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What bushcraft knife do you use?
- Thread starter Error404
- Start date
DeadboxHero
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2014
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- 4,578
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2014
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- 772
Mostly just Moras and Marttiinis, sometimes ESEE Izula and BK24. Last few times just had the Mora Classic, it did everything very well.
- Joined
- May 13, 2015
- Messages
- 841
Hi! Most of the times I end up grabbing my Fallkniven F1, when I head out to the woods and feel the need for a fixed blade. Along the years, it almost became a natural extension of my arm/hand. It is a compact knife, in the eyes of many, but for my hiking activities its more than big enough 
.
On the trails (nowadays marked trails, rather travelled), I mostly process some wood for making small camp fires, either as entertainment (caveman TV) or to cook something easy. I have no problem in batoning up to medium size logs/branches with the F1. I process some food in a basic way, generally I cut out some chops, slice steaks, open sausages or clean some trout. I also harvest some wild edibles, when allowed and in the season. I normally have fun carving some wood, from walking sticks to basic tools, like forks and spoons. I regularly cut some twigs and paracord. This is very much all my bushcraft .
I never felt under-knifed while carrying the F1. The F1 strikes a good balance of being lightweight and manageable yet delivering high performances. The convex blade works great with wood. I think like this: the F1 excels at fire and shelter building, but, in the beginning, I found it to be a little weaker at the tasks that require fine carving. The thickness of the blade and the convex grind made it a bit trickier for me to control. Now I got used to this and its good for me :thumbup:. Sure still I dont consider it a filleting knife or a dedicated carving tool, but I have learnt how to use it in a way it easily takes up also these tasks. With one knife only, its always a trade-off. By carrying a SAK (or a multitool) and a folding saw (or a small axe), to complement my F1, I am perfectly set for my needs.
From time to time, I also carry the EKA Nordic W12. Its a good knife, it took some serious beating in wood processing and it stands up good. I found the factory grind a bit too obtuse and tried to re-profile it. Still today its not a slicer, though. It does very well on wood but its still a bit unpractical for me when it comes to food prep. This is why I end up using my F1 mostly.
.On the trails (nowadays marked trails, rather travelled), I mostly process some wood for making small camp fires, either as entertainment (caveman TV
) or to cook something easy. I have no problem in batoning up to medium size logs/branches with the F1. I process some food in a basic way, generally I cut out some chops, slice steaks, open sausages or clean some trout. I also harvest some wild edibles, when allowed and in the season. I normally have fun carving some wood, from walking sticks to basic tools, like forks and spoons. I regularly cut some twigs and paracord. This is very much all my bushcraft .I never felt under-knifed while carrying the F1. The F1 strikes a good balance of being lightweight and manageable yet delivering high performances. The convex blade works great with wood. I think like this: the F1 excels at fire and shelter building, but, in the beginning, I found it to be a little weaker at the tasks that require fine carving. The thickness of the blade and the convex grind made it a bit trickier for me to control. Now I got used to this and its good for me :thumbup:. Sure still I dont consider it a filleting knife or a dedicated carving tool, but I have learnt how to use it in a way it easily takes up also these tasks. With one knife only, its always a trade-off
. By carrying a SAK (or a multitool) and a folding saw (or a small axe), to complement my F1, I am perfectly set for my needs.
From time to time, I also carry the EKA Nordic W12. Its a good knife, it took some serious beating in wood processing and it stands up good. I found the factory grind a bit too obtuse and tried to re-profile it. Still today its not a slicer, though. It does very well on wood but its still a bit unpractical for me when it comes to food prep. This is why I end up using my F1 mostly
.
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2016
- Messages
- 62
If I can only bring one knife into the bush, its my TOPS silent hero, with a paracord guard tied on. Probably my favorite piece that I own.
SALTY
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2000
- Messages
- 5,436
I like the Becker Tweeners as my "always on me" around camp knife with the BK15 being my favorite. For actual bushcraft tasks, the BK16 really shines. Moreover, none other than Ethan Becker himself doesn't hardly wear trousers without a SAK being in his pocket and, as he puts it, his feet "rarely leave pavement" with a BK16 on his belt. Though the BK15 is my favorite Tweener, the BK16 is really my first choice for bushcraft. As others have mentioned, making liners for the handle scales with longer fasteners is what some do to make the handles thicker if so desired. You cannot go wrong with a Becker BK15, 16 or 17 but the 16 seems to be preferred for bushcraft by many.
The Mora Companion carbon steel should get honorable mention as well as I always have one fastened to my pack. They are light, strong for their weight and mass, comfortable and affordable.
The Mora Companion carbon steel should get honorable mention as well as I always have one fastened to my pack. They are light, strong for their weight and mass, comfortable and affordable.
22-rimfire
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
Yeah, the BK-15 is a good all around knife in the woods for me too. Too bad they discontinued it. I honestly don't do many bushcraft tasks because I need to any more. Guess I am reaching one of those hiatuses in life. I don't jump off high rocks, climb cliffs, or jump off a fallen log that is very far off the ground. When I saw that one Kentucky basketball player break his leg just jumping, I told myself... no more jumping unless I have to in the woods. Too much to loose if things go wrong....
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2014
- Messages
- 373
I have 3 bushcraft blades in 3 different grinds:
A BK16 for FFG, a Benchmade bushcrafter for saber, and a KRF Tribute for Scandi. I love them all, and find that any one of them does anything I need. I would like to add a full convex knife from BRK to my collection so I have all 4 major grinds represented.
A BK16 for FFG, a Benchmade bushcrafter for saber, and a KRF Tribute for Scandi. I love them all, and find that any one of them does anything I need. I would like to add a full convex knife from BRK to my collection so I have all 4 major grinds represented.
aleforme
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2013
- Messages
- 2,077
Really cool to see all the BK15 mentions in the post. Such a great knife.
To those who mentioned going with Micarta scales and/or liner to thicken up the handle, I'll definitely check into this. Been on the radar for a while but just haven't gotten around to it.
To those who mentioned going with Micarta scales and/or liner to thicken up the handle, I'll definitely check into this. Been on the radar for a while but just haven't gotten around to it.
If you're looking to try it out, go find an old videogame/DVD?Bluray case, and cut the scales from that, and then trim to fit. The stock hardware still barely works with this, and it really helps out the grip. Then, if you're happy with it awesome, if not, you didn't spend much/anything testing it out.
Really like this one. Been using it of late and it's little brother, the #1. It's inexpensive, has a great handle and shreds wood plus it looks cool and after getting an Enzo leather dangler sheath that fits perfectly it rides well on my belt. It's the Mora Classic #2.
