Woods Knife Recomendation

the gimp

the gimp

Joined
Mar 19, 2003
Messages
521
Hi everyone I'm in the market for a new woods knife and can't make up my mind on what to purchase. I have $150 or so to spend and it must include knife+sheath. My only stipulation is that the knife must be readily available. I have no patience to wait for a knife to be made :D

One of the models I have been seriously considering is the Blind Horse Bushcrafter w/scandi edge.

Another knife that interests me is Benchmades 158CSK II combat survival knife in 1095 (though theres a youtube vid of the blade chipping out):cool:

So if you had a $150 to spend on a general use woods knife what models would you be looking at.

Thanks!
 
I've also been shopping around for a woods knife. Bought an Ontario TAK made of D2 steel with coating. It's very sturdy and sharpens up nice. I also bought a Mora Clipper with scandi grind - very inexpensive and is easy to sharpen up in the field. I am now on the list for a Turley Gasconade River and this will probably be my doo-awl woods knife. Blade is 3/16" o-1 steel, 4 1/4" long with convex grind. The wait time is 6 months but hey, I'm going to pass that time anyway. Might as well have something nice waiting for me down the line.

Good luck on your search,
sky
 
go visit the makers 'for sale' forum here. Find a knife that you like, in the steel you want.

Buy it. :D
 
Hi the gimp -

Have a look at JK Handmade Knives - he makes several models, and it does not require a month-long wait to get one.

Recently Stomper has been gearing up to have a few knives on hand for folks such as yourself who would prefer to just buy rather than order and customize their knife.

Here is a link to Stomper's forum here -

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=830

Here is a picture of some of the blades Stomper has made for me -

DSC_5199.JPG


Top to bottom:

Riverwoods Companion
Kephart
Combat/Survival
Knatchet
Gambler's Bowie

I have a few more - you can see pictures here:

http://www.iammoon.com/albums/knives/JK Knife/index.html

Stomper uses 01 steel in his knives, and I have never had any problem with any of my JK Knives - they take a licking.

best regards -

mqqn
 
Fallkniven F1 is popular and very well built , if you want stainless
ESEE RC 4 or 3 if you like carbon steel with tough coating
all above are all purpose small to medium tough knives
 
mqqn thank you for posting up the picture and links. I will take a look at his website! I really like the looks of his kephart and combat/survival knife. I actually saw someone in the sale section from a month back selling one of his Kepharts. I just sent an email and am hoping to hear back from the seller.
 
For a production knife, I really like the BRKT Aurora (although at $180-200 retail, it may be a bit over your price range). Very well made knife that fits my hand perfectly. The ESEE 4 is another very nice choice to consider and a bit cheaper at $100-125 retail).

If you check the maker's for sale section of the forum, you can also find some excellent choices from a number of excellent makers. I've bought excellent knives like what you are looking for in the $100-200 range from Adventure Sworn, Brian Andrews, Fiddleback, and John Landi although they are by no means the only choices.
 
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I've got to second the Mora clipper or perhaps the "Force".

Spend your "saved" green on quality rain gear, etc.

This thread reminds me of a favorite quote
pitdog said:
I now compare knives agains a Mora before considering them any good as a bushcraft knife...Damn, stupid Mora's, they changed the whole way I look at knives and I hate them for it !!!!! (9/16/08)
Click to expand...
 
Warriorsociologist said:
I've got to second the Mora clipper or perhaps the "Force".

Spend your "saved" green on quality rain gear, etc.

This thread reminds me of a favorite quote
Click to expand...

I'm actually pretty good in the gear and outdoor clothing department. I have a couple of Moras on hand and am looking for something a bit higher on the price scale and a little more robust ;)
 
Take a look at Entrek knives. In particular, Forester, Badger, Havalina, and the 11 Bravo. The all come with sheaths. Entrek has a great reputation and has been around a long time. Their warranty is a no fault lifetime.
 
the knife connection has blindhorse bushcrafters in stock< i have the flat ground version en route. i would also recommend the ESEE 4. As mentioned in above post Entrek knives are very good in 440c as well. I own the javalina, indestrucible but at 3/8-1/4" blade stock may be too thick for some people. hope this helps
 
the gimp said:
I'm actually pretty good in the gear and outdoor clothing department. I have a couple of Moras on hand and am looking for something a bit higher on the price scale and a little more robust ;)
Click to expand...


In that case, I'd suggest a Koster Bushcraft (but since you don't want to wait), or a Falkniven F1 or H1...
Good luck!
 
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I'd pick up a Fallkniven F1. Excellent knife. There are many others in your price range, including the BK2, ESEE 4, and others, but the Fallkniven is the one I have the most personal experience with.
 
+1 for the Aurora, awesome knife and extremely versatile. A tad over the $150 mark though.

You should also consider the Highland Special instead which, for me, is the perfect balance between weight/size/versatility/comfort:

IMG_0129.jpg


Or just get an F1 - you won't we disappointed with any of the three!
 
Is this to augment an already complete kit? Have you already used numerous field blades such that you could tell us what your preferences are?

If you've already got a few blades and just want a custom job, the above are good responses. Blind Horse Bushcrafter is good-to-go, as are most Bark Rivers (if you can deal with the slightly small handles). Any of the makers here at BF make fine field blades.

If you're in fact looking for quality steel and don't have any, you could outfit yourself completely (a full spectrum of blades) for that $150. A good Mora (510, #2, 2000) with a new leather sheath will only cost $30-50 total. A Vic Rucksack/One Hand Trekker/Farmer is only $20-30. A new axe from Wetterlings is only ~$60-75.

My setup is currently a BK7 plus a Vic Rucksack, with a Wolf Creek Forge belt axe.

Good luck in your hunt.
 
Snow said:
I'd pick up a Fallkniven F1. Excellent knife. There are many others in your price range, including the BK2, ESEE 4, and others, but the Fallkniven is the one I have the most personal experience with.
Click to expand...


+3 (I think :)) on the F1- pretty good all around "woods" knife

onrocks.jpg
 
Might look at a Swamp Rat.....Ratmandu. The knife will cost around 150 shipped to yer door but no sheath. Reported to be rock solid performer. Can't go wrong with the F1 either, really nice knife, good reputation, and mine came with a leather sheath. If you are patient and shop on the exchange here, you might be able to buy a little more knife if you dont mind a lightly used one. Occasionally a really nice lightly used knife goes up for sale there and its just what you want. If its gonna be a user anyway, then you may get a little more knife for the same money you would spend on a new one. Just have to know your products and be patient. Good luck, its a fun adventure anyway you go.
 
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