Hi, newbie here; I'm new to all this and I would like some advice/recommendations on buying a good new knife and axe.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Knife and Axe wanted....
- Thread starter Dirty Karlos
- Start date
Since you are new to the bushcraft scene, I would suggest you get a Mora knife. Once you have learnt to sharpen it and how to perform various cuts safely, I would then progress to axemanship. I am not doubting your abilities or safeness with sharp tools, but you put a knife and an axe in front of somebody who has used neither before,and a load of wood, they will opt for the axe first every time! It takes a bit more skill to use an axe, they often cost a bit more aswell, and you don't want to shell out forty quid for a Granny B when this may only be something you are interested in for a while until you discover something else.
If that sounds a bit harsh, then I am $orry, I don't mean to come across that way. I would consider buying a good sleeping bag fopr the coming winter instead, the same forty quid will get you a Nanok bag from surplus and adventure, and from what I hear they are very good.
If that sounds a bit harsh, then I am $orry, I don't mean to come across that way. I would consider buying a good sleeping bag fopr the coming winter instead, the same forty quid will get you a Nanok bag from surplus and adventure, and from what I hear they are very good.
Hi,
Welcome to BCUK. Gransfors Bruks are the best axes IMO. Knives - are more of a personal choice, I would have a look around and be sure to get one with a full tang blade. Carbon steel is a better choice for most bushcraft applications.
Best wishes
Kris
Welcome to BCUK. Gransfors Bruks are the best axes IMO. Knives - are more of a personal choice, I would have a look around and be sure to get one with a full tang blade. Carbon steel is a better choice for most bushcraft applications.
Best wishes
Kris
The boring answer Karlos: The best thing is to wade through the many threads on those items. It will give you a good grounding on the subject and put you in good stead when you start spending money plus you will pick up so much knowledge along the way.
The short answer to point you (being a self professed newbie) in the right direction is Frost Mora knife and Gransfors Axe
The short answer to point you (being a self professed newbie) in the right direction is Frost Mora knife and Gransfors Axe
Spamel, no worries I appreciate your honesty. This isn't a passing interest fo rme though, it's something I'm very passionate about and I can see it quickly becoming a way of life for me. I'm very much an outdoors type of person and want to take it a step further.
Hi, and welcome to BCUK.
Most everyone will say as far as the knife is concerned look towards the Frosts Clipper, they are a good knife for experienced and new users alike and they are about as cheap as they come. If you want something with a leather sheath then buy a Frosts Clipper and then buy a leather sheath for it.
Axes can be a little controversial, size is one thing and next is make. Most people will agree that probably the best factory produced axes are Gransfors Bruks, but there are also Wetterlings to consider and Roselli. Problems being that the GB axes are quite expensive and if you are new to them you wouldn't want to damage it. The other thing is that when buying an axe you really want to be there to pick it out by hand if it has a wooden handle.
A good first axe would be one of the Fiskars/Wilkinson Sword axes, they are cheap in comparison, they cut pretty deeply and are nearly indestructible. Most of the guys that have them and use them have a healthy respect for them.
You could also get a good cheap folding saw for the money that you would save by buying a wilkinson in comparison to a GB or Roselli.
As far as sharpening is concerned Red did a tutorial on the £5 sharpening kit have a search and it will turn up loads.
Most everyone will say as far as the knife is concerned look towards the Frosts Clipper, they are a good knife for experienced and new users alike and they are about as cheap as they come. If you want something with a leather sheath then buy a Frosts Clipper and then buy a leather sheath for it.
Axes can be a little controversial, size is one thing and next is make. Most people will agree that probably the best factory produced axes are Gransfors Bruks, but there are also Wetterlings to consider and Roselli. Problems being that the GB axes are quite expensive and if you are new to them you wouldn't want to damage it. The other thing is that when buying an axe you really want to be there to pick it out by hand if it has a wooden handle.
A good first axe would be one of the Fiskars/Wilkinson Sword axes, they are cheap in comparison, they cut pretty deeply and are nearly indestructible. Most of the guys that have them and use them have a healthy respect for them.
You could also get a good cheap folding saw for the money that you would save by buying a wilkinson in comparison to a GB or Roselli.
As far as sharpening is concerned Red did a tutorial on the £5 sharpening kit have a search and it will turn up loads.
Some good advice from Spamel. Lots of people rush out to buy kit and then find something better later on.
Get to some meets and try stuff out. Find what suits you best before laying out the paper stuff.
Get to some meets and try stuff out. Find what suits you best before laying out the paper stuff.
Sorry Kris, have to disagree on both those points, one of my favourite users is a stainless stick tang - the stainless moras are fantastic little blades. Helle knifes are some of the best users and don't quite fit either category.
I would advise going to your nearest meet and seeing if anyone will let you have a look at their stuff.
Thats fair enough. I do use stainless moras and they are VERY good but IMO for what I use them for I tend to lean towards carbon steel knives with a full tang and thats why I say choosing a knife is a very personal thing. It all depends what you want them for. I should have been a little clearer on my reasons.
Kris
Kris
Not at all, I'm glad someone likes 01, not my cup of tea (I'm from Brecon, you come to terms with everything being wet all the time).
If we were all the same it'd be dull.
At the last meet I went to there were some superb sharp toys, it is certainly the best place to get to see a range.
If we were all the same it'd be dull.
At the last meet I went to there were some superb sharp toys, it is certainly the best place to get to see a range.
Brecon is a stunning place! I needed stainless this year, I was caught in every flood you can imagain when going to Scotland lol. And then to top that off I got sand in my most expensive camera lens (ouch!).
Kris
Kris
you might also like to consider a decent Newton Billhook rather than an axe. I've both and can not remember last time I used the Small Forest Axe.
Personally I started out with a mora as a fixed blade and its still going strong the only prob with the carbon steel is that it rust chronically if your in scotland or near the sea, (don't even ask about near the sea in scotland), I still use it today though I have added a nice wee helle to the collection.
For an axe find one thats lighter than you think you want as they get heavier as you use them (here speaketh a wimp) swinging a 4lb axe for a couple of hours isn't fun. And find one that YOU like.
As stated earlier don't overlook a billhook, its my favorite tool for general gardening and bushcraft.
The tools really don't matter its how you feel about them and what you do with them that does.:swordfigh
For an axe find one thats lighter than you think you want as they get heavier as you use them (here speaketh a wimp) swinging a 4lb axe for a couple of hours isn't fun. And find one that YOU like.
As stated earlier don't overlook a billhook, its my favorite tool for general gardening and bushcraft.
The tools really don't matter its how you feel about them and what you do with them that does.:swordfigh
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