Bearclaw or Woodlander? Advice please.

[Aliwren]

Having used a frost mora for a while now I am looking for an upgrade knife. I have read many of the posts here and on British Blades and have narrowed my search to a Bearclaw Field Knife or a Ben Orford Woodlander (i realise there are loads more options but have narrowed to these two) both are around the same price and appear to have good reviews for both the knife and the customer service. Has anyone experience with one or even better both of these knives with any comments or advice to help me decide?

 

[Snufkin]

I have a woodlander in 3mm and I really like it. Ben is a pleasure to deal with and delivers on time. The finish on the knife isn't boutique but it's a working tool not a draw queen. Bens' leatherwork on the sheath is top notch.
One feature I like is he uses native hardwoods rather than exotic woods for his handles, much of the wood he harvests himself. His attention to detail is great, he even puts a brass liner on the lanyard hole of the matching firesteel.
I've no experience with the bearclaw but I would guess you would be happy with either.

 

[BorderReiver]

Don't know what the waiting time is for the Woodlander but the BFK could take a while,AFAIK there is a l o n g waiting list.

If Ben can deliver within say,a month,buy a woodlander and order a BFK at the same time.

 

[Squidders]

I was lucky enough to get #12 of the BFK and it's lovely... a very good knife indeed... the price you pay, as mentioned previously, is the waiting list is a long 'un.

BUT...

It's all about you, the size of your hands, the length of your fingers, width of your palm etc etc etc... the list goes on and on.

I have no doubts that the Woodlander is also a top notch knife and I'm going to be ordering myself one fairly soon (because i'm a hopeless addict) but if you're getting a single knife to use for all your activities, I would try and lay my hands on one to get a feel for it first.

It may be worth giving Gary & Ben a ring and seeing if you could have a fondle of them, maybe eve put off the purchase until the wilderness gathering later this year where I'm sure there will be some to have a feel of.

As for what one is best, I don't honestly know, I haven't got both (yet) but I suspect whatever choice you make you'll get a very good knife.

- Joe

 

[Snufkin]

Don't know what the waiting time is for the Woodlander but the BFK could take a while,AFAIK there is a l o n g waiting list.

If Ben can deliver within say,a month,buy a woodlander and order a BFK at the same time.

I think it's about 3-4 months for a Ben Orford at the moment.

 

[BorderReiver]

There is of course the Custom option.

There are a fair few skilled makers on here and on BB who would make you exactly the knife you want,for the same,or possibly even less,money.

Worth a thought

 

[Marts]

It may be worth giving Gary & Ben a ring and seeing if you could have a fondle of them

Pimp

 

[Squidders]

Pimp

Shocking isn't it!

 

[mojofilter]

I have never handled a Ben Orford Woodlander, but I was dissapointed with the finishing on my BFK......

I think Gary has stopped taking orders for the BFK for the time being 'till some of the backlog has been cleared anyhoo.

 

[steve a]

The finish on mine was fine, to my eyes anyway certainly better finished than my knife from a well known Knifemaker associated with a certain bushcraft guru
In truth as both were bought for users it don't matter much now as both have taken on the nice used for what they were made for look.

 

[Squidders]

ad-hoc surgery, stirring coffee & opening tins of paint