What do you think of the "Generic" bushcraft knife?

Just my take on it : there are some very nice knives displayed here and I would be happy to use them in an EDC context. I'm just not a fan of the Scandi grind (it doesn't fit my uses so well). If I were to grab a knife for outdoors that could" do it all", I would go for a shortish Tramontina, Condor or Martindale machete.
 
I think it's a solid design for woodworking tasks, but while I generally think the handle contours are well done on them, I often find something lacking in the designs as a whole. This is, I think, largely because so many of them are fairly blind clones of one another without much thought put into them other than checking off boxes on a features list and then fiddling around with the aesthetics enough to make it look a little different from all the others out there. In general I find them to be a good "plain vanilla" design much like a Latin pattern machete. It's designed to do a little of everything within its intended functional context, but those intimate with their local environment and circumstances of use will often be better served by designs that are more precisely tailored to their needs.
 
I discovered the leuku/puuku combination as a youngster when first starting my outdoor life. Thank God.

Regardless of knife design or style, the greatest comfort efficiency for bushcraft/survival is achieved via a two-knife rig--one large, one smaller. I think this has come to be an accepted axiom, except among the minimalists, who have their place as well.

First the puuko, then the Mears knife, then an explosion of such knives. Today there are many of them, luckily some of them are even good for the purpose. While I don't own one, based on reviews and posts here in BF, quick examples of the better modern ones would be the TOPS B.O.B., the GSO's, the Enzos, Bark Rivers and, IMO, the Ratmandu. I'd buy some of these if I were still buying fixed blades.

To answer your question, I'd say the criteria you lay forth at the beginning merely constitute the basics of a good bushcraft knife. At least in my opinion.
 
TheDandyLion said:
I like some Kephart styles but for the most part I find the tip far too broad/imprecise.
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Other than the Condor, the Kepharts available today are all custom or limited production knives. Use his writings as a guide, and find something that suits your needs/tastes.

"On the subject of hunting knives I am tempted to be diffuse. In my green and callow days (perhaps not yet over) I tried nearly everything in the knife line from a shoemaker's skiver to a machete, and I had knives made to order. The conventional hunting knife is, or was until quite recently, of the familiar dime-novel pattern invented by Colonel Bowie. Such a knife is too thick and clumsy to whittle with, much too thick for a good skinning knife, and too sharply pointed to cook and eat with. It is always tempered too hard. When put to the rough service for which it is supposed to be intended, as in cutting through the ossified false ribs of an old buck, it is an even bet that out will come a nick as big as a saw-tooth — and Sheridan forty miles from a grindstone! Such a knife is shaped expressly for stabbing, which is about the very last thing that a woodsman ever has occasion to do, our lamented grandmothers to the contrary notwithstanding."

A camper has use for a common-sense sheath-knife, sometimes for dressing big game, but oftener for such homely work as cutting sticks, slicing bacon, and frying "spuds." For such purposes a rather thin, broadpointed blade is required, and it need not be over four or five inches long. Nothing is gained by a longer blade, and it would be in one's way every time he sat down. Such a knife, bearing the marks of hard usage, lies before me. Its blade and handle are each 4 1/2 inches long, the blade being 1 inch wide, 1/8th inch thick on the back, broad pointed, and continued through the handle as a hasp and riveted to it. It is tempered hard enough to cut green hardwood sticks, but soft enough so that when it strikes a knot or bone it will, if anything, turn rather than nick; then a whetstone soon puts it in order. The Abyssinians have a saying, "If a sword bends, we can straighten it; but if it breaks, who can mend it? " So with a knife or hatchet.

The handle of this knife is of oval cross-section, long enough to give a good grip for the whole hand, and with no sharp edges to blister one's hand. It has a 1/4 inch knob behind the cutting edge as a guard, but there is no guard on the back, for it would be useless and in the way. The handle is of light but hard wood, 3/4 inch thick at the butt and tapering to 1/2 inch forward, so as to enter the sheath easily and grip it tightly. If it were heavy it would make the knife drop out when I stooped over. The sheath has a slit frog binding tightly on the belt, and keeping the knife well up on my side. This knife weighs only 4 ounces. It was made by a country blacksmith, and is one of the homeliest things I ever saw; but it has outlived in my affections the score of other knives that I have used in competition with it, and has done more work than all of them put together."

Horace Kephart, Woodcraft and Camping
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That's what I did.

4 1/2" blade? Check.
9" OAL? Check.
1" wide? Check.
1/8" thick? Check.
Full tang? Check.
Oval, tapered handle? Check.



Use the opinions of others as a starting point, don't treat them as gospel.
 
RevDevil said:
They are all modern takes on the old styled Pukko knife design. What happened is that the style became really popularized by peopel like Bear Grylls, Ray Mears, and the various cast members of Dual Survivor. As soon as they started selling like hot cakes a lot of people jumped on the bandwagon. If they made money, more power to them. :thumbup:
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So that's how this all came to be... It was truly surreal to leave the knife hobby for 20 years, and get back to it last year, only to see it all turned over to these tiny guardless fixed blades (and hugely overbuilt stocky folders, still with purpose-defeating liner locks that are so-so in the safety department: Good thing the overbuilt stocky blades aren't that likely to hurt you anyway)...

Reality TV sure has a lot of clout compared to movies these days...

I think the bushcraft stuff is a fad. They are as close to offering nothing as a knife can be, and still be called a knife...: I think I have knives in my kitchen drawers that would do better than some of these... There is nothing these "bushcraft" fixed blades can do that cannot be done as well or better by an equivalent folder...

The fact that the most popular folders themselves have turned into these bulky, stocky, abbreviated bank vaults (minus the security), most with extremely poor edge-to-handle length ratios, is also a fad...

Really impressive folders, that offer good edge-to-handle length ratios, and combine size, originality with functionality and light weights, like the Kraton-handled SOG Fatcat, seem comparatively to dwell in obscurity...

The emphasis on Carbon steel on the small "Bushcraft" fixed blades is a fad as well, but it is sadder, as it is obviously based on complete misinformation.

The only popular area that retains a bit of utility and efficiency in design are the big choppers, but they are sadly infected by the "Carbon Steel is better" fallacy, just when many available high end sharpeners have made this choice completely counter-productive...

The only possible advantage I see today for Carbon steel blades is that they look uglier faster from use, especially when painted or stained, so that they look more quickly like you use your knives a lot... I am glad I Cerakoated some of my stainless knives, as after a while I will get the same kind of effect, with none of the actual disadvantages...

Gaston
 
When I think of a bushcraft knife I think of a real world survival knife. Survival knife makes me think of a kabar or Rambo knife. Bushcraft makes me think of if I only had one edged tool and needed to build a shelter type of tool. Heavy but still able to skin game. So to me a bushcraft knife is like a small camp knife to other people. When I think of camp knife I think of a thin blade that's good for food prep and such because i've only done camping where you drive in with everything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Gaston444 said:
So that's how this all came to be... It was truly surreal to leave the knife hobby for 20 years, and get back to it last year, only to see it all turned over to these tiny guardless fixed blades (and hugely overbuilt stocky folders, still with purpose-defeating liner locks that are so-so in the safety department: Good thing the overbuilt stocky blades aren't that likely to hurt you anyway)...

Reality TV sure has a lot of clout compared to movies these days...

I think the bushcraft stuff is a fad. They are as close to offering nothing as a knife can be, and still be called a knife...: I think I have knives in my kitchen drawers that would do better than some of these... There is nothing these "bushcraft" fixed blades can do that cannot be done as well or better by an equivalent folder...

The fact that the most popular folders themselves have turned into these bulky, stocky, abbreviated bank vaults (minus the security), most with extremely poor edge-to-handle length ratios, is also a fad...

Really impressive folders, that offer good edge-to-handle length ratios, and combine size, originality with functionality and light weights, like the Kraton-handled SOG Fatcat, seem comparatively to dwell in obscurity...

The emphasis on Carbon steel on the small "Bushcraft" fixed blades is a fad as well, but it is sadder, as it is obviously based on complete misinformation.

The only popular area that retains a bit of utility and efficiency in design are the big choppers, but they are sadly infected by the "Carbon Steel is better" fallacy, just when many available high end sharpeners have made this choice completely counter-productive...

The only possible advantage I see today for Carbon steel blades is that they look uglier faster from use, especially when painted or stained, so that they look more quickly like you use your knives a lot... I am glad I Cerakoated some of my stainless knives, as after a while I will get the same kind of effect, with none of the actual disadvantages...

Gaston
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Nah, Puukkos are never out of style.

Also,60+hrc carbon still is a pure joy to use and sharpen freehand.

YMMV
 
I like the bushcraft designs even though I think they are overbuilt for my needs. (98% of my purchases are not based on need)

I only own one, a small cheap schrade schf55 that I recently picked up, since I haven't gone backpacking in about 4 decades when I was in the Boy Scouts.

That small bush knife and a machete should be enough when I try car camping this summer (I'll have a small saw and an axe too)

Honestly - the only time they will probably do work is when I'm doing yard work. I enjoy doing yard work with my toys!

Yes - a mora is probably more useful/practical than a bushcraft knife
 
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Gaston444 said:
The emphasis on Carbon steel on the small "Bushcraft" fixed blades is a fad as well, but it is sadder, as it is obviously based on complete misinformation.

The only popular area that retains a bit of utility and efficiency in design are the big choppers, but they are sadly infected by the "Carbon Steel is better" fallacy, just when many available high end sharpeners have made this choice completely counter-productive...

The only possible advantage I see today for Carbon steel blades is that they look uglier faster from use, especially when painted or stained, so that they look more quickly like you use your knives a lot... I am glad I Cerakoated some of my stainless knives, as after a while I will get the same kind of effect, with none of the actual disadvantages...

Gaston
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You often say that carbon steel is no good, but I have never seen you say why - aside from rust. Most metal heads understand that stainless steels trade toughness for corrosion resistance. What is it you've been reading that informs you that carbon steels aren't tougher than stainless, or that toughness isn't of value in knives that will see impact.
 
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Disclaimer:
"I hope this is received in the spirit I meant it. It could be mistakenly taken as me boasting of outdoor experience, or bad-mouthing certain outdoor types or activities, but I assure you all, that is not the case. After all, a large part of my job is getting people outdoors and having fun. That means different things to different people. I might prefer mountaineering with lots of high tech gear, whereas someone else prefers going out with primitive tools and seeing how long they can survive. As long as you're outside enjoying nature and passing on this love of the outdoors to younger generations, you have my admiration and respect."

This may not be a popular opinion, but I feel like most of these knives are being sold on this recent wave of "survivalism" which has more recently transformed into "bushcrafting". I personally think it's somewhat of a fad, like tactical is/was. I think it's another way to sell a product to Americans who love to consume. I am by NO means pointing fingers, because I have LOADS of crap stacked everywhere in my house that is not necessary. I'm as guilty as the next guy when it comes to feel good consuming.

As far as real outdoor usefulness goes, I've never carried or needed anything more than a BM Griptilian, or the like. I guess it depends on what you do outdoors, but for my outdoor activities, which are frequent, I don't find myself needing anything more.

Since the OP asked what we do outdoors, I work for a regional outdoor retailer (12 stores in 3 states). About 3-4 days a week, I run our woodshop, where we custom build all of our clothing fixtures. However, I am also the Director of our Active Adventures Program. I am an AMGA-certified rock climbing guide, Eagle Scout, have 20 years of backpacking experience, and guide backpacking, rock climbing, paddle boarding, fly fishing, and all sorts of other trips. In an average year, I spend about 40 nights in the woods, and probably about 100 days (many of our events are not overnight). I also teach backpacking classes, orienteering, survival skills, and many other classes. Also, I try to do 4-5 trips a year with my wife/friends of at least 4 days. These range from just backpacking to rock climbing to mountaineering.

All that being said, I just don't see a personal use for bushcraft style knives. Maybe if I hunted, or went out "bushcrafting" I would. Do people now go out and "bushcraft"? Is that what people are using these knives for? Honestly, I just don't process much wood when out backpacking. Even when I make a fire, literally all I'll do with my knife is maybe procure some fat pine, or birch bark, then make a pile of shavings for tinder. That's it. I don't chop anything down, I just collect what has already fallen. It's illegal in most Parks, Preserves, and Wilderness areas to down even dead wood anyway. My knife gets used for the aforementioned fire duties, as well as cutting moleskin, preparing food, cutting rope, and maybe a few other small things. I like my Griptilian H2O better because it's lighter, its pretty much rust-proof, and it's always on me. It would be very hard to lose, too, because it's orange. I've rarely ever felt "under-knifed", except for one incident involving a rather stubborn fat pine stump.

I don't know, I see all of these survival shows and these guys making shelters and traps and such, and just never do that when I'm actually spending time outdoors. Occasionally, while doing a survival class, I'll demonstrate things like that if people ask, and I know how to make traps, fire starters, etc., but most of the survival skills I try to preach are what I consider more realistic: be prepared, don't get lost to begin with, what to do if you DO get lost, how to prevent survival situations, etc. I feel like a lot of what we see on TV as "survival" is not real survival, but rather FORCED survival. If you've taken the time to be prepared enough to hone those "bushcrafting" and survival skills, I feel like you should be prepared enough not to ever need them. To me, "bushcrafting" seems to be its own activity, almost like forcing oneself to return to old times and living off the land.

So perhaps this is all a function of me being more locked into the 21st century and taking advantage of all the amazing gear we have at our disposal, but to me, a lightweight folder that's in my pocket at all times is the best choice. I will say, while I like a lightweight folder, I will certainly be carrying my heavy, large, 5" fixed blade that I recently made on my next few adventures. So maybe I'll change my mind!
 
Alfazulu said:
Do people now go out and "bushcraft"? Is that what people are using these knives for? Honestly, I just don't process much wood when out backpacking. Even when I make a fire, literally all I'll do with my knife is maybe procure some fat pine, or birch bark, then make a pile of shavings for tinder. That's it. I don't chop anything down, I just collect what has already fallen. It's illegal in most Parks, Preserves, and Wilderness areas to down even dead wood anyway.

I don't know, I see all of these survival shows and these guys making shelters and traps and such, and just never do that when I'm actually spending time outdoors.
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I do. :)
I love chopping apart wood and making shelters, and I don't want to bring sleeping bags or tents.
I didn't bother with a sleeping bag for winter camping...and had steel-toed boots since they are the only type of boots I own.
Feet get cold quick, sure, but that steel toe acts like a radiator to transfer heat from the roaring fire. :thumbup:

Now sure, for the cost of one expensive knife I could buy new boots, a sleeping bag, and some sort of good tent...but screw that!
I like knives, and using knives for all the knifey goodness I can wring out of them.
I find "bushcrafting" or whatever you want to call it a great way to do that.

Of course, all the so-called bushcraft knives are too small for my liking. :D

If this was sleepingbagforums.com, my answer would likely be different. ;)
 
stabman said:
I do. :)
I love chopping apart wood and making shelters, and I don't want to bring sleeping bags or tents.
I didn't bother with a sleeping bag for winter camping...and had steel-toed boots since they are the only type of boots I own.
Feet get cold quick, sure, but that steel toe acts like a radiator to transfer heat from the roaring fire. :thumbup:

Now sure, for the cost of one expensive knife I could buy new boots, a sleeping bag, and some sort of good tent...but screw that!
I like knives, and using knives for all the knifey goodness I can wring out of them.
I find "bushcrafting" or whatever you want to call it a great way to do that.

Of course, all the so-called bushcraft knives are too small for my liking. :D

If this was sleepingbagforums.com, my answer would likely be different. ;)
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Like I said, if you're getting outdoors, you have my respect. I guess I just don't meet many people that actually do go out and use bushcrafting skills. But I can see how it would be fun. I could literally walk a mile into the woods, sit on a rock for 4 hours and be happy. I just love being outside. I'll have to try it some time, and maybe even incorporate some bushcrafting classes into our Outdoor Program. It sounds like there's interest and demand for it. If you like being outside, you should also try some backpacking. Canada has some of the most amazing natural areas on the planet.

To me, the best thing about the current wave of survivalism and bushcrafting is that it's encouraging people to get back outdoors. It's so sad to see our culture moving further and further away from the outdoors, so anything that can get people back outside is great with me. If playing with knives encourages anyone to get outside, that is pure win in my book.

Now that I think about it, I guess I do meet people that are in to bushcrafting. Hell, Randall's Adventure (ESEE) is based in Alabama, where I live. They have quite the following around here.

Back on topic, I'm also not a fan of the "Scandi-grind".
 
Reading some of the comments, I'll say this:

The Bushcraft type knife, as far as I can tell, is a useful knife that has been stripped of all features from knives designed for other uses. Crossguards, ricassos, false edges, blood grooves, bayonet cross sections and heavy handles are useful in combat knives, but they just make it harder to do things like carve or clean game.

There are plenty of ways of interpreting this simplicity, and some of them boringly common. But the basic concept - light weight, tough but thin enough to slice and no extra do-dads to get in the way - is a very old and proven concept. French trapper knives, puukos, trade knives, machetes, kukris, etc all share this simplicity.
 
RX-79G said:
Reading some of the comments, I'll say this:

The Bushcraft type knife, as far as I can tell, is a useful knife that has been stripped of all features from knives designed for other uses. Crossguards, ricassos, false edges, blood grooves, bayonet cross sections and heavy handles are useful in combat knives, but they just make it harder to do things like carve or clean game.

There are plenty of ways of interpreting this simplicity, and some of them boringly common. But the basic concept - light weight, tough but thin enough to slice and no extra do-dads to get in the way - is a very old and proven concept. French trapper knives, puukos, trade knives, machetes, kukris, etc all share this simplicity.
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I agree with you there. That is one thing I DO like about the bushcraft knives. If you're going to carry a fixed blade outdoors, I think the bushcraft knives are pretty ideal. They are lightweight, utilitarian, and simple. They are not slathered in unnecessary crap. The company I work for sells some of the large TOPS knives like the Dawn Warrior and Steel Eagle (I think) that are just insane. They are like Rambo knives. What in the hell is someone doing with such a knife?! If I were to carry a fixed blade for outdoor use, it would be something similar to a bushcraft knife, but just not Scandi-ground. I would prefer a high flat grind or full flat grind, but I do like the 1/8" thickness, full tang, etc.
 
Alfazulu said:
Like I said, if you're getting outdoors, you have my respect. I guess I just don't meet many people that actually do go out and use bushcrafting skills. But I can see how it would be fun. I could literally walk a mile into the woods, sit on a rock for 4 hours and be happy. I just love being outside. I'll have to try it some time, and maybe even incorporate some bushcrafting classes into our Outdoor Program. It sounds like there's interest and demand for it. If you like being outside, you should also try some backpacking. Canada has some of the most amazing natural areas on the planet.

To me, the best thing about the current wave of survivalism and bushcrafting is that it's encouraging people to get back outdoors. It's so sad to see our culture moving further and further away from the outdoors, so anything that can get people back outside is great with me. If playing with knives encourages anyone to get outside, that is pure win in my book.

Now that I think about it, I guess I do meet people that are in to bushcrafting. Hell, Randall's Adventure (ESEE) is based in Alabama, where I live. They have quite the following around here.

Back on topic, I'm also not a fan of the "Scandi-grind".
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I think bushcrafting is a lot like making pottery, blacksmithing, baking bread or making furniture. It is the practice of doing more with less and using time proven techniques, by choice, instead of modern store bought convenience. Camping stoves are damn light now days, but they aren't a skill to acquire - just another consumer item.




Scandi grinds make thin blades tough, IMO.
 
RX-79G said:
I think bushcrafting is a lot like making pottery, blacksmithing, baking bread or making furniture. It is the practice of doing more with less and using time proven techniques, by choice, instead of modern store bought convenience. Camping stoves are damn light now days, but they aren't a skill to acquire - just another consumer item.

Scandi grinds make thin blades tough, IMO.
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I definitely understand the appeal. I am all about doing things. If I can make something instead of buying it, or fix something myself instead of paying someone, I try it, and it usually works out. There is something great and human about using your hands to make things and do things. It's a skill and mindset that is becoming more and more lost in our culture. A lot of what I do at work is carpentry, so I understand that. Also, anyone who knows me, personally, knows me as someone who is always making things and fixing things. When I got into ultralight hammock camping, I bought a sewing machine and taught myself to sew. I now make all my own custom outdoors gear, from hammocks to sleeping bags, tarps, underquits, even jackets.

That being said, there are things that those ultralight store bought conveniences allow you to do that old school techniques won't. For instance, backpacking 20 miles deep into the Wind River Range to climb a 13,000ft peak. An adventure like that would be near impossible without modern gear. But you could have an equally epic adventure with a knife and the clothes on your back. I think my problem above was that I was incorrectly lumping the two together into a vague category of outdoors use. The truth is that my outdoor adventures and knife uses are wholly different from those of someone who spends their time bushcrafting.

I agree that Scandi grinds make thin blades tough, but it's at the cost of slicing ability, which is more of what I use my knife for.
 
Alfazulu said:
I definitely understand the appeal. I am all about doing things. If I can make something instead of buying it, or fix something myself instead of paying someone, I try it, and it usually works out. There is something great and human about using your hands to make things and do things. It's a skill and mindset that is becoming more and more lost in our culture. A lot of what I do at work is carpentry, so I understand that. Also, anyone who knows me, personally, knows me as someone who is always making things and fixing things. When I got into ultralight hammock camping, I bought a sewing machine and taught myself to sew. I now make all my own custom outdoors gear, from hammocks to sleeping bags, tarps, underquits, even jackets.

That being said, there are things that those ultralight store bought conveniences allow you to do that old school techniques won't. For instance, backpacking 20 miles deep into the Wind River Range to climb a 13,000ft peak. An adventure like that would be near impossible without modern gear. But you could have an equally epic adventure with a knife and the clothes on your back. I think my problem above was that I was incorrectly lumping the two together into a vague category of outdoors use. The truth is that my outdoor adventures and knife uses are wholly different from those of someone who spends their time bushcrafting.

I agree that Scandi grinds make thin blades tough, but it's at the cost of slicing ability, which is more of what I use my knife for.
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Hey - I agree. You can't go to the moon with a steam engine. Bushcraft and modern backpacking are just very different pursuits, even if they occupy the same space.
 
I have a Mora and my 8OT ,so with my other gear I don't need a expensive brushcraft knife cause when I go camping I have an Ax, folding saw ,Machete and a shovel with me. Or we KOA. Now for those who do the ones I seen and handled are very nice but outside my wheelhouse.
 
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