iluv308
Member
I have one but what do you guys think would be a good knife for hard bush use....I own and operated a 200 square mile in B.C./Yukon.....need a good knife...
Kabar as a 'Wilderness' knife
- Thread starter iluv308
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C.R.Sam
Moderator Emeritus
GI issue K-Bar has served me well for 50 years or so. Nothing fancy, just a good tough all purpose knife. Kill, skin, carve, pry, open cans, hammer things etc.
Not my favorite but quite adequate for most useage.
Sam
Not my favorite but quite adequate for most useage.
Sam
Dave Markowitz
Member
Check out the Becker Combat/Utility 7. The blade length is the same as the K-Bar, but the handle is more comfortable, in my opinion. The Becker runs $49 + shipping from The Cutlery Shoppe.
http://www.cutleryshoppe.com
(Not affiliated with them, just a satisfied customer.)
http://www.cutleryshoppe.com
(Not affiliated with them, just a satisfied customer.)
Zip06
Member
Nothing at all the matter with the K-Bar but you need to define your needs before selecting a knife.
I had a K-Bar when I was in the service and it was great for prying open ammo crates, C rats, digging, chopping and hammering among other things. I thank God I don't know how it was as a fighting knife. But if digging, chopping, hammering, cutting, slicing and using it for a prybar are what you want a knife for then you can do better than a K-bar.
Take a look at the Becker line. Cheap and strong. Go to www.bladeforum.com or www.knifeforum.com those guys are knife nuts.
I had a K-Bar when I was in the service and it was great for prying open ammo crates, C rats, digging, chopping and hammering among other things. I thank God I don't know how it was as a fighting knife. But if digging, chopping, hammering, cutting, slicing and using it for a prybar are what you want a knife for then you can do better than a K-bar.
Take a look at the Becker line. Cheap and strong. Go to www.bladeforum.com or www.knifeforum.com those guys are knife nuts.
Al Thompson
Moderator Emeritus
I handled the Becker and stayed with my Cold Steel SRK. I found the grip just a bit too big for my hands. I also like the SRK for cold weather as there is no steel exposed in the grip area.
Try before you buy, if you can.
Try before you buy, if you can.
Rupestris
Member
I'll second that. I have the desert camo version. Get yourself one and a Gerber tool or a leatherman and you're pretty much set. The Gerber Tool, BTW, is a perfect fit for the additional pocket on the Becker sheath.
(Not affiliated with them, just ANOTHER satisfied customer.)
Thumper
Member
I love my K-bar, but I have to cast another vote for the BK7. I'm also a big fan of my Becker Companion...noticably thicker knife.
Joe Demko
Member
What exactly do you envision doing with the knife? I'm not a big fan of the "sharpened prybar" school of knives for most things. I guess I can see the point of having one if you are going to be dropped in the middle of nowhere, naked, and with a knife as your only tool. Indestructability is then a primary concern, though you really should be using your knife to make other tools that you can risk losing or destroying, even then. If that isn't the case, then I don't see the point of handicapping yourself with one. Knives are for cutting and thick blades by their very geometry are wedgy. If you want to chop, use a hatchet or axe or other chopping tool. If you want to pry, use a crowbar or clawhammer. Combat capabilities are kind of irrelevant for bush use in British Columbia.
The whole "thicker is better" school of thought on knife blades got started by the Marble's company and reached ridiculous extremes (especially among custom makers) in the 70s and 80's. I've seen "knives" made out of 1/2" stock! The mountain men, prospectors, and other frontiersmen went onto the wild carrying knives not awfully different, in most cases, fom what you might see in the Old Hickory product line. In those days, they even commonly referred to what they carried as "butcher knives." So, I would suggest to you that a ka-bar isn't at all a bad choice. They are thin enough to cut, slash and slice like a proper knife should, while being thick enough to be reasonably rugged and stiff. Combine one with a small axe/machete/kukhri and a SAK or multi-tool and you should be good to go.
The whole "thicker is better" school of thought on knife blades got started by the Marble's company and reached ridiculous extremes (especially among custom makers) in the 70s and 80's. I've seen "knives" made out of 1/2" stock! The mountain men, prospectors, and other frontiersmen went onto the wild carrying knives not awfully different, in most cases, fom what you might see in the Old Hickory product line. In those days, they even commonly referred to what they carried as "butcher knives." So, I would suggest to you that a ka-bar isn't at all a bad choice. They are thin enough to cut, slash and slice like a proper knife should, while being thick enough to be reasonably rugged and stiff. Combine one with a small axe/machete/kukhri and a SAK or multi-tool and you should be good to go.
DMK
Member
Has anybody tried the Camillus version of this knife?
It's my understanding that Camillus was the original contractor for it and Ka-Bar made copies to fill the Govt. needs.
http://www.camillusknives.com/camillus/fixedblademil_5684.shtml
It's my understanding that Camillus was the original contractor for it and Ka-Bar made copies to fill the Govt. needs.
http://www.camillusknives.com/camillus/fixedblademil_5684.shtml
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Rupestris
Member
DMK,
I also have a Camillus "Ka-Bar" knife. Its a 5" GI Model with the stacked leather handle and a hex pomel stamped "CAMILLUS NY 4-1968". I found the knife stuffed under the seat of an old '81 Chevy pick-up I bought years ago. It was my camp/truck knife for a couple years. Its finish is shot and pitted and the original sheath is about as worn as leather can get but it holds an edge as good as I need it to. Still has the sharpening stone too
Rupe
I also have a Camillus "Ka-Bar" knife. Its a 5" GI Model with the stacked leather handle and a hex pomel stamped "CAMILLUS NY 4-1968". I found the knife stuffed under the seat of an old '81 Chevy pick-up I bought years ago. It was my camp/truck knife for a couple years. Its finish is shot and pitted and the original sheath is about as worn as leather can get but it holds an edge as good as I need it to. Still has the sharpening stone too
Rupe
labgrade
Member In Memoriam
Not to be snooty, but I'd figure if you have to pound on something, one'd use a hammer. Prying = likewise - use a pry bar.
Knives, generally, are made for cutting things.
If you're gonna use 'em for other than that, you'll likely lose the slicing utility that they were originally designed.
Leatherman-types, or Swiss Army-things - yup, you can use the extras for prying & stuff, but eventually, you'll trash it. Maybe a decent enough trade-off .... but, using 'em to cut as designed, you'll never have to do anything to a decent knife other than sharpen it. I figure all "those extras" on the multi-tools are there only as an "as needed" type of thing & not for any sort of general purpose at all - kinda an emergency thing.
Right tool for the right job, no?
Knives, generally, are made for cutting things.
If you're gonna use 'em for other than that, you'll likely lose the slicing utility that they were originally designed.
Leatherman-types, or Swiss Army-things - yup, you can use the extras for prying & stuff, but eventually, you'll trash it. Maybe a decent enough trade-off .... but, using 'em to cut as designed, you'll never have to do anything to a decent knife other than sharpen it. I figure all "those extras" on the multi-tools are there only as an "as needed" type of thing & not for any sort of general purpose at all - kinda an emergency thing.
Right tool for the right job, no?
Thumper
Member
I ain't Batman and I can never find my utility belt. If you always have your truck strapped to your back when in the woods, then by all means, pack what you want.
I'll stick with a knife that can do it all (and does it all well).
labgrade
Member In Memoriam
Jeez Thumpster.
You got a knife that can "do it all?" More power to ya. Must be quite the piece of cutlery - or replacing it when it breaks when using it as a pry bar.
All I was suggesting was that it may be best to have a couple extra tools that would be more suited for the task at hand. How hard can that be?
& actually, there's multi-tools out there that are designed to be used as pounders/levers, etc. Can't see where using one of those + a decent "utility knife" wouldn't be a good bet.
You got a knife that can "do it all?" More power to ya. Must be quite the piece of cutlery - or replacing it when it breaks when using it as a pry bar.
All I was suggesting was that it may be best to have a couple extra tools that would be more suited for the task at hand. How hard can that be?
& actually, there's multi-tools out there that are designed to be used as pounders/levers, etc. Can't see where using one of those + a decent "utility knife" wouldn't be a good bet.
Thumper
Member
Seriously, that ol' BK7 hacks clear shooting lanes, hammers in tent pegs, splits firewood starter sticks, separates joints in tough old deer, and holds a decent edge.
FWIW, I still carry a short hatchet with my gear, but most times it's the knife that's handy. Surely that's a good thing?
FWIW, I still carry a short hatchet with my gear, but most times it's the knife that's handy. Surely that's a good thing?
Rupestris
Member
Aside form the tent pegs, that about sums it up for mine. I also use a Gerber hatchet when its called for. I didn't buy the BK7 as a pry bar. Nor is it a "Combat" knife. I bought the Becker because it was the best that $55 could buy(IMHO), I needed a replacement for the Camillus, and it easily handles chores that I'd rather not use my 3.5" hunting knife for when in the field. I could have done fine with another 5" Ka-Bar style knife but a little extra doesn't hurt.
People buy Hummers and Porsche 911's to get back and forth to work, right? They probably never use the vehicle to its full potential but they are entitled to buy what is dependable, comfortable, appealing, affordable, and does what they ask of it. If a vehicle fills a niche in a garage or a knife fills a gap in the collection then I say buy what you like. If it seems like a bad decision to another then -Feh! They are entitled to their opinion too.
We could have suggested a $250 Randall or Busse Battle Mistress, or a $150 Striker or Swamp Rat Battle Rat. I think the BK7 is quite modest when compared to those. As is the Camillus or Ka-Bar.
rayra
member
I've had my Kabar for 16yrs of hard use - Marines, camping, hiking.
Works great. If you envision much prying, you should get something with a thicker blade.
Works great. If you envision much prying, you should get something with a thicker blade.
labgrade
Member In Memoriam
"Surely that's a good thing?"
You bet & no offense meant.
Kinda was into the "I've a 200 square mile thig ... " to somehow include a horse. Not your BatMobile, but close enough for "wilderness" use far as being able to tote around an extra heavy or two. & I've yet to see a fence puller on a knife.
You bet & no offense meant.
Kinda was into the "I've a 200 square mile thig ... " to somehow include a horse. Not your BatMobile, but close enough for "wilderness" use far as being able to tote around an extra heavy or two. & I've yet to see a fence puller on a knife.
mercop
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