Woodlore clones??

[Woodland whittler]

Hello everyone,
This is my first thread so go easy! I am in looking for a good woodlore clone that is sub £200 and good quality. Although I have seen similar threads, they were all posted about 12 years ago, so are a bit outdated! Two knives that I’m considering are:
Casstrom Woodsman knife
A wright bushcraft knife
Please offer any opinions you might have in either of these or other woodlore alternatives please! Any opinion is appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[Mesquite]

The TBS Boar is a pretty good knife. You've also got the Lars Falt knife by Castrom

Personally I like the Spyderco Bushcrafter but there's quite a few woodlore clones out there. You could even get a bespoke version made by a good maker for the sort of money you've got

 

[Athos]

If you want to spend a bit more, Alan Wood makes them to order for £280

 

[Nice65]

Rob Evans
Ben Orford

 

[crosslandkelly]

You'll get a lot of different opinions on this subject, here's mine.

condor woodlore - Google Shopping

www.google.com

 

[Woodland whittler]

If you want to spend a bit more, Alan Wood makes them to order for £280

Though I’m still not sure, how would I be able to contact Alan Wood if I decided on any of his knives. Google search proved useless.

Rob Evans
Ben Orford

My dream knife is a Ben Orford 3.5 inch woodlander but they are a little out of my price range! Any thoughts on the casstrom woodsman? I noticed Bob evans himself uses and likes it!

 

[Nice65]

You'll get a lot of different opinions on this subject, here's mine.

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...&ved=0ahUKEwjB4dOy39L2AhVTPcAKHbZNBO0Q9pwGCB0

Be nice to think we’ve done the clone/copy/grind/steel ‘discussion’ to death now.

 

[mikehill]

I'd go with Rob Evans myself

 

[C_Claycomb]

Though I’m still not sure, how would I be able to contact Alan Wood if I decided on any of his knives. Google search proved useless.

My dream knife is a Ben Orford 3.5 inch woodlander but they are a little out of my price range! Any thoughts on the casstrom woodsman? I noticed Bob evans himself uses and likes it!

Alan Wood can be found on Edgematters forum.

there is also this from the US, a lower cost than fully hand made.

Classic (R): Black Canvas Micarta, Choose Your Liners

Stock: Please allow 1 to 3 weeks +/- for shipment The Classic is based off of the Woodlore style of bushcraft knife. This is a revolutionary and time tested design for a general-use bushcraft knife, hence its name. The blade's near spear-point shape allows for very intricate woodworking, while...

www.adventuresworn.com

 

[crosslandkelly]

Be nice to think we’ve done the clone/copy/grind/steel ‘discussion’ to death now.

Not while people can still draw breath.

 

[Fadcode]

I have heard rumours that people being given the last rites, have muttered, "which is the best Woodlore knife to take with me", and when told which one to take, have stayed alive long enough to argue about it.

 

[Mesquite]

I still think the best knife question was when I watched a woman ask Ray Mears during an audience with what was the best grind for a Damascus blade, full scandi or convex. He was rather taken aback and just muttered it didn't matter so long as it cut before swiftly moving on

 

[TLM]

OK, slightly OT:
Why is the WL so popular? Is it somehow better than the knives before it?

I have never handled one and I am just wondering as it looks pretty much like many other heavy outdoor knives.

(I am not trying to start a fight but tales of comparison from people who have used WL and other knives.)

 

[gra_farmer]

OK, slightly OT:
Why is the WL so popular? Is it somehow better than the knives before it?

I have never handled one and I am just wondering as it looks pretty much like many other heavy outdoor knives.

(I am not trying to start a fight but tales of comparison from people who have used WL and other knives.)

For me personally, the Woodlore set the pace for what an outdoor / Bushcraft knife should be, that's why it is so iconic.

The knives available before were a bit rubbish, most were clip point, and trash steel. Now that is not saying that good knives were not out there, they were just not available to the general masses.

I have handled a Woodlore, and the converted instructors versions......do I wish I owned one, yes. Do I have a Woodlore style knife, yes.

Importantly, do I use it......no. For me, a high sabre grind is a better all round, and in a stainless steel.

I have observed that since the Woodlore, knife designs have notably improved.

 

[Tiley]

I used to own an Alan Wood Woodlore that I bought off Mr Mears's website long before you had to wait ten or twelve years for one. It was a good knife - great steel, designed with function in mind and beautifully made - but I sold it eventually. Why? Well, over time and trying out a number of different knives, I came to prefer a sub-4mm thick blade and wanted something with a little more of a curve on it. So my chosen knife now is a Woodlore clone but one made by Ben Orford. It ticks all the boxes for me and remains my cutting tool of choice.

Above anything else, the Woodlore was a massive improvement on what I had been using up until then: a dull, 'stainless', clip-point bladed thing with a monstrously knobbly antler handle that I bought from the Scout shop... Things are so much better now and the choice available is bafflingly wide.

 

[Great egret]

OK, slightly OT:
Why is the WL so popular? Is it somehow better than the knives before it?

I have never handled one and I am just wondering as it looks pretty much like many other heavy outdoor knives.

(I am not trying to start a fight but tales of comparison from people who have used WL and other knives.)

You would think people would pay more attention to what axe/hatchet to bring then on a knife. But you rarely see someone on TV with an axe, always knives.

 

[Erbswurst]

Casström Lars Fält
Casström No10
Casström Woodsman

Brisa Trapper versions are also worth a thought.

If you just want a good and cheap survival knife take the Morakniv Garberg with leather sheath. In my opinion you get nowhere so much knife for your money.

 

[Murat_Cyp]

It depends how you define woodlore clone. If a similar blade shape (i.e. drop point/spear with minimal belly) would do, there are lots of options. If you are looking for a very close copy options are more limited and prices higher.

I have recently accuired Spyderco Bushcrafter and it is quite nice. Very comfortable to use for extended period of time and seems like heat treat is spot on as it was still popping hair after hour of greenwood carving. They are bit difficult to get hold on, but if you can they are much cheaper than £200 and works great. I also briefly had LT Wright GNS it was again as comfortable but did not used it so can not say anthing about the steel performance or extended use comfort. But it should be good, you can get it around £200 imported from US. I sold mine much cheper which I regret now!

If you are after vry close copy, Jacklore seems to make good ones but not any where near £200. More like around £300, but arguably fit and finish could be better than the original one! And there is Driftwoodwalker (google it, I think he is a member too), he makes resaonably close copies. Then of course there is the original maker, Alan Wood. You can find him on Edge Matters froums (google it) but I am not sure if you can get for less than £300.

 

[eraaij]

Condor Terrasaur..

 

[Nomad666]

Make your own a couple files and some wood a campfire and its done!
Really I am making a couple more this summer...
I am looking forward to making that saw blade into a sawknife just to see if it works as a duel use item in one...