What's up with bushcraft craze?

Keep in mind that many and most of us live in sprawling urban environments, where trees and trails are scarce and accessible only during extensive vacations. For us bushcrafting is a form of escapism, a longing for quite places and the pleasures of simple freedoms long gone. There are few things better than sitting around a warm cracklings camp fire with a few friends, just enjoying the fresh air and the sounds and sights of the natural world.

Unfortunately, that world tends to fade. Life, work, responsibilities, illness, aging, urban sprawl, overpopulation, etc. has Reduced us to staring at a Yule log on the boob tube.

But, we can dream, remember and perhaps even find the rare opportunity to return to those simple pleasures.

n2s
 
Smiling said:
Well I understand that people who are into knives watch videos about knives.
And bushcraft seems to be current thing there.
And the guy mentioning it never actually did real bushcraft.

So, you want to find a good general purpose knife, yet all you can find is bushcraft videos with few exceptions. And that kinda sucks.

My EDC needs are simple, not too big, but also not tiny knife. I use it for small cutting tasks mostly, sometimes split a sandwich or pry something or cut some tougher material.
So, a bit thicker, 7-10cm (or 3-4inch) blade with stronger tip is perfect choice.
Also, with a guard, so that knife is a viable self defense option too.
And there you go, a good general purpose knife for EDC, if you ask me.
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You might want to start a fresh thread about that. Folks tend to lock into the opening post of a thread.
 
I vaguely heard of “bushcraft” when I bought my first EDC a few year’s back. Recently I ordered a Fallkniven folder but as I await its arrival and “research” further the knife and brand of my purchase I’ve gotten sucked into watching Bushcraft videos because of the many Fallkniven fixed blade knife reviews. I find the bushcraft sport kind of funny. I can see how it appeals to gear collectors, meanwhile there is the oxymoron of self-reliance.
 
It's not so much as a craze of bushcraft as it has been around a long time now, however you noticing the way knives are reviewed for that purpose may be. Manufacturers may know the market they are aimed at and reviews do the same tests for various knives which gives a base for performance for many. Is it the best way? No of course not however the youtubers make a living on likes and subs and this gets the job done.

Watched one for a Schrade knife the other day, very typical commercial, voiceover, tactical finish, making feather sticks and a hilarious baton of a log. Guess it works for them?
 
I'm a passive bushcrafter. Like, I know how to build a primitive fire and set a a dead fall trap, etc.

For me, Bushcraft is less about roughing it in the woods for 2 weeks and more about making a fast and fun fire in the backyard.

The best all around bushcraft knife I own is a Fiddleback Woodsman. It's an OG knife from 10+ years back. 6" blade and thick enough to baton. Super sharp, super reliable. Probably my favorite knife in my collection.
 
Lateck said:
I'll go with the Bushcraft craze over the "Tactical Rambo" craze any day.
I'm going to wait till the "Urbancrafting" craze before I worry. :cool:
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The thousands of homeless might just need some "urban crafting" especially in the west coast states. Learned today from my nephew that Seattle has a tax on sugar drinks..... don't know what that has to do with bushcrafting, but I might be able to figure something out.

I only learned about bushcrafting on the forums in the last 20 years. I always called it "woods craft". Is there any different? Probably not. I have the ability to make small tools camping if I need to, baton wood for a fire, make shavings for tinder, cut stakes for a tent, cut functional walking sticks or staffs, hang a line to dry clothes in the woods, build a reasonable over night shelter..... but I seldom ever do any of this.

Most of us live in urban areas and don't get out much.
 
Well I see appeal of bushcraft to people. And I see nothing wrong with it.

I find it kinda funny that every knife gets bushcraft evaluation. Even knives not particularly designed for bushcraft.

And manufacturers are also aiming at that big audience and are pushing out more and more scandi style blades (which I understand, they want a profit).

So, for people who aren't into bushcraft it's hard to find a decent review and not to mention other tests. I mean I found a youtuber who cut sythetic materials like thicker rubber and seatbelt and I was like "WOW, they exist".
I mean car seatbelt cutting test should be here more often for knives suitable for EDC.

However your answers did help me to see full image, so I have to say thanks to everyone who replied to this thread :)
 
its a little funny how bushcraft knives
became hyped up as a legitimate knife fad.
its almost as if pc types
pushed their agenda to topple
tactical knives for top spot
as most popular knife type
of the day :-)
i agree that its not eveyone's
cup of tea, but because it has
been popularized, folks out
looking for a "good knife" simply
buy into it because its the trend.
it would be a matter of time
before some new commercial fad comes along
to leave the bushcraft knife in the able
hands of true hardcore practitioners of bush crafting.
now if only that includes methods in which
a bushcraft knife might help in dealing with marauding hungry bears in the woods...
 
A bushcrafttype knife is just very usefull, also in a broader sense.

And I guess tactical knives are becoming less interesting, because more people realise that it more rewarding to do camp-related stuff than playing tactical-related stuff.
 
GIRLYmann said:
its a little funny how bushcraft knives
became hyped up as a legitimate knife fad.
its almost as if pc types
pushed their agenda to topple
tactical knives for top spot
as most popular knife type
of the day :)
i agree that its not eveyone's
cup of tea, but because it has
been popularized, folks out
looking for a "good knife" simply
buy into it because its the trend.
it would be a matter of time
before some new commercial fad comes along
to leave the bushcraft knife in the able
hands of true hardcore practitioners of bush crafting.
now if only that includes methods in which
a bushcraft knife might help in dealing with marauding hungry bears in the woods...
Click to expand...
Well I'm also happier with bushcraft knives holding top place than tactical knives honestly.

Tactical knives often have unpractical design, or are just designed to look scary. Double edge blade is useful for combat, but not as useful for general daily use for example.

But as for general purpose EDC, I was looking for something versalite.
Something that can cut, stab and handle some harder use if it's needed. Batoning and fire steel scraping play no role here.
Knives that check that out are ESEE models 3 and 4 if you have more money, and more affordable options like Manly Patriot in D2, CS Drop Forged Hunter, Becker Eskabar...
 
the usage of tbe term "bush craft knife"
has become blurred.
in that there have been instances where some folks have implied that such and such a knife could be used for bushcrafting, duh??! :-)
neo-bushcrafting purist will be infuriated that any knife other than what was developed for the challenging eco-friendly one-with-nature philosophy of bushcrafting
is labled upon any random knife :)
understand that bushcrafting is not about roughing it out in the middle of no where. but rather being
completely at home and at ease from
all fear of the unknown as a preffered wilderness lifestyle.
yeah, its sad that some folks place way too
much importance on what the knife ought to
look like or is capable to carry out and do;
when it is really all about moulding a
mindset to conform to the environmental
challenges with minimal impact to the surrounding host :-)
knives are designed for specific task.in mind.
hence the idea of have knives for
specific activities like say - hunting, suddenly doubles up for camp chores.
depending on its built and dimensions a knife may excelling in some and fail miserably in others.
like wise there is no absolute one can do-it-all design.
so it is imperative that one prepares with
a little more than just a single blade if not
for the sake of proving one for being a little too single minded to the point of blindness :-)
 
Danke42 said:
You need to get off the net and in the bush! And most importantly not above the bushline.
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Awwww ... Above the bushline/treeline is fun! :)

My in the sticks or in the farther out "boonies" knives, are a Mora Number 1, Buck 110, and a large (4.25 inch closed) Rough Rider stockman.

They must work, since I've always made it back home.

I learned long ago "finesse (and skill) beats brute force".

As for "stepping back in time" ....
Trust me. "back in the day" the "mountain man", "trappers", "explorers", etc. had a belt axe, froe, splitting wedge, and a bow saw in their kit.
They didn't limit themselves to just a knife.
I doubt any had even heard of batoning a knife, and I seriously doubt they would ever do such.

Attend a Buckskinner Rendezvous living history event sometime, to see what was really used and carried during the fur trade era.

Some of them boys an girls are big in the Historical Accuracy and Period Correctness department.
(to the point of "That strap buckle and rivet are 50 years too new" (you can't use that buckle or those straps where they will be seen) and "Your clothing was machine sewn!" (Not acceptable! Get out of here!!!")
 
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Ajack60 said:
People are watching too many YouTube videos and not making their own decisions. Knife makers, both large and small are taking advantage of the latest flavor trying to sell more knives.
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Yes, YouTube is probably exactly why Bushcraft is trendy lately.
I enjoy watching the videos and have learned things, but using BC as the benchmark of a knives worthiness is generally pretty limiting IMHO.
 
Smiling said:
Well I understand that people who are into knives watch videos about knives.
And bushcraft seems to be current thing there.
And the guy mentioning it never actually did real bushcraft.

So, you want to find a good general purpose knife, yet all you can find is bushcraft videos with few exceptions. And that kinda sucks.

My EDC needs are simple, not too big, but also not tiny knife. I use it for small cutting tasks mostly, sometimes split a sandwich or pry something or cut some tougher material.
So, a bit thicker, 7-10cm (or 3-4inch) blade with stronger tip is perfect choice.
Also, with a guard, so that knife is a viable self defense option too.
And there you go, a good general purpose knife for EDC, if you ask me.
Click to expand...

There are still plenty of reviews that cover EDC knife concepts. I assume you're looking for a fixed blade because you keep getting directed to bushcraft, which is a pretty general term really. If you search for EDC fixed blades, you should get a lot of responses. I prefer to search in google and then find the bladeforums listings there, it's a lot faster for me than using the forum's search function. I'm not sure what reviewers you watch, but most are pretty realistic about a knife's use even if they test it out in various theoretical settings, because it's interesting.

Since you have an idea of what you're looking for, bladeHQ has one of the better filters for finding knives within a set of parameters. I would do some searching there if you're looking for something. If you are simply voicing your discontent with how bushcraft knives is an over-used term (my words), true. I've actually gone back to calling knives woods knives, or woodcraft knives, because bushcraft knife covers too broad a spectrum now, because it's a bit of a catchy term. Like tactical knife.

We tend to be knife guys here and so in talking about knives, we often come across tasks that use knives. Bushcraft tends to use a knife as the central tool so it makes sense that it would be a pretty popular subject on a knife board, but there are certainly many, many other uses to a knife.
 
As a child and as a teenager, my bushcraft knife happened to be whatever one I had on me when I left home. I had a fixed, a couple slippies and a lockback. Usually had one of them in my pocket. Worked good for me no matter which one I was “caught” with. Its all about skill when in the bush. If you have the skill, a rock can work. No knife necessary (I know, blasphemy!), but convenient. :)
 
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I'm not personally a bushcrafter but I am highly entertained by the DBK youtube channel. What's missing in my collection is a good fixed blade, which thanks to their channel will likely be a Mora Garberg
 
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