Needing new Bushcraft knife

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Big JJ

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I am not a knife guy, that is why I am asking for your experienced opinions.
I am looking to add an updated reasonable priced bushcraft knife to add to my hunting gear.
I will be doing some spike camping/hunting in 2015.
It need to be an all purpose knife suitable for chopping,cutting,splitting wood, stripping tree bark and other back woods jobs.
I will carry a smaller knife for skinning and other small jobs.
I do not want to carry a hatchet,axe,machete (looking for something light but strong).
What do you think, all opinions are welcome?
 
My advice (and I use outdoor knives a lot and own too many....), is to avoid all the nice looking and expensive options, and get a Mora. It is easy to sharpen, you can use it with a baton for heavier work and if you ever lose it, you won't cry too many tears.

I even looked out a link in the US :)

http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion-Outdoor-Military-4-1-Inch/dp/B004TNWD40

These are exceptionally well put together, functional, strong and comfortable in use (and it really hurt to give that much praise to our Swedish neighbours!)
 
Size range? Budget?

You mentioned chopping, so I assume you want a large-ish blade? If so take a look at the Becker line made by KA-BAR. Great value for your money.
 
I am looking for a larger knife.
The mora companion is just a little too small to be doing any chopping and pounding with.
I am thinking 7 in blade and up to a small parang or somewhere in between.
 
Becker BK-5. 8" blade, has been discontinude but can still be found for $70 dollars shipped. (Wallyworld online, couple other places too) Pretty good deal.

Also the BK-9. 9" blade, thicker and heavier than the BK5. Priced around $80 online.
 
Ontario or Ka-Bar Kukri. Both US made. Supposed to better at chopping than other knives in the same size range. I don't own either one as my cutting and chopping needs in the bush have so far been met by a 3-5 in blade knife and a hatchet or tomahawk. I have a buddy thats a blade guru and he's a big fan of the kukri's. Maybe I'll get one some day.
 
That Becker BK5 looks like it might work.
I had a buddy recommend a Schrade schf 37 today. He said it has a 7 inch blade and He also said it was not readily available yet as it is a 2015 model.
Has anyone had any experience with this knife?
 
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Had to look up the Schrade. Only found two reveiws on a couple forums. Since it is so new not much out there.

7" blade of 1/4" Chinese 1095. Nylon sheath, with diamond sharpener and ferro rod for around $38....

Hmmmm....personally I would pass just on Taylor Brands LLC's ( the company that bought the Schrade name ) rep alone.

The only complaints I saw were the coating wears quick and the jimping is agressive enough to hurt. Its too new to have any input on long term durability.

But its your money. If you think you would like it, buy one, use it, and let us know how it works for you. If it chips out or breaks you won't be out too much cash.

Or it could turn out to be a quality piece, and a bargain.
 
My reservations regarding the K-Bar Becker line is the coating on the blade :confused: not sure I would like it.
And I would prefer a full flat grind, so if I wish to add a 2nd bevel it would be to my choosing.
 
If the Schrade SCHF37 is as good as the SCHF1 and its variants it'll be great value.
 
Going to order the Schrade schf 37 if they are available on Amazon.
I figure around $40 WTH why not.
I will let you know what it's like.
 
Rodent_7__27295.1368031503.498.374.jpg

rodent 7 by swamp rat. Best warranty in the business. Use it to smash concrete blocks..http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/rodent-7/
 
should have read through I see you made your mind up let us know how it works out! cheers and congrats on your knife purchase!
 
If you want the coating gone on the Becker 9, it's really easy. Go get yourself a can of citristrip and let it soak for about and hour. The coating will be gone.

The Becker 5, and the 9 are both amazing choppers/cutters/all around badassery blades. The thing about the 5 is that the blade was designed by Jerry Fisk and the handle by Ethan.

The thing about the 9 is that the blade extends down around an extra quarter of an inch past the rest of the line so that you get a much shallower cross section for when chopping. This makes a huge difference when actually using it!

I haven't used the Esee/Rat Junglas, however it is on my list of blades to get.

I would avoid the Schrade personally. I'd rather take that 40 and just flush it down the toilet instead of getting that thing. 3 reasons why really and you can take them or leave them partially or in their entirety. 1) The Becker, Esee, even the Swamprat are all made in the USA. Beckers are made by Ka-Bar in New York, Esee is made by Rowen in Idaho, and Swamp rat I believe is made in Ohio (don't hold me to that last one). I want my money to stay local. 2) I know Ethan Becker. I can tell you HE is a good guy. I know Shon and Jeff of Esee, I can tell you that they are good guys. I don't know the people at Schrade. I have absolutely ZERO exposure to them. 3 the only review I have found for the Schrade was by Chris at PM101 and he has such a lack of credibility, he has flat out bad mouthed companies for NOT sending him a free knife "to review."

Granted these are MY reasons, and yours may vary.


All of that being said, get the Becker 9, or wait till January and get the 21 (Becker Kukri) Or get the Esee 6 (Or Jungalas), or if you have more to spend, get the Swamp Rat 1311.
 
joneb said:
I've been thinking about this, https://www.lamnia.com/en/p/3982/knives-and-folding-knives/knives/wood-jewel-leuku/
Click to expand...

I own one similar. A great looking knife but after trying it out a few times, it now stays at home.

I think the OP is in the age-old situation of choosing between knives, leuku-type larger knives, and axes. I was in this position a few years ago and thought that a leuku-type knife would be able to double-task in the wilderness. In short, it doesn't. It is too large for lots of tasks and too small for others. Jack of all trades..... I've seen others try this too, with larger bayonet-type knives, parangs (most are a joke and totally out of balance), kukris (leave them to the Ghurkhas), etc. All failed and I no longer see these people carry those knives anymore...

My solution was to go with a normal knife (similar size to the Mora) + an axe with a 30cm composite handle. The weight is ok in the pack and those tools cover 99% of tasks in the wilderness. For luxury, i lightweight folding saw can be added, but not necessary.
 
This is what you need for hard use: Outlaw Bowie made by Timber Rattler.

It's a heavy duty bowie knife that can take on hard use without a whimper. They sell this large knife through BudK, amazon, and other sites for less than $30.00. The blade is labeled surgical stainless steel which doesn't really mean anything but its not in the same class as more expensive knives. But it doesn't have to be for clearing brush, chopping wood, and other camp chores. I use a smaller knife with better steel for fine cutting tasks. 420HC, 440 and AUS-8 are good affordable steels for smaller knives.

Good bush-whacking to you!

TR
 
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I have and use the Becker BK9, and it is an amazing knife for outdoor tasks. A 9" blade may seem like too much, but it split firewood and batoned through some pretty big chunks without issue, and the edge retention and quality have been superb. I'm getting a second knife to have on hand in case something happens to this one. Yes, to me, it's that good.
 
The Ontario machetes made in the U.S. should work. It cuts brush, trees ect. And it will work for splitting fire wood. This blade is thicker than most of the machetes. Condor has some nice machetes to chose from. Some models come with well made leather sheaths. Made in El Salvador, these blades are made for hard work & have several versions to choose from. I have been useing one ( my son chops & cuts now) for some years now & it has stood up well & cuts great!
 
I think the OP is in the age-old situation of choosing between knives, leuku-type larger knives, and axes. I was in this position a few years ago and thought that a leuku-type knife would be able to double-task in the wilderness. In short, it doesn't. It is too large for lots of tasks and too small for others. Jack of all trades..... I've seen others try this too, with larger bayonet-type knives, parangs (most are a joke and totally out of balance), kukris (leave them to the Ghurkhas), etc. All failed and I no longer see these people carry those knives anymore...

My solution was to go with a normal knife (similar size to the Mora) + an axe with a 30cm composite handle. The weight is ok in the pack and those tools cover 99% of tasks in the wilderness. For luxury, i lightweight folding saw can be added, but not necessary.
Click to expand...
I am leaning to this way of thinking. I thought I could replace my axe with something else, but where I live the axe is still the king.
Kiitos
 
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