Suitable Knife for a new Bushcrafter

[David B]

Hi all
I have just joined the site and am looking for info/opinions on a knife I have.
It Is a locking folder, the logo on the blade is
Kershaw,Oregab USA,By Kai Japan. the serial numberis1050
The blade is Aproximately 3.5inches
.http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/Yeltnebuk/DSC00549.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/Yeltnebuk/DSC00548.jpg

This Knife was left to me by a good friend almost 20 years ago and has sat unused in a cupboard for most of that time.
My questions are,
Is it legal
is it suitable for bushcraft
how do i sharpen it
Any info would be appreciated

 

[Graham_S]

well, in the eyes of the law it's a fixed blade knife. with all the restrictions this entails.
however,
for bushcraft there is no substitute for a real fixed blade. a folding blade (even if it locks) is capable of folding onto your fingers.
if you're just starting you can't go wrong with a frosts mora. a cracking knife for under £10

 

[ScottC]

Hi David.

Without a reasonable excuse it would be illegal to carry because it has a locking mechanism. Because it's a folder and quite a small blade it isn't really that suited for bushcraft tasks and if it has some sentimental value it might be best to keep it aside or use it for small tasks.

A good cheap knife for bushcraft is a mora clipper, it's only around £10 and is a very versatile blade - if you mess it up badly it wont cost the earth to get it replaced. You can buy it from a lot of places including but not limited to www.raymears.com , www.wilderness121.co.uk , www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk/trading.htm and I'm sure you can find a few on ebay aswell.

With regards to sharpening there is a good write up by Stuart which you can find here http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=10718

Hope that helps a bit.
Scott.

 

[wingstoo]

Hi Folks,

Got my Frosts Mora from this store......

http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr1655.html

Found the staff very helpful, even tipped every knife out of the box to make sure I got two high carbon steel bladed ones, rather than the stainless version.

They are cheaper now than a month ago.

LS

 

[spamel]

I got my Mora from Surplus and Adventure, and I got a folding cup thrown in for free!! My girl uses it as she is only 5 and it is just the right size for her!

The plastic sheath is horrid, but the knife is spot on. Either replace the sheath, or adapt the plastic one so that it doesn't look so bad and doesn't have the horrid plastic belt loop! Think Turks head knot.

 

[laurens ch]

You can have my old clipper (one of the mora models)if you want .I don't get on very well with the handle ,just pm me if your intrested and i'll send you the knife.

 

[British Red]

You can have my old clipper (one of the mora models)if you want .I don't get on very well with the handle ,just pm me if your intrested and i'll send you the knife.

Rep point to laurens ch! Thats how to welcome new members!

Red

 

[C_Claycomb]

Don't be fooled by all the advice that you NEED a fixed blade for "bushcraft". It just isn't so
For a start, check out http://www.backwoodsurvival.co.uk/about.htm, no knife in evidence, but he uses a little non-locking folder for a LOT of his projects.

A folder will handle a lot more jobs than people think, and since you can do a lot of stuff out doors without carving anything, a sheath knife is not a pre-requisite to start doing bushcraft.

If you DO want a fixed blade, then all the above advice is excellent. When learning some of the skills that do require carving, it is easier and safer to learn with a knife that fills the hand and won't fold. Using a folder requires a little mroe skill and care.

As for your particular folder. Well, the handle looks nice and wide, which spreads load, but overall it appears a heavy knife and the finger grooves would limit the number of grips you could use comfortably, so cancelling out the width factor. There are some tutorials on sharpening at the start of the Edged Tools section, also some info in the FAQ thread. It looks like it just has a little secondary bevel, so could be sharpened for that on any water or medium oils stone.

That is a Kershaw Folding Field Knife. The 1050 is the model number, not serial number. A google search will give a little more info.

Kershaw "Folding Field Knife"
#1050
Kershaw's original folding hunter. This beautiful folding knife is a work of art. The phenolic handle has built in finger contours for a firm, non-slip grip. The premium steel (AUS8A) used in the production of this knife holds an edge good enough to shave with.

Features:
(Blade) Steel - AUS8A (don't know if this is the same steel as used 20 years ago)
Handle - Phenolic with Brass Bolsters
Blade - 3-3/4" (9.5 cm)
Closed - 4-3/4" (12 cm)
Weight - 8.6 Oz.
Drop Point Blade
Comes with Harness Leather Sheath
MSRP $195.00

 

[Hoodoo]

I have a 1050. Bought it back around 1985. I believe the steel was 440C. It's a very HEAVY folder. Built like the proverbial tank.

 

[addyb]

David,

I agree with Scott, Ludlow, and just about everyone else on these forums. Go for a Mora knife, whether it be a laminated carbon or a 12c27 stainless clipper. They're utterly amazing knives, but please don't be put off by the inexpensive looking sheaths and handles. When you buy a Mora you're paying for the blade steel, and it is of THE highest quality. They hold great edges and sharpen up very easily. What more could a person ask for?

Adam

 

[RovingArcher]

David,

I agree with Scott, Ludlow, and just about everyone else on these forums. Go for a Mora knife, whether it be a laminated carbon or a 12c27 stainless clipper. They're utterly amazing knives, but please don't be put off by the inexpensive looking sheaths and handles. When you buy a Mora you're paying for the blade steel, and it is of THE highest quality. They hold great edges and sharpen up very easily. What more could a person ask for?

Adam

A kydex horizontal crossdraw sheath that accomodates a firesteel.

 

[BOD]

The plastic sheath is horrid, but the knife is spot on. Either replace the sheath, or adapt the plastic one so that it doesn't look so bad and doesn't have the horrid plastic belt loop! Think Turks head knot.

Thinking is hard. Could you illustrate?

Wonderful knives. Horrid sheaths. Mine is egg yolk yellow!

 

[Pignut]

Looks like a good strong knife!

There is no reason why you can not use this for most "bushcraft" tasks, I have carved spoons and the like with a SAK so dont be fooled by "The need to buy a mora" (but at the price you may as well)

If you look at some of "Patrick M's" makes he only uses a folder

They are more veristile then they are given credit for! and as long as you use them correctly they will not snap shut on your fingers!

As for sharpening, with a folder I would use something like this the Gerber one

 

[laurens ch]

If i'm correct that knife has a seconary bevel so it may be a little more difficult to sharpen. Do a google search on sharpening a secondary bevel.

 

[snock]

Attleborough accessories do Clippers for a tenner.
Great knives!!

 

[David B]

You can have my old clipper (one of the mora models)if you want .I don't get on very well with the handle ,just pm me if your intrested and i'll send you the knife.

Wow
What a great offer! of course iam intersted(PM Sent).

Thanks for all the info its a pity that the law in this country feels that everyone who carrys a knife is a homicidal maniac.
I think i will also use the Kershaw because I am sure the person who left it to me ment it to be used. And using it for bushcratf somehow seems to fit with his memory!

 

[OldJimbo]

Welcome David!
I think you'll learn a lot fast by using the Clipper in conjunction with that folding knife. It's not that the folder won't do everything you need, but rather that a knife comes into use pretty frequently for all sorts of stuff. It's handier to have a light fixed blade knife which can be quickly unsheathed or sheathed. I've come to love the cheap light Moras which I can carry by a cord around my neck so they are always in front and handy. I found with folders that it got to be too much trouble to be constantly folding and putting away, so I found myself walking around with an open blade which is never a great idea, even for a few steps.

 

[David B]

Just recieved the Clipper from Laurens Ch.
Not only a Clipper but a bonus Ophinel and some sharpening paste.

Thanks again for this very generous gift. :You_Rock_
My Mother used to say that Strangers were just friends you hadn,t met yet.
Well forums like this prove that you don't need to meet people to make new friends.

 

[laurens ch]

No worries, the knife. I found my some of my sharpening slipstones I lost in a stream by the way still missing the 4000 grit there was a lot of rain last night and I think it must of been washed away. Still I recovered the 1000 grit and 8000 stones

 

[Rebel]

That Kershaw knife you showed at the start of this thread is a really nice knife.

It's one of their best blades.

This is a sold comfortable knife and, to me, in use it feels just like fixed blade.

You would expect to pay a whopping £151.95 for this knife here:
http://www.heinnie.com/cgi-bin/heinnie_store/web_store.cgi?page=kershaw/fr-kershaw.htm&cart_id=

IMHO, as an occasional bushcrafter, I think your knife is very suitable for bushcrafting. Kershaw market this model as a "field knife" and it is designed for heavy outdoor usage.

From your pictures I'd say it's seen a fair bit of use and may well need sharpening. There are so many ways to sharpen a knife that it's mind boggling. Being a person who likes a simple life I bought a Spyderco Sharpmaker