Reasonably Priced Functional Camping Blade and hatchet

If you decide you like the Mora style but want something nicer looking, look at Helle. Many of them are around $50.
 
My advise is to try different stuff until you find what you like. You can always sell a good knife if you don't like it. It's all about personel preference. But this is a good place to get ideas.

If you want "1 knife" ... BK 2 is prob. one of the best values out there. Freakin' beast.


This is one of my favorite combos - little over your stated budget, but ...
Pretty much do anything with them


10" Corona folding saw $20
Husqvarna hatchet $40
ESEE 4 $100

attachment.php
[/IMG]

Husky makes some bigger axes for like $10 more - good stuff.


I just picked up the Mora Bushcraft Force - about $35. (right in your budget with the saw and hatchet) it's Scandi grind and big for a Mora. Nice knife. Here's a shot with a BHK bushcrafter for size comparison. (the BHK and the ESSE 4 have been fightin' for duty lately ;))

attachment.php
[/IMG]

Like I said, couple ideas. Try some stuff. See what works for you.

Good luck and stay safe out there.
 
A mora 2000 would serve quite nicely for lighter task also for a bit more you could purchase a lower end Helle like the Grizzly model.
 
BK2 is a great knife - but the grip is not comfortable for everyone.
Condor Rodan is a beast of a knife for its price range - and you can sand the handle to fit if need be.
Corona folding saw is a good value as well.
Condor Greenland pattern hatchet is a good deal - when spilitting uneven pieces of wood with mine, I use a baton to pound on the poll rather than swinging and taking a chance at bleeding all over the woods (unsanitary, that).
For a serious cheapie, the gold painted made in Germany hatchets at Harbor Freight aren't bad.
 
I agree with pretty much everyone in this thread.

If you are going to take a hatchet then take a ligter knife since the hatchet will do the wood processing and you just want to compliment it. A mora clipper, companion, classic, pretty much any model will work.

If you want a big knife that will split wood and be an all around camp knife then get a BK2, I would still pair it with something small though like a Bk13 or a SAK.
 
I very nice Scandi edge fixed blade is the ahti metsa, its scandi ground, full tang, and right around your price range, if you go for the looks and the covers tang, I think the would be a decent choice.

P6200004-2.jpg
 
Wow everyone, I am so thankful for all of this input. I have never seen such a helpful group of people willing to throw in their $.02 for someone with just 5 posts!

I think I am going to go with a BK2 or a Condor Rodan or a Condor Bushlore and a Ahti Metsa. I will try a Mora eventually as they do look like a quality blade.

That ahti metsa is gorgeous, and is my idea of what a bushcraft knife should look like. Thank you for that suggestion! It looks like the fit and Finnish (yes, pun intended) is excellent. It also doesn't look threatening, which is important to me as I don't want sheeple calling the cops.

From what I have read here, I think I am going to skip on my hatchet for now and get a heavy bush knife and a light one. It would look suspcicous if I walked into the local woodlot to mess around with deadfall...with a hatchet on my hip. Its much easier to stuff a couple of blades in my bag and walk on it. I have found that people in my area actually find an axe more threatening than a knife, which is bizarre.

Also, those folding saws look pretty epic. I think I need one of those too :D Thanks for helping me spend my money everyone!
 
Last edited:
hm,

I really wanted to get the Ahti Metsa, but it looks like the ragweed forge is having some troubles processing orders right now. I have ordered the Rodan and a mora triflex bushcraft. Puts me at 46 bucks. I'll save my money for when Ragweed is able to process the orders :)

Tim
 
timbit said:
hm,

I really wanted to get the Ahti Metsa, but it looks like the ragweed forge is having some troubles processing orders right now. I have ordered the Rodan and a mora triflex bushcraft. Puts me at 46 bucks. I'll save my money for when Ragweed is able to process the orders :)

Tim
Click to expand...

You will have plenty of time to add other knives and I assure you, you will. Enjoy your new knives!
 
ISP 5353 said:
Give a look to the Condor Bushlore! Pretty good hard use knife for about 25 bucks.
Click to expand...

I have been eyeing that one as well, but I figured if I go with the Rodan for a heavy use and a mora triflex I will be covered for knives. I will probably get one eventually though, as I really do like the look of it!

jeepin said:
I dont know if its been mentioned yet, but for the money I dont think you can beat the Fiskars X7 hatchet. Its only 14 inches, and not 15 like you prefer. Ive heard nothing but good things about it, so I bought one.
You cannot beat the warranty either.

Check out this review of it at the link below

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Fiskars-X7-14-quot-Hatchet?highlight=fiskars
Click to expand...
Holy Crap! 20 bucks, and it looks great :) Thanks for the link, I ordered one! My dad visited me a little while ago, and he was using my hatchet. He left it outside, and the handle rotted through. It was a cheap walmart special, so wasn't really worth fixing (the handle costs more than the axe!)

A.P.F. said:
You will have plenty of time to add other knives and I assure you, you will. Enjoy your new knives!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I am sure I will order more, I would like to keep my collection to a small/modest size as I am rather utilitarian when it comes to tools. If I don't use it, I don't want it. I don't know how much stuff I have given away or sold recently because it was taking up space. I hope I love those Mora's as much as everyone says I will!

Timbit
 
Got my hands on the Mora today. I am IN love. The triflex blade is thicker and more rugged than I though it was going to be. I was a touch disappointed on the fit and finish on the blade itself though. It had rough grind marks all along the edge that I had to polish out. Turns out the scandi edge on my blade was actually quite convex, shown by the region of unpolished metal all the way down the edge that appeared after I gave it a sharpen. I'd never sharpened a scandi edge before, boy are they nice to sharpen! Just put your finger on the single bevel, and away we go!

Also, came with a fair amount of rust on the blade, which isnt' a big deal. I polished it off, and its good.

In terms of cutting ability, I am very impressed. I will be trying some more Mora's before too long.
 
If worried about batoning as well, and looking for a Mora, the Bushcraft Force has a seriously robust tang. I seriously suggest the Rodan, though--it's my most used woods knife! The full flat grind and high convex on it make it cut wood almost as well as a Mora, but the tang is easily twice as wide and thick as even their most substantial models and the broad blade makes for excellent food prep. You can chop with it by doing a three-finger hold on the "beak" of the handle, too. I've got more in transit right now, among other offerings.
 
My Rodan will be in next week :) Thanks for the information. I actually used a two finger pinch on the blade of the mora and that worked out pretty well for me. I am a bit OCD when it comes to cooking grips though.
 
Beat the snot out of it when you get your paws on it! It's a heck of a knife!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top