Suggest a dedicated bushcraft knife

[Apocryphiliac]

I know that it might be frowned upon to have a new thread as my first post, but I have searched the forum for a very similar question being asked and haven't found it, (although I expect it might be in here somewhere and I simply missed it). Anyway, apologies if this thread is in the wrong place, breaking any rules, etc.

Well, I'm looking for a dedicated bushcrafting knife that will be used for doing things such as making feather sticks and kindling, carving small tools like spoons and bowls, tent stakes, etc. It would be nice if it could do some food prep and maybe even a bit of light batoning. This knife would replace my ESEE 4--I don't like the handle on it. I find the 4's handle too cramped if I don't use the finger choil and uncomfortable with the choil, nor do I like the flatness of it. So this should be sort of an all-around bushcrafter around 4" (more ideally something like 3.75" or so, I guess). I have plenty of large camp knives to pair it up with.

I've never used a scandi grind, but that or a scandi-vex seem like they'd be fun to try out, along with a spear point or aggressively dropped point that places the tip in line with the center of the handle for drilling. I'd prefer something in very tough steel such as 3V or 4V so that it could have a pretty thin edge that will really bite into wood. I also like 3V for the almost semi-stainlessness it provides. I've found O1 and A2, not to mention 1095 a little quick to patina for my liking. On the other hand, I don't terribly mind something like S35VN or Elmax if they are expertly heat-treated. Steel isn't the most important thing to me, but I figured it's worth mentioning my preferences. I'm comfortable spending up to around $300.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[buckfynn]

From your description of the qualities that you are desiring, a custom knife seems to be the best fit. Have you checked out the Knife Maker's for sale section on the forum? Sometimes very nice knives can be had for a rather reasonable price.

What about an Enzo Trapper? They come in a variety of steel choices and are fairly well built. Personally I have over a dozen of them, the majority built from blanks or kits.

 

[DeadboxHero]

Puukko

 

[flip888]

It sounds like you definitely should look into a custom knife. Althoigh I was going to suggest a mora 510. I'm sure a custom knife would be more capable than the $12 mora.

 

[Apocryphiliac]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

buckfynn, I was thinking about an Enzo Trapper. For some reason I thought they only came in carbon steels. I'll definitely give them a look.

DeadboxHero, the puukko looks very cool! I considered one of them. Anyone make a good production puukko?

I had considered customs, but I am concerned about warranty issues with customs. I'd like to be worry-free for hard use if necessary. I should have mentioned in the OP that a "no b.s." warranty is very important to me as well.

 

[Sullie]

You don't need to be concerned about warranties from makers on this forum. If they didn't stand behind their products it would become well known pretty quick. If you find a knife you like you can search the knife maker's name and read about any past concerns, praise etc. That should give you piece of mind.
There is a Skookum bush tool for sale on the exchange that is considered to be the ideal bushcraft and it is in 3v. It's a bit more than you mentioned but it is one of the first knives that come to mind when I hear bushcraft. Or check out a custom Kephart.
Good Luck!

 

[Srtr]

try a mora knife to see if you like that style imo.

cheap way to get a good bushcrafter.

 

[mqqn]

I wanted the same thing, and so I had John Kiedaisch of JK Handmade Knives make the "Twig Mangler" for me - it is a bushcrafter with a scandi grind, and he can do stainless although my knife is made from 01 tool steel.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1458189-Twig-Mangler!

The price is right for your budget, and if you have any qualms about the reliability of John's knives, have a look at the following thread....

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/913609-JK-Knives-Torture-Test-Passaround!

John has also done his rendition of the Puuko - shown in the following thread -

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1465440-Puuko

Welcome to the forum!

best

mqqn

 

[Hard Knocks]

That JK looks nice ^. I think he makes one of the best looking kepharts, too, which might work for the OP.

Welcome to the forum Apocryphiliac. The GSO 4.1 made by Survive Knives fits your description and budget. If you like the looks of it, try to pick one up on the secondary market, like the Production Fixed Blades For Sale Exchange here on bladeforums. Great knife, but the company is running a good ways behind on new orders.

Also, maybe something from LT Wright like the Genesis. Not sure if it can be had in 3V though. There's a bunch of stuff out there, and the suggestions to use one of the makers here to get exactly what you want is a good one :thumbup:

 

[ATJ999]

I just got my Carothers field knife which is pretty awesome.

You should talk with Robert Martin at tearsofthesword.com
I have one of his 3V blades with one more on the way. He will make exactly what you want at a great price. My 3V heat treat is great too, it takes a beating!!! He is definitely worth talking to!

 

[Thomas Linton]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/721521-Best-factory-Bushcraft-knife

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...hink-of-the-quot-Generic-quot-bushcraft-knife

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/756751-Bushcraft-Knife

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...favorite-bushcraft-knife-with-3-to-5-in-blade

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1370965-Bushcraft-knife-recommendation

 

[Apocryphiliac]

That Twig Mangler is so classy looking with the two-tone micarta... though perhaps more classy than I would need. It is also slightly longer than I would prefer. The puukko is really the exact sort of thing I'm looking for, although I don't know anything about the properties of the wood he used. I do wonder what other steels he is comfortable working with aside from O1. The O1 Enzo Trapper also seems like a nice budget choice. Maybe I should just get used to the idea of my small bush blade wearing a patina.

 

[Apocryphiliac]

That JK looks nice ^. I think he makes one of the best looking kepharts, too, which might work for the OP.

Welcome to the forum Apocryphiliac. The GSO 4.1 made by Survive Knives fits your description and budget. If you like the looks of it, try to pick one up on the secondary market, like the Production Fixed Blades For Sale Exchange here on bladeforums. Great knife, but the company is running a good ways behind on new orders.

Also, maybe something from LT Wright like the Genesis. Not sure if it can be had in 3V though. There's a bunch of stuff out there, and the suggestions to use one of the makers here to get exactly what you want is a good one :thumbup:

Yes, I looked into the GSO 4.1 previously but saw that they are pretty backed up with their order fulfillment. What would be a good price for one in like new condition on the secondary market, do you figure?

 

[Apocryphiliac]

You don't need to be concerned about warranties from makers on this forum. If they didn't stand behind their products it would become well known pretty quick. If you find a knife you like you can search the knife maker's name and read about any past concerns, praise etc. That should give you piece of mind.
There is a Skookum bush tool for sale on the exchange that is considered to be the ideal bushcraft and it is in 3v. It's a bit more than you mentioned but it is one of the first knives that come to mind when I hear bushcraft. Or check out a custom Kephart.
Good Luck!

Wow, I appreciate the looks of that blade, but tough to pull the trigger with the markup on it being what it is. I was actually admiring the Lon Humphrey custom Kepharts, but I wish they were about a half-inch shorter. I also wonder how good 1095 can really be. I don't really fancy sharpening in the field, or worse, when I baton that 4.5" blade through a knot.

I just got my Carothers field knife which is pretty awesome.

You should talk with Robert Martin at tearsofthesword.com
I have one of his 3V blades with one more on the way. He will make exactly what you want at a great price. My 3V heat treat is great too, it takes a beating!!! He is definitely worth talking to!

Will give tearsofthesword.com a look next, thank you for the suggestion.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/721521-Best-factory-Bushcraft-knife

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...hink-of-the-quot-Generic-quot-bushcraft-knife

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/756751-Bushcraft-Knife

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...favorite-bushcraft-knife-with-3-to-5-in-blade

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1370965-Bushcraft-knife-recommendation

Some nice tidbits in these threads that I missed. Thank you.

 

[brandoak]

Fallkniven F1 in 3G or laminated VG10. I personally like the PHK better. Cant go wrong with either.

 

[Revolverrodger]

Enzo trapper all the way
Carbon: O1 or M2
Stainless: N690

 

[Apocryphiliac]

Fallkniven F1 in 3G or laminated VG10. I personally like the PHK better. Cant go wrong with either.

I used to have an A1 and I didn't care for the handle. It was a nice knife; I should say an excellent knife, but just not really for me. I looked briefly at the F1 Pro, but these knives seem like they are lacking in the sort of finesse I'm after.

Enzo trapper all the way
Carbon: O1 or M2
Stainless: N690

I just might do that O1... I wonder how their qc on the elmax is. I also wonder how the handle would do in my hand during sustained usage.

 

[353]

I agree with Deadbox, get a nice puukko.

I just got one of these from well reputed finnish blacksmith, Martti Malinen:

https://nordiskaknivar.wordpress.co...riole-kuhankeittaja-puukko-by-martti-malinen/

It's inspired by a beautiful yellow bird. He also does birchbark handled ones and one other type that is called "carving knife" I think. The blades are similar on all 3. Hand forged 52100 at 62 RC.

https://nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/2014/05/24/malinen-koivumaki-puukko-review/

He also do full custom from specs I think, but this I cannot guarantee.

 

[knoefz]

Not the steel of your preference (O1), but this beauty melts into your hands:

Spyderco Bushcraft UK

ps.
I recommend taking a look ate these threads in the Great Outdoors section of the forums:
4-5" Bushcraft Knives
Scandi knives

 

[DeadboxHero]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

buckfynn, I was thinking about an Enzo Trapper. For some reason I thought they only came in carbon steels. I'll definitely give them a look.

DeadboxHero, the puukko looks very cool! I considered one of them. Anyone make a good production puukko?

I had considered customs, but I am concerned about warranty issues with customs. I'd like to be worry-free for hard use if necessary. I should have mentioned in the OP that a "no b.s." warranty is very important to me as well.

I wish there was, I haven't found a production company that can do it right, they always add some little detail that throws off the design and makes it not a puukko because they have to cater to a wider audience and don't seem to be bold enough to pull it off.

The puukko if done correctly will straight up outcut any other bushcrafting knife on wood in my experience. It's just not a bruiser of a knife. If you want more a "hulk smash" type of blade this is not the one.

For me, heavy work is done with the axe, detail work by puukko.
That's the best overlap I've found that suits my style of camping/bushcrafting.