OK guys, I’m doing research, and would love your opinions. I am looking for a bushcraft/outdoors knife. Let me explain a bit about my views on knives, and the uses this knife might see and it’ll help narrow things down.
Uses
Uses are across the broad range of circumstances. Everything from an overnight in the backyard with my son, to KOA style camping, day hikes, backpacking, all the way up to hiking the Appalachian trail, or even to use in one of those societal breakdown type events that don’t get discussed here on THR. I live in the northeast where we can see 100F humid summers and sub-zero winters, but could also see taking this knife to other areas.
Views on knives:
Knives are meant for cutting stuff (duh). They aren’t hammers, axes, saws, or any other tool. I don’t baton with my knives, don’t throw them, keep them oiled and generally don’t abuse them.
That said, anyone who has ever spent significant time outdoors knows that unexpected things happen and sometimes gear gets pushed into unanticipated roles, or goes without the type of babying/maintenance that we usually give our gear. This knife must be able to withstand getting pressed into service in harsher conditions than anticipated. But for 99.9% of the foreseeable use of this knife, it would be well oiled, well maintained, and only used properly.
What I’m looking for:
Now, for this knife, I’m looking for something roughly in the 4”-5” blade range. Not into serrations. For tip strength, I usually like something like a drop point or spear point.
I can spend roughly up to $120, and can stretch that just a little if needed.
The actual question:
The number one knife I’m looking at is the Ontario Blackbird SK5 in 154CM.
Of course, I could save myself about $35-40 and get the regular RAT5 in 1095. Ultimately, am I being stupid and buying into hype for wanting 154cm in this role? I LOVE my 154CM Benchmade Griptillian, but of course a fixed blade knife is a whole different context for that steel so my experience doesn’t count for much.
Within my price range, I also found an ESEE 4...
Ultimately, for my purposes as stated do you think I'd be better with 1095, or with 154CM? And yes, I know I'm probably way overthinking it.
Thanks in advance for the replies.
Uses
Uses are across the broad range of circumstances. Everything from an overnight in the backyard with my son, to KOA style camping, day hikes, backpacking, all the way up to hiking the Appalachian trail, or even to use in one of those societal breakdown type events that don’t get discussed here on THR. I live in the northeast where we can see 100F humid summers and sub-zero winters, but could also see taking this knife to other areas.
Views on knives:
Knives are meant for cutting stuff (duh). They aren’t hammers, axes, saws, or any other tool. I don’t baton with my knives, don’t throw them, keep them oiled and generally don’t abuse them.
That said, anyone who has ever spent significant time outdoors knows that unexpected things happen and sometimes gear gets pushed into unanticipated roles, or goes without the type of babying/maintenance that we usually give our gear. This knife must be able to withstand getting pressed into service in harsher conditions than anticipated. But for 99.9% of the foreseeable use of this knife, it would be well oiled, well maintained, and only used properly.
What I’m looking for:
Now, for this knife, I’m looking for something roughly in the 4”-5” blade range. Not into serrations. For tip strength, I usually like something like a drop point or spear point.
I can spend roughly up to $120, and can stretch that just a little if needed.
The actual question:
The number one knife I’m looking at is the Ontario Blackbird SK5 in 154CM.
Of course, I could save myself about $35-40 and get the regular RAT5 in 1095. Ultimately, am I being stupid and buying into hype for wanting 154cm in this role? I LOVE my 154CM Benchmade Griptillian, but of course a fixed blade knife is a whole different context for that steel so my experience doesn’t count for much.
Within my price range, I also found an ESEE 4...
Ultimately, for my purposes as stated do you think I'd be better with 1095, or with 154CM? And yes, I know I'm probably way overthinking it.
Thanks in advance for the replies.