BK-14 or Condor Bushlore Mini?

B

BriantheBlade

Joined
Aug 5, 2009
Messages
288
So im looking for a small fixed blade to carry around and use as a beater/back-up knife. Right now I am looking at either the bk-14 or the condor bushlore mini. I landed on these because they are about the size I want they are both carbon steel and they are both under $50. From what I can tell the bk-14 is made of better steel and generally has better QC but it has no handle and I have read that the sheath is kind of lame. The condor is softer steel and (from what I have read) can either come with a nice fit and finish and sharp out of the box or it can be really rough and kind of dull but it has nice hardwood handles which I like and it seems the condor leather sheaths are quite impressive on such a cheap knife, its also about 10-12 bucks cheaper than the bk-14 and more like 20-25 bucks cheaper because I would want to get some scales for the bk-14 as well and maybe even a new sheath although I might just make a leather one myself if it came to that. So there is my dilemma please give me your thoughts on it because im stuck!
Brian
 
Condor's aren't bad but the 14 is great knife. The factory sheath isn't great but you can get by with it and the zytel scales make it much more comfortable to use.

ETA: head over the Becker subforum and have a look around. The 14 is very popular.
 
I own the regular sized Bushlore, and if you want a "beater" I wouldn't go with that. The Bushlore feels very sturdy, but I don't really consider a scandi grind to be beater material. I guess it depends on what you will actually be doing with it though. I think the BK14 would be able to handle more. With some basic tools and scrap wood you could make your own scales, which is what I plan on doing, and if you can make your own leather sheath it'd go nicely with the wood.
 
I would mostly be using this knife for a little wood cutting and food prep and other small cutting tasks. I really like the becker but i really like the price of the condor. I know that no matter which knife I get there are a few mods that I will be doing and when I think about that I feel like I would be a lot more confident and expedient doing the stuff on the condor but at the same time I wouldnt mind getting the becker and just using it as is or with a paracord wrap until I got up the confidence and supplies to do the kind of mods and upgrades I want. Im leaning towards the becker right now...
Brian
 
I have both knives. I added some scales to the BK-14, and got a pocket sheath for the Mini Bushlore. I tend to use the Condor more. If I was going to do it over again I would try to find a used Bark river that comes with a pocket sheath. I hope I didn't make your decision any harder.
JD
 
Well it was going to be a hard decision either way. The real decision will be made tomorrow when I go cash in my change and see what I have to work with. Im guessing around $50 in this particular jar. I was going to get a little custom for my 30th birthday next week but recent car repairs have reduced me to cashing in some change and finding a cheapy instead.:rolleyes: But hey I still get a knife so im happy:D and I really will be happy with either because I think they both look cool and in the end isnt that whats important;)
Brian
 
I have the full sized Bushlore. It is a rugged knife and not hard to sharpen. You like the Mini-Bushlore, so I would get it considering the price differential. You can always get a Kabar-Becker after you use the Mini-Bushlore. I generally like a spear point and it is a very versatile design. I suspect there is a weight difference, but unless you are doing multi-day back packing, a few ounces is no big deal.

I just ordered the Condor Kephart and it will be used for much the same things as you are planning on using this knife. The Kephart is a thinner steel stock and more along the lines of the BK-16 with a spear point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top