Habilis Knives: Bush Tool or Trapper?

Chambers

Chambers

Joined
Jul 11, 2001
Messages
1,137
So I have really fallen for the Habilis Line of knives lately, they seem to be
generating a fair amount of press, I think they are reasonably priced, I like all the features, I can
see myself actually using them instead of just shelving. My only problem is I really can't decide
whether to buy the Bush Tool first or the Trapper. I wanted to see if you guys had any experience or
preferences or suggestions.

The Bush Tool: http://habilisbushtools.com/order/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1&zenid=c09v3mb3aja0m743nk41rfslb3
I like the handle shape and size, I love the "anvil" and ferro notch, the Scandi-grind appeals (thought it looks like there's a secondary bevel there) The "fire bearing divot" It's all good and it seems to have a little extra meat on it for chopping and such. What puts me over the top on this one is the sheath. I freaking love the sheath with it.

The Trapper: http://habilisbushtools.com/order/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=13
While I have some minor hesitation about the Bush Tool I like EVERYTHING about the Trapper. This thing really appeals to me. It seems more focused and streamlined to me. There's nothing extra, or potentially unnecessary here.

If I won the lottery tomorrow I'd just pick them both up, but it's not happening that way
best I can tell so I need to pick a first. What say you?
 
Where are you planning to go with them? For woodsbumming, you might like to play with the Bush Tool, for more ordinary knifework, the Trapper. I have the Nomadic Hunter, so I know the quality is there in either case, but the two you're looking at have very different capabilities.

From what you say, you really want the Trapper now. Go for it.
 
I was all over the Bush Tool until they went from 1/8" thick to 3/16" thick steel. I've got no use for a scandi grind blade that thick. I love the shape of the Trapper, but it's got the issue with being too thick. If it was 1/8" it would be perfect, IMO.
 
I think 1/8 is heavy duty in 1095 myself. But one of the guys in Rock6's thread mentioned that the extra weight of the 3/16 made it a better chopper. For the Trapper, 3/16 makes it a survival knife more than a camp knife. Check with Mistwalker, he wants to try it out because it's so strong.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Where are you planning to go with them? For woodsbumming
Click to expand...
Woods bumming. Just want an all around carry knife for pretty much any off the beaten path trip from day hike to week long
trip. Bush Tool looks like it's got a few more options to it but gawd the Trapper looks sexy... I'm going to wind up flipping a coin.
 
Trapper is more to my liking and that's just because of the blade shape. To be honest I find some of the accoutrements a little.. interesting , odd , off the wall. I dont ever see myself using a 'fire divot'. but who knows. :D

Tostig
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I think 1/8 is heavy duty in 1095 myself. But one of the guys in Rock6's thread mentioned that the extra weight of the 3/16 made it a better chopper. For the Trapper, 3/16 makes it a survival knife more than a camp knife. Check with Mistwalker, he wants to try it out because it's so strong.
Click to expand...

I was on that thread too. I just think that if I'm going with a blade 3/16" (or thicker), there are better grinds than a scandi to make a more efficient chopper/slicer/cutter. I haven't used a scandi blade that's 3/16" thick, but I did grind myself a couple that were 1/8" and 5/32" (out of large files) to compare to some of my Mora's that were .80"-.100". (Much cheaper than buying nice knives, LOL). Obviously, the Mora's cut much better, but compared to other knives I have, once the thickness hits 5/32", I didn't feel that I gained much at all over a flat, convex, or even a hollow grind. My JAB Potbelly at 1/4" thick hollow grind did almost as well with fuzz sticks as my homemade 5/32" scandi grind did.

There's a reason that you don't find many (any?) scandi blades that thick from the European makers, IMO. Just doesn't work well. Besides, on a blade 5" long, chopping isn't my first use for it.
 
cramsey3006 said:
I was all over the Bush Tool until they went from 1/8" thick to 3/16" thick steel. I've got no use for a scandi grind blade that thick. I love the shape of the Trapper, but it's got the issue with being too thick. If it was 1/8" it would be perfect, IMO.
Click to expand...

Esav Benyamin said:
I think 1/8 is heavy duty in 1095 myself. But one of the guys in Rock6's thread mentioned that the extra weight of the 3/16 made it a better chopper. For the Trapper, 3/16 makes it a survival knife more than a camp knife. Check with Mistwalker, he wants to try it out because it's so strong.
Click to expand...
You're going to be hard pressed to chop with the trapper design no matter how thick it is. I personally find most of the integrated designs gimmicky but out of all of their products I like the trapper the best. 3/16" is a silly thickness for scandi grind knives. 1/8" is too thick IMO. I like my woods knives to be more general purpose then just a wood worker and a scandi in 3/16" is going to be a poor performer at general utility like cutting food and such. My hawk/hatchet is the wood worker.

Edit: Not to mention that 200 bucks for a knife in 1095 is a little high. You can get a koster in 3V for less then that.:rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
Yeah, the price is an issue too. $200 buys a darn nice custom from many of the guys on here, and several of them will let you tweak a design or will build your design. I'm hard pressed to beat Kabar and 1095CV for the price. Yes, there's ESEE, but they just don't appeal to me that much.
 
cramsey3006 said:
Yeah, the price is an issue too. $200 buys a darn nice custom from many of the guys on here, and several of them will let you tweak a design or will build your design. I'm hard pressed to beat Kabar and 1095CV for the price. Yes, there's ESEE, but they just don't appeal to me that much.
Click to expand...
Well, it looks expensive but there might be a reason for that. After all, they may not be around for very long and not sell that many... So pay 200 now and consider it a good investment for the future. ;)
 
Have the bush tool, wanting the trapper, just for a few reasons, love habilis. My handle is custom ground for ultra hand fit. Hope the trapper comes with such a comfortable right handed grip!
 
Oh, and to the best of my knowledge, 0-1 is nicer and more expensive, but 1095 is better for field and edge maintenance.
 
Thanks marcinek. Do old threads get deleted or are they around forever? Either way, I searched something and this came up, anyways glad you took the time to respond
 
joshuap said:
Thanks marcinek. Do old threads get deleted or are they around forever? Either way, I searched something and this came up, anyways glad you took the time to respond
Click to expand...

They stay around. Though if you are answering a question from years ago, its probably best to assume that the person who asked has moved on or forgotten about the question long ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top