choosing a new knife

[FerlasDave]

i have been into bushcraft for a while now and at the moment have one of those jungle knives you can get on ebay (the ones where you unscrew the handle and theres a compass in there) but i have been looking at some new ones at a shop around the corner and need some advice.

i am stuck between choosing 2 knives one is the walther P99 tactical knife and the other is a buffalo river black drop point knife. i like them both but am wandering if any of you know the pro's and cons of these knives?

thanks, Dave

 

[SimonM]

Not being familiar with either knife, I did a quick web search and came up with the details below...

Buffalo River...

The Buffalo River Hunter is the newest Dozier design. It is a drop point hunter designed for A. G. Russell™ customers. We are offering it with your choice of Green Linen Micarta® or Desert Ironwood. Like all of Bob's standard, hollow ground hunting knives these are made of D-2 at 60-61 Rc.

Walther ...

Crafted out of 440C stainless steel, the 11 inch Walther® P99 Tactical Knife is truly a versatile defensive tool. The 5-1/2 inch spear-point razor and false edged blade is partially serrated on one side and promises quick and decisive action with a bite. Sure-grip rubber Kraton® handle provides maximum control and the wide steel guard adds essential protection during thrusts. Comes with the popular Walther® ballistic nylon sheath rigged for boot, belt or shoulder harness carrying options.

Unless you are dispatching enemies of the state, I would stay clear of the Walther. Amongst many other reasons, you would have a hard time justifying having it to our friendly boys in blue, and could find yourself up in court! IMHO, you should stay clear of any knife that is double edged and / or has a saw back. It makes changing grip very dangerous and is very limiting in what you can do.

I have emboldened the parts of the description that worry me the most...

For me the choice is a no brainer, of the 2, go for the Buffalo River!

Simon

 

[Dingo]

Take your time there mate, have a good look round this site and you will find all manor of knives which people use day to day and in bushcraft settings.

the number one thing is that whatever you get, make sure YOU are happy with it, is it the right size,shape,wieght etc etc, because ultimately you are the one using it, so as long as it ticks all your boxes its a winner!

my advice is not to spend to much to soon and see if you are happy with your choice of blade shape etc, once you have used it for a while and if you feel you either want or need a new model then have another look for an upgrade.

patience mate will save you in the long run.

Adam.

p.s Welcome aboard.

 

[pothunter]

It's a very personal decision but I suggest you keep looking.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Am I correct that this is the Walther P99 you are refering to?

Walther P99 Tactical Knife - Fixed Blade

"Crafted out of 440C stainless steel, the 11 inch Walther® P99 Tactical Knife is truly a versatile defensive tool. The 5-1/2 inch spear-point razor and false edged blade is partially serrated on one side and promises quick and decisive action with a bite. Sure-grip rubber Kraton® handle provides maximum control and the wide steel guard adds essential protection during thrusts. Comes with the popular Walther® ballistic nylon sheath rigged for boot, belt or shoulder harness carrying options."

In the words of John McEnroe..."You cannot be serious?!?"

And this the Buffalo River?

"Buffalo River knife range has been designed for hunters and farmers. Featuring both everyday working designs along with models for specialist skinning tasks. The range includes both folding and fixed blade models. All Buffalo River Knives use stainless steel blades that are easy to maintain in the field and will retain their edge between sharpens. Handles are made from attractive natural timbers or functional composites for durability and ease of cleaning. Several models of the knives are supplied with leather or nylon protective pouches that provide a safe and convenient carrying mode.
"

It is good that you are looking to move on from your hollow handled thing since almost without exception they are very poor tools, however, that Walther has not one feature that would make it a bushcraft knife. That knife was designed as a weapon first, almost to the exclusion of any other utility tasks.

The Buffalo River looks a lot better as a utility tool. The blade isn't going to lend itself to wood carving without a bit of work on the edge, and lacks point for fine work, but it appears that it would do well at heavier cutting and splitting. The handle doesn't look bad either.

As has been advised countless times before. Go get yourself a Mora, or if you want something a little fancier one of the other puukkos by Kellam, Brusleto, and Helle. Fallkniven F1s are good, as are the Cold Steel Master Hunter, but both are getting up for £70. For value and quality the Mora can't be beat.

You don't say where you are based, or what you want the knife to do. Bushcraft covers a lot of ground and the views of what makes a good bush knife vary with location around the world.

 

[Hoodoo]

As has been advised countless times before. Go get yourself a Mora, or if you want something a little fancier one of the other puukkos by Kellam, Brusleto, and Helle. Fallkniven F1s are good, as are the Cold Steel Master Hunter, but both are getting up for £70. For value and quality the Mora can't be beat.

You don't say where you are based, or what you want the knife to do. Bushcraft covers a lot of ground and the views of what makes a good bush knife vary with location around the world.

Gotta go with Chris on this one.

One of my favorites is the Brusletto Norgeskniven. Classy knife that will do everything a good bushcraft knife is supposed to do.

 

[ANDYRAF]

I have to agree with Hoodoo and the others on this issue, If you go for the walther your buying a weapon not knife.

 

[Traper]

Another vote for Mora.

If you don't want Mora take a look at this one- Rat RC-3. It is in my TOP 3.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rat-Cutlery-Kni...VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

This Walther is useless as far as bushcraft is concerned.

 

[Bushcraft4life]

The Rat RC-3 imo is a tactical knife like the Walther.

The TAK-1 is much more suited to Bushcraft i think.

 

[Traper]

The Rat RC-3 imo is a tactical knife like the Walther.

I thought so too but one week in woods with this knife changed everything. For me this one of the most universal tools I've ever had.
IMO TAK-1 is not very far from RC-3.

 

[Bushcraft4life]

I thought so too but one week in woods with this knife changed everything. For me this one of the most universal tools I've ever had.
IMO TAK-1 is not very far from RC-3.

Yeah, but i just find the shape of the TAK-1 more useable, especially when modified.

 

[SimonM]

TAC-1

Working in cooperation with local Police, SWAT and ERT units, Wally has designed and custom built the Hayes TAC-1 and the TAC-Custom. Two incredibly solid pieces of tactical weaponry for professionals. These blades were requested by police professionals whose lives depend on their tools. The resounding success of these custom blades with SWAT and ERT members has convinced Wally to start producing these amazing blades for sale to collectors.

I just think, that in the days of anti knife, knee jerk reactions, carrying this would be a difficult position to defend legally. Maybe its just me?

Simon

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Simon, i said TAK-1, not TAC-1, blimey thats the ugliest thing i have ever seen

This is the Ontario TAK-1

 

[SimonM]

My bad :sad6: - But you're right, that is one ugly knife!

Simon

 

[Bushcraft4life]

No worries Simon.

Just have to say it again but that knife is

 

[FerlasDave]

thanks for all your help guys, i may purchase the buffalo river as extra searching has told me that it comes with a very nice sheath, made of nylon with a different kind of clip that seems it would do the trick.

 

[brancho]

Simon, i said TAK-1, not TAC-1, blimey thats the ugliest thing i have ever seen

Was knife designed for an ugly knife competition :yikes:

that should be illegal on looks alone

 

[sandbender]

thanks for all your help guys, i may purchase the buffalo river as extra searching has told me that it comes with a very nice sheath, made of nylon with a different kind of clip that seems it would do the trick.

Davey, spend just a little longer looking through the various threads on choosing a knife, the Buffalo River looks more 'bushcrafty' than the other tool you shortlisted, however the blade grind and type of steel used will make for a disappointing purchase (IMO).

For detailed woodwork and carving a flat or 'scandi' grind is a better choice, and a softer carbon steel blade will be easier to keep sharp in the field.

A brief search of the internets provided these links...

http://www.karamat.com/articlefs.html

http://www.geocities.com/anderswilderness/Knifechoice.html

Which provide sound advice.

 

[FerlasDave]

i went back to the shop to take a loser look at the BR the other day and i saw that they had a new model in stock, it is a little like the model above however it has a far better blade which is more pronounced and the steel is a softer carbon being at m110 so i bought one as i think it will do most of the jobs i want it to. (and i must say for a factory blade it is damned sharp!)

ill get pics of it as soon as i can.

 

[sandsnakes]

Knives are like people you fall in and out of love with them. Some times they wont sharpen, yet pick it up a week later and its like a razor.

I have adopted a principle of buy cheap until found the shape and handle configuration I wanted, now Dave Budd is making me two! A skinner mased on an Mtech and a drop point Bowie. Thats a bit extreme I know, but what the hell they will last almost for ever.

So keep looking, talking, asking and then you will find the right bit of kit for your hand shape and your use. A scalpel in one persons hand is like a hammer in anothers.

Sandsnakes