This is Andrew, and welcome back to Madman Review. Today, we will be taking another look
at knives. In previous episodes, we’ve talked about everyday carry folding knives and fixed-blade
knives. I’ve briefly touched on certain knives that would be good for camping and
all that bushcraft goodness. In this episode, we will focus on knives made specifically
for the outdoors.
If you’ve ever been deep into nature and tried out camping, you would know that a knife
is a crucial survival tool. It is such a versatile little tool that you have a much higher chance
of survival if you have one of these on your person.
The wilderness that many people appreciate can be tamed if you have the right tools.
Among those is a knife. You may be tempted to bring a folding knife out to the wild because
it is light and compact, but it isn’t meant to be used outdoors. If you do, chances are
that it will jam or even break if you put it through heavy jobs. Therefore, a fixed
blade knife would be better.
Even so, not all knives are made equal and some fixed-blade knives are better suited
for the outdoors than others. If you want something that would never let you down in
the wild, I have some recommendations for you. As always, the links to these products
are in the description below, so make sure to check it out.
The Fallkniven A1 Knife
Fallkniven makes some really good knives since the company was founded way back in 1987.
It’s a shame that they aren’t as famous as they deserve to be. They have plenty of
experience when it comes to making solid bushcraft knives.
One of their best creations is the F1 which achieved legendary status. The A1 is designed
based on the F1. It features a laminated VG-10 blade and a Kraton handle. It might be a little
pricey for a knife, but those who have used the A1 will tell you that it is totally worth
the investment.
The Boker Arbolito Bushcraft Knife
Boker is a German knifemaker. As far as German quality goes, expect nothing short of excellence.
Boker’s main offerings revolve around everyday carry knives, so the Arbolito is a break from
tradition. Luckily, they nailed the design on this one. You get a Bohler N690 Steel blade,
Micarta handle scales, and a flat spine to strike your Ferro rod. The knife comes with
a real leather sheath that ages like fine wine.
The Benchmade 202 Leuku Knife
Leuku looks like your traditional knife and this style is not going to go out of fashion
any time soon, especially when versatility in the wild is concerned. The Leuku features
a long and slim curved edge, straight back, flat spine, ergonomic handle, and a hidden
tang. The design is based on the classic and iconic Scandinavian puukko and the Leuku seeks
to improve on this timeless design.
The Leuku features a CPM-3V steel blade and synthetic Santoprene handle. The texture gives
a secure grip even with gloves and regardless of the weather condition. It’s tough and
will serve you well in the wild.
TOPS Knives B.O.B Brothers of Bushcraft Knifes
TOPS is one of those knifemakers that really know their craft. They kept churning out one
excellent knife after another. Oftentimes, they take their design a step further and
you can tell it’s a TOPS knife when it features aggressive features and over-the-top design.
But I’m not complaining. It’s just that TOPS has a lot of passionate people in their
production team and that’s a good thing.
That said, their knives aren’t just about looks. They know when to make compromises
and tone down the aggressive design to create a more purpose-driven tool. BOB is an example
of that. What you get is a gorgeous and easy-to-maintain knife that comes with a 1095 steel blade and
a Micarta handle. The handy little hole in the handle lets you slap in a Ferro rod to
start a fire or run a bow drill through if you want to start a fire the traditional way.
The grip is subtly shaped to fit in your hand comfortably. Plus, you get a Kydex sheath
with the knife upon purchase.
The Morakniv Bushcraft Knife
It’s affordable. It’s simple. It’s reliable. What more can you ask for? This is the definitive
proof that you do not need to shell out a lot of money just to get a good knife for
all your survival and camping needs. Morakniv is known for making budget yet reliable knives
designed for the outdoors for well over 15 years.
You might have heard about the famous Companion knife from the same company. The Bushcraft
Knife shares some features such as the silhouette. The blade is crafted from carbon steel so
it retains its edge very well. The sheath is worth a mention as it comes with a plethora
of features, including a diamond sharpener and a fire-starting Ferro rod that is rated
at 7,000 strikes and 3,000-degree sparks.
The Helle Knives Temagami Field Knife
If you’re interested in a more traditional knife, this one might suit you. Despite the
name, it follows the traditional Scandinavian bushcraft knife. You have a curly handle made
of birch wood paired up with a triple-laminated stainless steel blade. The company, Helle,
partnered up with the legendary Les Stroud to create a truly exceptional and reliable
knife. To sweeten the deal even more, you also get a premium leather belt sheath with
your purchase.
The ESEE 5P Knife
ESEE is also a reputable bushcraft knifemaker and they are known for their wide range of
offerings to suit pretty much everyone. All of their knives are excellent, but if I have
to choose one, I would go for the 5P. It strikes that perfect balance between versatility and
comfort. You get a black-finished 1095 carbon steel blade and Micarta handle that gives
an excellent grip regardless of the weather condition. The end of the handle is designed
so that it could work as a glass-breaker and a lanyard attachment point. With this purchase,
you also get a Kydex sheath.
The Bark River Knives Aurora Bushcraft Knife
This modest knife boasts a CPM-3V steel drop point blade and a Micarta handle, which allows
for a secured and comfortable grip in all conditions. Though it does not look like the
most beautiful knife in the world, it places itself on the high-end spectrum for bushcraft
knives.
It is made with a heavier emphasis on form and functionality over aesthetics, and it
delivers. The canvass handle is cleverly shaped so that it fits snugly in your hand even when
you have gloves on. In fact, it fits so nicely in your hand that you feel as if it’s a
part of your body. It is just that comfortable to use.
The Spyderco Zoomer Bushcraft Knife
Last but not least, we have the Zoomer from Spyderco. If there’s one knife that I can
bet my life on, it would be this one. It is a top-tier knife with a hefty price tag, which
I can say is the only downside. So, what does this knife has to offer?
For one, the knife was designed by a world-class survivalist, Thomas Zoomer. The thought process
behind this is pretty simple. If you want a top-of-the-line survival knife, you get
a survivalist of a comparable caliber to pen the design. Spyderco did just that.
Although you might feel bad to put the knife this expensive through abuse, the materials
that went into its creation justified its price point. You get a drop point CPM-20CV
blade with a convex grind and a pair of nicely machined G-10 handle scales, not to mention
a premium leather sheath for ease of transport. The knife is built like a tank and it would
most likely outlive you with proper care.
The Ontario Knife Company 8696 Bushcraft Knife
The name may suggest a military background, and you would be right to think that. They
have been making military-issue knives in the United States for many years. At the same
time, they also started making bushcraft knives and they are doing pretty well. They make
some beautiful and reliable knives such as the 8696.
So, what is the difference between their military-oriented knives and their bushcraft knives? The latter
is more aesthetically pleasing as they can ditch the “tactical” look and features.
The 8696 looks minimalist and the walnut handle gives it an ageless look. You get a 5160 drop
point steel blade that is super easy to maintain. Plus, the knife comes in a beautiful nylon
sheath so you can stick it to your belt.
And there you have it, folks. These are my top 10 recommendations for bushcraft survival
knives. If you have ever used any of these knives or have any other recommendations,
let us know in the comment section below.
Consider giving us a like if you’ve enjoyed this video, subscribe, and stay tuned for
more content to come. Thank you for watching and I will see you again in the next episode
of Madman Review.