Legal edc bushcraft knife ?

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mikehill

Settler
Nov 25, 2014
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356
Warrington
Hi all, I have a TBS Boar which is great but I was wondering what other options with a scandi grind are available ?
 
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swotty

Full Member
Apr 25, 2009
1,878
246
Somerset
Hi all, I have a TBS Boar which is great but I was wondering what other options are available ?
My favourite ones to carry are Enzo pk70, Fox nauta, Terry Kidd friction folder, Manly wasp and Realsteel Luna. I'm thinking of getting a Lionsteel bestman in the new year as they just look beautifully made but a tad pricey. Which one I have in my pocket depends on what I'm likely to be doing during the day.

Sent from Somerset using magic
 
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C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
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Oct 6, 2003
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Ben Orford's Nomad is the best I have seen.

I have a Bestman, a Viper Dan2, a modified Boker Slick and have handled a Luna. I think the Bestman is the best of the bunch, but none are Scandi and none are really bushcraft knives, just EDC that can be adjusted to whittle.
The Dan2 has a pretty good handle, thin for bushcraft, but large for EDC, fairly comfy, but the detent keeping the blade open is too weak for bushcraft.
I gave two friends Heinnie red Lunas and was quite concerned about how weak the spring was, that was the softest slip joint I think I have handled. Also, the blade was really thin, sliced cardboard like a laser, but I would not trust it as a wood working tool.
The Slick has a strong back spring and a really deep notch, takes a lot of effort to close, so much so that it is almost risky. That part I could like, but the handle size is so small that it is next to useless. I have medium hands and it isn't possible to grip the handle for wood work without getting cramps, its just too small.

I have a PK70m flat ground, that I need to put a handle on. I would say that the back spring on that is the best on any that I have handled, but it isn't so nice when folded up. It is a shame they do not make them any more.
 
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swotty

Full Member
Apr 25, 2009
1,878
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Somerset
I have a Bestman.

Do you have the BM1 or BM2? I can't decide which is the handiest blade profile of the two.

I agree the Luna has a weaker backspring the choil certainly helps avoid accidentally closing.

The Wasp has a couple of stops which can be annoying but a handy safety feature. But as the OP says their not scandi.

Sent from Somerset using magic
 

Murat_Cyp

Forager
Sep 16, 2020
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Bristol
I saw a few UK maker making scandi friction folder. Ben orford,crowsfoot sigian dubh (Andrew Buckenham) and field and steel (Steve Armstrong) are the ones coming to my mind first. Quite expensive but good looking knives!
 

fenix

Forager
Jul 8, 2008
136
102
Kent
What about a Svord Peasant? Thats what I tended to carry if out walking from town to the woods.
 

C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
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Oct 6, 2003
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Bedfordshire
Do you have the BM1 or BM2? I can't decide which is the handiest blade profile of the two.
...

I have the Bestman 1, most basic Micarta version. I don't think the BM2 was available when I got mine, and although I don't dislike the BM2 shape, I think the BM1 is a better shape for what I want small pocket knife for. I want a knife that is small to be able to do delicate tasks, I want a point that I can do fine cutting and poking with. The BM2 spear point is likely to be stronger, sure, but it won't dig out a splinter, or make tight turn whittling cuts.

Not wanting to hijack the thread.

On topic - I believe there is a difference between an EDC that can be used for whittling and camping, and a bushcraft knife that is also EDC legal. Knives that are designed for EDC tend to be easy to carry, which means they are slim, and usually try to fit the most blade in the least handle. This is in contrast to good bushcraft knives that need to be strong and easy to hold for carving.

Mike, you can correct me if I have this wrong.

I think you mean a "Legal EDC bushcraft knife" as in the thread title would have a slimmed down hand-filling handle of a bushcraft knife with a strong pivot and a non-locking sub-3 inch cutting edge. The selection of a Scandi grind for a folder means the number 1 reason for its existence is wood carving since all other tasks performed by pocket knives will suffer somewhat from that grind.

Its a knife you pick up when going out for a country walk or camping, or to practice bushcraft, when you want to be safe in the knowledge that you have legal cover walking into a pub for lunch (pre-2020), or going to the shops, or having a chat with a policeman. No niggling worry about whether at any moment you have "good reason". Not necessarily the knife you carry around the home, town, and office every day.

A SAK doesn't really qualify, and still wouldn't even if it were made a Scandi ;) This is a bit of a UK specific niche.
 

TLM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Nov 16, 2019
3,115
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Vantaa, Finland
Scandi grind for a folder means the number 1 reason for its existence is wood carving since all other tasks performed by pocket knives will suffer somewhat from that grind.
Now really asking why this opinion, I don't quite see any reason but there might be some.
 

mikehill

Settler
Nov 25, 2014
953
356
Warrington
That’s it. Scandi, non locking slipjoint. Doesn’t have to be slimmed down though . I carry the boar in it’s belt pouch as it’s hidden under a fleece or jacket.
Basically, is there another version of the TBS Boar out there ?
 

C_Claycomb

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Oct 6, 2003
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TLM
Since you and I have a different understanding of what a Scandi grind is, my remark was not aimed at you. I am sure your Scandi does everything wonderfully. The grind on the TBS Boar, or the Orford Nomad will generate more resistance, compared to my Bestman, or a SAK, if asked to slice some foods (bread, apples, cheese, salami), open mail, cut up cardboard, plastic bottles, or rope, just off the top of my head.
 
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TLM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Nov 16, 2019
3,115
1,641
Vantaa, Finland
I have a different understanding of what a Scandi grind is
For this discussion I am quite willing to use the "british scandi" definition. Hmmm.. I don't understand that, with about the same edge angle it will generate more resistance than what?
 

Stew

Bushcrafter through and through
Nov 29, 2003
6,453
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Aylesbury
stewartjlight-knives.com
Oh dear, and so it starts!

It’s only friction folders that come to mind of anything of a substantial size. PK70 is solid but petite. The boar does give that satisfying sense of size. Are you just looking for more options In the collection or is there a shortcoming in the boar for you?
 
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