What's your ultimate (non-Mora) Scandi?

[kage]

I've had Moras for a while but hadn't started using them much until recently (I've had them stashed in BOBs and the car, etc, because of their low cost and great reputation) and now I am gaining a new appreciation for the Scandi grind and the ease of sharpening it. I've typically leaned towards flat grinds, although the convex job and major thinning that Siguy did on my Kershaw Outcast and Fiskars hatchet have really impressed me (review to follow when I find the time).

I have all the usual suspects: M2000, carbon and stainless Clippers, triflex and stainless Craftsman, and the beloved 510 and 545. I use these for general bushcraft and basic tool making, nothing too fancy or complicated, for a guy who isn't too fancy or complicated.

Now I want to see what some of the higher end Scandis can do. I'm not a traditionalist so I don't need birch and antler or horn handles, fur-trimmed poorly-made sheaths (yeah, I know not all of them have bad sheaths, but I'll get a kydex sheath made, regardless), silver metal pommels, etc. I would prefer a synthetic handle, but I'm not opposed to a plain curly birch handle, either. Full tang would be nice, but not an absolute. And I would definitely prefer a carbon blade (I'm open to steel suggestions), preferrably under 4 inches. Oh, and I would like to keep it at a reasonable price, as in sub-$150. Essentially, a work knife.

I was planning on getting an Enzo Trapper in O1 with green micarta handles, but I haven't been able to find any completed models and I don't want to go through the minimal effort of putting one of the kits together as I just don't have the time with everything else going on in my life.

I've read plenty of good reviews about the Skookum Bush Tool, but I don't want to wait a year to get it.

I'm looking at the regular carbon Roselli Carpenter as it has always gotten rave reviews, is inexpensive and I've eye-balled it for a few years. I haven't actually held one though and the handle is very unusual.

I've pretty much fallen in love with Koyote's passaround Leuku and am considering ordering one of those in Scandi, even though it's larger, but it's thinner and lightweight to offset the length. The extra length would be nice for batonning.

I know of Scandi's from Koyote, Brian Andrews of Off The Map Outfitters, Skookum Bush Tools and the massive selection from Ragweed Forge and Ben's Backwoods (both great companies that I highly recommend). What else have I missed?

Tell me what YOUR ultimate (non-Mora) work Scandi is and why? What maker? What steel? What blade length? Why would you choose this over the myriad of Scandi's out there?

Sorry for the ridiculously long post and thank you for your help!:thumbup:

 

[theedge13]

Honestly, my ultimate scandi is the scandi grind nessie by Koster.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I've handled lots, the Brian Andrews is my favorite scandi bushcraft knife. That said, the M2K is still near the top of the list (custom or otherwise) as a fav.

 

[JTC3495]

My favorite scandi is my Koster Bushcrafter in 3V. It is one of my alltime favorite knives period. It handles really well, cuts well, and is super stout. It to me is perfectly designed and very comfortable to hold. Mine has held up well for me so far and I carry it for work, camping and yard work. It holds an edge well and has not shown any signs of rust developing. This is my favorite anyway.

 

[RescueRiley]

I'm a acandiman all the way... when you say you want to see what a higher end scandi "can do" as opposed to a mora I'm going to say not much in terms of cutting performance... if you have a single bevel scandi piece of 1095 it's going to cut pretty much the same no matter the wrapper...That being said..In terms of over all toughness and reliability in an scandi package you can contact DP knives and get a scandi Camp master it is my most used bush knife

Aside from that I use moras allot but 2 other high end I reccomend are the Helle symfoni, and the Kellam Puukko

 

[Rockywolf]

Bens backwoods has completed Enzos.
I have one and it is one of my most used knives.

 

[absolutindian]

I posted something similar a little more than a week ago. RescueRiley sent me a couple of his to have a look at. One was the DP Campmaster he pictured above, the other was an Enzo Trapper. Both are fine blades, though I decided I liked the trapper better because it fit my hand really well. Extremely solid knife with nice comfortable micarta scales. That being said, at some point I think I will be buying a nice pukko at some point in the near future

 

[desmobob]

Helle Harding. A very classy and totally functional knife at a decent cost.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[kage]

Honestly, my ultimate scandi is the scandi grind nessie by Koster.

I like the look of some of the Koster's, but I don't really get the whole nessie thing. What purpose does the hump serve? After saying that, I still want one, just because. I may pick up one from Condor when they're available, because of the price.

I've handled lots, the Brian Andrews is my favorite scandi bushcraft knife. That said, the M2K is still near the top of the list (custom or otherwise) as a fav.

I like the look of the Brian Andrews knife a lot. How do you like the handle? Is it fairly versatile? His website says his wait time is only 4 weeks, which is amazing for a custom!
I probably have not used the M2K enough, but I prefer my other Moras over it. The grind is strange to me and the blade is a little long for my inexperienced hands for finer woodwork. I do like the handle a lot though. Very comfortable for long use. I'm thinking of getting the Neverlost version, too. Hard to beat for the cost.

My favorite scandi is my Koster Bushcrafter in 3V. It is one of my alltime favorite knives period. It handles really well, cuts well, and is super stout. It to me is perfectly designed and very comfortable to hold. Mine has held up well for me so far and I carry it for work, camping and yard work. It holds an edge well and has not shown any signs of rust developing. This is my favorite anyway.

That Bushcraft is really beautiful. The handle looks simpler than many, which I like. I'd forgotten about this one! How do you like 3V and how do you think it compares to O1, D2 & A2? From what little I've read about it is sounds like a phenomenal steel. How long did you wait for it?

In terms of over all toughness and reliability in an scandi package you can contact DP knives and get a scandi Camp master it is my most used bush knife

That looks like a great knife and it's one I haven't seen before. I'll have to check out his stuff and his prices are definitely right. Is the handle thinner towards the butt end? Maybe it's just the light. How do you like the handle on it? Thanks for the pictures, that definitely helps!

Bens backwoods has completed Enzos.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have them in stock any more and doesn't know when he'll get more in. I should have jumped on one a few months ago when I saw them there. Is the handle well finished on yours and does it have a lanyard hole in it?

RescueRiley sent me a couple of his to have a look at. One was the DP Campmaster he pictured above, the other was an Enzo Trapper. Both are fine blades, though I decided I liked the trapper better because it fit my hand really well. Extremely solid knife with nice comfortable micarta scales. That being said, at some point I think I will be buying a nice pukko at some point in the near future

Thank you for the comparison between the two. That's very helpful. I definitely prefer synthetic handles...probably the military in me. For some reason the Enzo Trapper really appeals to me.

I definitely want to get a really nice puuko sometime too, but right now I'm building up my working knife collection for outdoor use.

Thank you everyone for your responses so far. Definitely food for thought.

Anyone else want to chime in?

 

[desmobob]

Helle Harding. A very classy and totally functional knife at a decent cost.

Geesh! I forgot about the Koster BF Bushcraft in 3V! :thumbup: If the handle were a little larger and it didn't have the jimping on the back of the blade, it would be my easy favorite.


Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Re: the BGA handle: It's the most comfortable and most versatile handle I own. Very, very thoughtfully placed swells and curved. Fits almost like an egg in your palm. I have med-large sized hands if that helps. It naturally places your hand right at the base of the edge, and it works comfortable in any grip configurations I've tried.

The edge is kind of a constant ellipsis which makes it slice like a devil.

Here's some old pics, if they help:

 

[tonym]

My Helle Falknivem is a great cutter and whittler.


My Wilson Damascus is outstanding


But my Brian Andrews Bushcraft is just an excellent user and ver comfortable



Dan Koster makes a kickass Scandi grind as well.
I sold my bushcraft by him, but am on his list for a his 09 run:thumbup:

 

[Thaumaturgist]

That being said..In terms of over all toughness and reliability in an scandi package you can contact DP knives and get a scandi Camp master it is my most used bush knife

I've got the Camp Master from DPKnives, and its a superb knife. The more I use it, the more I like it. I know Doug's done some other scandi's too. Check out the G-11 Forester he has for sale in the makers for sale forum. I can tell you that it'll look better in the hand than any pics.

 

[CarpScot]

Koster 3V Bushcrafter

 

[udtjim]

A bunch of Helle's

 

[DPKnives]

Here is mine it is my Forester model. It is 3/16" thick and has James Todd G-11 for handles and some nice mosaics and black liners. Doug

 

[Cliff Nieporte]

I'm really liking my Brian Andrews blade:

It cuts through wood like nothing else I have. The workmanship is top notch.
The handle is comforatble when using a variety of grips.

If I want to use something a little bigger (which isn't too often),I grab this Ahti Leuku:

Blade is around 5" of carbon steel & it looks kinda cool. The handle may not look very comfortable to use,but it really surprised me how nice it is to grip.

The Helle Harding is smaller than the other 2 but is a good size & weight to carry.

Very sharp SS blade & it looks kinda cool too.

Cliff

 

[theedge13]

I also dig Brusletto Nansen. Similar to the Helle..good knife! My M2K gets the majority of the work tho. Just being honest here.

 

[hollowdweller]

That's a hard question for me.

This one is my favorite neck knife sized one. Made by Charlie Ridge

For a big one that can chop or split this Shing in 4mm plus steel is a fave:

When I want a simlar size knife but more of a slicer this shing in 3mm is good

I just finished this one but this little compact Shing in 3mm and camel bone is destined to be a favorite:

If I was dropped on an island with no whetstone or oil I'd take this Koster because the 3v stays sharp forever and it pretty resistant to rust. Also like that it's compact

The handle is a little boxy but for close whittling this Charlie May works good. Plus while I don't like the D2 as well as 01 it's better for wet times

Probably my all time favorite as far as comfort is my Skookum. I've used it a LOT

 

[hollowdweller]

Also I'd like to say that for sheer deep cutting power the Brian Andrews and the Charlie Ridge are tops, although they are a bit harder to plane something flat with than the others with the more straight edge. I think the Skookum and the Charlie May have about the best blend of slight curve but still straight enough to plane. They don't cut with as much concentrated power as the Charlieridge or the Brian Andrews, nor do they plane as well as the Koster or the Shing. Good for both but not best at either.