From my experience, walkers and backpackers tend to be more into using modern gear, and a lot of the time this can negate the need for a knife. Bushcraft, IMO, tends to be more about living off the land, foraging, gathering and preparing things for a fire and so on, and a knife is useful, if not necessary, for all of these. Plus, maybe you'll want to carve something, or the like. A knife is unnecessary for camping, really, but footballs are unnecessary, tv is unnecessary and so on. Just 'cause you don't strictly need it doesn't mean that you don't want to do some things that require it. That's my take on it, anyway . . .
Bushcraft knife - novice
- Thread starter Paul_B
- Start date
From my experience, walkers and backpackers tend to be more into using modern gear, and a lot of the time this can negate the need for a knife. Bushcraft, IMO, tends to be more about living off the land, foraging, gathering and preparing things for a fire and so on, and a knife is useful, if not necessary, for all of these. Plus, maybe you'll want to carve something, or the like. A knife is unnecessary for camping, really, but footballs are unnecessary, tv is unnecessary and so on. Just 'cause you don't strictly need it doesn't mean that you don't want to do some things that require it. That's my take on it, anyway . . .
I agree. You might use it a lot or a little, but it is still needed at some point. It is somewhere between a need and a want for me. So I hesitate for a while but will still get it.
Plus a good knife can get passed on, I have my Dad's old sheath knife. Don't use it as not suitable due to size.
Plus a good knife can get passed on, I have my Dad's old sheath knife. Don't use it as not suitable due to size.
I've allways carried a knife on hikes and camps from being a kid. mind you my hobby is more survival than bushcraft so I carry a knife to get me out of trouble or build a fire rather than to engage in some spoon whittling 
Plus you need to practice with it to get a feel for it, you've made the right decision on the mora, save your money for a Knife you really want and more importantly need.
Theres a good section in issue 2 BCUKs magazine for Try Sticks. Get some willow and have a go.
Theres a good section in issue 2 BCUKs magazine for Try Sticks. Get some willow and have a go.
Paul, I agree with what you say about the clipper...plastic orrible etc but for the money its a great knife even if you eventually use it as a back up and buy something less plastic!
Personally ( and I am no authority) I would buy the clipper in carbon be amazed at how you can shave your arm hair out the box keep it a while and then buy a blade and rehandle it yourself (search my posts on lapplander from the good shop)
Lovely knives are great but they all are just for cutting stuff which a prestige kitchen knife or a kitchen devils knife do!
Dave
Ps dont get me talking about axes........now there is a subject I know even less about
Personally ( and I am no authority) I would buy the clipper in carbon be amazed at how you can shave your arm hair out the box keep it a while and then buy a blade and rehandle it yourself (search my posts on lapplander from the good shop)
Lovely knives are great but they all are just for cutting stuff which a prestige kitchen knife or a kitchen devils knife do!
Dave
Ps dont get me talking about axes........now there is a subject I know even less about
For the future, Once you decide to go for better cutlery, keep an eye on http://www.skookumbushtool.com/
It's getting very good reviews.
It's getting very good reviews.
if you want to save a bt more later i would heartily reccommend the roselli carpenter UHC, it is the sharpest thing i thin i've ever seen.
perfect woodworking companion
perfect woodworking companion
I went the same route as most. Bought myself a Mora, practised with that and then made my own knife (well the scales anyhow). I think it's very satisfying to have something you've produced yourself and a lot cheaper too! Now if I could only make the rest of the kit I want.
