I say budget, you say knife

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warnerbot

Guest
Hello folks.

I'm heading to Alaska for a big adventure. Time to splash out a little bit of money on a multi purpose bush blade, any advice welcome.

Jobs.

Skinning, processing, general hunting use.
Probably get stuck inside a salmon or two too.
Batoning, shelter building
etc

I'm pretty set on scandi...

Budget, not got a lot of money. Probably topping out at £100.

I've never, ever been into folders, but some of TBS Boars look nice, and they seem to be popular. Don't know if I could stretch to one of their fixed blades.

GO!

Thanks in advance...
 

kanukkarhu

Tenderfoot
Mar 21, 2012
63
0
Western Canada
I recently harvested a deer and used my mora bushcraft black to process it. Not the greatest, IMHO. (I cut myself for two sticthes whilst using it... :( ) Are you sure you're stuck on a scandi grind knife for an all purpose adventure/hunting knife? Just putting that out there for your consideration.

I much prefer a convex full flat grind for general all around use because I find they work better for me, and love using my scandis for wood work and such. Ymmv.

I hope to have an awesome time in Alaska! Enjoy and stay safe.

ATB,

KK

ETA: more so that the scandi grabs against the bone when cleaning/gutting/processing. It's a deep biter, and not prone to slide along bone etc. Again, just one person's opinion, for what it's worth... :)
 
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Will_

Nomad
Feb 21, 2013
446
3
Dorset
You'll probably get at least 30 different answers to this thread :D
Everyone will have a different opinion and you will too. I'd encourage you to get your hands on loads of knives to see what you like using :)
Then spend the money when you're sure it's right for you...
To answer the question though, if I was heading out on an expedition, I'd take my MOD survival knife: http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/John-Nowill-Knives/Survival-Knife/p-92-153-1159/ as well as a small folder like a Svord Peasant.
 

chimpy leon

Full Member
Jul 29, 2013
543
139
staffordshire
Dont rule out a full flat grind as they will come into their own when prepping game. Otherwise Enzo trapper 01 scandi is a good knife within budget.
 

santaman2000

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jan 15, 2011
16,909
1,114
67
Florida
Forget all advise here, and don't even consider buying a knife until you get there and talk to the locals. You'll get better advise there than here. You mentioned skinning, processing (I assume processing game) and general hunting. That means you'll likely be getting a hunting guide. Ask him.
 

relin

Full Member
Sep 29, 2010
190
1
Chesham
Esee 4 or 6, bomb proof field knife would be my choice

http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/esee-6-survival-knife---rc6-9208-p.asp

esee-6-survival-knife-rc6-9208-p.jpg
 
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relin

Full Member
Sep 29, 2010
190
1
Chesham

Silverback 1

Native
Jun 27, 2009
1,216
0
64
WEST YORKSHIRE
Personally i would disagree, i have used an ESEE 6 clone for all of the tasks the OP asked to do, however if i had a choice i would take the ESEE and an axe rather than 2 knives...

Interesting stuff......I personally wouldn't like to field dress any game/food (especially fish) large or small with an Esse 6 sized knife, the blade is far too big and clumsy and blade stock too thick to perform such tasks and i would carry a much smaller knife for this.
My first choice for field tasks would also never be a scandi grind, hollow or full flat for me every time, but the OP specified scandi.
Any pics and details of the Esse clone?
 

relin

Full Member
Sep 29, 2010
190
1
Chesham
Any pics and details of the Esse clone?


There is a thread over on BB where i wrote up a weekend away camping, i specifically didn't take an axe with me with the intention of beating the crap out of the ESEE clone, it did everything i asked of it, not fantastically on all counts but well enough to get by, it wasn't the greatest chopper in the world (too smaller blade really) but if i had to survive on only one knife, its a no brainer.

http://www.britishblades.com/forums...rafty-weekend-May-Bank-Holiday-VERY-PIC-HEAVY
 

Silverback 1

Native
Jun 27, 2009
1,216
0
64
WEST YORKSHIRE
There is a thread over on BB where i wrote up a weekend away camping, i specifically didn't take an axe with me with the intention of beating the crap out of the ESEE clone, it did everything i asked of it, not fantastically on all counts but well enough to get by, it wasn't the greatest chopper in the world (too smaller blade really) but if i had to survive on only one knife, its a no brainer.

http://www.britishblades.com/forums...rafty-weekend-May-Bank-Holiday-VERY-PIC-HEAVY

Thankyou, Mr.Reid did a very nice job of the Esse clone and that is a great thread.
Have you actually processed any game, fish or meat (non supermarket) with the knife?
This is a genuine question, and not a wind up? :)
 

relin

Full Member
Sep 29, 2010
190
1
Chesham
Thankyou, Mr.Reid did a very nice job of the Esse clone and that is a great thread.
Have you actually processed any game, fish or meat (non supermarket) with the knife?
This is a genuine question, and not a wind up? :)

Skinned and butchered a couple of Roe & Muntys, butchered a spitroast sucking pig. No small game or fish but the big stuff is a doddle.
 
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Hibrion

Maker
Jan 11, 2012
1,230
7
Ireland
Based on what you want and where you are going, I think you'd be better off getting a full flat grind knife and investing in a decent axe.
 
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warnerbot

Guest
Hello everyone.

Thanks for all the advice, and not being a knife enthusiast per se I've seen lots of knives mentioned that I have neither heard of nor seen — everyone knows about the 300–400 quid knives, but only knife savvy people know how to get a decent blade for under a ton.

To answer a few questions directly. Putting a handle on a knife is something I could do, but time constraints are the limit. I am woring hard to earn cash in the coming two months before my departure. I actually have a hunk of O1 which I have cut to shape (pretty much a woodlore clone) and drilled. I also have wood for scales, brass pins and tube for a lanyard loop. However, I have no bench grinder, and have not yet worked out a way of setting up a jig for hand filing the scandi in (I live in a one bedroom flat in brixton with no outdoor space). Realistically, while I look forward to working on knives in the future, it ain't gonna happen before this trip.

With regards to axe, I am going to be moving between the snowy forest of the Yukon, pacific islands in Alaska and the mountainous forest of British Columbia. All of the places I am going I will be work in locations that will have axes/hatchets knocking about. So I will not be taking my bruks forest axe with me.

I could get a blade out there, as was suggest, but I am already a londoner showing up at an alaskan oyster farm to hunt and hang out with some burley bearded men. I need to get all my **** before my departure and make it look dirty, so the don't mock me!

Maybe I am only set on scandi because I do so much wood carving etc. I have got round to investing in a decent scandi bush knife. Maybe I should get a scandi and take something cheapish like an opinel for skinning and field dressing..?

Thanks again everyone!
 

Samon

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 24, 2011
3,970
44
Britannia!
Mora robust and an opinel #9.

Both knives together will cost under £30 and will cover all the things you've mentioned.

Don't waste your time with those big Rambo knives mate, spend your money wisely so you have more for your trip.

And take your axe! Granny b's are a world away from the rusted lumps you'll be handed in Alaska! Lol :D
 

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