"Bush" Knives

[TradLife406]

I've had an Esee Izula since before Instagram. Lost it and replaced it and it's OK... It's stout and a guy can beat the hell out of it batoning wood for the fire and just about anything. But the edge retention is horrible!!!

I'm pretty good at sharpening and enjoy the process. Especially with broadheads. But it really frustrates me when that fresh edge doesn't hold.

I am looking at the new Tyto or a Uinta or similar small time knife. Something with a "better" steel than the Esee. Something I can put an edge on at home then can beat up in the field. Then if need be touch it up on longer trips.


Any other suggestions around $200 or less from a small knife maker?

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[Rich M]

It sounds like you are saying you use a knife to split wood and then expect it to be sharp?

Some knives can take some abuse but...

 

[Lawnboi]

When you say bush knife I assume something For fire and camp chores.... would that be correct?

LT Wright. Jessmuk Companion would be my choice for what you want. It’s my go to fire/chore knife. https://www.dlttrading.com/lt-wright-jessmuk-c-aeb-l-scandi-natural-canvas-matte

They make other styles you might like more as well.


Iv got a pile of custom/semi custom knives, andI reach for an LT Wright most of the time. The knives are really built to be used.


FWIW I was never a fan of the esse knives, especially the coating.

Also fwiw I’d not get a bark river. That’s coming from someone who has a drawer full of them.

 

[Shraggs]

Better steel would help imo.
Falkniven A1 is one of the best survival Busch knives made, again imo.

 

[TradLife406]

Better steel would help imo.
Falkniven A1 is one of the best survival Busch knives made, again imo.

Haha yeah I'm looking at getting a small half pound hatchet like a Gränsfors Bruks that's a half pound for when I pack the tipi or Sawtooth in for an extended trip.

Not even just splitting wood even. Even just general use dulls this super quick.

Yep just a general use knife for the backcountry.

I was on Blade HQ looking at those Falknivens actually.

Not really a steel guy. What would the ones to look at. Blade HQ has a decent chart I've been looking at.

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[Desk Jockey]

I use a winkler hunting knife for camp chores and some skinning. It is a bit pricey but holds an edge.

 

[Lawnboi]

Iv got knives in 1095, A2,O1,W2,3V, S35VN, Elmax, Aebl, D2, CPM 154.

Of all the steels my favorite is AEBL that LT uses. It holds an edge well, easy to sharpen and is a stainless.

Remember heat treat is just as important as the type.

If your also planning on a hatchet you don’t need a huge thick knife.

 

[Akwoodchuck]

Cold Steel SRK is a great camp knife...takes some work to keep the edge up, but it's a tough SOB....

 

[blackdog of vt]

Imo, the best knife for money and in that category is the White river firecraft. S35v, kydex, fire steel etc, it cant be beat. I have that and a Bradford in M390, and the Bradford is a better knife and steel but the price on white river a hard to beat.

 

[Ripnbst]

Kabar Becker knives are great and they offer them in various lengths. The BK2 is a great option for something larger and heavy duty. I like the Boker Ridgeback for a smaller knife that will handle lighter duty tasks than the Becker.

 

[TradLife406]

I use a winkler hunting knife for camp chores and some skinning. It is a bit pricey but holds an edge.

I just finished reading the Jack Carr books and man I go to that site a few times a day!!! Wwwoooo those are fancy!

Yep still want to keep the same size as the Izula, maybe a tad longer for when I don't have a hatchet.

Thanks guys!

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[RidgeRunner21]

I like my LT Wright Small Workhorse. Close to the size of the izula but with D2 steel. You can usually find the at DLT Trading for around $130.


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[Lawnboi]

Comfy handle, scalloped scales, good sweep to the blade let’s the knife do more work than your arm. It’s a nice thin stock it’s a scandi grind that bites wood like no other. Thin enough to cut up a deer with, though I have other knives that work better. Not so thick that it feels like your holding a hammer in your hand.

 

[Shraggs]

if your are looking at fallkniven, i like the more affordable laminate steel honestly. even tho I'm huge fan of some super steels. like 3v, s35vn, cpm154 and cmpD2 --- the thickness of this knife is 5/16" and the strength of if physically doesn't warrant the extra cost. as it is they are so very pricy. if i were considering some of their smaller blades, like an F1 i would consider a super steel. basically i stay away from brittle or chippy steels, despite any super edge retention claims, my personal preference.

their laminate is a middle layer of VG10 and well regarded and balanced japanese stainless steel. Fallkniven and syperco are the only makers i believe licensed to use it. could be more but not sure. the two outsides are 420hc, a strong and forgiving stainless steel most used by buck. not known for its edge retention. the two together make for an extremely hard use knife, yet will shave your arm and those two steels together are easily sharpened in the field vs super steels. field sharpening is important to me.

i like the S series too, but if its working with wood and chopping is potentially on the docket, defiantly the A1. not followed fallkniven in some time, but years ago their models were built to master bladesmith standards. in other words a you can take an A1 put the handle in a vice and bend the blade 90 degrees and it will return to near zero, plus several cutting and edge retention standards. try that with 99% of claimed outdoor, bushcraft or survival knives...

if that type of dependability is not important, many models mentioned here will fit bill, ill throw in bark river as im a huge fan - but more for hunting knives.

personally i favor convex for the type of chores you are describing, just like an axe the medium you work with will be parted by the convex blade contour. i don't own any flat ground blades for chores you mentioned because they bind in wood. scandi grinds work great for wood, indcluding very light duty batoning, but few designs are truly strong enough for hard core use like chopping - they are finesse designs.

many knowledgeable people here, weigh all and have fun - buy more than one to play with...

 

[TradLife406]

Looking at a Bradford Guardian 3.5 with M390. Would this be a decent route? I see Blade HQ has the Artamus kydex sheaths for them too. I had him make me one for my Esee and it's a great little piece of kydex.

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[Lawnboi]

Looking at a Bradford Guardian 3.5 with M390. Would this be a decent route? I see Blade HQ has the Artamus kydex sheaths for them too. I had him make me one for my Esee and it's a great little piece of kydex.

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Not familiar but I’d give it a go

 

[blackdog of vt]

Looking at a Bradford Guardian 3.5 with M390. Would this be a decent route? I see Blade HQ has the Artamus kydex sheaths for them too. I had him make me one for my Esee and it's a great little piece of kydex.

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That is a great way to go. You will really like M390 compared to what you have now. You can get quite a few options from direct from Armatus for these.

 

[Pathfinder27]

Cold Steel SRK is a great camp knife...takes some work to keep the edge up, but it's a tough SOB....

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve had mine for about 16 years through 6 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, all the field training, and every hunting and camping trip. It probably doesn’t fall into the small knife company criteria though