocket Bushman and an Opinel No.8, actually! :D The PB is a fantastic knife in many respects, including the lock, but it's a VERY "different" knife that takes getting used to, so there's an adjustment period. It also starts off stiff enough that most folks have a hard time one-handing it, but after a short while the parts polish themselves smooth. Opinels are fantastic knives, and better slicers than the PB at the expense of being less robust. However, they'll handle a lot more of a beating than the majority of folks would expect--they just take more "informed" use in order to safely push those boundaries.

Both are great knives but the PB is more of a "refined tank" (i.e. not so overbuilt that cutting is significantly impaired) while the Opinel is like a road bike.
 
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I too stopped carrying the PB after getting a feeling it was an accident waiting to happen. I'm not always the most dexterous guy with my hands. I think it's obviously stronger, but the Opinel has better steel whether carbon or stainless. I really like some of the woods available on Opinels but have had one swell up and not want to open. I have since waterproofed it so no more problem,

I prefer the Douk Douk, and Black Cat lockback ( K55 Mercator) , both carbon steel models in this class of knife. The Black Cat was one of my first knives back in 68-71 or so. They do fine until you start throwing them at trees like most folders. No it wasn't me. Even at that age ( 7 to 10) I knew better and didn't have to be told.
 
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When disengaging the lock on the PB, don't follow the directions that come with the knife. They tell you to hold the blade by the spine, which WOULD be an accident waiting to happen. Instead grasp the thumbstuds between your thumb and the second knuckle of your index finger. Magnitudes more
secure, and makes closing it much easier.

[video=youtube;b86x4IUe5Xk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b86x4IUe5Xk[/video]
 
I close it similar to what 42 said, I grasp the thumbstuds between the knuckle of my thumb and the first knuckle of the index finger. I differ in that I grasp the lanyard palm down with three fingers while grasping the butt of the handle with my thumb and index finger, along the sides and out of the way of the blade of course. I find this helps control the knife instead of having it "floating" by the lanyard at the butt end
 
It's worth noting that when I actually close it normally, rather than demonstrating it, it's very fast.
 
Hey 42, where did you get that shirt..."Hey kids, put me in your enemies"...thats great. Bet that gets some looks around a certain type of mom.


Thanks for the thoughts so far guys. I guess I am leaning to the bushman...if only for the novelty of a different type of knife. Anyone have a picture of the PB and large Opi together?
 
I got it from Threadless, which does limited runs of awesome shirt designs--helps keep ya' from ever running into anyone else with the same shirt! :D I've gotten several sharp stuff-related shirts from there over the years. :)
 
I loved my pocket bushman until the tip broke...but before it broke I was thrashing on it quite a bit.
I batoned with it often and even did some light chopping with it.

Totally buy a pocket bushman if you are looking for something cheap and solid as a rock. If you break it you can always buy a new one or upgrade....

-orangish ducktape
 
Want to get a pouch/sheath for CS Pocket Bushman. Is there available any kind of pouch for online shopping which fits the knife?

I have been looking for it but without a result.

thanks.
 
One of the various pouches that Maxpedition or 5.11 make would probably fit.
 
Tommythewho said:
I close it similar to what 42 said, I grasp the thumbstuds between the knuckle of my thumb and the first knuckle of the index finger. I differ in that I grasp the lanyard palm down with three fingers while grasping the butt of the handle with my thumb and index finger, along the sides and out of the way of the blade of course. I find this helps control the knife instead of having it "floating" by the lanyard at the butt end
Click to expand...

Exactly the way that I do it and I have never had a problem.
 
I just wish they'd have that as the company-recommended method of closure. I think we wouldn't have so many folks reporting self-injury if that were the case. The way CS tells you to close the knife is just asking for trouble.
 
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