I'VE BEEN WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL, FOR THE LAST 8 MONTHS. YOU HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT KNIVES AND THE WAY THAT YOU ARE PASSING YOUR PASSION AND YOUR EXPERIENCE IS RESPECTFUL. ALSO, YOUR KNIVES ARE VERY INNOVATIVE, ERGONOMICAL AND BEAUTIFUL. CONTINUE YOUR GOOD WORK AND KEEP WALKING.
I have three fixed blades and one folder/EDC knife. They are the Cold Steel Pendleton Hunter, the Outdoorsman, and the Recon Tanto. The EDC folder is a Victorinox Evo Champ. I chose these fixed blades because each is specialized in more than one task, except the Recon Tanto. I can do everything with the tanto, but the Outdoorsman is more suited to everything as a true survival knife. The Pendleton Hunter, I keep for any small knife purpose. I also include a kukri in my pack when I might be chopping or processing wood or blazing a path. I always wear my Champ no matter what. These are just what I chose. I tend to carry different blades for different reasons and situations because I have a fair collection of them. Since I was seven, I've always had some form of pocket knife and have learned to be able to use what I have. Thanks for the great talk and vid, Blackie. Take Care and Stay Safe.
Yes Sir... the Closed Captioning does really butcher a lot of what is said. I've seen several instances of "bushcraft" changed to "witchcraft". It's both humorous and sad at the same time.
Brazilian bush people can't comprehend: "Which single knife is the best". as it's "standard" for them to take at least FOUR knives. This nugget from a 30 year Brazilian missionary.
The most legit video I have seen on TH-cam! Thanks for posting, I really enjoyed it. For me, I don't see anything wrong with carrying a couple of knives if they aren't ridiculously heavy. Once establishing a primary knife, a Mora or something similar as backup and for finer tasks doesn't weigh anything.
Great explanation of the different types of "bushcraft" knives. Just a little funny for you..I'm watching this vid on my phone in the master bedroom. One of my dogs is hearing your voice from my phone and she is alerting with growls and her "I'll bite you" bark. She has never done this before. Then it dawned on me we have a new rescue puppy and she is doing that protective thing..talk about situation awareness. Great video Blackie.
Excellent video. Thank you. The knife you have is the knife you have. Learn to use it. When you win the lottery, then you can commission a blacksmith. I've a mora companion and a bushlore style, but I still use the old 1930's era broken kitchen knife that was repurposed by my grandfather as a young man. It's not stylish or pretty and wouldn't merit a second glance, but it works.
Thanks for the nice talk on knives, I found it quite interesting. I happen to like Brisa knives and the esee 6hm ( I hate choils!) . Current edc is an Enzo elver in 12c27, when I go out it's an esee izula.
Man I have a lot of knives, and I love having them, but when I’m out in the field it’s usually the same 1 or 2 workhorses I end up taking along. If I’m camping or just out busting around in the woods I usually have my LT Wright GNS saber grind because it’s just a beast without being too big. Love that knife. If I’m hunting I pack either a Bark River Fox River ext-2 or a Kauhaven puukopaja. The reason? They just work best for me. Ya gotta find what works for you and be happy with it. We’re blessed with so many fine choices.
I recently came across a channel which devotes a good deal of it's videos to "torture testing" of a variety of knives.. e.g. a) jamming the tip of the blade into a HARD tree stump and trying to bend/break the tip, b) hitting the knife from above at the juncture of the choil & grip etc... I'm not sure if those are fair "tests" unless a particular knife/knives were specifically designed to withstand those forces. There are certain design elements which lend themselves more to survival or bushcraft than others i.e. a full, solid tang as opposed to a partial or rat tail tang. I would like to see Blackie's choice of knives for bushcraft/survival/defense if he was limited to say only 3 knives.
3 fixed blades that I have become fond of are the Mora Garberg stainless, Cold Steel SRK, and Ka-Bar BK2. For me, a "survival knife" needs to be about 4"-6" blade, a saber grind, a full tang, a finger guard with no guard between the grip and spine, drop point, and a 90° spine for scraping tinder more so than a fero rod. And I have a Victorinox Forester for small work and cutting plate meat.
Probably as much as design is important, just as much is skill. My grandpa was a sheep farmer and did just about everything he needed to with a Joseph Roger's slip joint.
Interesting. Back in the old days in New Zealand (1970’s and earlier) a lot of the hunters just carried a simple standard butchers skinning knife. Some I think carried slightly flasher small Bowie style knives and some basic simple outdoor style blades. Cost would have been a big factor. Cheers 🇺🇸 🇳🇿
Fantastic video. One of your best. Also you are correct the knife you have on you is the best for survival. Too often people buy a new knife and don’t take the time to gain experience with that knife.
Hello Blackie- Im glad you explained what a survival knife is. Yes, the knife you have with you or can acquire, is your survival knife, even a butter knife. All of your knives are real cool in their own right, and each have their capabilities. Most all the time I go out into the woods, I carry my Mora Garberg and Mora Eldris(kneck knife) which is pretty much all I need. Also, IMO- I think with good quality knives, you get what you pay for- So, those people that want to save a buck on a bushcraft knife, may want to think twice. Thanks for the video and showing off them cool knives you have.
I personally use 1 knife for 1 job. My TBS Grizzly for bush craft, my Mora black for food prep, a machete for brush clearing, a filleting knife for fish and the like. These do not include the Bahco (and I know your views), my takedown buck saw, a mallet and hatchet. 1 tool for 1 job. I respect my tools and look after them and they return my efforts in kind . :)
This is fine instruction! Thank you. My knife story is being asked (regularly) to participate in the ritual slaughter of sheep. I got to do the killing. At that time, I owned a Gerber Big Hunter. It had a grippy handle but its blade would not separate sheep's fleece. My Rappala fish filet knife did the job efficiently but I needed to hone it often as we worked to break down the carcass. These days, I own fine examples of each type of knife you feature except for the Old Hickory butcher's knife. For many years, I used Old Hickory knives for kitchen work and as steak knives. Any of us who are 'old timers' know Old Hickory as a value/quality knife brand. A year or so ago, I purchased a Limited Edition Becker Kephart knife. It helps me connect with Horace Kephart's books on my shelf.
I've got two green riiver knives that my grandpa gave me in the 60's. I did ranch work with them for decades before I realized they had more value than I was giving them 😮
What about a knife for gator defense? I would think a longer blade with a full blood groove would be a wise choice but not too long. Any suggestions Blackie? Thanks for your wise instruction.
Great video, Blackie, Thanks for clearing up all that confusion for me. So many knife designs out there. Very daunting. I recently bought one of those BPS knives that are made in the Ukraine. It's a Kephart style with a Scandi grind, Always wanted to try a Kephart style blade. This was very affordable, about $40. Can't wait to try it out. Thanks again. 👍🔪
Carrying a single blade will rarely get it all done! An adventure in the outdoors always entails the carrying of 3 blades... Machete. Utility style blade( approx 8 inch). Food prep fillet blade. I do not consider a multi tool a knife. Yes it has a cutting blade, but also has so much more. Thus the name "Multi Tool". In addition to having the skills.. one should use the right tool for the job! Thanks for the video...
I bought a couple of Old Hickory Butcher Knives at yard sales. But they are both 11", not the standard 7 1/2". One needs the handle redone. Apparently it was just slapped back together. What would this size knife typically used for?
My most expensive knife is the Condor Selknam then a Victorinox Rangergrip 58, a chinese knife -seems very good- and another Victorinox the Hunter XS. I just need one more XD
My favourite mutitools knives are especially Leatherman and Swiss Army, but I have a few more cheaper versions. For fixed blades I will always go with the ones that I have made and they are customised for my needs.
I carry and use a Pathfinder Kephart every day. Fits my hand well, and I’ve become very familiar with the feel of it and how it cuts. I don’t need a big honkin blade to baton or cut down trees. I can build a fire or a shelter with mostly ground sourced wood if I really need to. I’d rather have a good all purpose knife I’m vastly familiar with. If I am spending time in the woods that is not a survival event or emergency I’ve planned to be there and have a folding saw and my camp ax to process wood with anyway. I do carry a small Silky Pocketboy in my edc just in case. I think it is more important to have a mentality of using the tools you have to their best advantage.
You have got it right there, a knife in the hand is worth any two in the cutlery drawer. There is a lot of fashion and advertising that goes into the choice of bushcraft knives. Back in the day I had some rubbish knives, the first decent one I bought as 13 year old was a Sheffield Bowie from a fishing tackle shop. Then along came Ray Mears and fashions changed the same way as hair styles and sneakers. My mum was a cook and she had a set of Sabbatier knives, and do you know what you can whittle and chop with a kitchen knife as well as you can with anything else, so long as it has a blade and is sharp. Don't overlook the humble Opinel number 8 they don't come a lot more versatile than that.
Black, I which category would you place your Blackbird? dBy the length and form thinking it may be considered an old I Wilson butcher knife on the 19th century. The Blackbird is way thicker and adapted to Bushcraft work. I found an I Wilson butcher knife from about 1880-1890 about 46 years ago on a village trash day. I knew the former owner because he was in my scout group in 1963. Used that knife for many kitchen tasks, no I often use it for watermelon. Great slicer.
i left the blackbird out of this because it is a custom and is sort of focused for woodscraft i truly love it so i felt it would be a little self serving and biased to include it in this video
Great conversation on the various types of knives to consider for Bushcraft and woods craft. One factor that you touched on that most will need to consider is the costs associated with a particular knife. Some knives may fit the task at hand perfectly, however they are priced beyond the budget of the potential user. They are simply too expensive. Other knives will do the job, but are affordable. They are within the budget of the potential user. You can go to extremes on either end of this scale when considering the costs of the knives that are out there. From a $15 -$20 Mora knife or an Old Hickory butcher knife, all the way to some custom built high-end steel knife in excess of $400. So, value and affordability can be factors to consider for most us in the market for a new knife. Thanks again for the discussion on this subject. Very informative. - Tennessee Smoky
Good point. When I was younger, I could not afford to spend much on a knife. Later on when I had more financial wherewithal, I got more expensive knives. However, my old knives held a special place and in some circumstances performed as well or better than knives that cost 4X more.
Those rare times where I have come across the perfect knife it almost feels like the knife was made for me and me alone. That's when I know the knife is right for me.
Morakniv $10 thick swedish steel full tang, also so economical and thick that you don't care if it gets beat up assuming u can beat it up. An all around knife for everything from small game, kitchen work, bushcraft, camp, holes, pry, what not. Full blade kit.. Diamond hone set or nay set 80grit - 5000grit Single blade shaver (for you) Good skinner w/ gut hook Filet knife\scimitar Woodsman Hatchet
@@BLACKIETHOMAS if it too expensive or sentimental for one to mess up, or get scratched up.. what the point of carrying it or having it in the first place is my thought. $10-50 is about all the metal n money I am willing to bring to the edge of destruction or destroy. Like I am not using my $150 USA kbar what not to dig out an Indian ground hole rocket stove. But... $10 chunky hard steel? I'll excavate a hole with $10 o steel and not cry if I have to file 1\8th of an in. to make a new 45degree tip.
When you get the chance, will you please do a new, updated series on classic slipjoint knives? I think classic, slipjoint knives are very valuable even today because they are not just super versatile and functional, but tyrannical law enforcement officers do not generally view them as a big threat. So you're less likely to be hassled.
Great video. Sometime look at a Green River Dadley pattern knife. It was one of the trade knives of the 'Mountain Man' era, too. If you are like me you can't look at one without seeing exactly where Kephart got 'his' design - especially with the original Kephart that Ethan Becker has shown and that he used for his design. To me all Kephart really did was come up with a Dadley with a modified (and probably improved) handle.
I've no idea what a Dadley is but I know many of the patterns of trade knives that were out there. In modern times the American made Green River knives are like a short butcher knife while the European made ones have spear point blade's. These Kepharts seem to be all over the place and get stubbier every year, Blackies looked more like a European Green River knife, I have a Sheffield made one and they are good the way they are. Is that a Dadley?
@@jelkel25 Green River (Russell Green River/Dexter Green River/Dexter Russell Green River) is a knife maker - to my knowledge they are still in business in one iteration or another - not a single style/pattern of knife. They have several, different patterns of which the Dadley was/is one.
@@jelkel25 This video shows the Green River Hunter and Dadley patterns. I have no affiliation with the channel. The video just came up in a search for 'Russell Green River Dadley'. I have one like the Hunter that I ordered as a kit and put scales on just like Blackie was saying in the video. I made a sheath for it. I had a Dadley that I bought with scales already on it and a sheath but several of my knives were stolen a few years ago and that was one. I will replace it some day. th-cam.com/video/PfFfKrKcNNw/w-d-xo.html
@@JAB671 Ahh, the Dadley is a Deck knife! The Hunter is what I would call the American pattern because I haven't seen it made by a European maker recently though you can get something close but with the fancy handle materials.
Really sound thoughts. Although I really like my Kephart which I bought early so it wasn't as expensive from Condor, I have a Russell Green River Camp knife that I like just as well. $12.99 for the blade, two slabs of walnut for scales at Track of the Wolf. you will need to make a sheath or buy one from them. THey have all the old Green River style blades. These were the blades of the trappers and buffalo hunters as Russel started making them in 1834. The knife you need is the one that covers 98% of what you need not the 98 % your imagination/fantasy thinks it needs. I have had knives that aren't even good enough to tuck away as a spare or even give to someone in need that wouldn't appreciate it.
You think about the fellows in the woods and mountains a few hundred years ago. They had a survival kit. Not a single survival knife. They had an axe, and probably more than one knife.
I use and carry the carbon mora garberg and the pks scorpion and they do everything t need a knife to do and I trust them to do all the tasks I need a knife to do
👍 Good discussion of various styles of knives. I applaud your point suggesting to the viewer that they select a knife they feel will meet their needs. As my Dad always said, “it is the mechanic, not the wrench”; a person with skills and get any of those knives to do 95% of the woodscraft, hunting, or fishing tasks we do. I saw a video by a Brit (selling a machete/Kukri style knife of his design with a 12-14 inch blade) who peeled an apple with no waste.
Alotta knife designs nowadays,tactical,survival,etc...Knowing how to use a knife ,be it for bushcraft,survival,self defence is the whole idea . A mora in the right hands is a deadly tools .not much diffrence gutting a hog vs a human if the time comes.. learn your blade... I carry a modified tanto..works great for hog,chicken& fish ..just my .02 tho ..
If I’m gonna be stuck with just one , it’s gonna be the mora kanstable ? I doubt I spelled that right , but that mora has a bit more backbone than the companion ( love that one to ) but it’s blade is shaped well and it has a good sharp spine. my only complaint .. it’s the Glock of the knife world , it works like a champ , But man, it’s ugly the sheath works great, but again , it’s butt ugly , it’s a Glock . Make it a full tang knife with nice grips and a leather sheath , and I’d be in heaven.
Blackie I prefure 3 inch blade full tang thick spine for bushcraft won't be as heavy or big yet still do job like they say not size of tool but how you use it if you know how its no problem 🇬🇧👍🐾🦊🇮🇹
I admit i got a little overwhelmed by the sudden choice you had when the internet came around but you level off and go back to getting kit useful to you and I didn't get anything too stupid. What it must be like for the young guys who are bombarded by the thinly veiled infomercials from minute one i shudder to think.
This video changed my mindset 100%
Thank you 👍
I'VE BEEN WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL, FOR THE LAST 8 MONTHS. YOU HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT KNIVES AND THE WAY THAT YOU ARE PASSING YOUR PASSION AND YOUR EXPERIENCE IS RESPECTFUL. ALSO, YOUR KNIVES ARE VERY INNOVATIVE, ERGONOMICAL AND BEAUTIFUL. CONTINUE YOUR GOOD WORK AND KEEP WALKING.
I have three fixed blades and one folder/EDC knife. They are the Cold Steel Pendleton Hunter, the Outdoorsman, and the Recon Tanto. The EDC folder is a Victorinox Evo Champ. I chose these fixed blades because each is specialized in more than one task, except the Recon Tanto. I can do everything with the tanto, but the Outdoorsman is more suited to everything as a true survival knife. The Pendleton Hunter, I keep for any small knife purpose. I also include a kukri in my pack when I might be chopping or processing wood or blazing a path. I always wear my Champ no matter what. These are just what I chose.
I tend to carry different blades for different reasons and situations because I have a fair collection of them. Since I was seven, I've always had some form of pocket knife and have learned to be able to use what I have.
Thanks for the great talk and vid, Blackie. Take Care and Stay Safe.
LOVE LOVE LOVE 💕 your knife videos!!! A BIG fan from North Mississippi!!! God bless you for all you do!!! 🙏
Loved the video Blackie 👍
I love channels that focus on bushcraft skills but will always conceide knife vids are just FUN. Thanks Blackie!
I'm hearing impared..silver wolf..have to use captions..nothing like a good "witchcraft" knife..😂..love the channel!
Yes Sir... the Closed Captioning does really butcher a lot of what is said. I've seen several instances of "bushcraft" changed to "witchcraft". It's both humorous and sad at the same time.
AI doesn't scare me until they start burning the witchcrafters😂
I have a few old hickory styles of knives 🇨🇦
Brazilian bush people can't comprehend: "Which single knife is the best". as it's "standard" for them to take at least FOUR knives. This nugget from a 30 year Brazilian missionary.
i understand
Great video Blackie. Sad news about Ontario knifes selling out
Great video Blackie. One of this 59 year old Appalachian boys favorites has always been a bird and trout size with a good companion pocket knife.
The most legit video I have seen on TH-cam! Thanks for posting, I really enjoyed it. For me, I don't see anything wrong with carrying a couple of knives if they aren't ridiculously heavy. Once establishing a primary knife, a Mora or something similar as backup and for finer tasks doesn't weigh anything.
Really great show
Great explanation of the different types of "bushcraft" knives.
Just a little funny for you..I'm watching this vid on my phone in the master bedroom. One of my dogs is hearing your voice from my phone and she is alerting with growls and her "I'll bite you" bark. She has never done this before. Then it dawned on me we have a new rescue puppy and she is doing that protective thing..talk about situation awareness.
Great video Blackie.
sounds like a good dog very alert
Like that Kephart. You need a Spanish Shepherd's Knife - folding knife with horn as handle. Traditional and very useful pattern. Ever try a Dadly?
Awesome Video. I really enjoyed watching. Safe Adventures 👍😀✝️
Thanks 👍
Mr. Blackie, Enjoy your vids., Like the vintage style blades too! Patina just adds character to carbon steel tools!! Blsgs, keep sharing, SY,gg
Excellent video. Get a knife, learn that knife and grow yourself! Knowing what suits your skills level. Self explanatory honesty.
Excellent video. Thank you. The knife you have is the knife you have. Learn to use it. When you win the lottery, then you can commission a blacksmith. I've a mora companion and a bushlore style, but I still use the old 1930's era broken kitchen knife that was repurposed by my grandfather as a young man. It's not stylish or pretty and wouldn't merit a second glance, but it works.
I love knives, i firmly believe you cant own too many lol
I have many many knives and that bushlore is my favorite.
Excellent video! I really enjoyed this, Blackie. Thanks!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the nice talk on knives, I found it quite interesting. I happen to like Brisa knives and the esee 6hm ( I hate choils!) . Current edc is an Enzo elver in 12c27, when I go out it's an esee izula.
Great video. Thank you for an excellent explanation of knives & uses!
Blackie, Thanks for sharing this information on knives, greatly appreciated. Tim L.
Glad you enjoyed it
This is a very underrated video.. I think as knife lovers and enthusiasts we need to see this video more.. And really understand it..good job
I'm old school. I like an Acheulean Hand Axe.
I have many knives in my collection. My favorite bushcraft and general purpose knife is my Grohman Canadian belt knife. Cheers 🇨🇦
GREAT presentation and collection... I KNOW there are more. 🙂
Great vid Blackie, some really useful information. Especially as I'm still searching for the best knife for me.
Hi Blackie, greeting from Australia 🇦🇺, thank you for your time to make these videos.
My pleasure!
Great information Blackie, enjoyed your talk.
Much appreciated
Good video Blackie , thanks for sharing , God bless brother !
Man I have a lot of knives, and I love having them, but when I’m out in the field it’s usually the same 1 or 2 workhorses I end up taking along. If I’m camping or just out busting around in the woods I usually have my LT Wright GNS saber grind because it’s just a beast without being too big. Love that knife. If I’m hunting I pack either a Bark River Fox River ext-2 or a Kauhaven puukopaja. The reason? They just work best for me. Ya gotta find what works for you and be happy with it. We’re blessed with so many fine choices.
I love these types of videos and conversations thank you.
Glad you like them!
Thoughtful and interesting.
Thank you.
Great explanation!
Excellent video
I recently came across a channel which devotes a good deal of it's videos to "torture testing" of a variety of knives.. e.g. a) jamming the tip of the blade into a HARD tree stump and trying to bend/break the tip, b) hitting the knife from above at the juncture of the choil & grip etc... I'm not sure if those are fair "tests" unless a particular knife/knives were specifically designed to withstand those forces. There are certain design elements which lend themselves more to survival or bushcraft than others i.e. a full, solid tang as opposed to a partial or rat tail tang. I would like to see Blackie's choice of knives for bushcraft/survival/defense if he was limited to say only 3 knives.
Thanks. I rotate a lot of knives but always have a Rapala 6" filet knife by martini in my pack. I love it for fish, birds, and squirrels.
I still have and use my father's Rapala 6", I'm 61 years old and it's one of my favorite for gutting and fileting fish and small game. Cheers
Yes exactly, well spoken sir. Our ancestors / predecessors had to use what they had
Right tool for the right job
3 fixed blades that I have become fond of are the Mora Garberg stainless, Cold Steel SRK, and Ka-Bar BK2. For me, a "survival knife" needs to be about 4"-6" blade, a saber grind, a full tang, a finger guard with no guard between the grip and spine, drop point, and a 90° spine for scraping tinder more so than a fero rod. And I have a Victorinox Forester for small work and cutting plate meat.
You are so spot on on the "survival knife" trend where they are mostly sharpened pry bars that suck at knifing.
Probably as much as design is important, just as much is skill. My grandpa was a sheep farmer and did just about everything he needed to with a Joseph Roger's slip joint.
Great class.
Many thanks!
This makes me think of the term dress for the weather. Same thing when selecting a knife
1st knife almost identical handle to the Ames riflemans knife
Interesting. Back in the old days in New Zealand (1970’s and earlier) a lot of the hunters just carried a simple standard butchers skinning knife. Some I think carried slightly flasher small Bowie style knives and some basic simple outdoor style blades. Cost would have been a big factor. Cheers 🇺🇸 🇳🇿
Fantastic video. One of your best. Also you are correct the knife you have on you is the best for survival. Too often people buy a new knife and don’t take the time to gain experience with that knife.
Thanks
Hello Blackie- Im glad you explained what a survival knife is. Yes, the knife you have with you or can acquire, is your survival knife, even a butter knife. All of your knives are real cool in their own right, and each have their capabilities. Most all the time I go out into the woods, I carry my Mora Garberg and Mora Eldris(kneck knife) which is pretty much all I need. Also, IMO- I think with good quality knives, you get what you pay for- So, those people that want to save a buck on a bushcraft knife, may want to think twice. Thanks for the video and showing off them cool knives you have.
I personally use 1 knife for 1 job. My TBS Grizzly for bush craft, my Mora black for food prep, a machete for brush clearing, a filleting knife for fish and the like. These do not include the Bahco (and I know your views), my takedown buck saw, a mallet and hatchet. 1 tool for 1 job. I respect my tools and look after them and they return my efforts in kind . :)
I still love using green River knives. About 20$ and 1095 steel.
Carry the best hunting knife that you could also trust to lop down some poles and build a shelter.
I love my custom kephart style knife. I can prep food with it all the way to processing deer with it. Total utilitarian knife. Carry it all the time.
kephart is a good design
This is fine instruction! Thank you. My knife story is being asked (regularly) to participate in the ritual slaughter of sheep. I got to do the killing. At that time, I owned a Gerber Big Hunter. It had a grippy handle but its blade would not separate sheep's fleece. My Rappala fish filet knife did the job efficiently but I needed to hone it often as we worked to break down the carcass. These days, I own fine examples of each type of knife you feature except for the Old Hickory butcher's knife. For many years, I used Old Hickory knives for kitchen work and as steak knives. Any of us who are 'old timers' know Old Hickory as a value/quality knife brand. A year or so ago, I purchased a Limited Edition Becker Kephart knife. It helps me connect with Horace Kephart's books on my shelf.
I've got two green riiver knives that my grandpa gave me in the 60's. I did ranch work with them for decades before I realized they had more value than I was giving them 😮
What about a knife for gator defense? I would think a longer blade with a full blood groove would be a wise choice but not too long. Any suggestions Blackie? Thanks for your wise instruction.
Great video, Blackie, Thanks for clearing up all that confusion for me. So many knife designs out there. Very daunting. I recently bought one of those BPS knives that are made in the Ukraine. It's a Kephart style with a Scandi grind, Always wanted to try a Kephart style blade. This was very affordable, about $40. Can't wait to try it out. Thanks again. 👍🔪
Carrying a single blade will rarely get it all done!
An adventure in the outdoors always entails the carrying of 3 blades...
Machete.
Utility style blade( approx 8 inch).
Food prep fillet blade.
I do not consider a multi tool a knife. Yes it has a cutting blade, but also has so much more. Thus the name "Multi Tool".
In addition to having the skills.. one should use the right tool for the job!
Thanks for the video...
I bought a couple of Old Hickory Butcher Knives at yard sales. But they are both 11", not the standard 7 1/2". One needs the handle redone. Apparently it was just slapped back together. What would this size knife typically used for?
Butter knife , thats all you need
My most expensive knife is the Condor Selknam then a Victorinox Rangergrip 58, a chinese knife -seems very good- and another Victorinox the Hunter XS. I just need one more XD
I love my green river , it’s cheap , but a darn good knife , not something you would want to batton wood, but that’s what I carry an axe for .
i used a green river camp knife for several yrs in living history it was a good camp knife
My favourite mutitools knives are especially Leatherman and Swiss Army, but I have a few more cheaper versions. For fixed blades I will always go with the ones that I have made and they are customised for my needs.
I carry and use a Pathfinder Kephart every day. Fits my hand well, and I’ve become very familiar with the feel of it and how it cuts. I don’t need a big honkin blade to baton or cut down trees. I can build a fire or a shelter with mostly ground sourced wood if I really need to. I’d rather have a good all purpose knife I’m vastly familiar with. If I am spending time in the woods that is not a survival event or emergency I’ve planned to be there and have a folding saw and my camp ax to process wood with anyway. I do carry a small Silky Pocketboy in my edc just in case. I think it is more important to have a mentality of using the tools you have to their best advantage.
Where would you place the "Nessmuk" style knife?
in trash...
😮I have a medium size Billy Watson knife. Also a kit for making lead balls and flint and steel he made😊
Came all together. I won it in a muzzle loading shoot at my club
nice
he made really good gear
You have got it right there, a knife in the hand is worth any two in the cutlery drawer. There is a lot of fashion and advertising that goes into the choice of bushcraft knives. Back in the day I had some rubbish knives, the first decent one I bought as 13 year old was a Sheffield Bowie from a fishing tackle shop. Then along came Ray Mears and fashions changed the same way as hair styles and sneakers. My mum was a cook and she had a set of Sabbatier knives, and do you know what you can whittle and chop with a kitchen knife as well as you can with anything else, so long as it has a blade and is sharp. Don't overlook the humble Opinel number 8 they don't come a lot more versatile than that.
thanks for watching
Sage advice
thanks
Sir, what if you could only take one? Is the Blackbird still you favorite?
Black, I which category would you place your Blackbird? dBy the length and form thinking it may be considered an old I Wilson butcher knife on the 19th century. The Blackbird is way thicker and adapted to Bushcraft work. I found an I Wilson butcher knife from about 1880-1890 about 46 years ago on a village trash day. I knew the former owner because he was in my scout group in 1963. Used that knife for many kitchen tasks, no I often use it for watermelon. Great slicer.
i left the blackbird out of this because it is a custom and is sort of focused for woodscraft i truly love it so i felt it would be a little self serving and biased to include it in this video
Great conversation on the various types of knives to consider for Bushcraft and woods craft. One factor that you touched on that most will need to consider is the costs associated with a particular knife. Some knives may fit the task at hand perfectly, however they are priced beyond the budget of the potential user. They are simply too expensive. Other knives will do the job, but are affordable. They are within the budget of the potential user. You can go to extremes on either end of this scale when considering the costs of the knives that are out there. From a $15 -$20 Mora knife or an Old Hickory butcher knife, all the way to some custom built high-end steel knife in excess of $400. So, value and affordability can be factors to consider for most us in the market for a new knife. Thanks again for the discussion on this subject. Very informative. - Tennessee Smoky
Good point. When I was younger, I could not afford to spend much on a knife. Later on when I had more financial wherewithal, I got more expensive knives. However, my old knives held a special place and in some circumstances performed as well or better than knives that cost 4X more.
Old Hickory knives have always done what was needed for most of us. (So why do I own custom knives?)
Those rare times where I have come across the perfect knife it almost feels like the knife was made for me and me alone. That's when I know the knife is right for me.
Sadly you did not mention your/the WC-Blackbird. where would you classify it at? Always good stuff. Thank you
to me it is my greatest woodscraft knife but them i am alittle biased lol
@@BLACKIETHOMAS working on getting myself one, maybe by xmas
I designd its 5 inch spear point broom handle 3/16 think does it all
Where did you get that hat? It rocks.
lol boy scout exploriers scout master had had it since early 1990's
Morakniv $10 thick swedish steel full tang, also so economical and thick that you don't care if it gets beat up assuming u can beat it up. An all around knife for everything from small game, kitchen work, bushcraft, camp, holes, pry, what not.
Full blade kit..
Diamond hone set or nay set 80grit - 5000grit
Single blade shaver (for you)
Good skinner w/ gut hook
Filet knife\scimitar
Woodsman Hatchet
i agree the mora is a very good choice
@@BLACKIETHOMAS if it too expensive or sentimental for one to mess up, or get scratched up.. what the point of carrying it or having it in the first place is my thought.
$10-50 is about all the metal n money I am willing to bring to the edge of destruction or destroy.
Like I am not using my $150 USA kbar what not to dig out an Indian ground hole rocket stove. But... $10 chunky hard steel? I'll excavate a hole with $10 o steel and not cry if I have to file 1\8th of an in. to make a new 45degree tip.
When you get the chance, will you please do a new, updated series on classic slipjoint knives? I think classic, slipjoint knives are very valuable even today because they are not just super versatile and functional, but tyrannical law enforcement officers do not generally view them as a big threat. So you're less likely to be hassled.
Great video. Sometime look at a Green River Dadley pattern knife. It was one of the trade knives of the 'Mountain Man' era, too. If you are like me you can't look at one without seeing exactly where Kephart got 'his' design - especially with the original Kephart that Ethan Becker has shown and that he used for his design. To me all Kephart really did was come up with a Dadley with a modified (and probably improved) handle.
I've no idea what a Dadley is but I know many of the patterns of trade knives that were out there. In modern times the American made Green River knives are like a short butcher knife while the European made ones have spear point blade's. These Kepharts seem to be all over the place and get stubbier every year, Blackies looked more like a European Green River knife, I have a Sheffield made one and they are good the way they are. Is that a Dadley?
@@jelkel25 Green River (Russell Green River/Dexter Green River/Dexter Russell Green River) is a knife maker - to my knowledge they are still in business in one iteration or another - not a single style/pattern of knife. They have several, different patterns of which the Dadley was/is one.
@@jelkel25 This video shows the Green River Hunter and Dadley patterns. I have no affiliation with the channel. The video just came up in a search for 'Russell Green River Dadley'. I have one like the Hunter that I ordered as a kit and put scales on just like Blackie was saying in the video. I made a sheath for it. I had a Dadley that I bought with scales already on it and a sheath but several of my knives were stolen a few years ago and that was one. I will replace it some day. th-cam.com/video/PfFfKrKcNNw/w-d-xo.html
@@JAB671 I'm sorry to hear that, thanks for the link!
@@JAB671 Ahh, the Dadley is a Deck knife! The Hunter is what I would call the American pattern because I haven't seen it made by a European maker recently though you can get something close but with the fancy handle materials.
Really sound thoughts. Although I really like my Kephart which I bought early so it wasn't as expensive from Condor, I have a Russell Green River Camp knife that I like just as well. $12.99 for the blade, two slabs of walnut for scales at Track of the Wolf. you will need to make a sheath or buy one from them. THey have all the old Green River style blades. These were the blades of the trappers and buffalo hunters as Russel started making them in 1834. The knife you need is the one that covers 98% of what you need not the 98 % your imagination/fantasy thinks it needs. I have had knives that aren't even good enough to tuck away as a spare or even give to someone in need that wouldn't appreciate it.
I thought many of the early frontier knives were made in Sheffield.
You think about the fellows in the woods and mountains a few hundred years ago. They had a survival kit. Not a single survival knife. They had an axe, and probably more than one knife.
I use and carry the carbon mora garberg and the pks scorpion and they do everything t need a knife to do and I trust them to do all the tasks I need a knife to do
Where would a bowie type knife fall into your uses
what are the makers ?? who made the Kephart ???
condor makes the kephart and the bushlore
The knife I tend to reach for these days is a custom made 5 inch Roach Belly
👍 Good discussion of various styles of knives. I applaud your point suggesting to the viewer that they select a knife they feel will meet their needs.
As my Dad always said, “it is the mechanic, not the wrench”; a person with skills and get any of those knives to do 95% of the woodscraft, hunting, or fishing tasks we do.
I saw a video by a Brit (selling a machete/Kukri style knife of his design with a 12-14 inch blade) who peeled an apple with no waste.
The perfect knife, what is it ? Um, probably the pocket knife you have with you.
Alotta knife designs nowadays,tactical,survival,etc...Knowing how to use a knife ,be it for bushcraft,survival,self defence is the whole idea . A mora in the right hands is a deadly tools .not much diffrence gutting a hog vs a human if the time comes.. learn your blade... I carry a modified tanto..works great for hog,chicken& fish ..just my .02 tho ..
Hey Blackie the last few videos I have watched have had poor sound
If I’m gonna be stuck with just one , it’s gonna be the mora kanstable ? I doubt I spelled that right , but that mora has a bit more backbone than the companion ( love that one to ) but it’s blade is shaped well and it has a good sharp spine. my only complaint .. it’s the Glock of the knife world , it works like a champ ,
But man, it’s ugly the sheath works great, but again , it’s butt ugly , it’s a Glock .
Make it a full tang knife with nice grips and a leather sheath , and I’d be in heaven.
good choice
Blackie I prefure 3 inch blade full tang thick spine for bushcraft won't be as heavy or big yet still do job like they say not size of tool but how you use it if you know how its no problem 🇬🇧👍🐾🦊🇮🇹
I admit i got a little overwhelmed by the sudden choice you had when the internet came around but you level off and go back to getting kit useful to you and I didn't get anything too stupid. What it must be like for the young guys who are bombarded by the thinly veiled infomercials from minute one i shudder to think.
yep they have too many choices