View Full Version : Good hunting.skining.woodcrafty type knife
Hi,just the second joined.Iam after a good allrounder of a knife,to be used for hunting skining bushcraft ect.Iam not a collecter and just want to buy one top quality knife that will last me agood while.I dont mind paying a decent price to get a decent tool ect.Your recomendations/opinions would be most welcome.Thank you.
Mora classic NO 1 - carbon steel blade - fan-bloody-faxtic
What about the a woodlore WS?
www.raymears.com
ChrisKavanaugh
11-07-2004, 17:23
What is your experience with knives? It easier to determine what you want( need,) by first recognising what you do not. Do you prefer traditional materials, or are black synthetic handles and kydex sheaths acceptable. Is ease of care an issue? The multitude of steel choices can be almost overwhelming to a buyer. Are you comfortable sharpening the different edge geometries? What is your budget? You will not enjoy bushcraft curled up in a perpetual state of early hypothermia because Excaliber blew your budget and your kit looks like a used army blanket and laundry bag recovered from a dustbin. Think about these concerns and our suggestions will be more rational than emotion and personal preference. My knife isn't your knife.
rapidboy
11-07-2004, 18:27
Clem ,i would try as many as possible before you make a purchase.
Knives are a very personal thing and as ChrisKavanaugh quite rightly says "My knife isn't your knife".
I used to favour larger knives with clip points as that is what i started out with (my first knife is on the left)
http://img25.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/396_9651crop_1.jpg
I liked to carry a large fixed blade and then a smaller folder like an Opinel N0.8
When i started to use an axe ,the large knife was replaced with a smaller fixed blade which is what seems to be popular at the moment in bushcraft.
This is the way i have went.
An axe ,a small fixed blade and a SAK.
If i had to use only one knife i would probably go back to a larger fixed blade.
As i said ,a very personal choice.
Cheers
RB
What is your experience with knives? It easier to determine what you want( need,) by first recognising what you do not. Do you prefer traditional materials, or are black synthetic handles and kydex sheaths acceptable. Is ease of care an issue? The multitude of steel choices can be almost overwhelming to a buyer. Are you comfortable sharpening the different edge geometries? What is your budget? You will not enjoy bushcraft curled up in a perpetual state of early hypothermia because Excaliber blew your budget and your kit looks like a used army blanket and laundry bag recovered from a dustbin. Think about these concerns and our suggestions will be more rational than emotion and personal preference. My knife isn't your knife.
I do prefer natural materials but i dont mind synthetic either really providing its a good knife and its going to last a while.Ive no idea about steel choices,steel is pretty much steel to me ect,some are harder then others ect.Ive a buget of no more than two hundred pounds MAXIMUM.I guess i would prefer a knife that is easy to look after/care for,as for sharpening different edge geometries i guess i can learn.
TheViking
12-07-2004, 11:24
Hi...
The one in the middle, isn't that an Austrian combat knife? The one to the right is an Hattori...???
two hundred pounds MAXIMUM
For that price you could get something custom made to your own specifications and design..... Martyn and the other members of britishblades are probably the best people to ask about that though......
But....
Don't spend alot if you have little experience...... better to muck up a couple of cheap blades while learning to use/sharpen a knife than kill a £200 custom!!!
:-)
Ed
MartiniDave
12-07-2004, 11:39
If I were in your position I think I would opt for the micarta handled WS Woodlore, which is what I'm using and am delighted with, or possibly the Bison Bushcraft, which I have no personal experience of, but it looks right, if you know what I mean. Id spend the left over on a waterstone and folding saw.
Dave
rapidboy
12-07-2004, 11:50
two hundred pounds MAXIMUM
£200 will get you a GB axe ,a SAK and a good fixed blade and be a very capable and versatile tool kit rather than just one knife.
The Alan Wood - Bushcrafter at £145.00 is a bargain in a custom knife and if you don't get along with it you could quite easily sell it on without loosing any money (if it's looked after)
Hi...
The one in the middle, isn't that an Austrian combat knife? The one to the right is an Hattori...???
L-R
Home made from a broken butchers knife
BUCK - 119
GLOCK - 81 with root saw
CASE - Ka Bar
SOG - Bowie
For cost, usability and ease of maitainence you cann't go wrong with a Lap Pukko.
Have a look at Stuarts or Jack's sites.
Agreed about the Alan Wood Bushcrafter, it's a superb knife, you can also request handle materials of your own choice, or provide your own wood if you have a nice piece. It might also realise a profit if you decide to sell it on (...and you've kept it mint), though I wouldn't rely on a profit, there is certainly a good resale value at the very least.
Good functional knives
The Frosts Mora Carbon
The Lapp Puukko
and as a folder , ya can't go wrong with an Opinel :-)
I'd agree with what Ed said. Buy a £10 mora, learn how to use it and abuse it. Then go onto greater things!
Yes, you will get as many answers as their are people answering. In then end my personal favorites are usually small knives. Puukkos, SAKs and Doziers are my own personal carry favorites.
image #1
http://photos.imageevent.com/boynhisdog/realthings/EDC-duo.jpg
With the right edge the Doziers can be used for a number of things and they work really well. I like the horizontal carry sheath on the smaller ones.
image #2
http://photos.imageevent.com/boynhisdog/realthings/Dozier3.jpg
They are great all around blades, small but big on performance. Puukkos are probably the best woodworkers but like I said the edge will determine some of that. I am not much on big knives as the small ones do 99% of what I need and want and they do it with finess.
image #3
http://photos.imageevent.com/boynhisdog/realthings/PersonalUtility5.jpg
You really have a huge amount of choices in both big and small blades. What will become your personal favorite? Time will tell. Lots of it will depend on your personal style. I agree with the inexpensive Mora. That is a great way to learn knife handling and knife care including maintaining a good edge.
I'd agree with what Ed said. Buy a £10 mora, learn how to use it and abuse it. Then go onto greater things!
I think that this would maybe be the best thing to do,where can i get a £10 Mora from.
I think that this would maybe be the best thing to do,where can i get a £10 Mora from.
Two places for a cheap, good quality knive are:
www.kellamknives.co.uk
www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk
Good knives available from both.
Justin Time
13-07-2004, 07:43
I think that this would maybe be the best thing to do,where can i get a £10 Mora from.
Attleborough Accessories (http://www.attacc.com/) will do you a good price for the Mora Clipper.
Thanks for the replys and advise gentlemen.One more question,is the Mora Clipper knife the same knife as the current issue Swedish military/army knife.If not they look very very much alike.Thanks. :-)
RovingArcher
13-07-2004, 16:20
Mora 2000 (M2K)
http://www.hunt101.com/img/077138.jpg
For a hunting-skinning knife I was tempted to go with a pair rather than one knife. This hunter's pair were made by Gene Ingram and consists of a #4 Droppoint and a #1 Skinner supplied with a combo spine-to-spine sheath and a pair of pouch sheaths.
http://outdoors.free.fr/images/Schwert_IngramPair.jpg
This pair was done in Steller's Arctic SeaCow scales and D2 steel. Gene is an excellent maker with prices that are too good to be true, but I probably would not start with a custom set until I knew my woods style. These fit my style BTW. :-D
I think that the Mora recommendations and several others above are a great way to start though.
For your £200, you could get a good little scandi, an axe, the waterstones to maintain the edge and still have £100 or more to spare for other kit.
The other £100 would pay for at least your firesteel, bivvy bag and basha.
The Mora's are good basic little knives, once you are happy with it and wish to progress you could always get onto one of the passarounds over on British Blades where you would be able to work with a knife before either you win one or decide to go out and buy it. :-D
For your £200, you could get a good little scandi, an axe, the waterstones to maintain the edge and still have £100 or more to spare for other kit.
The other £100 would pay for at least your firesteel, bivvy bag and basha.
The Mora's are good basic little knives, once you are happy with it and wish to progress you could always get onto one of the passarounds over on British Blades where you would be able to work with a knife before either you win one or decide to go out and buy it. :-D
Current passarounds and past passaround threads on British Blades:
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=43
rapidboy
14-07-2004, 22:07
For what it's worth Clem .....
My WS Micarta Woodlore arrived today along with several other goodies.
First impressions where ,heavier than expected ,very strong ,not very sharp ,very well finished.
No rust ,micarta fits perfectally ,good looking blade grind.
Was heading to the Marble Arch caves today and stopped off at a little glen with loads of Ash tree's to try it out.
The knife is great.
Really "bites" into your work.
Quickly made a few pot hangers and feather sticks and for a first outing it really impressed.
As i said it wasn't shaving sharp but luckily the Starkie strop had arrived from Axminster.
A few strokes on my diamond stone and a couple of strokes on the strop and it was shaving sharp.
The blade is thicker than im used to and at first i thought it was going to handle like a pig but after a short time i really got into it and it feels like it last forever.
I recommend it highly.
RB
My WS Micarta Woodlore arrived today along with several other goodies.
First impressions where ,heavier than expected ,very strong ,not very sharp ,very well finished.
Exactly what I thought on my maple WS Woodlore.
For what it's worth Clem .....
My WS Micarta Woodlore arrived today along with several other goodies.
First impressions where ,heavier than expected ,very strong ,not very sharp ,very well finished.
No rust ,micarta fits perfectally ,good looking blade grind.
Was heading to the Marble Arch caves today and stopped off at a little glen with loads of Ash tree's to try it out.
The knife is great.
Really "bites" into your work.
Quickly made a few pot hangers and feather sticks and for a first outing it really impressed.
As i said it wasn't shaving sharp but luckily the Starkie strop had arrived from Axminster.
A few strokes on my diamond stone and a couple of strokes on the strop and it was shaving sharp.
The blade is thicker than im used to and at first i thought it was going to handle like a pig but after a short time i really got into it and it feels like it last forever.
I recommend it highly.
RB
Thanks Rapidboy,its a very nice looking tool and thats is what i may buy myself a little latter.Thinks its best to get myself the Mora for now.
Does anyone know if the Mora is the same knife as the current Swedish issue army knife as they look very much alike to me.
MartiniDave
16-07-2004, 08:45
There are sveral models made by Mora, you will find some at
http://www.baconsdozen.co.uk/index.htm
Good prices too!
Cheers,
Dave