bushcraft knife designs
The TPE rubber handle which is responsible for giving the knife a more domestic air is actually incredibly comfortable and allow you to hold your grip even while leaning into more labor intensive tasks like splitting wood. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial . Right now, it appears, the tactical-style and/or celebrity-endorsed knives are in favor. The robust finger guard keeps you safe from the razor sharp 12c27 Sandvik stainless steel blade and it comes with a hard plastic combination sheath for effective storage and transport. Depending on your variety of stainless, the knife will generally stay sharp for a longer period of time. The combination of thick knife stock and the Scandi grind edge didnt let me down. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Full Tang Vintage Bowie Knife Handmade Stainless Steel Camping Hunting knife at the best online prices at eBay! Stainless is also not as well-suited for firestarting, as carbon steel reacts well with a ferro rod. When doing fine carving, I prefer a thinner knife like the Morakniv Companion. The TOPS Fieldcraft 3.5 is a beautiful bushcraft knife with a balanced design. Best Overall Bushcraft Knife: LT Wright GNS Saber. Dont forget to stop back regularly for more insightful product reviews from the experts at Gearhungry.com. Toggle menu. But for now, weve spent months researching and testing the best bushcraft knives for you to take on your next outdoor adventure. Both of these features make the USA-made blade a good knife for a weight-weenie ultralight backpackers and hardcore hunters alike. It also features an attachment point for a ferro rod, which comes included in the package. Frankly, if it were lighter it wouldnt do as good a job. Join. Below were going to look at the best bushcraft knives on the market today as chosen by our product review team. Ray worked with prominent UK knife maker Alan Woods to bring his design to reality. However, a blade that thin has very little weight (averaging 4 ounces, with the sheath), so its a poor chopper and a little sketchy to use for baton work. Each product in this review has been put through real-world tests on adventures in the mountains, and pitted against the elements. You purchase the best bushcraft knives at Knivesandtools We test all bushcraft knives ourselves Shop online today! As a survival instructor, Ive used a lot of knives and the ones that made my list for the best bushcraft knives are proven designs that I feel confident carrying. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Morakniv's Garberg is a solid middle of the road survival knife. Moras for everybody! 13 Reviews. Weight: 7.5 ounces, "This is my knife, there are many like it but this one is mine," so they say. Support us! The Bushcraft Black was long held as the paragon of Moras line. The only main problem was that it wasn't waxed or waterproof. Amazon.com : BPS Knives ADV Basic - Bushcraft Knife - Fixed-Blade Carbon Steel Knife with Leather Sheath - Outdoor Full Tang Knife - Camping Knives - Survival Tactical Camp Knife . Theres just been one little problem over the years. A bushcraft knife with a blade size between 89mm and 152mm will be sufficient for most tasks. Learn More . Overall Length: 8.6 inches Finally, the thermorun handle is surprisingly comfortable and provides a nice firm grip whether youre bare-handed or wearing gloves. So itll fit on pretty much any belt or pack in your collection. Best Bushcraft Folder: Cold Steel Finn Wolf. Blade Material: CPM-S30V steel This is a knife that feels great in your hand and makes the performance of typical survival tasks easy so you can concentrate on things like plotting your escape route or finding water. This is a general rule, though your hand size and grip will play a role. This knife settles into the palm almost organically, making it a natural extension of your hand. Browse high-quality survival fixed blades and bushcraft knives available from KnifeArt.com. Try doing some fine work, like carving a feather stick after doing some baton work. The 9 Best Survival Knives for Bushcraft & Outdoor Adventures In a true wilderness emergency, a strong, sharp, reliable blade can be your ticket to fire, shelter, and survivalthey're also fun for regular camping . While this makes it less likely to survive long-term abuse, its nothing that casual users are likely to notice. And while the black Kydex sheath isnt exactly primitive looking, youve got to love the positive click when it locks into place. Its spine is a sturdy three-sixteenths of an inch thick, sloping down into a modified Scandi grind. Condor Tool & Knife. Not quite a bowie knife, but a real workhorse that's best for folks with larger hands. Back in the day, any self-respecting knife maker would pick the best metal available for tools as vital and versatile as knives. Again, true survival knives are almost always fixed blades, but this is a notable exception, mainly because its locking mechanism is so burly and the risk of it breaking is rather low. Some other blades in ESEEs line have similar features, but they can be a bit narrow in the hand. This helps prevent discoloration while maintaining an easy-to-sharpen, durable Scandi edge. Whatever size youre after, you should gravitate toward something with a nice mix of straight edges and a gentle belly, curving up toward the tip. Usually referred to simply as Moras, the entry-level Companions have earned a reputation for comfort, toughness, and capability. FREE USA SHIPPING over $99 . The knife is constructed from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel with a dark stonewashed finish and two-tone thermoplastic resin (TPR) handle scales. Originally made of wood, bone, and stone (such as flint and obsidian), over the centuries, in step with improvements in both . To make these skills even more fulfilling, its important to have the right tool for the job. All this strength can make it a bit stiff to unlock, but it wears in over time. https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/best-survival-knife-guide, The 10 Best Cabin & Cottage Rentals in Alberta, Canada, A Guide to Fly Fishing Gear for Anglers of All Levels, The 10 Best Glamping Locations in Yorkshire, UK, Danner x Mystery Ranch Drop Colorful Hiking Gear Collab, The 5 Best Baby Hiking Backpacks for Family Adventures, Fly Fishing Gear Essentials: A Guide for Beginners & Experienced Anglers Alike, Danner & Mystery Ranch Drop Colorful Collab Inspired by Big Sky Country Sunsets, The 5 Best Baby Hiking Backpacks for Logging Miles with Little Ones, The 11 Best Camping Chairs and Everything You Need to Know About Them, The 10 Best Film Cameras for Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Photographers, These Are the 11 Best Walking Shoes for Any Trip or Adventure. Weight: 3 ounces (85 grams), This knife is dirt cheap and a Swedish classic. It also happens to be the best deal in bushcraft pocket knives. Survival is less about relaxed fun in nature and more about getting out alive. Just $1 per month , A bushcraft knifes primary job is wood processing, and these knives excel at that task. This is great news for folks who suffer from buyers anxiety. You can also get the best of both worlds with laminated steel blades. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. This is a full-tang blade crafted from S30V stainless steel and at 4 inches its large enough and tough enough for anything the wild throws your way. All in all the condor Walnut Bushcraft Knife with its 4 inch blade is up to whatever task you need it to perform. When you are ready to live off the land with your chosen bushcraft knife, I hope you have a sharpener in your bushcraft kit. Total Length: 9.1. The blade is just a hair over 5 inches long making it one of the longer bushcraft blades out there. Of course maybe the most important item when it comes to effective bushcrafting is the knife. Most bushcraft knives are meant to be carried on a belt with a formed sheath in either plastic or leather. Blade Length: 2.7 inches According to KA-BAR, The Campanion works just as happily splitting out kindling as it does prying apart joints and skinning game, not to mention chopping onions for the campfire chili! This is true, but the operative word there is chopping. The BK2 will have no problem reducing your veggies into chunks, but if youre looking for thin slices of onions and tomatoes, youre going to have a hard time. A: Bushcraft knives are used to build shelter, start and maintain fires, collect water (think carving through ice on a frozen stream), make secondary tools like batons orspears for catching fish, prepare food and for self-defense and rescue. Andrew Martin is a New York-based outdoor enthusiast and history buff. The molded handle also allows you to obtain and retain an excellent hold even when youre leaning into your task. This uncoated blade features a 90-degree spine, perfect for scraping bark or striking a ferro rod. Its comfortable to hold, to wear, and even to look at. This is mainly due to their design differences. Wright, its incredible feature set and solid build earn it a place in the best bushcraft knife discussion. Wright specializes in quality handcrafted kni. What should I look for in a bushcraft knife? The TOPS Fieldcraft 3.5 is a beautiful bushcraft knife with a balanced design. Essentially, this means youve got two outer layers of rust-resistant stainless steel wrapped around a high-carbon core. Best Craftsmanship: Fallkniven F1. This construction offers a high carbon steel center with stainless layers on each side. Weight: 4.1 ounces (116 grams). Try making some hardwood kindling by striking the spine of the knife with a sturdy baton. Portable knife. Its 4.3-inch carbon steel blade falls within the ideal range for most outdoorsy types, and the anti-corrosive black coating helps keep rust at bay. Theres a firestarter built into the handle to get your camp fire going and enough blade to hack through even decent sized branches to keep it going. Maintain your blade assiduously to prevent corrosion from taking hold and also to retain an effective cutting edge. Users with large hands may want to try before they buy. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. So its crucial that you have one that wont shrink from difficult tasks that may be required to ensure your survival. We hope you found the above information and reviews on the best bushcraft knives helpful and that it enables you to make an informed decision when it comes time to select the right bushcraft knife for your next adventure. But once it dulls, sharpening may be a bit more of a challenge. Price-wise, it sits between the Bushcrafter 162 and Morakniv's offerings. Overall Length: 10 inches KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Read More. Blade Length: 4.3. 01 Carbon Steel Blade. And after all that, does the knife still carve effectively after performing brutal work? The GearJunkie team consists of avid outdoorsmen with keen eyes for what makes the best tool for the backcountry. Tool handles should be secure and allow for a firm grip on the item. Its a beast of a bushcraft knife and one that can take down a branch or a wolf, should you have the bad luck to encounter one. Overall Length: 11.18 inches Heck, theres even a sharpening choil! This is the biggest bushcraft knife blade on our list and one of the biggest youll find period. Here are some common questions surrounding the choice of a good bushcraft knife. I generally prefer the latter approach, but only when its employed sparingly. RRP $480.67. Blade Material: 420HC Stainless Steel Blade Length: 3.4 inches The Selkirk is a high quality bushcraft knife that will take on all your cutting, chopping, cleaning and self-defense tasks with alacrity. The best bushcraft knife will allow you to harvest wood for fires, cut small branches to build a shelter, carve tent stakes, clean fish and small game and defend yourself if the need arises. Being such a critical point of contact, the handle needs to be both comfortable and reliable. Fear not! 14 Best Bushcraft Knives on the Market Right Now. Plus, the quality of the material makes it super resistant to corrosion and rust. Its a great looking knife but its no gentleman. Bushcraft. The full tang design of the BPS Knives Adventurer provides excellent balance and control, making it easy to handle and use even for extended periods. This was a knife issued in WWII to soldiers for survival and self-defense but it can surely fill in as your survival knife with its seven-inch Cro-Van steel clip-point blade, stacked leather handle (not a micarta handle), and included sheath. For those of you that plan on being away from your home sharpening tools, there are some less cumbersome options but, as with everything else mentioned earlier, this requires planning. Blade Material: 12C27 stainless steel 1 / 4. 2% OFF. It is a blade after all. Handle: Friction Grip. Bison Bushcraft Knife O1 Cherry. The fixed blade knifes razor sharp blade is 3.54 inches long and made of high-end CPM-S30V stainless steel, which will hold up to serious use over time with solid edge retention and corrosion resistance. What about materials? This helps for grip, but you can also take the paracord wrapping out to provide you with some lashing, which is always handy in survival situations. Or not, I really don't care. Scandi grind? Its Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel is easy to maintain so don't worry about abusing it in the wilds, and its curly birch handle will look better and better with age. enabling you to choose the best bushcraft knife to fit your needs. It rides low on the belt and is generally unobtrusive. Youre going to feel lucky you have this compact beast with you when the weather closes in and youre miles from camp. Joe works closely with Condor Tool and Knife, and for over the past 10 years, the hard working company, based out of El Salvador, has consulted with him on knife design, promotion, production, and endeavors related to the knife industry. It probably wont survive a lot of batoning or chopping, but it punches way above its weight when you consider it only costs just $25. Step 4: Bench Grinder, and Blade Edge Grinding. This additional weight, however, is usually worth carrying as full tang knives are much less likely to break at the handle junction or inside the handle (when compared to knives with a hidden tang). Blade Material: triple laminated Helle stainless steel Got it. But most importantly, its comfortable to use. Hardcore. 139.95. Made from plastic, it provides a huge amount of friction, meaning its not going to slip out of your hand, even if its pouring down with rain. $111 AT AMAZON. Once this system snaps into place, its about as close to a fixed blade as a folder can get. If you have large hands you may need to add liners to the factory scales or purchase the TKC scales, or make your own. Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. (Looking at you, PR4). While some would argue that the Bushcraft Black has been eclipsed by the newer Mora Garberg, I tend to disagree. Check out our top picks for men's rain jackets, the best women's rain jackets, the best camping lanterns, and more in our GEAR section. We've kept these skills in mind when designing our Bushcraft knives. Blade Material: Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Thankfully, designer Rueben Bolieu has you covered. Bottom line: If youre looking for something with the pedigree of a Mora but with an upgrade in materials, construction, and price point, youre going to love Fallkniven. Weeks of carving up feather sticks, hacking at branches, and skinning our dinner brought us to the list you see above. The Mora stainless steels, however, are every bit as good as their carbon steels.. With all that additional metal, full tang knives are heavier than thinner tang knives of the same dimensions. My favorite is a flat grind commonly known as the Scandi grind. Snap the blade batoning through a tree? Learn more. This could, in theory, be the simple pen knife you keep on a keychain if the situation is dire enough. Then, moving forward, users are treated to 4.25 inches of U.S.-made, handcrafted O1 tool steel. In the late 1980's, Ray developed the design for his Woodlore style knife, which by now must be one of the most recognizable and cloned knives within the bushcraft community and is widely considered the best bushcraft knife. This is different from the concept of survival, which has to do almost exclusively with life-and-death situations. The gentle arc to the handle and blade allow you to project maximum force upon the task at hand and when youre done stow it away in the sturdy nylon sheath. The Schrade Frontier Fixed Blade Knife may be the best looking bushcraft knife on the market today with its 1095 high carbon drop point blade with finger choil and drop dead gorgeous textured TPE handle. They use materials that fit the bill and get the job done. Hunters, fisherman, backpackers and mountain rescuers are all going to appreciate the degree of effectiveness the Craftline bushcraft knife provides whether yourebuilding trapsor notching poles for your emergency shelter. On the downside, they can be prone to rust if not properly cared for. More robust tangs are the full height of the handle. This bushcraft knife is fairly light so it wont wear you out, safe to use, modest in length at 3 inches and boasts a sure grip thermorun handle. Overall Length: 7.9 inches Treat this knife the same way, and youll get along great. There are a few issues, however. And though the price for some handmade blades has gone up, Fallknivens factory efficiency now makes the F1 something of a bargain. The full tang blade is just as comfortable cutting small branches to cover your shelter as it is gutting your catch or skinning a rabbit. Blade Length: 3.2 inches Many people believe bushcraft knives should focus primarily on survival skills. The straight-V of a true Scandi edge serves as a natural sharpening guide, making them easy to bring back to life. Modified Item. (Sorry Team Zombie Apocalypse Survivalists, no carbon steel machetes on this list.). Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, were trained journalists. Maintain a proper distance between yourself and others when wielding your bushcraft knife. It looks like somethingthat belongs in your kitchenbut really comes to life when you need it in the wild. This knife is the ultimate bushcrafting knife or the one "go to" knife to carry outdoors or simply in the woods! Maybe not, but its an excuse to squeeze the TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft knife into this list! Website Maintenance - Phone Orders Only 1-800-564-3327. . All of the knives on this list retail below $200 and many are under $100. Clip points, drop points, and spear points are relatively common, but you wont see many trailing, tanto, or sheepsfoot models. The blade swings on a combination of Teflon and phosphor-bronze washers, making for a generally simple deploy. Understanding Bushcraft Knife Design . . Comes with heavy duty black nylon sheath, sharpening stone and ferro rod to up your survival odds. Well, not really. The knife: A foundational tool of human civilization. The belly on the cutting edge is so pronounced that it drops below the line of the blade's straight edge. First: Im favorably predisposed toward bright orange for knives and outdoor tools when thats an option. The term bushcraft has been kicked around for decades, popularized by Britains Ray Mears and Canadas Mors Kochanski. may not have the agile carving prowess of a Mora or L.T. Brand. TVs Survivorman? Item Code: AR605. Whether its made from the finest Micarta or an old deer antler, the handle is the interface between the user and that tool. (It's also available with a serrated blade and leather sheath. But if were looking at secondaries, youd ideally want something on the budget end of the spectrum. I think its a wonderful and fulfilling pursuit, even if it does seem like we are stepping backward into history (rather than moving forward into the future). And its available at a very reasonable price. If youre packing light on your next hike, it may be all the knife you need. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. If you already have a sheath you like, the knife can be ordered on its own. And if one ignition method isnt enough, TOPS has included a bow drill divot on the handle. Other thoughtful details include finger scallops for added comfort with skinning or carving grips, as well as thumb ridges along the spine. Fallkniven, KA-BAR, Mora, and many of the others listed here have excellent coverage as well. Imagine a carpenters frustration, trying to saw with a hammer or trying to drive nails by banging them with a saw. It has been manufactured to stand up to all kinds of applications and challenges you will encounter on your outdoor adventure. Their hallmarks include comfortable grips, sharpened spines for scrapping a ferro rod or other firestarter, and edges suitable for carving and splitting natural materials such as wood. When venturing into nature, carrying a trustworthy pocket knife is highly recommendedit is one of the 10 essentials, after all. Were not stuck in the wild trying to stave off death, were going out into the wild to really live. But with the release of the RB3 ($119), the company added a proper bushcraft blade to its repertoire. And if it still maintains a sharp cutting edge after the abuse, all the better. The matching sheath is made of hardened plastic, featuring a belt clip and a thumb-ramp for easy draws. For years, it has been among the gold standards for American-made survival knives. Bushcraft takes a step forward with the Bushcraft Carbon Fixed Blade bushcraft knife. Carbon steel? Before you end up deep in the backcountry with a wimpy knife, its smart to take the tool for a test run. Well, as unhelpful as it sounds, a survival knife is any knife youve suddenly become dependent on to survive. If you can stomach the black-on-black aesthetic, this is a stellar deal for a complete bushcraft knife. I was initially concerned that this coating would drag during cutting, but that wasnt the case. If you are even thinking about performing heavy tasks with a knife, youll be in better shape with a full tang handle construction. Bushcraft knives are medium-size fixed-blade knives, mostly utilizing carbon or high-quality stainless steels. The Bowie is in . The Micarta-clad full tang adds another 5.5 inches, bringing the overall length to an even 10. This is a bushcraft knife engineered to exacting tolerances and crafted from high quality materials that will deliver when called upon. From flies, rods, and reels to waders, vests, and even sunglasses, this handy guide will help fly fishers new & old navigate the sport, The colorful collection includes a lightweight daypack, Gore-Tex hiking shoes, and gaiters designed for fast and light pursuits in rugged terrain, Our reviewer put five kid carriers to the test on trails in the snowy peaks of Maine and the sunny Blue Ridge Mountains (and at a petting zoo, too), Any chair is better than a rock, but these are the best of the best, All you need to know about the most legendary, underrated, and rightly hyped 35mm and 120 medium format rangefinders, SLRs, and point & shoot cameras, Whether you're trekking across the Grand Canyon or through Grand Central, you'll want a pair of supportive and responsive shoes to get you going, Field Mag is a registered trademark with U.S. Pat. Weve touched on it elsewhere, but lets dig in a bit further. Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Bushcraft Knife, Morakniv Carbon Fixed Blade Bushcraft Knife, Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife, GET THE VERY BEST OF GEARHUNGRY STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX, I confirm I wish to sign up to the Gear Hungry mailing list, Editorial Guidelines: How We Create Reviews and Buyers Guides, Making the Cut: Best Benchmade Pocket Knives of 2022, Swiss Shields: Best Swiss Army Knives for EDC Reviewed, Best Pocket & Folding Knives in 2022: Rugged-Ready, The Best Ka-Bar Knives for Tactical, EDC, and Outdoor Use. Another unusual feature (different from most Bucks and many bushcraft blades) is the black Cerate Cobalt coating for corrosion resistance. Whether splitting logs or whittling by the fire, we've found the best bushcraft knives for every budget and use. For this model, the 5160 spring steel blade is 4.5 inches long and 3.8 mm thick. The Tungsten DLC anti-corrosive coating protects the high carbon blade from the elements to give you years of faithful service and the over-molded rubber handle ensures you can direct your energy effectively without worrying that your hand will slip. The terms are often lumped together in the outdoors, but theres a big difference between the two. This is a first class bushcraft knife that incorporates all the characteristics you want in a survival knife. This is another bushcraft knife with a cult following, designed as a survival tool for the Swedish armed forces. A bushcraft knife worthy of the name Buck and a remarkable deal at under 50 bucks. Some of the tools of the bushcrafter include thecompass, thefirestarter, thetactical flashlightand other things like emergency blankets and a tactical or field watch. For years, the Fallkniven F1 ($150) was seen as the premium pick among bushcraft knives. Features and Accessories: The first bushcraft knife in our review comes from the CFK Cutlery Company. TOOR KNIVES Serpent Fixed Blade Caiman Green. This knife is ultra-durable and the black Multi-Mount sheath offers many options for carry. It's also the cheapest full tang knife on this list. You might be asking yourself, What the heck is bushcraft, and why do I need a separate knife for it? Well, lets check with an expert. ), Blade Length: 7 inches Simplicity is key when choosing a blade shape for your bushcraft knife. A: Here are the main considerations that go into choosing a bushcraft knife. This famous composite material was developed by George Westinghouse over a century ago, originally intended for use in electrical equipment and related applications. As with any tool that spends hours in your hand, comfort is at a premium with bushcraft knives. This particular knife features an 11-inch Tanto blade measuring 3/16 inches in thickness.
