Receiving the BKH Bushbaby shortly, what can I expect

H

HFinn

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Sep 6, 2012
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Hearing the news on the BHK closing down I promptly took the plunge and orderd a Bushbaby with black micarta handle, in O-1 steel while the shop (non BF dealer member) still had one. What should I expect in terms of the general useability, edge holding and sharpness?

I have read some positive comments of the knife so my expectations are high. This is my going to be my first really high-end knife (as I understand the term) and the price about the maximum I am willing to pay. If I understood correctly the steel is a lot like D2, a tool steel that will rust, but slowly, so it will take a patina (I like the idea). Maybe I should force a patina to get some rust resistance? The knife would be a pocket/belt general use bushcraft knife. I have turned to small fixed blades lately and this one should be a prime example.
 
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Apart from the fact they're both very good steels, I think you'll find O-1 and D2 to be very different.
 
Jack Black said:
Apart from the fact they're both very good steels, I think you'll find O-1 and D2 to be very different.
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All right. Educate me, in which ways different? The only knife I have in D2 is Queen Mountain Man. By the way, the edge is flat ground, not scandi.
 
The O-1 will patina very quickly and it's a lot easier/quicker to sharpen.

(Sorry, just rushing out the door, should have been gone 15 minutes ago).
 
It's a good working steel. I find it a lot like 1095 in my experience with it.

BHK are good working knives. Not the top in terms of finish but they have all they need to be a work horse :) enjoy
 
They are great knives, falling in the high end production/almost custom level. D2 is almost a stainless tool steel, while O1 is a tool steel with more similarities to 1095.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
They are great knives, falling in the high end production/almost custom level. D2 is almost a stainless tool steel, while O1 is a tool steel with more similarities to 1095.
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Good to know. It is a shame about the company, but I will keep my eye on those guy's new products.

Anyway I have for long time thought about getting more high end products and this is a good way to start.
 
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I got the Bushbaby today. The knife is everything I expected and more. The finish is, if not stellar, very good. Blade is crazy sharp and everything is nicely put together.

This knife is actually bigger than I thought. No fixed blade pocket knife, but a sturdy bushcraft knife. The sheath that came with it is well made, thick leather and has a loop for the firesteel. It has so much retention that I actually had trouble getting the knife out, but no doupt this will loosen up with use.

So I'm happy with the knife. A keeper for shure. :)
 
Also check out Hess Knifeworks compact Caper knives. I'm really pleased with mine in Bird's Eye Maple. About 90USD posted to Europe.
 
Hey...where are the pictures ;)
One picture along with a known traditional knife (slipjoint or SAK) would be much appreciated :p
Glad to know you're happy though :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
quattromori said:
Hey...where are the pictures ;)
One picture along with a known traditional knife (slipjoint or SAK) would be much appreciated :p
Glad to know you're happy though :)

Fausto
:cool:
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As you wished, friend. :)

PC120042.JPG
 
SAK Guy said:
NICE!!!! :thumbup:
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Yea, I like those both. I think this combination could take care of most of my bushcraft needs. The Bushbaby for heavier cutting, batoning firewood and making woodchips to get a fire going. The Trapper for lighter cutting and everything food related. Also looking good while doing it. :cool:
 
HFinn said:
Yea, I like those both. I think this combination could take care of most of my bushcraft needs. The Bushbaby for heavier cutting, batoning firewood and making woodchips to get a fire going. The Trapper for lighter cutting and everything food related. Also looking good while doing it. :cool:
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I had looked at their bush knives earlier this year and was very impressed!!! I really like the Kephart style bushcraft blades. :thumbup: The trapper is the perfect complement to it!

Looks like it comes with a sturdy, functional sheath too.
 
I've handled 2 and really liked them. Good friend got a Scandi Bushbaby for his backpacking/hiking knife. He wasn't sure how he'd like a smaller fixed blade, but he has grown to love it. The other one sits among my wife's camping gear. She won a Scandi Bushbaby with a nice flap sheath at the last BLADE show. I am allowed to look at it, but can't use it.
 
HFinn said:
As you wished, friend. :)

PC120042.JPG
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Thank you :)
Is that a full size Case Trapper, or a mini?
Glad you'e enjoying your knife. It does look nice and cool. I might even think about getting one (I assume they did produce some with wooden or canvas micarta handles...)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Yes, it's a full size trapper. Yes, they did them with wooden handles. No doupt some shops still have them.

A micro version of this one would be nice...
 
The only wooden handle ones I recall were the 1st run of the full size Bushcrafter. They came with curly maple & blued blades. You also got to pick the number put on the blade. I love mine. :)
 
I made a four day trip to the summer cottage and took the bushbaby with me. It has seen sadly little use so I thought I wanted to see what I had missed.

I used it extencively and I must say this is a good piece of steel. Making fuzzy sticks to start a fire, batoning, food prep, cutting a large cardboard box to small pieces, everything I demanded of it was done very well. The sheath however is a bit of an overkill. The knife is quite compact, perfect size to carry in coat pocket, so why does it need a sheath that is almost twice the size of the knife?? So I am making a new sheath. I have made liner of plastic that will hold the knife with friction, I will cover it with leather.
 
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