So, I wanted to pick up a lightweight, inexpensive fixed blade for hiking/camping duty, and for evaluation as a survival knife (though an actual survival situation in the areas I'd be in would be hard to come by).
I saw that Mora has a new line of knives labeled as Bushcraft knives. I ordered some books to keep me company on an upcoming trip, and tossed one on my Amazon order, the Bushcraft Triflex:
http://www.amazon.com/Mora-Bushcraf...e=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1275947443&sr=1-1
I just got done printing the RMA and UPS label for it.
Overall, not a bad-looking knife. For $25 after tax, I expected a more nicely-finished knife than the standard Mora, and for the most part, it is. The sheath seems decent for a plastic type, with good retention, a drain hole, and a dangler belt loop that seems pretty firmly attached. The belt loop is also made of more flexible material, which probably helps durability. The handle is comfy, and secure, though not a perfect fit for my hand. Definitely usable. The blade, though well polished, and sharp, had several burs that I noticed on first inspection. No biggie, though not what I'd expect from their higher end (for them) knife. However, the very tip is bent, or has excess material on it. It's a small thing, and I can't see well enough to make the distinction anymore. The knife was sealed with plastic around the mouth of the sheath, so I'm sure it came from the factory like this.
Well, it's going back. I've got plenty of knives in the same price range, and none came with unfinished blades.
So, I was thinking in the same general price range, either a SOG Field (*not* Seal) Pup or a Gerber Big Rock (plain edge) would be worth trying. Both seem to be well regarded for their price point. Both come from companies I consider hit or miss on quality (Gerber due to outsourcing and Internet gossip, and SOG from prior ownership), and both are a bit lacking in the sheath department, as with most lower priced knives. Other than those caveats, both knives seem more than adequate to the task, and fairly durable. I've inspected the Big Rock in a retail store, though it was the partially-serrated model, and it seemed pretty decently made. The impression I got was that they saved money on the blade material (and I'm not a huge steel snob, I've had other good knives in 440A, and it's not terrible) and the sheath. The grip seemed a bit odd for finer work, but still comfortable. I haven't had a chance to handle the Field Pup in person.
I'd love to hear opinions/comparisons from the collective mind here. I did try a site search but couldn't find a head to head comparison between the two. I've found plenty of threads on each knife though.
I'm also open to other suggestions for knives in the same price range (which is to say thirty bucks or less). I've already got the Cold Steel Roach Belly and Canadian Belt Knife. Both of these are probably good enough for my purposes, though I'm not enamored of their grips. They're OK for general use, but a bit slick and don't have shapes that exactly lock the hand in to prevent finger slippage.
Thanks in advance.
I saw that Mora has a new line of knives labeled as Bushcraft knives. I ordered some books to keep me company on an upcoming trip, and tossed one on my Amazon order, the Bushcraft Triflex:
http://www.amazon.com/Mora-Bushcraf...e=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1275947443&sr=1-1
I just got done printing the RMA and UPS label for it.
Overall, not a bad-looking knife. For $25 after tax, I expected a more nicely-finished knife than the standard Mora, and for the most part, it is. The sheath seems decent for a plastic type, with good retention, a drain hole, and a dangler belt loop that seems pretty firmly attached. The belt loop is also made of more flexible material, which probably helps durability. The handle is comfy, and secure, though not a perfect fit for my hand. Definitely usable. The blade, though well polished, and sharp, had several burs that I noticed on first inspection. No biggie, though not what I'd expect from their higher end (for them) knife. However, the very tip is bent, or has excess material on it. It's a small thing, and I can't see well enough to make the distinction anymore. The knife was sealed with plastic around the mouth of the sheath, so I'm sure it came from the factory like this.
Well, it's going back. I've got plenty of knives in the same price range, and none came with unfinished blades.
So, I was thinking in the same general price range, either a SOG Field (*not* Seal) Pup or a Gerber Big Rock (plain edge) would be worth trying. Both seem to be well regarded for their price point. Both come from companies I consider hit or miss on quality (Gerber due to outsourcing and Internet gossip, and SOG from prior ownership), and both are a bit lacking in the sheath department, as with most lower priced knives. Other than those caveats, both knives seem more than adequate to the task, and fairly durable. I've inspected the Big Rock in a retail store, though it was the partially-serrated model, and it seemed pretty decently made. The impression I got was that they saved money on the blade material (and I'm not a huge steel snob, I've had other good knives in 440A, and it's not terrible) and the sheath. The grip seemed a bit odd for finer work, but still comfortable. I haven't had a chance to handle the Field Pup in person.
I'd love to hear opinions/comparisons from the collective mind here. I did try a site search but couldn't find a head to head comparison between the two. I've found plenty of threads on each knife though.
I'm also open to other suggestions for knives in the same price range (which is to say thirty bucks or less). I've already got the Cold Steel Roach Belly and Canadian Belt Knife. Both of these are probably good enough for my purposes, though I'm not enamored of their grips. They're OK for general use, but a bit slick and don't have shapes that exactly lock the hand in to prevent finger slippage.
Thanks in advance.
