What bushcraft knife should I buy?

B

buck110boy

Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Messages
28
Hey everyone,

About a year ago I got into bushcraft, my first knife was a Mora companion. Since then my bushcrafting skills have become better I am now making hand drills, and bow drills, shelters, traps, bows, etc. Now I have run into a problem, my beloved Mora knife is simply not beefy enough to accomplish the tasks I want to do with it. I need a new knife, I would like to spend no more than $100. Any suggestions? Thanks for helping me out guys. Have a good one.
 
I would look at condor, I haven't owned one personally but I know they are cheap and supposed to be great values
 
Becker BK-16 is a solid choice. I ran this one stock through the RAT survival class.

P1060887_zpsa8456709.jpg
 
LT Wright Bushcrafter HC

$110 shipped from most authorized dealers. Extending the extra $10 would be worth it.
 
I'm going to recommend you check out the new Gryphon M-10 full flat grind...because I'm so curious about it as a bush knife I'm going to keep posting the recommendation until a few people report on it. :)
 
Do you have to go with carbon steel? Otherwise, a Fallkniven F1 is in the ball park.
 
I'll second the bk16! It's my favorite knife for all things woodsy. You could buy an enzo kit and make your own bushcraft knife for under $100.
 
LT Wright Bushcrafter - ordered without a sheath its $75.

Then make your own sheath, its a fun project.
 
BK16 IMHO.... you can spend more on a knife, but I've seen very little under 100.00 that I'd consider trading for mine the day before a scheduled hike....

The only bushcraft knife I own that gets more dirt time is my Spyderco UK Bushcraft and I dearly LOVE that knife....but its just over 2x your budget....and to be honest, the BK16 does everything it can do. I just REALLY like the handle heavy weight on the spyderco knife.... best feeling handle I own on any knife and I own 300+
 
Shop around and do your homework. I just picked up this Bark River Highland Special for a whopping $90 from the exchange.

Pictured with my CQC-8, you can see the blade length is similar. It fits that hand well and I wear XL/XXL gloves.

26325823174_112ba147a0_z.jpg

26897752666_ae77a7684e_z.jpg
 
buck110boy said:
Hey everyone,

About a year ago I got into bushcraft, my first knife was a Mora companion. Since then my bushcrafting skills have become better I am now making hand drills, and bow drills, shelters, traps, bows, etc. Now I have run into a problem, my beloved Mora knife is simply not beefy enough to accomplish the tasks I want to do with it. I need a new knife, I would like to spend no more than $100. Any suggestions? Thanks for helping me out guys. Have a good one.
Click to expand...

I would love to hear more about what specific tasks you're doing that the Companion isn't keeping up with?
 
Since you love your Mora Companion, why don't you try the Robust or Heavy Duty versions?
 
Take are you don't end up like one of those guys who buy a "beefier", more expensive knife, and keep the Mora for backup. Then the Mora ends up doing all the heavy lifting while the big knife sits unused.

That said, I'd try a Condor Bushlore or Kephart.
 
kamagong said:
Since you love your Mora Companion, why don't you try the Robust or Heavy Duty versions?
Click to expand...

That was going to be my suggestion as well. If you're not looking for an excuse to spend money why not just get the beefier Mora? Or one of the Condors, they sometimes come in a bit rough and need some finishing work with sandpaper but they're great knives for the dollar.

You also don't mention grind preference, but Derek at KSF has these LT Wright has this beauties for $75 which would be my pick given your budget. They're also available with a dangler sheath for a little more if thats your preference.

LT_Bushcrafter_2584__96124.1435606088.1280.1280.jpg
 
OP - Someone hasn't been reading the rules...the Shrubbery Crafters Guild handbook makes it very clear that you are to purchase a Ray Mears Woodlore, or at the very least a Jacklore, but never ever a Bushlore - the cost/performance ratio is way off. Now, if those two knives just are not available for immediate purchase, you are allowed to acquire a Skookum Bush Tool, but you must pay in excess of $400, or it does not count.

My advice for you is to save up and make a correct bushcrafting knife purchase. If you buy something for around $100, how in the world are your feather sticks going to be feathery enough?? However, there is a young man from Croatia, he sells here on BF, & he makes great users out of ball bearings (52100)...I've got a couple in antique micarta & nice leather sheaths, both for under $100...I think one of them was $75 shipped....but you didn't hear that from me - The Guild must not find out!!
 
I second the Lt Wright Bushcrafter HC with or with out the sheath. Even with the sheath it is right at your budget. Great knife! Excellent in the hand and a good worker...
 
As mentioned, LT Wright makes excellent bushcraft blades. Helle also makes some very attractive bushcraft knives - most are in the $100-150 range. Here's my Fjellkniven from last winter (the finish stands up great to use, btw):




Bark River also has some bushcrafty type models. For example, here's my Liten Bror - it's the smaller brother of the regular Aurora scandi grind. Smaller, but comfy and capable:

 




I dig the Enzo Trapper. Good scandi grind knife.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top