Your favorite bushcraft / survival knife under $100?

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Apr 16, 2013
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I'm looking for one. Even though I'll carry a SAK Workchamp I just like the idea of a "bushcraft" knife :D:

My logical brain says "SAK and hatchet" while my other half says "RTAK II" and then my third half says "under $100" lol

Thanks.

Let me add that I would consider batoning a function of bushcraft.
 
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Current production Grylls USK plain edge?

USMC Kabar?

SOG SEAL Pup?

I was at the gun show today and managed to find a Mora. A bit small IMO.
 
Current production Grylls USK plain edge?

USMC Kabar?

SOG SEAL Pup?

I was at the gun show today and managed to find a Mora. A bit small IMO.

No, no, and no. A Mora is a pretty popular choice, and deservedly so. Maybe if you could define for us what "bushcraft/survival" means to you, we could help better. By that, do you mean "hiking/fishing/camping/outdoors recreation"?
 
I guess a pocket chainsaw would make things real fun :D

But yeah. The 'big' knife would be for fun work haha.
 
No such animal. If you can't pay more than $100 you deserve to die.

The monetary value of one's knife has little to do with whether or not someone deserves to die. No need to spend over $100, no knife is worth much more than that, in the view of usefulness and what you can get for the money.

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Can't say it enough, Enzo Trapper, in O1 if you're a purist, S30V if you're in need of stainless. For a traditional bushcraft feel, go for the Scandi Zero grind, it is excellent. The blade is 95mm long (3 7/8"), and the full-tang is thick enough to qualify as a "survival" blade, if you were planning on abusing it. The completed knife will run you anywhere from $100-$150, depending on the steel, but the real draw is the ability to buy blade blanks and source your own handle material and hardware (~$60-$80) or a kit with everything you need included, which you can simply assemble, sand, and finish (~$80-$100). This way, you can rock with your own handle material and fit the knife to your hand exactly, and in the process, make your knife more personal to you.

The Mora's are nice for $15, but I argue that this may be the most high-value "bushcraft" knife out there.

They also have a larger knife, the Camper model, with all of the features of the above, but with a 5" blade, if you prefer larger ones.
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Oh, and I would advise against batoning. Get a saw and/or hatchet; your knife will last longer and you will be able to process wood faster and more easily.
 
esee 3 then the rodent solution

This. I honestly dont understand why people think you need some massive knife everytime you go outside, both the ESEE 3 and the RS would do every task 99% of people need a knife to do when in the outdoors. I prefer the ESEE over the Swamp Rat just due to the fact its thinner stock (1/8th on the ESEE 3/16 on the Swamp Rat) but either would make a great outdoors tool.

Dont even get me started on knives like the ESEE 5 and Becker BK2 to me a 1/4 inch thick 5 inch knife is about as useless as they come.
 
I guess a pocket chainsaw would make things real fun :D

But yeah. The 'big' knife would be for fun work haha.

I think we are finally getting to the point! :thumbup: Its not "survival"...its about going out in the woods and having fun with some knives. Cool!

Here's my suggestion. First....Victorinox Alox Farmer. Its gonna take care of the boring stuff you need to do. For the fun I suggest

Kabar Heavy Bowie and/or
Tramontina 14 inch Trail Machete and/or
big Old Hickory butcher knife

With any of those you can have a blast messing around batonning, bashing the bejeebus outta innocent trees, experimenting, and all kinds of fun stuff. You could probably get the Tram, the Vic, and the Old Hickory and have enough money left over for the most important supply....the case of beer that will go in the cooler in the trunk of the car.

Have fun!!!!
 
I have the Workchamp and the Hiker

(and the Alox Pioneer and the Bantam and the Classic ............ lol)

But I'm really digging the Fallkniven A1z. Almost twice this arbitrary budget but seems worth it.



_
 
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