Yes, to the first two, peeling potatoes I've never been any good at and why waste the tastiest part?
The Elusive “One Knife” for Bushcraft…?
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The other end of the spectrum from baton splitting knotty oak logs or felling saplings in a single blow.I am going to disagree.The idea of one knife to do everything is an illogical trap because it's based on the assumption that everyone has the same needs, skill and working environment. …..There's nothing wrong with going into the bush with both a Scandi AND a FFG. …
Gracie
I don’t think the search is based on the assumption that you assert that it is. Just because some people making suggestions to a person do not qualify their recommendations with a list of their skills, needs and environment it doesn’t mean they assumed they are the same. The idea of a question cannot be defined by how a small subset may approach asking or answering it.I would also say that if the ffg and Scandi are otherwise identical, that is inefficient enough to be called “wrong”
There are so many other factors beyond grind that effect what a knife is most useful for. That is why one gets things like 
) . For example, if someone carries a Scandi for wood work and a FFG for food prep both jobs will be easier with different thickness, profiles, handle designs, and perhaps steel. Now it’s not carrying a Scandi and a FFG, it’s carrying a woods knife and a light kitchen knife.
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I suppose I ought to contribute with my “Do it all” knife and my journey to find it.
I never really got bit by the Scandi knife bug. I’ve got one that I made, a couple of the Spyderco Bushcrafters, a Mora (loaner and demos), and a Hultafors that I keep for leatherwork.
I came into Bushcraft having been heavily influenced by reading Ed Fowler’s knife talk books and having made myself something along those lines; 5 3/4 inch blade, 3/4” ricasso, big guard. Was great for field dressing game and did pretty well for chopping saplings, but was awful for feather sticks and food prep. It was reviewing that knife and the Wood law fundamental course that I took it on that brought me to Tony’s attention when he was looking for moderators.
I can thank a Swamp Rat Bog Dog, and chance to handle a number of Alan Wood’s knives, and chat with Alan at shows for steering me towards the design of handle I now like. I am a big fan of continuous curved edges and distinct pointed tips.
Today I don’t have my ideal knife, but I know exactly what it needs to look like and will get round to making it in the next year or so.
Basically this, but with a 0.5mm thicker blade in Magnacut and a Micarta handle with hidden tang.
I never really got bit by the Scandi knife bug. I’ve got one that I made, a couple of the Spyderco Bushcrafters, a Mora (loaner and demos), and a Hultafors that I keep for leatherwork.
I came into Bushcraft having been heavily influenced by reading Ed Fowler’s knife talk books and having made myself something along those lines; 5 3/4 inch blade, 3/4” ricasso, big guard. Was great for field dressing game and did pretty well for chopping saplings, but was awful for feather sticks and food prep. It was reviewing that knife and the Wood law fundamental course that I took it on that brought me to Tony’s attention when he was looking for moderators.
I can thank a Swamp Rat Bog Dog, and chance to handle a number of Alan Wood’s knives, and chat with Alan at shows for steering me towards the design of handle I now like. I am a big fan of continuous curved edges and distinct pointed tips.
Today I don’t have my ideal knife, but I know exactly what it needs to look like and will get round to making it in the next year or so.
Basically this, but with a 0.5mm thicker blade in Magnacut and a Micarta handle with hidden tang.
Settled for the moment on the White River Fire Craft Puukko as my go to edc bush craft knife.
This is again a smaller than average sized knife, 3.75 inch blade, S35VN, scandi grind.
Definitely a can do most things knife, but sits within a 4 tool system of SAK (with saw), Puukko, large folding saw and axe.
This is again a smaller than average sized knife, 3.75 inch blade, S35VN, scandi grind.
Definitely a can do most things knife, but sits within a 4 tool system of SAK (with saw), Puukko, large folding saw and axe.
I have a Fallkniven F1, which I found was good for most things, from gralloching deer to slicing fruit to cutting through ropes and pointing sticks, and all sorts of other tasks. I think a similar knife of any make would be good. The only fault I have for the F1 is that I found it will chip more easily than carbon steel knives.
Speaking of which... My go-to for hikes has now for years been an opinel. Dirt-cheap, doesn't matter if I lose one, it is the sharpest implement I can think of bar a razor, and whatever it cannot do is better done by a hatchet and a Laplander, both of which are always in our bags. Use the right tool for the job.
That said, if I had to live with just one knife for a long time, it would be an F1 or something along those lines.
Speaking of which... My go-to for hikes has now for years been an opinel. Dirt-cheap, doesn't matter if I lose one, it is the sharpest implement I can think of bar a razor, and whatever it cannot do is better done by a hatchet and a Laplander, both of which are always in our bags. Use the right tool for the job.
That said, if I had to live with just one knife for a long time, it would be an F1 or something along those lines.
I don't really see a problem here, when out the knife you use is the one you have with you at the time. There might be some limitations but so what, there'll always be some what ever you have.
That is not to say there are better or worse knives for tasks, certainly. If one looks at one of the last everyday knife user groups here in Finland, rein deer herders, they often seem to carry at least two but most often three knives, a whacker(large leuku), smaller utility knife (mid size leuku) and a small one for eating. If something is left out it looks to be the smallest. When looking at their choice it must be remembered the environment, taiga and near tundra.
When coming south I think the whacker would be the first to go and it would be replaced by a small axe/hatchet and in winter time a saw. The one knife solution I guess would be a a fairly strongly built 12 to 15 cm bladed knife.
That is not to say there are better or worse knives for tasks, certainly. If one looks at one of the last everyday knife user groups here in Finland, rein deer herders, they often seem to carry at least two but most often three knives, a whacker(large leuku), smaller utility knife (mid size leuku) and a small one for eating. If something is left out it looks to be the smallest. When looking at their choice it must be remembered the environment, taiga and near tundra.
When coming south I think the whacker would be the first to go and it would be replaced by a small axe/hatchet and in winter time a saw. The one knife solution I guess would be a a fairly strongly built 12 to 15 cm bladed knife.
Yip. Similar with the Nepalese and their kukris, which are about that size and usually come with an additional smaller couple of knives on the sheath for the finer tasks. I think one would need at least two knives, unless they had a hatchet/axe with them.
Indeed- large chopper plus something small seems to cover a lot of bases. Perhaps the modern equivalent is a big skarma with either a small skrama or a small jaakaripuukko mounted on the sheath- https://varusteleka.com/en-gb/produ...a-240-and-jaakaripuukko-85-with-double-sheath or
varusteleka.com
Historically, there was a distinction between the eating knife and the dagger or work knife.... nothing new really.
But..... it always depends on what you mean by "bushcraft." Many homestead type activities will use specific edged tools too...... and you would use different selections if butchering game or filleting fish....
GC
Varusteleka Skrama 240 and 80 with Double Sheath
The big Skrama 240, the small Skrama 80, and a leather double sheath in the same set – how convenient!
varusteleka.com
Historically, there was a distinction between the eating knife and the dagger or work knife.... nothing new really.
But..... it always depends on what you mean by "bushcraft." Many homestead type activities will use specific edged tools too...... and you would use different selections if butchering game or filleting fish....
GC
It’s not so much about the knife. But the person using it. Some people can do most tasks with a large axe or bill hook they’re very familiar with. Familiarity is key.
That seems the opposite of light to me. If you have one quality knife. You don’t need the other three knives and maybe just the axe or saw as an extra. That will save you a stack of space and weight. Can I ask why you take so many knives please?
No. That is honesty. Thank you for that. I do have things I take with me that I have the same respect and emotional connection too. I’d give you 100 likes for that. What a wonderful bit of honesty and reverence. Some things are worth it. Even if other people don’t understand or sneer at it. Wonderful. Thank you again.
I think that’s a forum thing. I don’t do much foraging. I study wasps and hornets and hang out in forests investigating the ebb and flow of its inhabitants. Mom foraged for mushrooms that dad threw out as they’d kill us stone dead. And dad does some foraging for stuff that won’t. He’s well into nature and that’s rubbed off, but he’s studied venomous snakes as a living. I know a bit about the plants and trees and how they can be used. But I like to move about investigating and not sit in one place until it’s dark. So I travel light as insect observation needs loads of equipment. But still carry a couple of heavy things as they’re personal.
OK, I'm allergic to Wasps and have to carry an epipen, still sounds great though. I'm hoping to be able to buy a narrow boat and spend my retirement living on the river.
No such critter imo. 
Feel free to experiment though and deplete you bank account. Or just buy a Mora. Or a bunch of Moras. Now my idea of all-round woods knife would be something like the Victorinox Venture.
Feel free to experiment though and deplete you bank account. Or just buy a Mora. Or a bunch of Moras. Now my idea of all-round woods knife would be something like the Victorinox Venture.
Blimey!No such critter imo.
Good to hear from you!
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