Starting out

J

jacksparrow

Joined
Jul 6, 2009
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3
Been poking around reading around...its like another world to read about how much you guys are into knives. I didn't think blade work was this indepth but man...I'm way behind in my knowledge and travels.

That being said...I'd like to jump into the shallow end of the pool here and get my feet wet. I want to get into the bushcraft and really start to play with some stuff...this year I've started assembling all my gear (packs, jungle hammocks, pretty much ALL gear from the ground up) so the budget is short changed.

I was eyeing up a BK7 for myself and my friend when we going bombing around in the bush playing with survival techniques, traps etc etc but after more reading, I'm not sure if 7 is too big...or what the deal is. I'm looking under $100 but more or less universal + survival which..was I was always told to go for a BK7. BK9 is a little much if your inexperienced and of course I hear amazing things about RAT's but they are waaay too expensive after spending as much as I have just to assemble my long overdue 'good' gear this year (instead of the budget crap that's cold, miserable and falling apart).

Suggestions? Oh...and great community here, you all look like really great folks :D
 
Welcome to the forums! Sounds like you need a fixed blade knife, but unfortunately I know nothing about fixed blades. Perhaps a USMC Ka-Bar would work? They're hell cheap apart from the tip breaking easily if you try to pry something (which you shouldn't be doing with a knife :P) they should take a beating, but don't take my word for it. All of the members on here are really friendly and I'm sure one of them will be around in a bit to help you out :D
 
The BK7 is a great knife if you are planning to back it up with somwething smaller. Its a chopper. Probably not ideal for carving notches, making fuzz sticks, etc...bushcraft stuff.

The common wisdom seems to be a blade around 3.5 to 4 inches being ideal.

Anything from a Fallkniven F1 to a Mora to a nice custom Kephart or Nessmuk would be a much better knife to develop bushcraft skills with.
 
That's great stuff guys...thanks alot for that. Its a shame there is so much coverage in the US but far less in the Northern reaches here. Any particular dealers in Canada you guys lean more towards then others?

I've seen a couple...but they are far and few between from what I've been digging around for. I'd sooner try to nail a sale in Canada so I can eyeball my prices better (instead of customs + shipping + exchange).
 
Welcome to Blade Forums.

Some of the best deals you will find are right here in the "for sale" sections, especially check out the Makers Forum. There is also the Canadian "for sale" forum priced in Canadian dollars.

Until you decide from experience what you really need, chances are a good quality versatile knife around 4" is the way to go. The Fallkniven "F1", and Bark River Knife and Tool "Northstar" usually top the list of production "bushcraft/wilderness" knives. The Canadian Grohmann knives would also be a good choice.

Here are a few links that might help while deciding.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=650088

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651562&highlight=bushcraft

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=831

http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/flatgrinds.html
 
marcinek said:
The BK7 is a great knife if you are planning to back it up with somwething smaller. Its a chopper. Probably not ideal for carving notches, making fuzz sticks, etc...bushcraft stuff.
Click to expand...

The BK7 does come with the BK13, which is a small knife in the accessory pocket of the BK7s sheath. Ethan Becker but that there for that reason.

BK7 is an EXCELLENT choice. Its not too big or small, and the sheath has a big accessory pocket for mini survival kits or other equip. Very good steel and awesome handle.

for around $100 you should look at a RAT Cutlery RC4. Go to the RAT forum and see why.
 
*nods* looking good at the RC-4 as well. Both pretty sexy knives...maybe buy a BK7 for myself and a RC4 for the friend here...since she's a bit shorter. That way we can both try out both sizes and see how they feel...since they won't go to waste either way. But I get a good feeling about a 4.5" blade. Looks like it'd be a good feel. Without holding a 7 inch blade...they just look friggin massive. Maybe I'll hit up the hardware store and find a shitty 7 to hold just to get the size in the hand.
 
it's not a Canadian site,but I like Knivesshipfree. the owner is a member of bladeforums and ships to Canada for five bucks. look up his ad in blade magazine and you can probably save that. It comes by regular mail,so you pay Canada post 8.00 handling plus Gst and whatever pst applies. KSF Derrick also has RAT and Fallkniven and firestarters and for god's sakes,don't start on the BRKT or you'll be hooked
 
Whether 7" is too long or too short depends on your bushcraft style (dayhike, light, heavy, etc.) and the rest of your system. Some people carry a multitool (with 3" blade) for fine tasks and a hatchet to chop wood; in this case 5"-6" is probably ideal and 7" too long. Some people travel light and don't carry a hatchet, so 7" is probably ok because it does double duty to chop firewood. Some people travel tropical jungles and don't carry a machete, which means 7" is too short for machete double duty. There are too many different scenarios, so you're the only person who knows the best knife for you.

It's interesting to know that most knives with the word "survival" in their names are usually about 5" in blade length, give or take an inch.
 
:D Hi welcome to BladeForums and enjoy your stay :thumbup:,

Beckers and RATs are both great knives, one thing that RAT has going for them is their warranty, they stand behind their products 100%.
 
My knife buddy at work carries a BK9 around with him and he let me examine it. I had always expected the BK9 to be unwieldy do to it's size. I have always prefered the 7" length. When I was handleing it I had to look more the twice to make sure it was a BK9! If I was to ever consider another bush style survival knife I would be looking for a BK9:thumbup:!
 
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