New knife wanted, any recommendations

[young1982]

I’ve just been told I have another 11 months of work with the park (Pembs. Coast National Park), so I’m going to treat myself to a custom knife after years of buying cheep rubbish. I’ve come across a few sites on the net but to tell you the truth I don’t know eve from adam, could anyone please point me in right direction.

I spoke to the boys from Bison Bushcraft a few years ago at a game fayre and have looked into getting a knife from them but at present they have a 12 month waiting list but I can’t wait that long, out of curiosity what does everyone think of their knives?

Thanks
Gethin

 

[dwardo]

Bernie Garland...

Cant afford it my self so i made my own but his stuff is stunning and he is a very nice fella to deal with...

No affiliation etc yadda...

 

[John Fenna]

Hi Gethin - another Pembs Bushcrafter!
Bison knives are pretty darned good from what I have seen - but then there are equally good ones with no waiting lists....
Are you north or south pembs?
I am up the north end...drop me a PM if you fancy a meet up/ bit of canoeing or suchlike.
John

 

[British Red]

Gethin,

depending on what you want, I'd say Bernie, Stuart Mitchell or Singeblister.

Why them? Because I have all their work and it's first rate.

Singeblister is a member here

Benies site is:

www.berax.co.uk

Stu is on

www.stuartmitchellknives.com

Red

 

[Treemonk]

Got my beauty from Ben Orford - figured ash scales, 3 mm stock and sheath to my specs.

Have fallen deeply in love with it!

Lovely guy to deal with too.

and looking at the piccies, that doesn't do his work justice at all, so excuse my bad photo skills

 

[alpha_centaur]

Go for one of bernies I've never heard one bad word about anything of his.

I really want one, but still can't justify spending more than £10 on a knife (guess what I use)

 

[rancid badger]

This one:

Bernie's Bushcrafter
Best tool I've ever owned-bar none
best wishes
R.B.

 

[Shewie]

Bernie Garland...

Cant afford it my self so i made my own but his stuff is stunning and he is a very nice fella to deal with...

No affiliation etc yadda...

Agreed 100%

 

[young1982]

Thanks all for the help, I'm going to have a look on bernie's website now.

 

[British Red]

You won't go far wrong

This is mine

Mind you Stu's work isn't exactly shabby

At the end of the day though, a knife is a knife - its lovely to have a craftsman made knife - but better to be highly skilled with a Mora!

Red

 

[sandsnakes]

Try looking at the Churi supplied by Kukhuri house. Rod of green-school has done a review. its a great working tool and a very reasonable price (under £40 for a hand made knife!)

In fact there is a shot of one in my sheath posting (blade is greased hence funny image)
Sandsnakes

 

[brancho]

Why not go for a thing of beauty like this

Look HERE for info

 

[sandsnakes]

http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/Content/Catalog/Browse/?CID=a1d0c6e83f027327d8461063f4ac58a6|5a42


Take a peek here. I have the Churi, which is a very solid tool, and for the price I can afford to use it as a work tool. Hand made for under £40..!

Sandsnakes

 

[Fluffy]

Dave Budd Mick Spain Chris Claycomb all good stuff.
Here's one of Mick's

but a number of "Economy " bushcraft knives are emerging on the market just now from UK makers so little in the way of shipping costs outside RMSD. Expect to double the cost of a knife from thekhukurihouse.com for shipping. Britishblades.com (when it's working) makers sales and classifieds is a good starting point

 

[JonathanD]

Stu Mitchell, hands down. He'll work with you on what you want with constant communication, advice and updates. that personal touch goes along way. The craftsmanship speaks for itself.

 

[NatG]

Mick Spain does some lovely knives
Bernie Garland also has some interesting designs, but i personally don't get on with the shape of the blade on his bushcrafters, still can't fault them on quality.
Chris Claycomb makes a very good quality knife, i held a few of his at a recent meet and he makes very comfortable handles
Stuart Mitchell is top class too, he's had alot of practice making knives and it shows
Shing is also a good bet, he makes some very robust knives definitely for using.
Singleblister has some particularly interesting designs, though i've never personally hald one of his knives
Then there's the likes of Alan Wood, or maybe some overseas makers like J nielson, Brian Goode etc.

Then again, you could go with a hobbiest maker, there are at least 10 on this site that will make you a VERY good knife at a reasonable price.

that probbably wasn'tvery helpful though, i'm sorry to make it more difficult


p.s. look at some of toby crocker's knives too, top notch and great customer service, and Dave Budd makes some great knives, particularly if you're looking for that more bushcrafty aesthetic

 

[robin wood]

I’ve just been told I have another 11 months of work with the park (Pembs. Coast National Park), so I’m going to treat myself to a custom knife after years of buying cheep rubbish. I’ve come across a few sites on the net but to tell you the truth I don’t know eve from adam, could anyone please point me in right direction.

I spoke to the boys from Bison Bushcraft a few years ago at a game fayre and have looked into getting a knife from them but at present they have a 12 month waiting list but I can’t wait that long, out of curiosity what does everyone think of their knives?

Thanks
Gethin

Well sad to hear you have been buying cheap rubbish. There is plenty cheap but good out there. You have not told us what you want. Is it a bushcrafter you are after? What do you do with it? Carve wood? Skin animals? Gut fish? Fell trees? Prepare food? Make a sandwich? Show people your shiney and tell how much it cost? Treasure your precious and keep it in a drawer for secret admiration? If you eliminate a couple of these options you will get a much better knife for the others. If you want to do all of them then a bushcrafter it is and you have plenty of good advice to go on.

 

[rapidboy]

I have to agree with JonathanD, Stuart Mitchell is the man.
I make no secret of the fact that i work for him from time to time and he's a good friend but i have also been a customer and he really does go the extra distance to turn your ideas into reality.
I have commissioned quite a few custom knives over the years from different makers but Stu stands out from the rest because he has the ability to make the exact knife that you have in your head.