Bushcraft tools/blades

[mboschm]

OK, title is pretty much self explanatory. I'm looking for a relatively cheap knife to take in the bush. I'm not at all interested in Rambo-style survival knives. I've spent quite a long time in the woods without needing to baton wood, pry open doors or anything of the sort, but since I've started tinkering with wood cooking I may have to do feather sticks, perhaps help cutting small branches... Besides, I don't want too much weight.
Since now I've used a Swiss army knife, but really, I want to stay away from springs as much as possible. I've had a few accidents with it and besides blade tends to "go backwards" if a lot of pressure is used so I've had enough of it. I'll pass it to my little cousin when he finishes primary school.
So I've decided that my woods equipment will be: A small multitool (I was thinking of Leatherman Juice S2, cutting off the blade or the Style CS) and a medium sized knife. I'm doubting between Spyderco and Opinel. Both seem decently priced, which is a great plus. I know Opinels work great, I've got a 6 in carbon steel which is great for day hikes, but I'm not taking it for a few days in the wilderness, as I don't want to deal with rust (we all know we don't clean our knives as much as we should when going for a few days out there), so I was thinking about a stainless nº 8. About Spyderco, well, the saber grind looks appealing to me as it will be tough for sure (Opinel blade is good, but I bent the tip trying to whittle too hard wood), but I'd like something that locks. No more accidents, thank you.

So, what do you think about it?

 

[VerbaVolant]

...I'm looking for a relatively cheap knife to take in the bush...

Mora of Sweden

...So, what do you think about it?

Exceptional value.

 

[dlegros]

Seconded - I have done a couple of Hostile Environment courses with British Army SERE instructors and they recommended Mora knives for a good starter knife.

 

[mboschm]

^^ Thing is, I don't thing I can get them locally, while I can get Opinel and Spyderco.

 

[mboschm]

And BTW, I see this knives as too big and precisely what I don't want. I'd prefer folding.

 

[thebikingengineer]

I have a Mora and love it. I think it was $6 and they're readily available on Amazon. Folding isn't really the best choice for bushcraft, the fixed blade makes for a more secure knife when used hard. The Mora I have is Carbon Steel, but if you do a nice forced patina on it (I rubbed the blade down with a fresh onion which worked well) you shouldn't have any rust problems. I have both small and larger bush knives, a 3-4" clip point blade is about as small as I would go.

 

[RVK101]

If you only want a folding, lock blade, openel in a great, inexpensive knife, as you already know. If you did not know, Swiss Army does produce a number of in line lock blades now. For a fixed blade, as mentioned, Mora is excellent for the money, also check out the Condor Bushlore line of knives. They are readily available on Amazon, are make in El Savador, and very inexpensive for 1095 steel. Are you seriously considering a Juice or CS for a multitool? They are both rather small for any type of camp work.

 

[Wingnut]

From lurking on an Appalaichian Trail website, I know that the Becker Necker knife is well thought-of there. I believe they come as small as a 3" blade. but I'm not positive.

 

[Mr Bob]

This is something you may not hear suggested often nowadays, but have you considered Buck knives? The Buck 110 is a solid folding knife, and has earned it's good reputation with campers and hunters for good reason. They use 420HC for the blade, but it performs very well (Buck's heat treating process supposedly), and in a pinch can be honed on rocks far easier than the more modern tool steel blades many use today. They are also relatively low priced, so loosing one in the woods won't be a kick in the wallet (I think the 110 is still made in the USA).

If you're looking at a little higher priced knives, Fallkniven makes some great field knives in both fixed and folding. I don't think they are very well known, but their knives are top shelf, and their perform and durability are hard to beat in their price class... great knives.

 

[garyg]

Just my humble 2 cents .. most backpackers take too much steel along, a small Swiss Army took me over the western divide on four trips, one of the little spring saws made short wood ..

No reason whatsoever for a sheath knife, unless it gives you pleasure

 

[Legion]

When I was working in the bush I carried a Buck 110. That is about as flimsy and small as I want a folding knife to be that I may need in an emergency situation. I really like opinels and SWK's, but they are "city knives", or at least ones you carry in the bush for very light duty. Not much good for serious chopping, shelter building, dressing animals, or anything that requires a fail safe mechanism.

 

[mboschm]

Are you seriously considering a Juice or CS for a multitool? They are both rather small for any type of camp work.

I am, indeed. I don't think I'll have to do industrial-like tasks when camping. Perhaps cut some wire every now and then, straighten a bent pole, cut fingernails, substitute screws on esbit stove... I tend to bring things that are lowest-maintenance.

From lurking on an Appalaichian Trail website, I know that the Becker Necker knife is well thought-of there. I believe they come as small as a 3" blade. but I'm not positive.

I've thought also about "neck" knives (although there's no way I'm carrying them around my neck, it just doesn't feel safe), I'll look what's available locally.

Just my humble 2 cents .. most backpackers take too much steel along

That's why I'm not that interested on big survival knives. I'm not as brave as the guy on sectionhiker.com, that goes with just a Victorinox classic, but I've yet to field dress an animal when backpacking (hunting is another piece of cake, but when I go I tend to dress animals at home) or to split big logs (my stove works with twigs, small branches that I can chop 99% of times using my knee and pine cones).

 

[Legion]

That's why I'm not that interested on big survival knives. I'm not as brave as the guy on sectionhiker.com, that goes with just a Victorinox classic, but I've yet to field dress an animal when backpacking (hunting is another piece of cake, but when I go I tend to dress animals at home) or to split big logs (my stove works with twigs, small branches that I can chop 99% of times using my knee and pine cones).

Yeah, and 99.9 times out of a hundred you will not need to do anything with your knife that requires any heavy work. But the reason why you carry a larger knife (and it doesn't have to be Rambo large) is just in case. You probably won't need a first aid kit either, but it's a good idea to have one. Take a multi tool + a proper knife. Either a medium sized sheath knife, or a heavy duty folder with a locking blade. Use the knife for your cutting tasks, and the multitool for your DIY handy little jobs. Ones with good pliers come in particularly handy.

 

[mopar440_6]

My recommendation would be something from Columbia River Knife and Tool or Kershaw. CRKT makes great knives, keeps them simple and the prices are reasonable. Kershaw builds some of the toughest knives I have ever seen. Any CRKT knives that have the Auto-Lawks feature will NEVER close on your hand while in use. I have 2 CRKT knives and 3 Kershaws and I love those blades. Here are few that might be a good fit for your needs.

CRKT M21 G10
http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Rive...8&qid=1362582994&sr=8-1&keywords=crkt+m21+g10

CRKT M16-01Z
http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Rive...8&qid=1362583333&sr=8-1&keywords=crkt+m16-01z

Kershaw Blur
http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Olive-Drab-Black-Knife/dp/B006PTMSCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362584201&sr=8-1&keywords=kershaw+blur

Kershaw Scallion
http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Onion...d=1362584623&sr=8-4&keywords=kershaw+scallion

 

[narativesoul]

i have been looking at this opinel. check it out
http://www.opinel-usa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=opinel-No8-outdoor

 

[TheShaun]

I'm sorry, I don't have a folding knife recommendation for bushcraft. But if you reconsider your need to have a folder, and are willing to go the fixed blade route. I will echo again and again a Mora.

I have a Mora Companion.

 

[MrMurphy]

If I had to go with a folder, I wouldn't choose an Opinel. They're nice, but not particularly strong from the examples I've seen.

I've carried a Spyderco around the world a few times in the last fifteen years. A Chinook II would do well, but it's not cheap. A Victorinox Soldier (the new German and Swiss army issue) has both a locking blade and the basic tools you'd typically need, for about $50. If I 'had' to go with one folder, that'd be it.

A good 4" fixed blade though would be recommendation, along with a light axe or hatchet.

 

[Firewalker]

There are a lot of poignant things my dad has told me over the years but one of the most useful pieces of advice he gave me was to keep something to defend yourself in easy access, not in a pocket or on an ankle. I carry a Victorinox Swisstool Spirit 24/7 on my hip except when showering and sleeping. I have used it to saw small branches to set snares, whittle when having down time, sew leather, align bolt holes for an alternator on the side of a highway, tighten untold many sleeve bolts and hiking gear, adjust skis etc. I have a post paid bubble envelope in my GO! bag so If I still have it at the airport when I got through the line, I can drop it and ship it me at home.

The blade is the best part, shaped more like a str8 razor, it has an excellent edge, can be sharpened with a sliver of slate and is strong enough to pry with if one has to. I cannot recommend another knife of any kind.

 

[mongoose]

The Juice S2 will do just fine since you are not looking for a project on your get away. I carry a Wave but the truth is that I have never needed anything from that tool that my old PST would not do for me in the woods. I would also get the Style CS or a Micra to keep in the first aid kit.

I am not a fan of anything Spyderco but it would be my first choice when comparing to Opinel.

 

[DavyRay]

Get a Mora #2 Classic. It's cheap. It's easy to sharpen. It is tough. Light weight, too. Good chef knife around the campfire. Add a lanyard to keep it dangling from your neck. Get the carbon steel version. I heard you about cleaning a blade. Not relevant. Get a carbon blade anyway. Who cares if it discolors?
You have gotten good advice from several members. Are you going to listen?