Sub $50 Bushcraft knife

D

dogstar

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Jan 23, 2011
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I was just playing with my Mora 511 and I hear this clicking sound when I push on the blade. I don't know if it is a bad sign or what, but...

What is a bushcraft knife with these features for less than $50?
-Full tang
- around 4" blade
-Carbon steel

I can only think of the Condor models (Bushlore the best?)

Any other options?

Gracias.
 
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Aside from Condor, you may have to compromise with price/length to get a higher quality blade.

Anza comes to mind. I'm looking at one of their dealers right now. Among the available models I see a "Large Hunter" for $38 with a 3" blade, and a "Hunter" with a 4-1/4" blade that costs $63.

Similar situation with Becker. The BK2 has a 5.25" blade but costs nearly $70, while the necker models are in your price range but have 3.25" blades.

Are you set on a full exposed tang? A full-length stick tang would give you options among the Scandinavian brands. Or a Ka-Bar USMC?

Dead set on carbon steel? Queen has some full tang fixed blades around 4" with D2 steel.

I hope this gives you some ideas.
 
The Bushlore sounds like your best option, honestly. The 2011 ones are really quite nice for the money.
 
Thanks for the recommendations. We'll see if my Mora actually breaks. The Cold Steel Mini bushman looks like a nice blade, if they ever bring it back.
 
You could buy a couple of more mora's.

The condor bushlore and bushcraft both fit your requirments.

the marttinni skinner has a full rat tail tang I believe.

Green river ripper

Green river hunter although it is 5" instead of 4"

you could always buy a classic mora as it has afull rat tail tang as well.

You could also look into a jeff white made knife. His french patch knife is 4" and the trader is 5". I haven't held one so I'm not sure how they feel but I think the blade is thinner like a mora, the guy who makes the sheaths for his knives is on bushcraftusa You can find them for around $40 on feebay or you can order them through here http://www.handsewnleather.com/info/factory.html
 
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Another vote for the Condor Tool & Knife Bushcraft series ! I have the Large Bushcrafter & after I touched it up on a leather strope, it is Wicked sharp & only cost me $25 NIB ! It's full exposed tang & Carbonsteel ! Condor has alot of new models out right now...check them out ! Don't let the price fool you !
 
Hey, I might give this knife making thing a try. I'm looking at blades from Ben's Backwoods and Track of the Wolf. Hmm...
 
Around 4 inches? Meaning more or less? Id go with a bk11 or 14....tough little suckers and they can do it all not to mention they're less than you 50 budget so you can get a case of beer too :D
 
As far as Moras go, the Companion series has full length tangs, as does the Bushcraft Force--and an extra broad one at that! I believe that one was designed with batoning in mind, actually, though it's stainless.
 
I know they are approximately double the amount you wish to spend but if ya buy one of the Scandi offerings from Mark Wohlwend or John ( JK Knives ) you will have an awesome knife for life.....never gonna be no cracking sounds !

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dogstar said:
Hey, I might give this knife making thing a try. I'm looking at blades from Ben's Backwoods and Track of the Wolf. Hmm...
Click to expand...

I've put Pakka wood handles on 5 Green River blades and stacked leather handles on a Mora laminated blade and a Helle Viking blade. I used a hand drill and hand tools for the first 2 green Rivers and it took a long time. I used a drill press, scroll saw, and 1x30 belt sander for the rest and it was a lot more fun. And a lot faster. And they turned out nicer. I bought my blades from Jantz and Ragnar (Ragweed Forge). If you don't mind putting the time into it, making your own is a great way to go.

Otherwise the Condor Bushcraft knives look to be a good deal.
 
I just got the Condor Basic Bushcraft 5 inch (they also make a 4 inch), and I can't imagine a whole lot that this knife couldn't handle and delivered to my door for $31.85.
 
Counting D2 as carbon......

Queen Premium Hunter in D2 from 3 1/2" for the drop point to longer for the skinner and hunter
A full tang of Queen heat treated D2 with a deep sheath
Flat grind not scandi
One of the more understated and under estimated knives on the market

I have a drop point with very grippy etched engraved oak slabs and the D2 holds a good working edge for a long time
Mine was $39
As you get nicer wood it gets close to $50

Since we are posting links.......
At the bottom of the page
http://www.collectorknives.net/queen-knives.html
 
Cold Steel has some nice ones for under 50. I love my Bushman a lot. Eventhough it is a big knife, it handle small jobs very well.
 
I appreciate everyone's recommendations and this has turned into a very informative thread. Actually, I'm now obsessed the idea of building a stick tang knife. If my Mora ever broke, I'd probably try to rebuild it "fast knife" style just to see how it turned out. Keep the recommendations coming, hopefully others are finding this useful.

The Ontario ranger shiv looks promising right around the $50 mark.
 
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