Next knife - Recommendations?

[Banzaibrothers]

Hi All,

More advice on kit please?

I'm looking to buy my 'next' knife. I have the ubiquitous Clipper but would like to treat myself to something nicer. I'm after a general purpose knife that looks good (to me!). Here's the requirements:

Budget ~ £100 - £150
Spear Point preferred.
Stainless preferred.
Micarta (if it looks like wood!)
Length 11-12
Scandi Grind (because I know how to sharpen it).

Knives I'm considering:

TBS MK2 Boar with Turkish Walnut
Casstrom Lars Falt
Condor Bushlore (slightly too short blade, not stainless)

It will be used on canoe trips hence the micarta and stainless preference.

Any thoughts on those or knives I should consider? It seems like there are lots of knives once you get to £250 but not much around the £100 - £150 range.

Also, does anyone know of anywhere online you can buy used knives? eBay and Gumtree appear to ban them.

Any advice, as always, gratefully received.

Thanks.

Mike.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Others for consideration. Semi-stainless, not the grind, but good for general work, learn to convex and you will never look back

Lion Steel Bushcraft B35 Wood

The Lion Steel Bushcraft B35 is the little brother of the B40 and at 20cm in overall length is a much more manageable size for general bushcraft and camping use

www.heinnie.com

Lion Steel Bushcraft B40 Olive Wood Fixed Blade

The Lion Steel Bushcraft B40 Olive Wood is the ultimate tool for the bushcraft enthusiast and professional. Beautifully balanced and perfectly, precisely assembled it is an Italian made knife of real class.

www.heinnie.com

There are micarta versions

Helle Temagami Stainless Steel Fixed Blade

The semi-full tang provides the extra strength associated with bushcraft knives. The triple laminated stainless steel tang is exposed on the top and pommel end, but is covered by the wood of the handle on the finger side.

www.heinnie.com

 

[Stew]

One of the Enzo / Brisa range?

 

[JonathanD]

I really like the look of Lars’ knife. And the price is really good too.

Casstrom seem to have ‘borrowed’ the BcUK logo though.

 

[Robbi]

worth a look

MkII TBS Wolverine Puukko Bushcraft Knife - CB - Standard Sheath

The Mark II version of the Wolverine Puukko is slimmer, lighter and, in my opinion, a better, finer cutter. What are the main differences between the

www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk

 

[Banzaibrothers]

Oh my god. How are you ever supposed to decide!

Think maybe I should look into convex sharpening - open up the possibilities even further!

Don't suppose anyone has heard of WolfknivesbyTerry? There is a nice knife by him on Etsy:

Bushcraft Knife - Etsy UK

Bushcraft knife Wearing brown canvas micarta scales with black 1mm liners Made of the finest 01 tool steel 4mm thick. The knife is 220 mm long overall with a blade length of 113mm 59-60rockwell with 6mm brass pins and lanyard tube. The sheath is 4mm veg tan leather black dyed with very strong tiger

www.etsy.com

I need to look into 01 Tool Steel......and convex sharpening.

 

[punkrockcaveman]

Do you really want stainless?

I would keep your eye on the member classifieds on here, there are some great knives that turn up

 

[TeeDee]

I picked up one of this range the other day - SS , I was / am impressed , comes with a great sheath also.

Steel Will 255 Druid

Steel Will's Mini Druids are a series of light and compact hunting and camping knives. Incorporating the DNA of the Druid series, they provide a small and convenient alternative to the larger members of the Druid family.

www.heinnie.com

 

[Banzaibrothers]

Do you really want stainless?

I would keep your eye on the member classifieds on here, there are some great knives that turn up

No, I'm not entirely sure about the stainless steel or the micarta (although I like the idea of that in the more natural finishes). I am set on a spear point, a natural looking handle, pref scandi (although I need to look into convex sharpening).

I really appreciate all the suggestions and advice. I know this is one of those 'no right answer' questions.

 

[C_Claycomb]

O-1 will almost rust just from showing it the river. I am a great fan of stainless and some of the other alloy tool steels. 3V, and Sleipner have a fair bit of chrome...not as much as D2, so not quite "semi-stainless" but certainly stain less than O-1 or 1095.

I too liked the feel of the Druid that I handled last year.

Another places that sells knives is Edge Matters. A forum, and you have to pay membership to buy, which is not the case here. Here you just have to pay to sell.

How do we decided? You really are new to this! Most of us don't decide, we just keep looking as and when funds permit!

 

[Banzaibrothers]

Thanks! That's good to know about the 0-1 - that was nearly a big mistake. The bushcraft knife by Wolfknivesbyterry ticked all the boxes otherwise.

Thoughts on K720 High Carbon Steel vs N695 Stainless Steel?

 

[Robbi]

I picked up one of this range the other day - SS , I was / am impressed , comes with a great sheath also.

Steel Will 255 Druid

Steel Will's Mini Druids are a series of light and compact hunting and camping knives. Incorporating the DNA of the Druid series, they provide a small and convenient alternative to the larger members of the Druid family.

www.heinnie.com

I like the look of that.

 

[punkrockcaveman]

O-1 will almost rust just from showing it the river. I am a great fan of stainless and some of the other alloy tool steels. 3V, and Sleipner have a fair bit of chrome...not as much as D2, so not quite "semi-stainless" but certainly stain less than O-1 or 1095.

I too liked the feel of the Druid that I handled last year.

Another places that sells knives is Edge Matters. A forum, and you have to pay membership to buy, which is not the case here. Here you just have to pay to sell.

How do we decided? You really are new to this! Most of us don't decide, we just keep looking as and when funds permit!

We are both on opposite ends of the scale

My experience of stainless is that the edge is no where near as good as a carbon blade. I always clean and strop my blade and every now and then a bit of oil on it, they get a lovely patina on them. I feel that it is just basic blade care really, unless I'm cutting up bait for sea fishing, which I have a used and abused old mora for the job. Not the stainless one though haha.

 

[Robbi]

Using a basic spyderco sharpmaker i can put a hair shaving edge on both 01 and stainless, to be honest i prefer stainless.

 

[mikehill]

A bit more money, but I love my recently acquired F1 Pro. To be honest though there are tons out there. The TBS would do you fine.

 

[MikeLA]

I would actually go with the Condor Bushlore. You don’t need to spend over £100 on a good knife

 

[mic201m]

.........….bite the bullet , and have a go at making your own knife , if I can do it I'm sure you can....

 

[Banzaibrothers]

.........….bite the bullet , and have a go at making your own knife , if I can do it I'm sure you can....

That is something I would like to do ... one day.

 

[gra_farmer]

So many to choose from, but the Enzo trapper 95, is a modern day classic, get it in elmax and it will never let you down.

Or get it as a blank and make your own handle

I was lucky to get the S30v version and very happy

 

[gra_farmer]

That is something I would like to do ... one day.

I have, great experience https://bushcraftuk.com/community/threads/handmade-knives-to-swap-for-enzo-or-bark-river.154300/