Seeking advice

Rainweed, for that money you should not get a commercial knife. Thats custom knife money. Go to the makers section here at BF and buy a fixed blade by a true craftsman. One of a kind. You can get a cherry knife for less than $250. And if it ever has a problem the craftsman is usually happy to hear from you. Feedback is very valuable to them. Here is the link.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=754
 
Hi aproy1101 ~ Thanks for the info! I wish I knew more about knives. I just went to the custom knife forums.. I have no idea what to look for. I see some really beautiful knives.. but how do I know they are good for bushcraft? (sigh)
I'll keep on poking around and see what I can learn..
Thanks again for your help.
 
Rainweed said:
Hi aproy1101 ~ Thanks for the info! I wish I knew more about knives. I just went to the custom knife forums.. I have no idea what to look for. I see some really beautiful knives.. but how do I know they are good for bushcraft? (sigh)
I'll keep on poking around and see what I can learn..
Thanks again for your help.
Click to expand...

Those guys are really great people, all of them I've talked to are very approachable. Just look around until you find one who's style you like, then contact them and have them do you a one of a kind knife. Can't go wrong.;)
 
aproy1101 said:
Just look around until you find one who's style you like, then contact them and have them do you a one of a kind knife. Can't go wrong.;)
Click to expand...
Unless you don't know what makes a good bushcraft knife. Should the blade be thin like a Mora or thicker like the BRKT North Star and Fallkniven NL3, NL4 and NL5. Should it be stainless or carbon? These are questions a custom maker needs answered and Rainweed is coming here to see what Bushcraft knives are recommended.

Rainweed,
Get a Fallkniven NL4, NL5, S1 or F1, or a BRKT North Star and see how it works for you. Is it too long, too short or just right? Some guys swear by the Mora's and those are very inexpensive, I don't like them. There are questions that only you can answer. Save your custom knife money until you know what you want.
 
If you want a knife you can bet your life on, consider a Swamp Rat Howling Rat or a Camp Tramp.

That been said, Kevin the Grey and Ras are on the right track here. The characteristics that will make for that special knife you will cherish forever may not be the same characteristics that will work for me. That is why it is usually recommended to start with less expensive but high quality knives and use them for a while. That will help you to define what you are really looking for. The best blade length, thickness, profile, grind, and steel, not to mention handle shape and material are all very subjective preferences. Most of us in this forum have a selection (a collection really) of knives. It is by using several knives that in time each one of us has decided on a preference.

Before you invest in a more expensive knife in your search for the one you can call your own, consider the Becker Crewman, Becker Brute, Cold Steel SRK, Fallkniven F1, or a Mora 2000. These are all high quality, inexpensive knives that can give some custom knives a run for their money.

You do have the situation that your trip will start in 2 weeks and you would prefer to have your 'special' knife by then. Consider the trip as an opportunity to test different knives and decide what you really like.

Hope you find you own special knife.
 
Lots of good suggestions here.

The Bark River "Golok" combined with a nice 4-5" knife, such as those suggested above, would sure be a nice combo. The Golok is super for batoning rounds of wood and for taking pole-sized wood for fire or shelter. The Golok plus a Fox River, for example, can be had for $176 + shipping if you are OK with black canvas micarta and you know where to buy.

Add a folding prunning saw and a good pocket knife and you're good to go -- well within your specified budget. All items available now - no waiting.

If "findability" is an issue, a lanyard of orange paracord can help with a knife that is otherwise "stealthy."
 
Wow.. more great advice. Thanks a lot guys. With all the wonderful help I've gotten here at bladeforums.. I feel so much more assured to make a good choice. I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy a BRK&T or a Fallkniven. My intuition will be the deciding factor.
I have to say.. its really nice knowing there is a place I can come to find sincere and genuine advice.
 
I like my Bark River North Star (designed with bushcraft in mind), but I prefer a guard. Here are some pics I found of Barkies with guards. These are made in the UP Michigan near the Wisconsin border. I find all Barks RAZOR sharp! I lost a chunk of thumb once just tying a cord to the lanyard hole for a thumb lanyard....:mad:

They have much more to offer than the website reveals. Check for a Bark River dealer. The prices are usually much lower than list, so BUY TWO OR THREE.
Some are A2 and some are some stainless. If you care for your knife and don't mind a bit of staining A2 is a great steel. Micarta is a very strong handle material, but everytime I watch 'Jeremiah Johnson' I look to something more traditional like wood or stag...

Let us know what you decide. If you stick around here you'll end up with a dozen knives by the end of the year....it's a disease.:)
Good Luck - Brian
 
then again you could go over to ragweed forge and buy a blade and make one yourself, i bought a bruseletto morseth blade, put a handle on it and i indeed call it my own knife, the morseth blade is big enough for camp chores, processing game, and is pretty sturdy. http://www.ragweedforge.com/BladeCatalog.html

not only will you have a unique knife, but you will learn a bunch about knifemaking .

alex
 
racegunner ~ Yea, I've noticed that BRK&T kinves are cheaper through different dealers. I can get a Northstar for 125$!! :)
Haha.. I don't think I can afford to catch the "knife disease"!!
I will be sure to let ya'll know when I pick one!
alco141~ Interesting.. I will look into all that!
 
Totaly agree with quiet bear.
I have spent to much $$ in supposed best kinves but you know which is the one that is with me most time........... my trusty MORA 740 carbon.
With its blade lengh I don´t need:
-more thick blade for prying???????
-wider blade for??????????????
-bigger belly blade for skinning, no, in a real survival situation I can skin with my mora meat of fish, sure no so well than with a skinner but good enough.
-different grind, no for me. i use carving wood to made bushcraft tools and flat grind is the best and easier to resharp.
-Anyway 740 is strong+ligth+good cutter+easy to resharp+easy to clean becouse plastic handle+cheap+confortable to use.
Perhaps no the best looking knife but use the best user.
Please understand that thay this is my pint of view ;-).
enjoy and by one Mora 740.
 
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