This post contains the results of my evaluation of a variety of knives for consideration as a "bushcrafter". It was my objective to evaluate the largest number of knives available to me in hopes of identifying the best knife (in the test group) or at least identify features that were desirable in a bushcraft knife.
In all, this test included:
3.5 Hours of pretest evaluation
9.5 Hours of testing
4.0 Hours of post evaluation and testing data compilation
First, I'd like to extend my gratitude to all who loaned one or more knives for this evaluation. Without your participation this couldn't have been nearly as comprehensive. Thank you for the trust and investment! I've elected to not identify who loaned the knives (to protect your anonymity), but you're more than welcome to claim ownership of your knife(s) in this thread! I've scrubbed your knives three times, dried them thoroughly, lubricated the metal and already shipped them back to you. I'll forward the tracking code via a private message later today.
MY DEFINITION OF A BUSHCRAFT KNIFEKnife selection is as subjective as art appreciation. I like Ford vehicles, and you might prefer something made by Honda. However, an evaluation is worthless without a clearly defined set of parameters by which to judge the product. As such, I define a "bushcraft knife" (BCK hereafter) as:
1) A knife devoted mostly to wilderness and outdoor use, but capable of being used for kitchen type duties as well.
Typical BCK knife chores include activities like: cutting notches in figure-four snares; filleting through wet wood to produce fuzzy or feather sticks for firemarking; skinning game; cutting up snared animal meat for use in the campsite stew pot; camp site detail work like trimming small branches and cutting paracord; general small tasks like opening freeze-dried food pouches; etc. Essentially, the BCK is a smallish detail knife.
2) A small and lightweight companion knife.
The BCK is likely to accompany a larger and more sturdy knife. The larger knife would handle more strenuous tasks such as cutting through the pelvic bone of a whitetail deer, chopping through a limb to make a lean to shelter, etc. This isn't to say the BCK would not be required to perform larger tasks. As with all things wilderness, we often have to improvise.
3) Before the test my definition of the BCK yielded the following general specifications:
DESIGN TYPE: Fixed Blade
BLADE LENGTH: 5" or Less
BLADE THICKNESS: 3/16" or Less
WEIGHT: As Light As Possible
KNIVES AVAILABLE FOR EVALUATIONThis is far from a conclusive list of knives worthy of consideration for "bushcrafting", however it is the largest sampling of knives I could assemble in short notice.
![[Linked Image from i60.tinypic.com]](http://i60.tinypic.com/23mn0q1.jpg)
Bark River Gunny
ESEE ESEE-5
ESEE ESEE-4
ESEE ESEE-3
Fallkniven S-1
Survive! GSO 4.1
Ontario TAK-1
Busse Combat SAR-5
Busse Combat Boss Street
Swamp Rat RMD
Swamp Rat Vex
Swamp Rat Warden
Scrap Yard Mud Mutt
Scrap Yard S5
Scrap Yard 511 MO (FFG)
Scrap Yard 411
Scrap Yard 311
On to the evaluation!
FIRST IMPRESSIONSThe purpose of the "first impression" component of this evaluation was to develop initial and somewhat subjective opinions about each knife. I spent a minimum of five minutes with each knife, and every knife was weighed using the same equipment (Taylor electronic scale) within a ten minute span of time. I intentionally selected knives randomly as to not form opinions about similar (or exactly the same) features such as handle types.
BUSSE COMBAT SAR-5Weight = 10.6 oz
Edge = Factory / New
This knife is TOO HEAVY! It also has poor balance due to the unusually large / thick handle. The big and bulky handle makes the balance non-conducive to detail BC work. No matter how I hold it I cannot figure out a way to effectively control the blade.
BUSSE COMBAT BOSS STREETWeight = 8.8 oz
Edge = Factory / New
This knife is too heavy for the size of the blade. The handle feels a little cramped due to the talon hole. The handle isn't too small, but the shape makes me want to choke up / crowd the blade. I've tried squeezing my hand up toward the blade, but the talon hole guard makes it uncomfortable. Its too handle heavy to be useful for detail work requiring balance. The lack of choil compounds these issues.
SWAMP RAT VEX]Weight = 7.4 oz
Edge = Factory / New
The handle is TOO SMALL! You have no choice but to use the choil, and the cutting edge cut my finger while just handling the knife. This is also unusually heavy for its size.
ONTARIO TAKWeight = 10.2 oz
Edge = Unknown
This is HEAVY and has the ergonomics of a 2x4. The choil is just big enough for the tip of my finger. Feels surprisingly controllable considering my initial impressions. The handle is too big for the blade.
SCRAP YARD MUD MUTTWeight = 5.9 oz
Edge = Factory/New
The "mudder" handle style feels too small for the blade length, and weight. The choil is useless. Overall feels surprisingly light for its blade length. My hand feels cramped on the grip.
ESEE-4 with G10 GripsWeight 8.0 oz
Edge = Factory / New
The handle feels a little too small, but its 100% functional. The balance is handle heavy, but not exceedingly so. Overall the knife is too heavy for its size. The gimping is nice. I like this knife.
SCRAP YARD 311Weight = 5.0 oz
Edge = Unknown
The blade is basically uselessly short. The proportion of handle to blade is ridiculous. The choil is useless. The "basic" handle style is not conducive to detail work. I have low expectations for this knife.
FALLKNIVEN S1Weight = 6.8 oz
Edge = Factory / New
The handle diameter feels too small. This lacks a choil, and I think with a 5" blade it needs one. The handle guard combined with lack of choil makes me think this is going to be hard to use for detail work since choking up will be impossible. Overall feels like it'll lack finesse.
BARK RIVER GUNNYWeight = 5.8 oz
Edge = Unknown
NICE! No choil, but the design allows closeness to the blade. The gimped thumb ramp is awesome. This is a very comfortable knife! I wish the blade was 3/4" longer.
SCRAP YARD 411Weight = 6.1 oz
Edge = Factory/New
The popsicle tang makes the balance blade heavy. The choil is cut in a manner that can allow the cutting edge to nick fingers. I like the handle design, and overall design.
SWAMP RAT RMDWeight = 10.0 oz
Edge = Factory / New
Nice design. This is a comfortable knife that allows multiple holds. Good handle to blade proportions. It does feel heavy compared to some of the other knives.
SCRAP YARD SCRAPPER 5Weight = 6.8 oz
Edge = Unknown
This feels cramped compared to the RMD. It feels great in the "choked forward / choil detail hold", but not as much in a standard hold. Good balance, and blade design. I like the thumb ramp.
SWAMP RAT WARDENWeight = 2.3 oz
Edge = Sharpened by me.
This is basically a useless knife. The handle is a terrible design, and the blade is too short.
SURVIVE! GSO 4.1Weight = 6.5 oz
Edge = Unknown
I want to choke up on this one. Good handle design, but its a little too thick. This knife needs a choil, and thumb ramp. It has great balance.
SCRAP YARD 511 MO (FFG)Weight = 6.4 oz
Edge = Unknown
The handle is too small for the blade length. This needs a choil! The balance is weird, and feels "off". This is an unusual knife.
ESEE-5Weight = 15.4 oz
Edge = Factory / New
THIS IS TOO BIG AND HEAVY!!! This is just too overbuilt. The blade is too thick, and the weight is insane. It has good balance, but would be absolutely worthless as a BC knife. I think this would make a great aircrew survival knife.
ESEE-3Weight = 5.1 oz
Edge = Factory / New
The blade is too thin. I'm afraid I'm going to break this while sitting in Fort Living Room! This seems like it'd make a good necker with the handle scales removed. I think this would be a good companion knife.
FIRST ROUND (NO USE) ELIMINATIONSThe "first round eliminations" included knives that had readily apparent design flaws and therefore didn't warrant testing. Each eliminated knife's reason for expulsion from the evaluation is listed below.
BUSSE SAR-5This knife has terrible ergonomics, and is just too heavy for use as a bushcrafter.
BUSSE Boss StreetThis knife's weight doesn't justify its 4.25" blade. Weight to blade ratio is a critical factor for me.
SWAMP RAT VEXI've already cut my fingers with this one so I'm concerned about my safety when I get out into the heat and use it with sweaty hands. It is also way to heavy for a knife with such a small handle.
ESEE-5BRUISER! This is just too big, heavy, and unwieldy for detail work. She'd probably make a great pry bar.
