What bushcraft knife should I buy?

[sciencekit]

My two cents... none of the choices on your list. If you are solid on a WSK choice, I would go with Beck... more expensive but a far better performing system. However, if you want more of a traditional bushcraft capable system. Have someone make you a Kephart style knife, and carry a belt axe or longer handled small axe. My kephart from ML Knives is fantastic, didn't break the bank, and is easily one of the best knives I own. For a belt axe, it's difficult to beat H&B Forge (U.S.A.) or of course Gränsfors Bruks (Sweden). For the price of the Tops tracker, you can buy both a Kephart and small axe.

 

[jfk1110]

Martin knives makes a really nice wsk, though I'd rather have my volcano and my roselli axe. Have a look at Martin knives,Ed & Newt make excellent quality stuff.

 

[ranger mac]

I am in the same boat, but if it is the list get the BOB. I had been looking at knives and joined this forum. My budget has been blown so many times over already.

 

[TheBushWookie]

When you say bushcraft, just what are you meaning?

Is this combination for going out and making a temporary camp good for a night or two? Like knocking out a quick A frame for a tarp, lean-to, or debris shelter.A rough fire pit. Maybe a pot hanger, or deadfall traps (in case if emergency)?

Or is this for a very primitive permanant camp. Like a shingled raised, walled A-frame. Making a bench, table, cooking fire pit. Carving bowls, utensils, etc...?

And , most important, what support gear to you take with you?

Recreational bushcrafting like simply going into the outdoors and having fun not going all out primitive camping. The choices I've listed may be a bit expensive for that purpose but I also simply want them because I think they are awesome knives.

 

[TheBushWookie]

A little confused here....you want to put together a five knife bush set? Or looking for individual recommendations on those?

First, go with the B.O.B. either way. Great knife, IMO.

I would replace the Tom Brown tracker with a quality Rigger's or Carpenter's hatchet. I think it likely you will find yourself staring at and fondling the Tracker a lot but also sitting in camp wondering what the hell you can come up with to use it for since you're fully covered for anything with four other diverse blades that will do it easier. It's also a boat anchor.

As for the TOPS, I like it. It's awfully close in size to the B.O.B. but might barely qualify as a different category of knife and keep your spread going. This would be the wild card spot though if you wanted to go slightly larger to give more spread from what the B.O.B. can do.

I'm a kukri fan. It certainly has a place in a bush set. Get a good one and a REAL one---don't get off into the fantasy profiles of kukri.

Only flaw I see in your setup is you have three blades pretty close to being the same thing. You could put more spread in there to handle a greater variety of potential bush tasks. I think collim1 is right, you need to throw a heavy knife in there....something approaching BK-9-ish but no larger. I sure like the Cold Steel Trailmaster too.

Finally, let's face it: the TOPS and Ka-Bar are basically 'duplicates' in your structure. I'd replace one with a machete or bolo, depending on what you'll be hiking through. I prefer a bolo for most stuff.

If you've made a major error here it's not listing a good Vic Swiss Army Knife. I'd get one.

I'm looking to get some help choosing between my choices that I've listed.

 

[TheBushWookie]

Heres a good thread on that subject.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1244115-What-s-a-good-fixed-blade-bushcraft-knife

Oh hey. You opened that thread about a week ago.

IMO opening a new thread on the same subject is kinda rude to the people who took thr time out to reply in the earlier thread. Were their answers no good?

I've already decided on what knives I want but I can't choose between them, the point of this thread is to get people to help me choose.

 

[TheBushWookie]

So in the last 6 weeks you have opened:

What is the best fixed blade?
What is a good all around knife?
What do you guys think is a great tool system for bushcraft?
What's your all in 1 survival tool?
What IS the best fixed blade?
What's a good fixed blade bushcraft knife?
What bushcraft knife should I buy?

among the 21 threads you have started in that period.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/search.php?searchid=8959502

My advice, Chris, is to read more and post less before you become the boy who cried wolf. :thumbup:

A few of those posts were to help me find some suggestions for bushcraft knives but the rest of them were curious questions to see what people thought about certain subjects not to get suggestions.
In my other threads you have also said something similar and I have even explained things to you but it seems you just ignore what I say and just read the titles of my threads then reply.

 

[TheBushWookie]

And since "sexy awesome" (nice family friendly language, by the way) is still among your top criteria for your choice, its seems to me that you have ignored pretty much all the advice that has been given to you in those 21 threads.

Just get what you think is coolest looking. It doesnt matter which. It will work fine for you. Get that Tom Brown Tracker. It'll look awesome.

When I say that I'm not referring to knives that I'm simply interested in for their looks other wise I would be going to M-tech USA, I'm interested in them because they are both gorgeous looking knives and get the job done very well.

 

[TheBushWookie]

Don't understand why you need the knife to look good. It's nice to have a knife that looks good but looks is by no means a priority. If the knife works well, get it. Who cares if it doesn't look "exciting"? Most knives look great in my opinion, the knife is a very good-looking tool.

But if looks is all you care about,

No if looks is all I cared about I wouldn't be stuck on the dilemma of trying to figure out which knife I should go for, I do like knives that look good but by no means am I going to buy a knife unless it actually has the quality to back it up.

 

[Todd21969]

Recreational bushcrafting like simply going into the outdoors and having fun not going all out primitive camping. The choices I've listed may be a bit expensive for that purpose but I also simply want them because I think they are awesome knives.

Then the B.O.B. From your list it's the more usefull general purpose design out of the box.

The TBT can be usefull as well. However, most users find that the grind is very thick from the factory. And the knife benifits greatly from a reprofile. Or so I have heard.

IMHO get the B.O.B, then go out and play in the woods.

 

[ranger mac]

B.O.B. and have fun.

 

[ugar-6]

My two cents... none of the choices on your list. If you are solid on a WSK choice, I would go with Beck... more expensive but a far better performing system. However, if you want more of a traditional bushcraft capable system. Have someone make you a Kephart style knife, and carry a belt axe or longer handled small axe. My kephart from ML Knives is fantastic, didn't break the bank, and is easily one of the best knives I own. For a belt axe, it's difficult to beat H&B Forge (U.S.A.) or of course Gränsfors Bruks (Sweden). For the price of the Tops tracker, you can buy both a Kephart and small axe.

My kind of style right here!!! I've alrady got the Gransfors small forest axe and American felling axe. I'm about to put my deposit down on a ML Kephart but it won't be here for 12-13 months. But, I have the Scandanavian forest axe on my Christmas list.

 

[sabre cat]

The B.O.B. was on my list when I wanted a bushcraft knife. It is a hard knife to beat. It lost out to a Benchmade 162. It would also take a backseat to a GSO, IMHO.

 

[neeman]

I have a BOB
The scandi grind "modified" which is in fact a saber grind
It is heavy and thick and does not chop
The kydex sheath is great but not in the field

Get a Becker BK 16, much lighter and easier to use with a very comfortable with a nylon sheath that holds the knife well on your belt ot pack
Or a Becker BK 10 larger and bigger handle, but still lighter