Bushcraft knife knives

[KevinNY]

Ragweed Forge also carries the excellent Helle Eggen, a really good deal for bushcraft type knife.

[Desolation]

Having several blades available in a drawer.
Having made several hundred blades of various types and sizes over the years.
I carry a modified (Micarta Scales, flick or one hand open, and tuned the lock geometry) Kershaw folder because I have no fear of abusing it and I sharpen it frequently because like all stainless blades it dulls up while closed in it's sheath. Thus it sees a stone at least weekly. At least 8 years old.
I also carry a Leatherman "Super" that is now nearly 10 years old and I have never used the blades in it.
For use beyond these two I reach for a hatchet. I keep them real sharp and other wise sanded smooth and painted.
It is a personal choice but over the years I have found the simple hatchet that has been well prepped is far more versatile for every conceivable job that is not .
My bush knife is actually not a knife.
The weight... Is a non-issue when balanced against the versatility of the tool.

[Cackalak Han]

Thanks all for the replies. Sounds like I have much more research to do. I will post up which direction I am going to go.

Desolation - Speaking of hatchets, any recommendations on this? I was actually going to pick up something simple like a Gerber Sport Axe

[climber-420]

Please consider the new Becker Knife and Tool knives being made by Camillus now. They are indestructable, and very well constructed. I own an original BK&T #7. It is amazing. Comes with kydex sheath, kinda hard to find nowadays with brand new knives, unless you want to spend some major $. Check out this website, www.cutleryscience.com. Has every knife review ever! Blade testing,metal properties,etc etc, the list goes on. Hope that helps a little.

[Desolation]

Thanks all for the replies. Sounds like I have much more research to do. I will post up which direction I am going to go.

Desolation - Speaking of hatchets, any recommendations on this? I was actually going to pick up something simple like a Gerber Sport Axe

Gerber was a great blade 30 years ago when they were just down the road.
I like the concept but I know of 3 people that have broken them, though I did not witness other then the pieces. The thing I do not like is that they are junk where the old fashioned wood handle just gets replaced!
I have a few hatchets and you are not going to believe this but there is this one I picked up from Harbor Freight that will hold a keen edge under all kinds of stupidity. I have used it to chip concrete, even driven it like a chisel with a 3-pound hammer doing rock wall work... I paid I think $10, figuring when I was done I would weld it onto a gate or something. Now it lives in one of our 4x4's.

I prefer wood handles, they let you play until you find the shape that fits your hand and usage. The head I like an edge that is in the shape of the classic "Scout Ax". The Cold Steel Trail Boss ($28 at Amazon) is the upper size limit for me.
I can't tell you who made my favorite is is perhaps 50 years old now and I have replaced the handle 2 times, I look for them at gun shows, flea markets, and garage sales. Old and well used is generally a good indicator.

[juicebox]

ahh the bushman, i have had one since just about the time they came out and love it.

i would add that while they are great camp knives, they are too big for a light pack. the bushman and mora are similar enough that they both handle about the same tasks equally, except for one thing. the bushman has power when you need it, the mora is the lighter finesse knife.

i think they are different enough that i have them both, but they are similar enough that they dont need to be carried together, the bushman stays at camp and in the rig while the mora lives in the pack and goes about everywhere.

Yay! Bushman knives rock!

I have a Mini Bushman and I love it. It isn't too big at all, the one you are referring to, is a little on the big side though. (the regular bushman)

I have come to find out that most people don't know that cold steel makes a mini version of the bushman. I had the choice of getting either one for free and I chose the mini because it was just the perfect size. I can do everything with it, I use it all the time to split logs. I just love how simple and versatile they are.

[Zatara]

Bark River Bravo-1
RAT cutlery.....NOT the ontario rat company.

[kvincent]

Have you checked out Knives of Alaska? Their Bush Camp knife is superb, IMHO:

http://www.knivesofalaska.com/catalo...at=Bush%20Camp

Also the Gerber LMF ASEK II is worth a look:

http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/...d/63#image/389

They have a couple of new "camp" knives, as well.

I have both of these and am very happy with both -- especially the KOA Bush Camp.

Kerry

[dclee]

x2 on the Fallkniven and R.A.T. Cutlery recommendations. My main "pack" knife is an original Fallkniven A1:

http://www.fallkniven.com/index.php?...emid=1&lang=en

While my "carry" knife is a R.A.T. Cutlery RC-3MIL (non-serrated):

http://www.ratcutlery.com/rc-3mil.htm

You'll notice that both have full tangs that go all the way through the pommel of the knife, the better the be able to bash and hammer on things. The RC-3MIL has a machined tip on the end of the tang so that it can be used to effectively break glass (e.g. escaping from a burning vehicle, etc.).

[Desolation]

I know this is an old thread but I can serve as a bad example...

A few weeks ago I found an old hatchet buried in the pine needles on our place here. I doubt that it had become lost too long before we bought the place, so within I would say 4 or 5 years. I procured an "Hickory" handle and today I set about putting it back in service.
After knocking off the old handle I sanded the new one smooth and removed all the varnish or whatever that stuff was. I then took the head and removed the rust and any dings dents but more importantly sharp edges off with a flap wheel.
I found that the head was stamped "TruTemper", not great but not generally not terrible. I reshaped the cutting edge for use as a Kindling Splitter (thicker contour) but did not come close to a final sharp, it is only "blunt-sharp" taped off the edge and gave the head a quick coat of blue spray-paint. Dried that by the wood stove and then mounted the head and handle, drove in the wedge and stake touched up the paint and was going to stick it in a log over by the stove...

So, here I am!
I have stopped the bleeding; probably could use a couple stitches but I'll pass.
That hatchet with no force at all cleanly split that chunk of wood right on down to where it stopped at the bone in my thumb! guess I got it a bit sharper then I thought, because "I know" I had my hand out of harms way! LOL Well, I thought I was safe!

So take it from me... I should know better
ALWAYS HAVE YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM THE DAMN EDGE WHEN YOU ARE SWINGING IT!


Typing with one hand sucks!