My brother is looking for a general bushcraft/utility knife for his birthday, but it's not a subject I know much about. Perhaps the forum residents can give me some pointers?
Desired features are:
I'm thinking of this as a gift that will last, something to pass on to the next generation in a few years. I don't mind spending a bit on it. The Helle Harding looks like it ticks all the boxes and is in the right price bracket at £100. Is it a good buy? Anything else you'd suggest I look at?
Desired features are:
- Blade about 10cm. Robust, probably a drop point.
- Easy to maintain and clean blade, especially on longer trips in a damp climate.
- Hard steel which takes a good edge. Laminate looks like it offers both this and the point above
- Attractive wooden handle. Wood with nice patterns, leather spacers, small bits of horn are probably good.
- Enough of a guard/bolster too keep fingers away from the blade in the dark, or with cold numb hands. Also to protect the wooden handle a bit.
- Rat-tail tang is probably enough, it isn't going to be used for batoning - he'll take an axe if that's necessary
- Nice leather sheath (though I could get that separately)
- Easy to maintain in the field, not so important at home. Keeping it completely dry could be tricky, oiling a wooden handle once in a while is OK.
I'm thinking of this as a gift that will last, something to pass on to the next generation in a few years. I don't mind spending a bit on it. The Helle Harding looks like it ticks all the boxes and is in the right price bracket at £100. Is it a good buy? Anything else you'd suggest I look at?