What's a good fixed blade bushcraft knife?

I have a big Bark River, and ESEE fan, but I have to admit the Becker BK16 looks like a great knife, and great value. I have to pick one up.
 
condor bushlore. $35 shipped, 1075 HC steel, wood handle scales. common man variant of ray mears knife.
 
Bird and trout models might be something to check out, they tend to fall in that size and cost ratio you're looking for.
 
If you're like me, your hands may be a little too big for the ESEE 4. If the handle was a little bit bigger, it would have been perfect. However, I still love the knife. I would definitely check out the B.O.B. from TOPS though. It fits my hand better and I use it quite often with much enjoyment.
 
I like the Mora knives. In particular the Companion (this should fit your hands well) and 510.
Good steel, good balance and handling, good prices, good variety, etc ... They're easy to sharpen and all but beg to be used. After all is not like you'll mess up a huge investment.

Been thinking pretty hard on modding an Old Hickory Slicer into some simulacrum of a Sapien.
 
TheBushWookie said:
I've been looking at all sorts of fixed blades ranging from average sized blades like the Tops BOB and Schrade F36 to medium sized knives like the Ka Bar Warthog and Potbelly but just can't decide on which on I should get. Here's what I'm looking for.

1. it has to be either a medium sized knife or an average sized knife because I already have a large knife lined up and my hands are too big for a small knife.
Click to expand...

Can you be more specific as to the length? What do you plan to use it for?
 
I love my Mora's for the money they are an exceptional value, and there are some very nice Scandi bladed knives offered out there with nice handles. Go take a peak at Ragweed forge, he carries many of the better brands from the nordic countries at a fair price.
https://www.ragweedforge.com/
 
modded old hickory knife... Haven't user this particular variant yet... Soon! 1095 steel with Ontario's excellent heat treat. Oak handles aged with vinegar and vinegar patina on the blade. Convex edge. Razor sharp.




I have been using a Mora Classic 2 for the last few years, and have a KaBar Becker 2 as well... (the 16 looks fantastic!)
 
RedLynx said:
I know, he just looks kinda dead... Don't get me wrong I support hunting and hunters' rights and believe it serves a valuable function, within reason. The photo just leaves a bad taste in my mouth is all (no reflection on the poster). I know we have squirrel season and all. In some parts of the world they're on protected species' lists, interestingly.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. They taste great and here (Ohio) there are anything but endangered. If they weighed 100 pounds, they would rule the world. :D

Bob W said:
...
My second opinion, that knife is way too big for cleaning squirrel. :eek:
...
Click to expand...

Agreed! You should see the pics of me doing the same task w/ my BK9 though. :D My normal choice for that work is a BK11 or a SAK but sometimes it's a good idea to make yourself do a task with the "wrong" knife to learn that it's not so bad if you use the knife the way it wants to be used.


But to the OP's point - BK16 is (still) a really great choice.

---

Beckerhead #42
 
Last edited:
BK 16 is the one knife on my Christmas list... +1 +1!

My only fear is that I will use it instead of the Kephart I made myself!
 
Go for a scandi' grind in high carbon steel. Pick a handle material you like, i.e wood or plastic etc. And then go for blade shapes you like the look of from a reputable manufacturer.

Or just find one from the pictures you see here and go for it! But for a beginner bushy knife I'd always say go for a scandi' grind because the most work it'll be doing is wood stuff, unless you're a hunter. If you intend to hunt aswell as cut sticks then go for a flat grind, again in carbon steel.

My direct recommendations would be any one of the Mora models. They come in plastic handles, wooden handles, carbon, laminated and stainless steel, are very good for just about anything and are very cheap!

I have several Mora's, a 510 a 511 and a classic. All great!

I also have had numerous other names and styles of 'bushcraft' knives but I ended up selling them all and keeping my Mora's.
 
Anything with a carbon steel blade about 4-5 inches in length, full tang construction, a 90-degree spine, and a round comfortable handle will perform well. Blade geometry is kinda personal - some guys love the scandi's, others prefer the convex or zero grinds.

As recommended above^^^ take a look at Bark River. I have had excellent experience with their Bravo-1's:

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top