General Purpose Bushcrafting Knife

[WeeWildyCamper]

Hi all,

I've been perusing through all the information regarding shiny stuff, and tbh I'm finding it a bit mind-boggling and difficult to make an informed choice, as there are so many options!

My question is, can you recommend a decent quality bushcraft knife for starting out with?

My budget is around £30 - £40, and it'll be used for woodsplitting, featherstick making, whittling and any other general purpose bits and bobs.

I'm not looking to spend a fortune, as I'd rather start out on a beginner blade until I have experience of sharpening (at the moment I have none!) and utilisation - then once I've got to grips with things, I'll probably shell out a fair amount more for a keeper knife

I have a simple stainless steel NATO issue locker also, although I'm not sure what that would stand up to.

Many, many thanks for reading thus far

~WWC~

 

[DR2501]

Everyone is going to recommend a Mora mate.

Although, if you want something more attractive I think a Condor Bushlore is a good shout at £26

 

[DR2501]

Mora
http://www.proadventure.co.uk/acata..._Carbon.html?gclid=CLbTvbGP5bwCFQgOwwodQ3AACA

Bushlore
http://www.bronzemoonoutdoors.co.uk/condor-bushlore-knife-0

 

[MartiniDave]

There's also the Hultafors, which at the moment I'm favouring over the Mora. For you budget you could get the regular Craftsman's knife and the heavy duty version and still have cash left to buy a stone.

Dave

 

[decorum]

Everyone is going to recommend a Mora mate. ...

Yup . Buy a Mora (or Hultafor equivalent) and put the rest of the money towards sharpening kit


And do a forum search on retailers _before_ you make a purchase

 

[Badger74]

Yup . Buy a Mora (or Hultafor equivalent) and put the rest of the money towards sharpening kit

And it doesn't have to be an expensive sharpening system. A maker of all things metal and sharp, Andy Kirkham, used a cheap two sided oil stone to sharpen my axe to shaving sharp at the weekend.

 

[Haggis]

Some knives are ubiquitous: Opinel #8 or #9, Mora, certain SAK's, but a common 5" boning knife or a smaller paring knife from the kitchen will serve quite admirably.

 

[tom.moran]

as above, no need to spend a huge amount, there are some great knives out there for very little. i personally have the hultafors heavy duty knife at £6 which is great but i just wish it was a little longer as its not great for splitting wood. i also have the mora companion, fantastic knife, my favourite at the moment and can be had for £10 most places. i also would recommend this for a first sharpening system, it really is well worth the money at £20

 

[monkey boy]

Mora all the way, I guarantee that you will keep going back to it even once you have bought a more expensive one

 

[smojo]

I'm a newbie and opted for the Mora Black carbon AT ABOUT £35. The black finish is supposed to resist oxidisation and rusting and it looks cool too. Sharp as hell, used it quite a bit already and very pleased with it.

 

[crosslandkelly]

I'll buck the trend here, and say that for the top end of your budget, you could get the Condor Kephart. Full tang, better for battoning and a good all rounder. That said, the Mora is a great option.

 

[Parbajtor]

currently out of stock but a great knife
http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/952-Morakniv-Companion-Heavy-Duty-MG-Knife/

 

[Big Stu 12]

Has to be a Mora for me.. no need to spend any more, for sharping wet and dry, autosol with an old leather belt to strop with

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Another one for the Mora and one of these to go with it.
http://www.heinnie.com/Sharpeners/Fallkniven-Sharpeners/DC3DC4-Whetstones/p-370-212-418/#

might even have some change leftover for some plasters.

 

[Man of Tanith]

I'll buck the trend here, and say that for the top end of your budget, you could get the Condor Kephart. Full tang, better for battoning and a good all rounder. That said, the Mora is a great option.

Good knives these.
be prepared to do a little fine tuning though
good way to learn about sharpening

 

[ozzy1977]

A mora cant be beaten, the black version is no better than the normal ones just 3 times the price.

 

[noonan79]

Mora or condor bushlore, don't use bronze moon outdoors for the condor though, bad bad service.

 

[Silverback 1]

Mora is a great choice with your budget, but trying to think outside the box, maybe this might take your fancy if you like traditional puukko's

http://www.ronniesunshines.com/finn...o-knife.html?gclid=CO7t7PHF5bwCFQPmwgodFGIAfQ

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Another option is to make your own.
http://www.heinnie.com/-Knife-Kits/Enzo-Knife-Kits/O1-Carbon-Scandi-Blank/p-881-1081-9480/

 

[Sparrowhawk]

There is a reason why all the bushcraft schools hand out moras. They are designed for what we do.