Suggestions on the best bushcraft knife for $200.00 and under?

[Canuckgame]

Hey everyone, new to the forum so please forgive me is there is a more appropriate section of the forum this thread should be in.

basically here it is, i live in Canada, and ever since i was a young boy ive always been incredibly interested in anything to do with the wilderness, and survival. im now 25 years old, and ive started to live out this interest, and i plan on doing it alot more this year. Im going to start with a one week trip into the mountains this fall, and plan to bring nothing but the bare minimum for tools, i want to just experience what this earth has to offer.


so here it is, i have a basic knife, and im just not happy with it, and i know a knife is one of, if not THE most important tool a man can have by his side in the bush. i have started doing alot of reading on knives, and watched alot of videos, and i would LOVE to own a Ray Mears style bushcraft knife, it looks like it would last a lifetime, but it is way out of my price range.

i have also looked into Steven Wade Cox knives as he is the fellow who makes Mears knives, and his finished product is also out of my price range. except his knife kit, which is approx $135.00 except you have to carve the scales for the handle yourself, and i dont have the skills needed to achieve a nice finished product, i have looked locally and i cant find anyone willing to finish the scales for me, so i think this is a no-go unfortunately, as i would have loved to have a SWC knife in the bush with me.

so now im here, asking you guys who are passionate about knives. if you were trapped in the wilderness for months, and had one bushcraft knife as your only tool, which one would it be?

i would like one that resembles the Mears/SWC bushcraft knife, and one made with the same type of steel and such.

im not very knowledgeable in this field, but i hope someone here who is can help me out. like i said, $200.00 is my limit, i hope this can buy me a knife comparable to the Mears/SWC knives.

thanks for your time.

 

[jfk1110]

Bark river knives has a new Scandinavian style knife due out soon. Can be seen in general discussion thread and brkt thread. I personally like and use fallkniven knives and either the F1, S1 or even H1 would be a good choice. Second choice would be dpx gear knives, which are on sale thru. The 15th. Many other good knives out there so good luck and hopefully u find what you want

 

[EChoil]

"Trapped in the wilderness for months...." to me would throw it into the 'survival' category, not 'bush.' So it would probably be the Cold Steel Trailmaster in san mai or O1. If your budget is firm you can probably find a good used one.

From the sound of what you wrote I think you're correct---go for the good knife now. Hopefully you're basically versed in handling and sharpening too.

As far as something similar to the Mears knife, if you like a Scandi grind and simple, no b.s. functionality, let me recommend the leukus and puukkos of the Scandinavian makers. I've always prefered a leuku for bush and you'll find a lot of similarities to the Mears in those styles. IMO the Mears tends toward the Nordic in design. I think it would be worth your time to check out a few of the better Nordic knife makers...even their leuku/puukko combination sets. You have the budget for it. (Most are available in the U.S. do don't think 'import.')

For a mainstream market bush knife, when I'm not carrying a leuku, I like the DPx HEST and HEFT line personally. Very handy and very versatile. Some of the GO knives are looking pretty good too these days. Bark Rivers are always good if you can do the handles.

The TOPS B.O.B. is one that is similar to the Mears as well...a very good bush knife and worth a look.

Alternatively you can always go with a good basic, say, KaBar or Esse and have enough $$ left to customize the rig a little....sheath, handles, re-grind, etc.....make it one of a kind.

 

[collim1]

Mora Bushcraft black. No need to spend a ton for good knife. At about $50 with your budget you could buy 4 and have a primary and a backup in your pack, and one in each of your vehicles just in case.

 

[mountainmist]

I recently got a Bark river bravo 1, which I am liking very much. Bk16 would be a fine choice as well, as would an ESEE 4 be.

 

[Mr. Tettnanger]

Spyderco Bushcrfaft is close to what you are looking for.

 

[Mike-The-Knife]

I think you should check out Survive Knives ! They make high quality hard use knives . Their GSO 4.1 model has almost the exact same specs as the Ray Mears knife you are asking about but I would dare say in a much more durable knife that could take more hard use in a survival situation . And they are in your price point.

I own 2 of their knives , the GSO 5 and their Necker II . I plan on ordering the GSO 4.1 myself in the very near future .

Go to surviveknives.com and see what you think .

 

[dejard]

Mora Bushcraft black. No need to spend a ton for good knife. At about $50 with your budget you could buy 4 and have a primary and a backup in your pack, and one in each of your vehicles just in case.

I second this suggestion. Use the remaining $150 to buy decent sharpening stones or a system and learn how to sharpen that new Mora. A dull knife regardless of what you've spent on it becomes a constant frustration. You'll never regret investing extra money on a decent set of stones or sharpening system.

 

[MatthewSB]

Bushcraft knives are a very hard decision, I went through a pile of quality blades and I still haven't found the perfect one for me.

In your price range, I'd recommend the following:

LT/battlehorse/Blindhorse Bushcrafter
BRKT Gunny (smallish and somewhat tactical)
BRKT Bravo 1 (medium sized and somewhat tactical)
BRKT Ultralight Bushcrafter (ridiculously light, smallish and a lot like the Mears knife you mentioned)
BRKT Bushcrafter (a lot like the Mears knife you mentioned)
Tops Dragonfly (gross coating, and very big in the hand, but similar in shape to the Bushcrafter you mentioned)
ESEE-LS (coated, comes with the best sheath ever, great design for bushcraft)

....And so many more. Seriously, the path to the best bushcraft knife for you is usually a long, expensive one.

 

[Mike-The-Knife]

CANUCKGAME on a side not if you are new here , have a look in the "community" section and visit our Canadian section . You still have time to join in this years Xmas Exchange even , if you're interested .

 

[22-rimfire]

I would take a look at Survive knives, a couple of new ones that are coming out made by ESEE, the Blackjack bushcraft knife, Bark River bushcraft knife.

Honestly, the shape of the knife is personal preference with these "bushcraft knives".... pointy, and relatively modest in size and not designed for chopping. I think you could be very happy with a Kabar Becker BK-16/BK-17 or if you want something larger BK-10, BK-7, or BK-9. Any of these knives will do what needs to be done, are very strong and reliable and modest in price. The ESEE 4 would be a good choice.

 

[22-rimfire]

I recently got a Bark river bravo 1, which I am liking very much. Bk16 would be a fine choice as well, as would an ESEE 4 be.

Glad to see you're stepping outside the Becker-ESEE box these days Mountainmist. My suggestions mirrored yours for a basic woods craft knife. Oh, Merry Christmas and all that good stuff.

 

[FinnSetanta]

As a fellow Canadian with an interest in bushcraft, I would go with a Himalayan Imports WW2 or M-43. As I recall, someone actually spent a year or so living in the bush using only an M-43, and built at least one small cabin with it.

 

[Riz!]

The Survive! Knives 4.1 and the rest of their line up are just awesome blades. The Bark River Aurora is my next pick after an S!K.

 

[Bob W]

Canadian, hmmm... You already have a Grohmann?

For maximizing your $200 budget, I suggest the For Sale by Maker forum section. So many great hunting and outdoor knives pass through there... it's an amazing place. Watch the listings like a hawk - styles similar to Mears' often appear for sale.

If you've considered a Scandinavian-made knife, I recommend looking at Ahti knives. A functional beauty like this is only $50.

 

[Spey]

I would apply a systematic approach that would allow you to answer your question related to knife selection. Others can not "tell you" what is "best" without an understanding of the purpose or use intention for the tool.

1. Decide if you want stainless or not.

2. Choose a blade length, or at least a range +/- say a half inch.

3. Choose a Blade Geometry (approx. Spine Thickness & Thickness Behind Edge / Grind (Single Bevel like a Scandi or Multi-Bevel Primary + Secondary etc.) / Grind Height (Full-Flat, Saber, etc.). Understand, or find someone to help you understand how various blade geometry affects performance and how relates to what your primary tasks will be.

4. Handle Size & Shape. This is huge factor if usage will be extended. We all have differing hand sizes & proportions. Both the overall length, height & width proportions & the contour (palm swells & tapers. etc.) greatly effect user performance and pleasure of use.

That said, maybe simplify your search to a single manufacturer of high performance/value knives (example: Mora of Sweden). Mora is not a knife, it's a manufacturer (actually nowadays it's a consortium of manufactures). Mora makes a number of differing models with varying differences in blade geometry. Prices for knives that would "Bushcraft" well range from $8 - to around $50. Buy one (or more different ones), or simply use the review as a lesson in blade geometry options. Options include both stainless & high carbon steels in a few of the knives in the category you mention.

Beware of makers that combine various blade geometry in conflicting ways (example: a Scandi that has a secondary ...).

Invest in a sharpening system (1-2 stones minimally) based on the blade steel.

I know folks who constantly cycle through new knifes looking for that perfect tool. To me it is more wise to consider the specific requirements intended for the tool. Plan on making small changes to the knife you decide on before just moving to something different. Example: I have two different generations of same camp-knife and have reground primaries on both, and varied the secondaries at least 2x on both, added forward-finger-choil on one, contoured the scales, etc. One has a variable secondary & primary over the length with cutting edge progressing from 20dps down to 10dps. This knife began as a great camp-knife, and now performs to my specific needs much better.

 

[mountainmist]

Glad to see you're stepping outside the Becker-ESEE box these days Mountainmist. My suggestions mirrored yours for a basic woods craft knife. Oh, Merry Christmas and all that good stuff.

Thanks, I hope you have a great Christmas too. The bravo 1 is a very nice knife, but Beckers will always remain the best bang for your buck out there. The bravo cuts so well it it's crazy! I'll bet the Gunny could cut through an entire 2X4 in one go.

 

[Cryptyc]

Since you want a scandi grind Id recommend a mora bushcraft black. It will last a long time and you could but a few and still be under $200. I used to like the scandi grind but I now prefer a good full flat grind with a convex edge. I think a BK16 is hard to beat for a budget bushcraft blade.

 

[matthew krissak]

Gray Wolf knives - Wolflore Classic! Fits your price and style. Also Mike Mossington bushwalker fits the bill too!

Non custom choice is a GSO 4.1 or a Bark River Barvo 1.

 

[savage99]

Canadian, hmmm... You already have a Grohmann?

For maximizing your $200 budget, I suggest the For Sale by Maker forum section. So many great hunting and outdoor knives pass through there... it's an amazing place. Watch the listings like a hawk - styles similar to Mears' often appear for sale.

If you've considered a Scandinavian-made knife, I recommend looking at Ahti knives. A functional beauty like this is only $50.

A huge plus one to the makers exchange suggestion. Like the op said you can't really get a ray mears or the like but 200 will get you a hell of a knife on the exchange