The anatomy of the best bushcraft knife

What are your requirements when searching for a capable bushcraft knife?
Mine are the followings:

• A good bushcraft knife is made with quality materials and is reasonably priced

• Fixed blade knife, full tang - I find folding blades too delicate for tasks such as wood carving or chopping.

• A medium size blade ( 3.5 to 5 inches) - a bigger blade won't be that effective and it won't provide comfort

• Carbon blade - I know about its rust vulnerability, but if you properly maintain the blade, it's not a big deal.

• A Scandinavian Grind - definitely the best choice when it comes to bushcraft knives and it's easy to sharpen too

Regarding some knives, my favorites are the Morakniv Companion and the Spyderco Bushcraft G-10.

More information and knife recommendations can be found here

 

I like a blade that works in my environment, for what tasks I am putting it through. I have found, that for all my theories about what I want, end of the day, I have had to just take individual knives out to see what worked.
That said, this is what I usually look for:
Quality: don't care about the price, other than what I can afford at the time. Don't believe in crap blades, don;t carry them, and don't sell them.
Task Driven: I normally like a blade that will carve wood, butcher game, do small chopping, and be usable as a fighting blade. Pretty tall order for a lot of the crap on the market.
Blade Length: With those criteria, I normally break down into 3 blade zones: Pocket/Legal Concealed Carry (4" down), Work Blade (8"-14"), and Duty Blade (10" up). Pockets put minimal emphasis on fighting, Duty puts a minimal emphasis on fine carving, and Work blades fit neatly into all categories.

I learned how to bushcraft on a 11 1/2" custom bowie and a old timer Stockman...I really don;t understand all of the fuss against big blades, but each his own. I could fill a long list, but I'll drop a link if they'll let me. Haha. blackcrow

 

Agreed on all the points about the best quality materials, you can, afford, plus some. The best design, IYO, is next. I absolutely agree that one tool for all purposes is a pipe dream! That's why I carry two!

 

Knives are one of the most personal pieces of gear around, possibly second only to boots. There is no "best bushcraft" or "best fighting knife" or "best nose hair picking knife" there is on the "best" of each of these for ME or for you or for the next guy that needs to pick up a blade for a tool or weapon. I can tell you what I think is best for me, it shares some things in common with options raised here, but some significant differences as well, but that is why I wont tell you your choice is wrong, as it may only be wrong for me and "best" for you

One and one only, for me it is a Busse ASH1 in INFI. But that is just me

 

For instance, in my AO, that Outcast is not worth a damn. Like the knife, like the design, love the feel, but it does not cut the local woods as well as several other knives I already owned. Bout the only use I have for it is as a loaner knife.

@Sgt-you want a backup, I'll cut you a killer deal on one. Haha.

 

Been looking a picking some of those up. Advantages over regular Mora, say a Companion? Lot of money to shell out.

 

I think we can get them in around $85...appreciate the feedback.

 

Completely agree on stainless! I often use my Mora in a marine/ocean environment, and carbon just takes more time n care for me. Never seen the model you have pictured. Any benefits over companion or others?

 

I have not found any really advantage in the heavy versus the normal companion. Any performance differences for you?

 

I've got video shot batoning mine threw saplings. Biggest complaint for my is that the Heavy does not cut meat as well, and thus is not as good a butcher by a noticeable margin.

Thanks!

 

Just got in some Condor Kephart blades...probly gonna try and put some spruced up handles on them to draw some attention. Picked up a Hivernant to give a youtube vid with. Haven't made up my mind exactly what all I want to put it through, but it seems like a nice skinned by design.

 

The best knife you can have, is the knife you have with you..... AND.... that you have experience with & know how to use.
I see too many pictures of knives that are obviously never used and MIGHT have cut a finger once.
"WE" ALL need to get out and use our gear, or do it more often.

Second thought is about this "scandie grind" fad....

I see that is not all the rage on almost every forum and video.
I see it is a GOOD grind/edge.

However.... I do NOT agree that it is the "best knife you can choose".
Before this fad, there were HUNDREDS of years of knife wielding outdoorsmen who did just fine with all manner of grinds and blade shapes.
The knife is only as good as the maker and the USER.
So maybe we should remember that.

 

For a utility knife that's able to do double-duty I like my 5", Randall-Made, 'Saltwater Fisherman '. It's got a good working blade with plenty of 'belly'; and it just so happens to make an excellent 'sleeve knife' too.