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Post by Nighthawk on Sept 28, 2014 23:25:15 GMT 10
We all have different emphasis we place on various areas of our preps, and allocate funds accordingly. It's pretty commonly accepted that you need a decent knife of some sort, but there is such an array of knives available, and prices range from almost pocket change to a week's wages, so how do you choose? In this thread I'll give some ideas, mostly based on personal experience, of what is worth considering within a few different budget parameters. In each bracket, I will look to get three knives - a folder, a general purpose/bushcraft/survival fixed blade, and a larger 'chopper', all readily available from good knife retailers or ebay. Let's start with an overall budget of just $100. What could you get? Folder - Opinel #8 Opinel is a French family business that has been producing knives in the same style since 1897. They are a simple design, with a thin carbon steel blade which makes for excellent slicing. The handle is beech wood and the blade locks into position with a simple rotating collar. Cost $25
Fixed blade - Mora Clipper Mora are a Vietnamese company with a range of products. The Clipper is their basic 'bushcraft' knife and a very capable one. Available in both carbon and stainless steel, Moras have a reputation as reliable knives that take a keen edge and fill a variety of roles. Cody Lundin from Dual Survival used a Mora knife. Cost $35.Chopper - Tramontina machete Tramontina are a Brazilian company, and if anyone knows about chopping through tropical rainforest it's going to be the Brazilians, right? Lightweight, well balanced, tough carbon steel, and cheap. Needs to be kept clean and dry when not in use. Available in a number of styles. Cost $20-$35TOTAL - $95
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Post by Nighthawk on Sept 28, 2014 23:50:44 GMT 10
Budget $350Folder - Spyderco Delica The Spyderco Delica is a very handy smaller folding knife that can still be imported into Australia. It features a VG-10 blade which offers excellent edge retention, and Fibreglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) handles over stainless steel liners, with a solid back-lock. Available in a range of colours. Cost $105Fixed blade - Becker BK-16 This in my opinion is the best value for money knife you can buy. A fantastic all round knife, with a full tang, carbon steel blade and molle compatible sheath. Designed by Ethan Becker and produced by Ka-bar. Will not let you down. Cost $85-$100Chopper - Becker BK-9 Nine inch full tang carbon steel blade that is well balanced and powerful enough to chop through most timbers. Also produced by Ka-bar. Cost $165TOTAL $355
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Post by Nighthawk on Sept 29, 2014 0:03:42 GMT 10
Budget - $1000Folder - Zero Tolerance 0550 Just a tank of a folding knife. The blade is S35VN steel, a high end stainless steel that holds a great edge for ages. The frame is Titanium, and the black scale is impact resistant G10. Cost $250Fixed blade - Swamp Rat Ratmandu One of the best all round bushcraft/survival knives going round. Swamp Rat Knife Works is part of the Busse Combat group of companies, and its full tang blade is made from their proprietary SR-101 steel, with a choice of canvas or paper micarta or G10 handles. Only available direct from SRKW (or on the second hand market) it retails for US$148.00 without a sheath, which needs to be sourced elsewhere (it fits the small Spec-Ops Combat Master, or you can get one made - either way add around $60). Cost $225Chopper - Busse Team Gemini Light Brigade OK not really a dedicated chopper, but an amazing large knife. Again, only available direct from Busse Combat. Full tang blade made from proprietary INFI steel, with micarta or G10 handles. Again, no sheath, but it fits the large Spec-Ops Combat Master perfectly. This is the knife Daryl Dixon uses in The Walking Dead. Cost $400TOTAL $875
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Post by Nighthawk on Sept 29, 2014 0:13:34 GMT 10
So many great knives that would slot in at various spots among the above, especially in the fixed blade category between the $100-$250 price range. Gerber LMF-II and Prodigy, ESEE_3 and ESEE-4, Cold Steel SRK, Fallkniven F1 and S1, Bark River Aurora and Bravo 1, the list goes on. The knives listed above are all ones I have owned at one time or another and would have no qualms using on a daily basis. Feel free to ask questions or offer up other suggestions.  |
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Post by thereth on Sept 29, 2014 0:37:13 GMT 10
i must admit, i do love my KABAR 1211 for a $100 knife
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Ammo9
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Post by Ammo9 on Sept 29, 2014 1:51:53 GMT 10
We're playing musical knives! This will be fun... I might gather my collection from all the places it's strewn across and take a happy snap. Now I type that, I realise I didn't take the first aid kit pics that I promised... I need to stop saying I'll do things then not follow up on them. I'm just so busy at the moment
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Frank
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Post by Frank on Sept 29, 2014 9:48:49 GMT 10
Thanks for posting this up Nighthawk, interesting to see what you get for your money.
I do like the Busse Team Gemini Light Brigade, but if paid $400 for a knife, it would never get used haha
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Res-Q
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Post by Res-Q on Sept 29, 2014 18:32:11 GMT 10
Funnily enough Nighthawk, I have the first three knives in my bush craft kit. The Opinal, Mora and the Tramontina machete. I added a slight modification to the machete by making a socket for my bow drill spindle using a ball peen hammer and a vice to shape the socket.   |
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Post by happygolucky on Oct 1, 2014 8:19:24 GMT 10
Out of curiosity, would you consider a good multitool as a folder knife? Blade may not be as strong as VG10 for prying but I'm guessing the other tools (pilers and screwdrivers) might come in handy as well.. I have a leatherman, mora bushcraft and schrade schf9 in my bag.. think its less than 250 bucks.. the leatherman was the most expensive.
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Post by Nighthawk on Oct 1, 2014 8:26:33 GMT 10
I very rarely use the blade on my Leatherman, but it comes in handy. I generally have a dedicated folding knife on me at all times. I also wouldn't be using any knife blade for prying, unless I absolutely had to and had no other option - that's just asking for trouble. However a good quality multitool such as a Leatherman is certainly an valid 'one size fits all' solution.
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AKM.
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Post by AKM. on Oct 1, 2014 21:34:19 GMT 10
I am quite partial to my Victorinox Soldier's knife.Picked it up near new on Fleabay for around $40. Solid, good meaty lock for the main blade.  |
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Post by Nighthawk on Oct 1, 2014 21:44:34 GMT 10
Yep I've got a couple of them kicking around |
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Res-Q
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Post by Res-Q on Oct 2, 2014 12:10:26 GMT 10
I like the look of that Victorinox AKM   |
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Post by Nighthawk on Oct 2, 2014 12:34:27 GMT 10
They come in black and camo handles as well.
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bilycart
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Post by bilycart on Oct 27, 2014 18:33:12 GMT 10
Hi Nighthawk
Hoping you can advice on good skinning and gutting knives. Steers and pigs would be mainly what they would be used on. Also interested in obtaining machete (Brazilian?) and good all round rigid blade knife. Happy to spend the $$$ but lack knowledge of knives. Can you supply direct or do I need to purchase through 3rd party?
regards Bill |
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Post by Nighthawk on Oct 27, 2014 19:36:50 GMT 10
I can supply direct. I'll PM you once I've got the kids asleep. |
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Post by Nighthawk on Oct 27, 2014 23:49:05 GMT 10
Hi Nighthawk
Hoping you can advice on good skinning and gutting knives. Steers and pigs would be mainly what they would be used on. Also interested in obtaining machete (Brazilian?) and good all round rigid blade knife. Happy to spend the $$$ but lack knowledge of knives. Can you supply direct or do I need to purchase through 3rd party? I have three knives I use for processing game (goats and pigs mostly). They are the Bark River Fox River, Buck Vanguard, and Becker BK-15.  The Vanguard is also available in a guthook version. Both the Buck and Becker fit around the $100 mark. The Bark River is $200+ RRP from memory. For the machete, I really don't think you can go past a Brazilian Tramontina. The general purpose fixed blade is where all the options are. Any one of the Becker BK-16, ESEE-4, Fallkniven F1 and S1, Bark River Bravo 1, Scrapyard 511, or Swamp Rat Ratmandu would fit the bill. |
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Post by agriculturalprep on Nov 3, 2014 17:59:54 GMT 10
Hey guys,
picked up some new goods yesterday. I am replacing a joker(spanish knives) skinner and being a uni student my budget is tight but i got a decent one with a nice deep belly on the drop point so should be sweet for skinning. I also picked up a new EDC ontario rat II and its pretty cool. Overall I payed 70 for the buck omni with the gut hook, and 55 for the ontario rat II
I also went with just plain edge instead of painted on the ontario as it has a sharp spine and can produce sparks on a ferro rod. It 7inches in length with 3 inch blade (drop point) nice folding knife, good grip and very sharp out of the box.
I want to upload photos but can seem to make them smaller.
Both really good anyhow, the buck is USA made and field dressed a rabbit with such ease, should be good for larger game too.
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Morgo
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Post by Morgo on Dec 11, 2014 19:03:42 GMT 10
The Busse TGLB is a great knife but it costs almost $400 US. Once you factor for exchange rates and Busse shipping it here its easily a $500 knife and that is with basic grips, add another $50 US for G10. Esee blades are great bang for the buck, I'm still waiting for my Esee 6 to break |
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Post by Nighthawk on Dec 11, 2014 23:37:43 GMT 10
Yeah I'm glad I got mine when I did. The exchange rate is really starting to hurt when bringing in things from the US. ESEE knives are great too |
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