whats a good bush craft knife for around 100$

BRK&T Lil' Nessy.....4" 51-200(ball bearing)carbon steel "nessmuk"(spelling?)style blade,under $100

Shown with green micarta handles(lowest cost)
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bearthedog said:
Checkout the Makers forum, many good knives by great people here from the forums. I have done some reviews on some of the knifemakers here on bladeforums and I am all about supporting those guys, they work hard to give us knives that will work even harder.

Check out what Tonym, tknife, j williams and mtnfolk mike are using, that will tell you. Those guys know all the makers around here.

-RB
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Couldn't agree more.
I have picked up some excellent stuff (more on the way too) in that price range from makers on the forum. If I get a chance tonight, I will post some pics of some of them - they are all good "Bushy's" - that's basically what I gravitate towrds myself shen picking a knife.
 
I wholeheartedly recommend Dave Farmer. Incredible steel, incredibly sharp.
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Sorry for the poor quality of this one, couldn't zoom in on the teensy curls:
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Add a Fiskars hatchet, and you've got a ridiculously effective combo.
 
Never got into Farmers blades.

Maybe it's just the pictures but the scales always look really flat and thin, almost unfinished and then the edge always projects from the handle instead of being in line with it.

I know I must be missing something cause a lot of folks really rave about them so maybe it's just the pics.:rolleyes:
 
I love my Farmer blade and take and use it more than any of my fixed blades. His knives are no nonsense blades made very well priced reasonably so as people could actually afford a custom knife. He is a great guy and his passion for knives shows. I have a couple different scale types and yes some are flat and thinner than the more robost blade handles but then he also makes a rounder handle. If you ask I'm sure he will make it to your liking. My hands are not that big so his knives work just fine by me. AND I hate to admit it but I've sliced my thumb and finger on a couple different occassions due to there crazy sharpness. I know what you mean about not really getting into a knive makers style but I usually refrain from saying such...but to each his own.
 
Diamond Dog said:
I love my Farmer blade and take and use it more than any of my fixed blades. His knives are no nonsense blades made very well priced reasonably so as people could actually afford a custom knife. He is a great guy and his passion for knives shows. I have a couple different scale types and yes some are flat and thinner than the more robost blade handles but then he also makes a rounder handle. If you ask I'm sure he will make it to your liking. My hands are not that big so his knives work just fine by me. AND I hate to admit it but I've sliced my thumb and finger on a couple different occassions due to there crazy sharpness. I know what you mean about not really getting into a knive makers style but I usually refrain from saying such...but to each his own.
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That's good to know.
 
Diamond Dog said:
I know what you mean about not really getting into a knive makers style but I usually refrain from saying such...but to each his own.
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Well I have a different approach on that.

One of my pet peeves about the forums and of course even worse knife magazines is the reviews are usually all super glowing.

Many times I've rushed out to buy a blade that was described as the second coming only to say to myself "why didn't they mention _______" in the review.
when I received the blade.

So when I talk about knives I talk about what I like and don't like about them so if somebody is reading what I'm writing they know I'm not just pimping for the maker. Any time I read a review that is all glowing I always question #1 was the person GIVEN the knife #2 Have they ever really used it:D
 
It's a bit thicker than most like, but the Himalayan Imports R-10 has served well:
R-10a.jpg


And while not as much of a drop point as most like, it's hard to pass up an RC-4:
rc-4-field2.jpg


If you don't need a full tang knife, the Jarvenpaa puukko has served extremely well (I have the one in the middle):
puukko.jpg


The HI is well under $100, the RC-4 is just over $100, the Jarvenpaa is usually under $50..
 
I will speak for David here....HD, David will make the knife to your specifications if you wish. He is a skilled craftsman. He is also a good friend, but more than that he wants you to own a knife that you can trust that will keep cutting when you need it to. give him a hollar and see what you all come up with.
 
hollowdweller said:
Never got into Farmers blades.

Maybe it's just the pictures but the scales always look really flat and thin, almost unfinished and then the edge always projects from the handle instead of being in line with it.

I know I must be missing something cause a lot of folks really rave about them so maybe it's just the pics.:rolleyes:
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Actually, I always thought the exact same about his blades until I got one.

The 'dropped' edge didn't appeal to me at first, but it makes for great control when using it. The blade also appears (and is slightly) upswept in the pictures instead of in-line, but it allows for some good belly and a powerful cut.

The thinnish handles are my only 'complaint' about this knife. Thicker slabs would really help. But as is, it's very useable without much discomfort (unless you're doing a really long cutting session). My apparently giant paws are pretty picky about handles.

The edge that David puts on his blades is really superb.

Either way, I've paid a whole lot more for a blade and received a drastically less functional knife than the Farmer. The value per dollar is just silly.

And I totally hear what you're saying about constantly seeing rave reviews on a blade, then being sorely disappointed when you get one in your hands! I can't say whether his stuff will fit your hand or not, but I'm sure he'd be able to work with you on thickness, etc. I'm thinking of getting him to do another one of these for me with thicker slabs.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
Either way, I've paid a whole lot more for a blade and received a drastically less functional knife than the Farmer. The value per dollar is just silly.
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You touched on another of my pet peeves. The pricing of customs. There seems to be no correlation between price and quality.

For instance I really like Forge finished knives, and the rustic look. But a lot of times I'll pass them by because the maker is charging more than one that some maker that put hours into putting the final finish on:rolleyes:

Like you say Farmers are reasonable and also for what you get from Dan Koster w/regard to the steel and edge his forged finish ones are reasonable but some others just make no sense to me. There are tons of makers coming on board yet the prices are not reflecting the competition (yet):thumbup:;)
 
hollowdweller said:
You touched on another of my pet peeves. The pricing of customs. There seems to be no correlation between price and quality.

For instance I really like Forge finished knives, and the rustic look. But a lot of times I'll pass them by because the maker is charging more than one that some maker that put hours into putting the final finish on:rolleyes:

Like you say Farmers are reasonable and also for what you get from Dan Koster w/regard to the steel and edge his forged finish ones are reasonable but some others just make no sense to me. There are tons of makers coming on board yet the prices are not reflecting the competition (yet):thumbup:;)
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I'm in that same boat with ya! Some very disproportionate pricing pops up, when the details are often overlooked.
 
I'm sorry if I've stirred the pot a little--No offense meant to HD as I really value his opinion and many others on this forum. Everyone's needs are different no doubts about that. But I try my hardest not to say I don't get what everyone likes about (fill in the blank knife makers knife) as a form of dislike merly on what I've seen. That is usually because there would be a dozen posters arguing and such (I'm thinking of the old mora and busse threads). I think I know what happened for starters the OP asked for help on choosing a knife with a budget in mind not what someone doesn't really ever get into--as I or anyone could say Oh I never get into such and such only to open up a can of worms, if you know what I mean. Secondly, I seen the smiley with the rolling eyes and I took it as if it were a diss to the knife maker--but going back and reading I think it was for the pictures taken. I really use and like Farmer blades and I was merely standing by the knife maker and his product is all.
+1 on Spookys eloquent explantion of his experience with a knife.
 
No offense taken Diamond it's all good:thumbup:

I thought what you said opened up another line of conversation, and that's a good thing.
 
Bark River North star = a great bushcraft knife! Thats what it was made for. I love mine. Good luck, M
 
I'm really liking the last custom I bought a couple of months ago. Muskrat Man Full Tang Puuko; but I don't think he is taking orders right now due to trying to get caught up. He makes this, a nice Bushcraft model, A Kephart and some Nessies all for $100; $125 with sheath.

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I like custom made knives too but if you want to save a little $ try ColdSteel
The RoachBelly -
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NIB from SMKW for $12.99 + shipping :thumbup:
4116 krupp stainless steel blade/ 8 1/2"oa length/polypropylene handle w/ lanyard hole & black cordura sheath ;)
 
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