View Full Version : Alan Wood - Bushcrafter
rapidboy
28-08-2004, 14:13
My girlfriend got me the perfect birthday present (only took her 14 years!!)
The Alan Wood - Bushcrafter .
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/404_0409_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/404_0412_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/404_0407_1.jpg
The tapered tang makes the balance absolutely perfect.
I have never had a knife as sharp ,it's amazing.
Loads and loads of balls for heavy cutting and yet it's like a scalpel for fine work ,it feels like an extension of my hand.
Very similar to the Woodlore in terms of size but the Bushcrafter feels much more lively in the hand ,much more controllable.
Im really looking forward to testing this one :lol: :lol: :lol: .
tenbears10
28-08-2004, 14:31
Looks great RB they make quite a pair. The bushcrafter looks better every time I see it. Is it the same spec as Martyns?
Let us know what you think when you've had a chance to use it a bit wont you.
Bill
Is it the same spec as Martyns?
I think it's a differnty wood and RB's has a thong hole, mine doesnt.
One mod I've done myself to mine, is to tre-hone the edge into a perfect flat grind. I know Alan likes the hollow grind on this knife, but the flat just dings my bell. A lot of work,but I had to do it - I was compelled. :o):
http://www.britishblades.com/pics/regrind/regrind1.jpg
http://www.britishblades.com/pics/regrind/regrind2.jpg
http://www.britishblades.com/pics/regrind/regrind3.jpg
http://www.britishblades.com/pics/regrind/regrind4.jpg
http://www.britishblades.com/pics/regrind/regrind5.jpg
Nice blade you've got there RB!!!
I took a look at jamie's at the BCUK meetup very nice
TheViking
28-08-2004, 18:16
Hi...
That's a very nice knife!! :D Wish I had one of those. Personally I like the Bushcrafter a lot more than the Woodlore, cause it has a little more curve towards the tip. :wink: The blade also looks a little more thick, wide and solid. :biggthump
The General
28-08-2004, 18:57
How many hours of work was that Martyn? Excellent looking knife, one which was a real pleasure to handle at the meetup.
TheViking
28-08-2004, 19:00
Rapidboy: don't post such a picture of such a lovely knife... Now i'm in love with it! :cry: :wink: :wink:
It will be mine! Ive emailed Alan about it, asking for the "British Blades" knife effectively, but with a full flat grind and micarta scales (but i am persuadable if anyone things that is sacro!).
Cheers,
Jake
tenbears10
28-08-2004, 19:50
It will be mine! Ive emailed Alan about it, asking for the "British Blades" knife effectively, but with a full flat grind and micarta scales (but i am persuadable if anyone things that is sacro!).
Cheers,
Jake
Have you got a price and a delivery estimate Jake? I would be interested to know if that's OK
Bill
Bill, he hasnt got back to me yet. I'm away right now, borrowing a friends computer so i will be able to check late tomorrow night.
BTW i just made a deliberate effort to damage my highland to tell you guys/gals how tough it is, and it is one tough edge! Will let you know if i manage to and will write the details tomorrow. (i thought it was about time i gave you all a proper review)
Cheers,
Jake
How many hours of work was that Martyn? Excellent looking knife, one which was a real pleasure to handle at the meetup.
Dunno exactly Wayne. I did it a little bit at a time over a couple of weeks (very boring). Prolly somewhere between 3 and 10 hours. I took a hollow grind into a true flat grind using nothing but stones, so you can guess it took a while. I did it over a couple of weeks, not just because it's boring work, but because I get irritated with slow progress and tend to try and rush it. If I'd tried to do it all in one sitting, I'd of made a total hash of it, I'm sure. Doing it a bit at a time when the inclination took, meant I gave it full attention and did the job right. It's phenominally sharp and truly flat. One thing, I did loose quite a bit of metal off the belly of the knife though - not entirely a bad thing. You can prolly see in the pics, it still has plenty of belly, but not so much as it used to and less than RB's from what I can tell.
Hours? :yikes: ... what did you start with? ... a 2000 grit?
TheViking
28-08-2004, 23:56
Hi...
What steel is it made in??
Cheers
The General
29-08-2004, 00:05
O1 unless I am mistaken?
Hours? :yikes: ... what did you start with? ... a 2000 grit?
Not far off Mushi. I could've got it there with a 60 grit belt much quicker.
O1 unless I am mistaken?
You are not mistaken.
The General
29-08-2004, 00:06
Dunno exactly Wayne. I did it a little bit at a time over a couple of weeks (very boring). Prolly somewhere between 3 and 10 hours. I took a hollow grind into a true flat grind using nothing but stones, so you can guess it took a while. I did it over a couple of weeks, not just because it's boring work, but because I get irritated with slow progress and tend to try and rush it. If I'd tried to do it all in one sitting, I'd of made a total hash of it, I'm sure. Doing it a bit at a time when the inclination took, meant I gave it full attention and did the job right. It's phenominally sharp and truly flat. One thing, I did loose quite a bit of metal off the belly of the knife though - not entirely a bad thing. You can prolly see in the pics, it still has plenty of belly, but not so much as it used to and less than RB's from what I can tell.
You did a very nice job there Martyn. I will leave mine with the hollow grind as I simply do not think I need the full flat grind enough to spend that kind of time on such a project! :wink:
You did a very nice job there Martyn. I will leave mine with the hollow grind as I simply do not think I need the full flat grind enough to spend that kind of time on such a project! :wink:
Mate it's all down to personal choice. No *need* for it to be one way or the other really.
The General
29-08-2004, 00:14
Ah... What does need have to do with collecting? :wink:
I did find myself thinking at the BCUK meeting why so many people were concerned about single or double bevels and other issues. If its razor sharp, easy to sharpen and holds a great edge... who cares? :-) Who cares if it has a bit or rust or has scratches on the blade, if it works... who cares? :o):
Just make sure your edge is well set up and sharpened properly and the rest will follow! :naughty:
rapidboy
29-08-2004, 18:31
Sorry for the delayed response guy's.
I asked Alan for a knife to the same spec as Martyn's except for a Thong Hole.
The scale material looks different but Alan assures me it's Rosewood root and as it a natural material obviously no two will be identical.
To be critical about the scales ,the 2 don't match in colour or grain and i as im very fussy i would have preferred the scales to be be from 1 piece of wood split with the grain matched ,but then again i am very fussy.
The sheath is buffalo hide and again looks different from Martyn's ,i was a little disappointed that it did not have the tab for securing the fire steel but as i have read that Martyn find's it a bit of a nuisance then perhaps it's better without it.
The sheath could have been a little rounder at the bottom ,more like the Woodlore to suit my taste but the belt loop is a much superior design and allows the sheath to move out of the way when you sit down.
I use these knives as EDC's and that feature is much improved over the Woodlore when getting in and out of vehicle's.
I have given it a little use this weekend ,a few feather sticks but mostly used in the kitchen and i have to say i find it very easy to use.
RB
To be critical about the scales ,the 2 don't match in colour or grain and i as im very fussy i would have preferred the scales to be be from 1 piece of wood split with the grain matched ,but then again i am very fussy.
That would bother me too .. and I'm not easily bothered
I'm easier to please ... I'm happy if the scales don't warp and bust off! :o):
Although I may be becoming more picky!!!!!
rapidboy
29-08-2004, 20:52
If it was going to live in a case as part of a collection then i think it would annoy me but these are just tools to me and if they preform well then thats the most important thing.
RB
To save you the stress... I kindly offer to remove the offending knife for you free of charge.
I really have to get myself one. i really liked the feel of Jamies and the meet up
Wayne, have you emailed Alan? We should both email him with same requests. Perhaps that would inspire him to get going on two new projects!
Cheers,
Jake
rapidboy
29-08-2004, 21:17
What a generous offer Wayne :nana:
my request is in the pipeline.
It might be a good idea to gauge the level of interest here though. a group order might raise the profile and reduce the wait.
Its a possibility, anyone else wanna be in on it?
MagiKelly
30-08-2004, 11:05
Jake
You better order two, you know, in case you drop one :lol:
tenbears10
30-08-2004, 11:11
Jake
You better order two, you know, in case you drop one :lol:
Make that three-one for dropping, one for loosing, and one for keeping. :wink:
Only joshing mate.
Bill
Never gonna hear the end of this! :lmao:
MagiKelly
30-08-2004, 13:43
Never gonna hear the end of this! :lmao:
Not untill someone manages to lose something bigger and more expensive.:wink:
Oh dear, i suppose i hold a record!
TheViking
30-08-2004, 17:01
Hi...
The bushcrafter looks like it's better for skinning... Is it?
It has a more beautiful handle IMO and so are the blade shape. :wink:
rapidboy
30-08-2004, 20:55
That's just what i was wondering Viking so i took the rapid7 out tonight and shot a few rabbit's to test it out :wink:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/404_0454_1.jpg
I'm pleased to report the Bushcrafter preformed every bit as well as the Theoben.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/404_0458_1.jpg
I haven't had a chance to do any carving with it yet but so far I prefer it to the Woodlore ,although it's got me thinking about a Woodlore with a tapered tang to liven it up a bit.
Squidders
30-08-2004, 21:00
Bugs!!! you killed Bugs bunny!!! WB are NOT going to be happy! :yikes:
You should have used your ACME air rifle :naughty:
MagiKelly
30-08-2004, 21:37
Oh dear, i suppose i hold a record!
Careful you do not drop it too :lol:
Sorry Jake I could not resist.
:lmao: I dont mind a lost record!
tenbears10
30-08-2004, 23:09
A few rabbits RB :yikes:
That looks a great knife and you are going to have to stop posting pics of your rapid 7 or I'm going to get ideas and my wife will kill me. :wink:
Bill
Hate to do it guys but there is bad news on the bushcrafter front. He is unable to make anymore bushcrafters as he has such a big list from woodlore. He doesnt know how long it will be. But it will be longer than for the woodlore.
He was really apologetic and he is doing his best, but he has got a hefty amount of work to do! So, not sure if you can order but if you can the wait will be long.
I am now looking into the bison bushcraft knife as a custom, anyone got any ideas on that one? I know Adi has.
Cheers,
Jake
Why not get yourself over to BB and get one of the fine knife makers there to make you a custom? They are a very expierenced lot of folk over there, you will be able to disscuss your need in a knife and they will help with the design.
Just a thought?
:-)
Ed
Why not get yourself over to BB and get one of the fine knife makers there to make you a custom? They are a very expierenced lot of folk over there, you will be able to disscuss your need in a knife and they will help with the design.
Just a thought?
:-)
Ed
Ah! I just spoke to roger and i am ordering a bison bushcraft, i checked my email and i just happened to read his first before i took a look at my BCUK alerts.
Hadn't thought of that. Good idea though. I think i'll be happy with the Bison, as i was looking for something as similiar to the woodlore as possible.
Cheers,
Jake
I think i'll be happy with the Bison, as i was looking for something as similiar to the woodlore as possible.
Cheers,
Jake
Get a Woodlore then! :?:
tenbears10
31-08-2004, 18:44
Get a Woodlore then! :?:
I don't think Jake wants a years wait Martyn. Also Woodlore have stopped taking orders for alan wood ones again.
Bill
I don't think Jake wants a years wait Martyn. Also Woodlore have stopped taking orders for alan wood ones again.
Bill
Well he could get another Micarta model, then with a bit of luck, it'll last him 12 months before he looses it and then his Alan Wood version will be ready. :o): :o): :o):
Then i can order another Alan Wood as soon as i get my first one so when i lose it it is replaced immediatly. :shock: :wink:
Bills right. I would like to have a knife by winter! I am now thinking about the WS maple version as roger has a five month wait (sounds impatient i know). If i can get to the wilderness gathering i will be able to purchase it from him. I asked him if he would be able to send it t me but that may have been unfair to ask.
The problem is, i want a knife to arrive to me in perfect condition. The WS is machine made and it doesnt have the same care taken over it as a hand made one.
Martyn, you have every knife i am questioning. What shall i go for??????? (If you dont have the bison, just know that its a good knife)
Cheers,
Jake
Dont you have a North Star on order?
If not, get one of those - then have a good long think about what custom you want, design it even and have someone make it for you. No matter if it takes 2 years to arrive then.
...or, get a WS micarta woodlore. Good knife, good design, rugged - bit overpriced though.
ARGHHH! MARTYN! ALL YOU DO IS GIVE ME MORE CHOICE! I DONT WANT MORE CHOICE! :lmao:
Hopefully i will be able to get the Woodland from Roger. and to be honest, im slightly scared of convex edges.
Oh hell Jake, I'm the wrong person to ask, I just buy em all. :D :D
Well, it's alright for some! Some of us have the problem of retail limits! :lol:
So here is my latest (but note...not final) descision, The Bison bushcraft woodland. Then the WS micarta/maple (undecided, awaiting response from rachel/Jane). I just dug up my Lapp Puuko, a great knife. I'm sure it will do mighty fine in the meanwhile.
Cheers,
Jake
If it comes to the woodlore, forget the maple, get the micarta. ;)
I may still order a bushcrafter. Will be a nice suprise when its finally made. i'm still waiting for my July woodlore.
Unless you want to sell me yours Martyn?
The General
01-09-2004, 03:52
Forget the micarta or wood option, get a horn model :wink: :rolmao: Or a greased up stoat, about the same difficulty wise to get hold of! :nana:
As an aside I will have my Alan Wood in the next couple of days... Can't wait! :nana: