Best bushcraft fixed blade.

[AdmSlc]

I've been looking for a big nice trusty bushcraft knife. I'm considering picking up a Esee Rat 6. Anyone have any experience with it or what would you get ?

http://www.bladehq.com/item--ESEE-Knives-RAT-RC6-Clip--7605

[NKlamerus]

Sub'd for results.

I wanted a Benchmade Adamas 375. The d2 blade has great reviews and functionality for a "tactical" looking knife.

[NKlamerus]

Just a thought as well; I'm usually not a fan of bright knives because I want to edc them.

But the last thing I want to look for in the dark is a fixed blade.

Also what will you be using it for?

[ducttapetech]

Hmmmm, best bushcraft blade. While some will ream fixed blades, I really like the Mora Bushcraft Black. Also, I have not used the Esee 6, I have seen numerous reviews of people loving it. And I am not talking about the peeps who unbox it then rave about it. I am talking about the ones who use it for months.
The Esee 6 is a blade I have been thinking about trying. It looks like a solid blade and I love the shape of it. And it comes in 1095 Carbon steel. Which is a big win in my book.
 Also we have a member here named Seved how make some sweet ass blades. And I mean SWEET! Not sure how much you are willing to spend, but his knife are just freaking awosome.

[Breezy12]

I love my ESEE fixed blades. I own the 4, the 5, and the Candiru... and the small but mighty Candiru has actually gotten the most use out of the three. The 5 has probably seen the least use; it's an absolute beast, but it's not very practical to carry. (the thing weighs a full pound... without the sheath!)

Like Nate said, the 1095 Carbon steel that ESEE uses is a great choice for a fixed blade. (and it's a joy to sharpen as well!)

I have put these knives through some hard use -- chopping, digging, batonning, maybe even some prying... but they are no worse for the wear. I always take the time to wipe them down and clean them when I return from camping/hiking/whatever, so I guess I do take good care of them, but when I take them out, they definitely don't get babied.

oh, and they're also backed by ESEE's no-questions-asked lifetime warranty.

[NKlamerus]

So far Esee sounds like the way to go.

[zoidberg]

I've been looking for a big nice trusty bushcraft knife. I'm considering picking up a Esee Rat 6. Anyone have any experience with it or what would you get ?

http://www.bladehq.com/item--ESEE-Knives-RAT-RC6-Clip--7605

What do you plan to do with it? Where abouts in the world? What is your experience level?

[NKlamerus]

I love my ESEE fixed blades. I own the 4, the 5, and the Candiru... and the small but mighty Candiru has actually gotten the most use out of the three. The 5 has probably seen the least use; it's an absolute beast, but it's not very practical to carry. (the thing weighs a full pound... without the sheath!)

Like Nate said, the 1095 Carbon steel that ESEE uses is a great choice for a fixed blade. (and it's a joy to sharpen as well!)

I have put these knives through some hard use -- chopping, digging, batonning, maybe even some prying... but they are no worse for the wear. I always take the time to wipe them down and clean them when I return from camping/hiking/whatever, so I guess I do take good care of them, but when I take them out, they definitely don't get babied.

oh, and they're also backed by ESEE's no-questions-asked lifetime warranty.

Esee 5 is a beast. But the Esee 4 has a tiny handle. Too bad they don't make a 4.5....

Any chance you can send me the length of the handle in inch or cm?

I'm glad adm started this thread  just because I also an looking for one. I just hate to take over it so hard!

[HarleyXJGuy]

Phil Wilson custom.

If you want the best.

[Rossko07]

Check out Martin Knives. Have knives dedicated to bushcraft among other styles. Can customise to your liking. Exceptional quality. I have the BT.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

What about TOPS KNIVES? I've got a Tracker and a BOB and there fantastic users

The Tahoma would be right up your street mate, as would the Bushcraft Kukri

Sent from the astropathic choir.

[Kin-Luu]

There is no thing such as the best bushcraft knife. Most of the things that make a knife 'the best' at something, are user specific preferences.

As long as you know that the manufacturer knows his stuff, the knife that has the bladeshape you like and which handles fits your hand best, is the knife you should go for.

[comis]

Interesting topic, and probably a much heated one for most bushcraft forums.

I had been in search for a perfect 'bushcraft' knife for a while now, and after buying a good numbers of knives, field testing them, and research and visiting many retails to check out knives, here are my finds based on the current list of knives I have owed/used/tested 

Knives owned/used:

Airforce Survival Knife
Bark River Knives Aurora 3V Matte green
Bark River Knives Bravo-1 LT, CPM 3V
Becker BK2
Becker BK24 Ka-Bar/ESEE D'Eskabar
BRISA Enzo Camper 125, fixed blade
BRISA Necker 12c27 scandi
BRISA Enzo Trapper 01
Condor Bushlore 1075 carbon steel
Doug Ritter BK16
ESEE4
ESEE Candiru
Koster Bushmaster 5" 3V Orange G10
Knife Research Enki G10 scale Convex Edge
LT. Wright OFITW (one foot into the wild)
LT. Wright GNS (Go no show)
Marttiini utility hunter, black kraton handle
Mora 612 Classic FOS
Mora 748 long blade
Mora Bushcraft survival black carbon steel
Mora Classic No.2 4" Carbon Steel
Mora Knives Exclusive 311 Fixed
Survive Knife GSO 3.5 CPM 20CV FDE
Survive Knife GSO 4.1 3V orange G10
Survive Knife GSO 4.1 M390 green micrata
Survive Knife GSO 5.1 3v brown micarta
Survive Knife GSO 7/7 DLC coated
Survive Knife GSO 10 3V brown micarta
TOP Turley 23
TOP BOB


My main use of these tools besides performing normal camp tasks, are light wood prep(for fire mainly, but possibly for shelter if needed).  Some of them I have batoned with, just to see how well a certain blade can endure abuses under extreme conditions.

1) I went through this big-knife phrase, where I will love to owe a 'one tool option'.  But in reality, knives as chopper or even hatchet replacement is just pure calories consuming.  It is highly inefficient, and I will be so much better off carry a light hatchet/folding saw with a light knife(or even just the hatchet).  Nowadays I am more inclined to carry a light weight knife, unless the big knife, like machete, has irreplaceable value in the trip(jungle).


2) To me, the grind and geometry is of ulmost importance, especially for wood related task.  Maybe experienced bushcrafters would laugh at this notion, since they can work with any blade in any form or shape.  But for myself, a scandi grind w/ micro bevel works far better for me, and it is easy to maintain.


3) Many bushcraft folks sworn by different types of steel, such as 1095 or O1, since they could strike a ferro rod well or even works in flint-steel.  But in practical use, I think it's important to think about those benefit vs maintenance.  For example, I was just testing out with a newly acquired O1 blade in a recent camping trip, and even with a small drizzle, I found the scandi edge rusted in a few spots, and it is a little unsettling until I could clean it with steelwool afterwards.


4) Of all those list above, the best value is still my Mora Bushcraft survival, it is comes with a coated carbon steel blade, good ferro rod and even a small sharpening stone for serious repair.  I also really like most offering from Brisa, the Enzo series, it's a little expensive, but most are quite well made and are solid users.

[dks]

The new schrade fixed blades are also considered to be good. See BF.

[AdmSlc]

I've been looking for a big nice trusty bushcraft knife. I'm considering picking up a Esee Rat 6. Anyone have any experience with it or what would you get ?

http://www.bladehq.com/item--ESEE-Knives-RAT-RC6-Clip--7605

What do you plan to do with it? Where abouts in the world? What is your experience level?

The primary use is for
•cleaning animals/ big and small game
•wood prep
•camp / shelter preparation
•survival/bushcraft
•one general big bad ass get er' done blade.
•last resort animal defense (also carry rifle/pistol) it is possible to be ambushed by mountain lion/ bear where I live.

It will be used anywhere from the desert of Utah to the high Uinta mountain range. I'm very experienced with survival and wilderness bushcraft techniques.

[comis]

I don't know too much about other knives, but from my list, I'd recommend a Survive knives GSO 4.1 or possibly GSO 5.  Reason being:

-5" blade is a pretty big blade, but not too large to do the finer work
-3V steel can take good abuse, not the most rust proof, but fair enough
-GSO knives handle could be replaced/taken apart, and probably good for cleaning after hunting
-4.1 has great balance, 5.1 is slightly forward bias, and I was informed the 5.0 also feel neutral in hand.

[Kin-Luu]

I am no hunter, but when I go on a fishing trip, I use different blades for cleaning my catch and doing woodwork. Because I want my fish processing blade to a) be as sharp as possible b) be as clean as possible (I am paranoid) c) be made of stainless steel and d) have a very special blade geometry.

[Aloha]

It's always an interesting topic and in some circles a highly debated one.  I find the question of which knife best is best answered by the users proficiency with knives.  While a certain knife is "best" suited for certain jobs one can certainly get the job done with a good knife ( being reasonable ).  One cannot skin a deer or process large quantities of wood with very small or very thin blade ( for example ).

I look to the early explorers and see what got them by.  This obviously would be different for your part of the world.  I does seem there is a consistent type knife used and preferred ( regionally ) and said knife can pretty much "do it all".

I've read the debates and I'm not convinced of all the super knives or perfect knife as some compromise will have to be taken into account. 

Is there a knife that one could carry and be reasonably prepared and that can take care of an assortment of jobs in the woods?  I think so and it seems from my research that 3 1/2 - 5 in blade is a constant length on most historical knives.

These are just my observations and thoughts.  I am no bushcraft expert nor wilderness expert just a guy interested as most are.       

[NKlamerus]

The blade is important. However, I believe the handle is much more important.

No matter the blade type or length it HAS to fit in the owners hands. The last thing you want especially for defensive measures is a knife you don't feel sure about handling. (No pun intended)

[Grathr]

Have you checked out the Fallkniven A1?


Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk

[Aloha]

There is no thing such as the best bushcraft knife. Most of the things that make a knife 'the best' at something, are user specific preferences.

As long as you know that the manufacturer knows his stuff, the knife that has the bladeshape you like and which handles fits your hand best, is the knife you should go for.

^^^
 Agree

[dmanuel]

My favorite has become my Fiddleback Forge Camp Nessie with a tapered tang. I've always loved a nice Muk but this one fills the role of a camp knife as well as being robust enough to baton or even chop with. Not so overly large that I would feel out of place trying to use it for detailed work, carving, or even cleaning smaller game.

[ducttapetech]

Ducttapetech thinks that is a sweet blade.

[Aloha]

Exactly the type of historical blade I referred to.   Looks like a good all around knife that can do many things in the right hands.

Gorgeous knife btw.   

[dmanuel]

Ducttapetech thinks that is a sweet blade.

Exactly the type of historical blade I referred to.   Looks like a good all around knife that can do many things in the right hands.

Gorgeous knife btw.   

Thanks guys. Took me almost a year of waiting around to finally get my hands on one. The thrill of the chase is half the joy of owning it. If it was made from CPM-154 it would be my grail blade, unfortunately though Andy doesn't order SS in large enough stock to make this blade out of it.

4.5" blade, 9.5" overall, 3/16" O1, 8 ounces.

He has some amazing blades but this one is by far my favorite user that he makes. I would definitely suggest that if you are in the market for a custom that is affordable and extremely beautiful then you also check out his Ladyfinger, Bushfinger, Bushcrafter, Bushboot, Recluse, Nessmuk, and Hiking Buddy.

[NKlamerus]

That is awesome! 8 oz. Seems really light after looking at all the semi-mass production stuff

[dmanuel]

That is awesome! 8 oz. Seems really light after looking at all the semi-mass production stuff

You can blame that on the taper tang. Puts the balance point right at the first set of pins and really lightens up the blade. Normal balance point is at the second set of pins.

[AdmSlc]

Have you checked out the Fallkniven A1?


Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk

Going to now!

[AdmSlc]

My favorite has become my Fiddleback Forge Camp Nessie with a tapered tang. I've always loved a nice Muk but this one fills the role of a camp knife as well as being robust enough to baton or even chop with. Not so overly large that I would feel out of place trying to use it for detailed work, carving, or even cleaning smaller game.

(Image removed from quote.)

I'm going to check this out too

[dmanuel]

My favorite has become my Fiddleback Forge Camp Nessie with a tapered tang. I've always loved a nice Muk but this one fills the role of a camp knife as well as being robust enough to baton or even chop with. Not so overly large that I would feel out of place trying to use it for detailed work, carving, or even cleaning smaller game.

(Image removed from quote.)

I'm going to check this out too

If you get one and you are disappointed please let me know. These are by far my favorite blades so I may be willing to buy it from you at full price depending on the grip material. Fair warning though, these aren't exactly easy to grab since it is a favorite for many people.