Simple knife question

[RAPPLEBY2000]

Hi I'm not a Knifey person but I am a bushcraft demonstrator,
in particular the bowdrill.

what would be the best sort/type of knife for the simple cutting tasks of the bow drill.

cutting across the wood grain (to cut the "v" shape out)
sharpening the drills.(spear pointing)

I guess i want something small 2"- 4" long but laterally strong

At present i use the knife (with serrations) on my Gerber multitool for all all my bushcraft stuff, and found myself getting a blister on my thumb because i was pushing the blade so hard when i was pre sharpening drills the week before a demo.

any advice. I am on a very low budget!:(

[smoggy]

Multi tools are handy items and I use mine daily............but for your requirements you need something a tad more ergonomic........so any knife that is strong and sharp.

Probably the traditional Scandinavian (Finish) type, but it's your budget, and choice.

Smoggy.

[Draven]

I'd say this one (http://www.militarymart.co.uk/knives-and-blades-18-/knives-18-/swedish-mora-knife/prod_489.html). Cheap as can be, very good knives and they have a more acute primary bevel than the likes of a Clipper, so cutting across the grain should be easier, though a small secondary will help edge retention. Easy enough to sand or cut the paint off to look a bit nicer, too. Strong enough to split wood despite being 2mm thick, so definitely strong enough for what you're after I reckon. A bit longer than what you're after, though.

Can't vouch for the seller though, never bought there before.

Pete

[bushwacker bob]

I'd second what Draven said and thats a bargain price for a Mora no 1. The best selling knife in Sweden for good reason.

[Front Room Woodlander]

Or a small Opinel.

Cheap as chips, locking blade, carbon steel (sharp), does the job.

[RAPPLEBY2000]

thanks for the advice :DI'd considered both knives before.

Damn, I saw 2 Opinels at a carboot sale recently for £4 each! I'll see if i can find the seller again.

[Shinken]

Go for the brusletto spikke (or something like that)

http://www.attacc.com/acatalog/BRUSLETTO.html

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

Mora 711 - great knife, cheap effective and holds an edge.

Got a box of them - pm me if you want one.

Phil.

[Hoodoo]

Most any decent sized good mora will do. For making woodchips fly, it's hard to beat one of these. Just make sure you polish the bevels really well and get rid of any burrs on the edge. The knife should be a decent size so you can get some power into the blade. The big handle is very comfy and will make carving spindles a breeze. Kids love to watch the chips fly when you get going. Probably my favorite mora, though, is the 510. To me, it's the sports car of moras. :D

http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images27/moras1b.jpg

[deenewcastle]

I've just received my Mora Clipper and was very unimpressed :( It's both a lot smaller and a lot lighter than I expected, and although I was really excited whilst waiting for it to arrive, the reality was a total let down. I went to a local hunting shop here before ordering, as I wanted to see one before I decided. I did like a Helle which was their entry level knife, and, although it was expensive, I wished I bought one of them now :banghead:

[FGYT]

i use a SAK the saw is fine for ruffing a notch you can clean up with the blade
will point sticks and dig a starter hole

ATB

Duncan

[Hoodoo]

I've just received my Mora Clipper and was very unimpressed :( It's both a lot smaller and a lot lighter than I expected, and although I was really excited whilst waiting for it to arrive, the reality was a total let down. I went to a local hunting shop here before ordering, as I wanted to see one before I decided. I did like a Helle which was their entry level knife, and, although it was expensive, I wished I bought one of them now :banghead:

I can't imagine what you were expecting? I always found the Clipper to be a full-sized knife. Certainly as big as many of my Helle knives. As for lighter, I always consider that a plus in a knife. Not knocking Helle knives as I think they are great but I've gotten an awful lot of use out of a Mora Clipper over the years.

[bushwacker bob]

I've just received my Mora Clipper and was very unimpressed :( It's both a lot smaller and a lot lighter than I expected, and although I was really excited whilst waiting for it to arrive, the reality was a total let down. I went to a local hunting shop here before ordering, as I wanted to see one before I decided. I did like a Helle which was their entry level knife, and, although it was expensive, I wished I bought one of them now :banghead:

Its meant to cut stuff. It does it very well although its as ugly as an ugly thing.
If you want to chop trees up, use an axe.
horses for courses.

[deenewcastle]

Sorry Rappleby for thread hijack:o

Here is a piccie of my new Clipper with a Kaas lock knife which I have carried for I think more than 20 years. http://www.deenewcastle.co.uk/images/knives.jpg By substantial I mean that the Kaas weighs in at 240 gms, and the handle fills the hand, whereas the Clipper is only 70, and doesn't. Somehow it just doesn't feel right :confused: I guess I'll have to get out and use it, to see how I get on

[bushwacker bob]

Sorry Rappleby for thread hijack:o

Here is a piccie of my new Clipper with a Kaas lock knife which I have carried for I think more than 20 years. http://www.deenewcastle.co.uk/images/knives.jpg By substantial I mean that the Kaas weighs in at 240 gms, and the handle fills the hand, whereas the Clipper is only 70, and doesn't. Somehow it just doesn't feel right :confused: I guess I'll have to get out and use it, to see how I get on

If you left that one at home and took the clipper you'd be able to pack a dutch oven and your pack would still weigh the same.
The clipper is suddenly not as fugly as I originally thought.

[Tye Possum]

@RAPPLEBY2000: Well it sounds like any straight edged knife would do a lot better than the serrated one you're using, serations may be good for cutting rope but they really can't cut wood well. I'd go with a swiss army knife with a saw as one of the tools, as has been said, you can use the saw (which works great for it's size) to cut the notch and finish it up with the blade or you could just cut the notch with the blade which would still probably work fine, plus it would make a nice substitution for your multi tool when you need that straight edged blade and saw if you get one with enough (or the right) tools.

@deenewcastle: No wonder the clipper doesn't feel right to you, that thing looks like a pretty heavy knife. I thought the clipper felt too light at first as well and I hadn't even been using a big knife but once you try it out, I think you'll find that it has more control with the cutting edge being so much closer to your hand and also that, unless you're chopping down trees, it's plenty tough enough and a little less weight doesn't hurt.

[Chinkapin]

If you take that Mora out and actually use it, you won't be disappointed any longer. Have two Mora clippers and love 'em.

[Chinkapin]

Tye Possum is RIGHT. Ditch that serrated blade for carving wood. I have a Syderco serrated knife that is great for cutting rope, etc. But the fact is they are next to worthless when it comes to whittling.