bikerector
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2016
- Messages
- 6,580
I haven't read through the whole thread but since you're in Europe, take a look at the stuff coming out of Italy (Lionsteel, Viper, Maserin). I recently received a viper setter from collectorknives here in the US and I'm pretty impressed with it for a production knife. Something that isn't called out in the spec was the tapered tang and it makes the thing much lighter than the spec dimensions would seem. And it's stainless.
I'm also inclined to try some of the bushcraft knives from lionsteel in the sleipner steel as I'm pretty interested in trying out the steel in a hard use capacity. I may get something off the knifemaker's market instead but we'll see how that goes as I have plenty of projects already to work through.
Of the ones you listed, I would probably go for the esee. The Falkniven F1 would be more my choice for your uses if going Falkniven as it's lighter, a better slicer, and still plenty robust for bushcraft.
As far as carbon steel goes, the maintenance really isn't as bad as it seems. Try to keep it dry and if you're out backpacking or something for a long time, carry a small pill bottle or similar with veggie oil and a rag/paper towel to wipe the blade. The single towel will last the whole trip if it's 1-week or less, and probably longer. If you're mostly doing the wood processing stuff, the wood working does a pretty decent job keeping it dry and abrading the oxidation off. Really, only working with carbon steel in the rain, heavy dew when trail clearing with a machete in the morning comes in, or after food prep do I usually consider wiping the knife with oil. Otherwise, I wipe it dry and let it air dry for a few minutes and we're good to go.
If you're still looking since it's been about a month, let us know what you came up with or where you're thinking after some of the input. We love helping out new members get into knives... not so much helping you save money for retirement
I'm also inclined to try some of the bushcraft knives from lionsteel in the sleipner steel as I'm pretty interested in trying out the steel in a hard use capacity. I may get something off the knifemaker's market instead but we'll see how that goes as I have plenty of projects already to work through.
Of the ones you listed, I would probably go for the esee. The Falkniven F1 would be more my choice for your uses if going Falkniven as it's lighter, a better slicer, and still plenty robust for bushcraft.
As far as carbon steel goes, the maintenance really isn't as bad as it seems. Try to keep it dry and if you're out backpacking or something for a long time, carry a small pill bottle or similar with veggie oil and a rag/paper towel to wipe the blade. The single towel will last the whole trip if it's 1-week or less, and probably longer. If you're mostly doing the wood processing stuff, the wood working does a pretty decent job keeping it dry and abrading the oxidation off. Really, only working with carbon steel in the rain, heavy dew when trail clearing with a machete in the morning comes in, or after food prep do I usually consider wiping the knife with oil. Otherwise, I wipe it dry and let it air dry for a few minutes and we're good to go.
If you're still looking since it's been about a month, let us know what you came up with or where you're thinking after some of the input. We love helping out new members get into knives... not so much helping you save money for retirement