What to buy. Mora, ESEE 3 or 4, Fallkniven F1 or Kellam Puukko?

[Mickwill]

I am new to this forum and I need some advice. I have just started putting together a good bushcraft kit and want a knife to go along with it.

I want something around the four inch mark in blade length preferably carbon steel, but I don't mind stainless(I live in the wettest part of North America and if you go outdoors a lot everything rusts no matter what you do, so the rust resistance argument means nothing to me). The handle material does not really matter although I do prefer natural materials/looks. I don't care what material sheath it is as long as it works well, plastic is better for my environment, but I like the looks and traditional side of leather. I like about 1/8 inch thick blade the best, it provides adequate strength compared to thinner blades and better cutting power compared to thicker blades. I don't want anything thicker than 3/16 inch. I am willing to spend up to $115 but I would much prefer to spend less.

I prefer traditional looks like the Kellam Puukko, but I will give the looks up if I get greater functionality. I don't plan on battoning that much, I have other ways to process wood (axes, hatchets, wedges, physics w/trees) but I would like the option to do a little. Carving, fishing, and food preparation are my main uses for the knife. I think the strength of the Puukko and Mora are plenty. Am I wrong?

I have narrowed my search down to several knives. A Fallkniven F1, an ESEE 3 or 4, a Kellam Puukko, or a Mora. I am open to suggestions of other knives that fit my description above.

So what knife should I get? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[phillipsted]

I really like the Fallkniven F1. Quite a knife.

Also, Fallkniven makes plain knife blades with no scales - so that you can make and attach your own. That can be a really fun project and would result in a totally unique knife. Just something to consider...

TedP

 

[Ken44]

Of the one's you mentioned, I say F1.

 

[LG&M]

For the money get the Moral & one of the others. I think Falkniven.

 

[Grease]

+1 for the F1. As long as you've got a strop to sharpen it on, it's a perfect knife. The convex grind slices like a thin knife, with the strength of a thick one and all the benefits that includes.

 

[Mickwill]

It doesn't have to be one of the ones I listed if you think it will work better for me. The thing about the F1 is the price, is it worth double the Kellam or quintuple a Mora for my uses?

 

[init2live]

Check out the Becker BK-16, it fits your needs and comes in way under the money you are looking to spend. It is a great knife, especially for the $$

 

[Hawkings]

for a short knife like that, I find I prefer a thin blade like the Mora clipper or the like.

 

[NonDairy]

I just put up some pics of my Esee 3 Mil CP. I am having a Kydex sheath made for it after Christmas and have Knifeworks g10 handles on the way.

here - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-month-have-some-pics?p=11638019#post11638019

 

[inkynate]

I have the Mora, F1, & an RC4 (pre-ESEE). They are all excellent. Buy a Mora right away. You can always (& probably will) buy more knives later, lol.

 

[Mickwill]

I think I will get a Mora now, but what knife should I get besides the Mora? To avoid another thread posting in the future.

 

[Jet B]

I really like my F1. But if I was after a cheaper knife I would probably buy another Mora. One of the fancier ones.

 

[inkynate]

For me, it would be the ESEE-4. The 4 was my first "nice" knife purchase when I started getting into blades a few years ago, and it remains my favorite in the four inch category. It's just right for me, and I've used the hell out of it! The F1 has better steel and the convex edge, but the 4 just looks and feels more rugged. I personally find the choil on it the be a big plus. ESEE also has a better warranty, better sheath w/ more carry options, and is made in the USA :thumbup:

I think that Becker is another great choice if you have any budget concerns. They are definitely cheaper out of the box, but if you think you would want to upgrade the scales to micarta and get an aftermarket kydex sheath, you'll probably be up to the ESEE price point anyway.

 

[PatrickKnight]

Everyone should own a Mora. That being said my go to outdoors knife is a ESEE 3 mil. I got the mil because it comes with a ton of carry options that the other models dont. Also its 1/8th inch stock keeps the weight down and makes it slice like no tomorrow. Even with than thin stock it is still tough as nails.

 

[Mountain Mike]

Everything you wrote screams BK16!

 

[1066vik]

Mora robust, or BK16 would be my top picks - both meet the criteria you gave and neither will break the bank.
I would hold off on the ESEE4, Kellam, and F1 until you have more time in the woods using a knife to determine what will eventually work best for you. (at which point you may want to look at some of the custom offerings from JK, Tackett13, KFU, and TM Hunt -- all of which I am familiar with and provide quality cutlery options under $175)

 

[BRab]

Of the choices I would say the F1 is best, I much prefer it to the ESEE's as their blade shape isn't as ideal for bushcraft work as the others are. However, the Mora's may be your best bet. They may be cheap but they are more than capable, and you can several for much less than any one of your other options. I have no experience with the Kellam so I'll let others speak to that.

 

[FTR-14c]

For light duty I like the Mora Force or Bushcraft both in Sandvic.
They are a little beefier than the clipper. The scalloped blade on the Bushcraft is sweet.

For a more heavy duty knife the F1 is hard to beat for the price.

The Coldsteel Master Hunter is worth looking at. I have had good luck with it.
The San Mai III blade takes a good edge and holds it well.It also comes
with a decent sheath.

 

[Mikael W]

I am new to this forum and I need some advice. I have just started putting together a good bushcraft kit and want a knife to go along with it.

I want something around the four inch mark in blade length preferably carbon steel, but I don't mind stainless(I live in the wettest part of North America and if you go outdoors a lot everything rusts no matter what you do, so the rust resistance argument means nothing to me). The handle material does not really matter although I do prefer natural materials/looks. I don't care what material sheath it is as long as it works well, plastic is better for my environment, but I like the looks and traditional side of leather. I like about 1/8 inch thick blade the best, it provides adequate strength compared to thinner blades and better cutting power compared to thicker blades. I don't want anything thicker than 3/16 inch. I am willing to spend up to $115 but I would much prefer to spend less.

I prefer traditional looks like the Kellam Puukko, but I will give the looks up if I get greater functionality. I don't plan on battoning that much, I have other ways to process wood (axes, hatchets, wedges, physics w/trees) but I would like the option to do a little. Carving, fishing, and food preparation are my main uses for the knife. I think the strength of the Puukko and Mora are plenty. Am I wrong?

I have narrowed my search down to several knives. A Fallkniven F1, an ESEE 3 or 4, a Kellam Puukko, or a Mora. I am open to suggestions of other knives that fit my description above.

So what knife should I get? Any advice is appreciated.

F1, Mora Robust & Force are knives I own and use.
I can recommend any of them!

I have only heard good things of the Kellams, but no personal experience.

I had a friends Izula in my workshop for sharpening.
Nice but very soft compared to my own choices, but as seen above people here swear by their ESEE's!:thumbup:

If the Kellam is what You like,I believe You will not be disappointed.
It's important that the tools of Your choices fits Your taste.


Regards
Mikael

 

[Mickwill]

I am going to get the Light My Fire FireKnife, it is a Mora with a Swedish Fire Steel Scout in the butt of the handle. Well the second knife I think has come down to the F1 and the ESEE-3. I looked at the BK-16 and I did not really like it. If I get the ESEE-3 I think I will convex it slightly. If I get the F1 my main concern is the edge angle. It looks like a rather steep convex. Is the edge on the F1 a good carver? Is it hard to control on things like feather sticks? Any insight would be much appreciated.