knife for wood cutting?

[tmckay2]

anyone ever used a knife for wood cutting, and if so, which one? im trying to limit my loadout when i backpack/camp and am looking for a multi use type of knife. to be an effective cutter im guessing itll need around an 8-9 inch blade. ive heard the ontario sp10 and becker bk9 are both decent

[StagLefty]

ESEE Junglas-it's not your everyday knife but I've found it to be a great camp/survival knife. This is my set up with an altoid pouch,fire kit, and Gerber saw.

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab49/StagLefty/Knives/IM000304.jpg

This was my original set up with an ESEE HEST piggybacked

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab49/StagLefty/Knives/Junglas.jpg

[Fromk]

I'm not sure what your price point is but the knife I'm just waiting to have the cash for is from http://graymanknives.com/. They're pretty much all 1/4" thick steel and rugged as hell. I'm thinking something like the warrior since it has some curve to it but the pounders have a certain appeal as well. I've had the chance to handle one and I know that I wouldn't be as happy with anything else for that purpose.

[loudbay]

I have a bk2 and bk11. Invite me over for a beer and I'll bring them with me... Stripped, convexed, stippled, chopping pinky-leash, leather sheaths. Destroys anything less than six inches thick; splitting or chopping. Maybe we can take some pics and do a little write up for our friends here in the survival forum...

I'll end up with a bk9 eventually, but after a 5 for my mess kit and all the new tweeners that are coming out. Lots of people say the 9 is a remake of the original kabar fighter, the 2 on the other hand is a workhorse. More hatchet/cleaver than fighter.

Cheers,
Matt

[tmckay2]

I have a bk2 and bk11. Invite me over for a beer and I'll bring them with me... Stripped, convexed, stippled, chopping pinky-leash, leather sheaths. Destroys anything less than six inches thick; splitting or chopping. Maybe we can take some pics and do a little write up for our friends here in the survival forum...

I'll end up with a bk9 eventually, but after a 5 for my mess kit and all the new tweeners that are coming out. Lots of people say the 9 is a remake of the original kabar fighter, the 2 on the other hand is a workhorse. More hatchet/cleaver than fighter.

Cheers,
Matt

yeah ive heard the bk's are pretty solid. i saw a video of a guy chopping down a 6-8 inch diameter tree with one. i should have clarified my price point, forgot about that, id prefer under $100. thanks for all the suggestions thus far though guys.

[StagLefty]

Becker makes good knives. Check out more options on : http://www.bladeforums.com/

I became an ESEE fan through the forums because the knives are US made and a no hassle warranty but I understand your price range in these times. [Beer]

[hatidua]

Although I have a few larger knives (ESEE 5, Junglas, Etc.), a small folding saw works far better & cuts faster.....and weighs less.

[hurley842002]

X2 on ESEE knives, to be honest my ESEE-4 would have done a mighty fine job, nice thick blade, razor sharp. Unfortunately I haven't been able to try it out.

[StagLefty]

Although I have a few larger knives (ESEE 5, Junglas, Etc.), a small folding saw works far better & cuts faster.....and weighs less.

That's why there's a Gerber folding saw on my Junglas rig [Beer]

[loudbay]

Bk2 $52 on amazon. I suppose you have more to spend if you want. I'll post up pics of my beckers tomorrow.

[offgrid]

Have a couple Falkniven knives., F1 and a A1. Both have convex grinds. A convex grind works well for chopping/cutting wood.

I've cut up branches with both to try them out, worked well. Slow going, but doable.

[loudbay]

Here's just a couple pics of my two beckers. A bk2 and bk11. My bk11 is my edc, horizontal carry at 11 o'clock. Bk2 stays in my get home bag along with a tiny strop shown in the pics, and a Leatherman Wave. Last but not least, my Gransfors Bruks, small forest axe is in my "Tools" bag.

Tools bag explanation: I have a family, so clothes and general camping, GTHOOD type stuff is a massive endeavor to keep organized, and undoubtedly something will be overlooked or forgotten. This is where my 'tools' bag comes in. I know if my wife or I have only one bag to grab, it's that one. She knows it, I know it. My family can forget or lose comfort, clothes, entertainment for the two young ones, etc. While this category would be a terrible thing to overlook or forget, I know the truly important 'tools' are all together and accounted for. It includes everything not pertinent to 'get home' survival and lends more towards stuff for comfort, like an axe, multi-fuel stove, better sharpening tools and larger strop, better rain gear, small tarp, larger capacity water filter, extra ammunition, firearms cleaning supplies, crank radio, simple Ti pot to boil water, a bit of cash, etc.

Thanks for looking. Keep your powder dry.

Cheers,
Matt

[loudbay]

Rest of the pics...

6 - Choked up on the stippling for finer work.
7 - Just the newly stropped steel.

[Sawin]

If you haven't considered it yet, a collapsible bone saw from a deer cleaning kit is my backpacking saw of choice. It's super light, strong and durable, cuts through wood in just a few strokes and much cheaper to buy.

http://www.knifezone.ca/pictures/gerber/images/G-42706.gif

you twist the orange knob and the blade slides into the handle. Twist the knob back and it's locked inside safely stowed away for packing.

[tmckay2]

If you haven't considered it yet, a collapsible bone saw from a deer cleaning kit is my backpacking saw of choice. It's super light, strong and durable, cuts through wood in just a few strokes and much cheaper to buy.

http://www.knifezone.ca/pictures/gerber/images/G-42706.gif

you twist the orange knob and the blade slides into the handle. Twist the knob back and it's locked inside safely stowed away for packing.

I agree they are quite useful and light but I'm really looking to take as few of tools as possible which is why I want just an all purpose knife

[loudbay]

Have a couple Falkniven knives., F1 and a A1. Both have convex grinds. A convex grind works well for chopping/cutting wood.

I've cut up branches with both to try them out, worked well. Slow going, but doable.

I definitely want a F1 one day, just so much $ to part with.

I also like the Condor Knife and Tool offerings. Definitely something for you guys to take a gander at. Carbon steel and leather sheaths at budget pricing.

Cheers,
m.

[SA Friday]

Kukri. Done.

[Rott Weiler]

Kukri. Done.

Check out the tests on the Kukri. Can be found for around $18. I have several more expensive knives but I also have several Cold Steel Kukris. Can't beat it for the money.

Wood Chopping Test - http://knifetests.com/ChoppingShootout.html

Kukri Torture Test - http://knifetests.com/ColdSteelKukriMacheteDestructionTest.html

Check out the other tests too...informative and entertaining!

[Milt]

I admit to being a 'knife nut', but, for cutting wood, the best short-term solution is a good folding saw; the best long-term solution is a good axe. The saw will eventually wear out and requires special files or stones to resharpen, assuming the heat treated area of the teeth is thick enough to even permit resharpening. (In my carpentry work, I just replace the saw, because it is so inexpensive.) A good saw cuts wood with amazing efficiency and speed compared to even the best knife.

The axe, if made of good steel and properly heat treated, is essentially a lifetime tool. I have cut much wood over the years with a Gransfors-Bruk axe - it takes a long time to get dull and is very easily brought back to its factory shaving-sharp condition. In the 'old days' my scoutmaster demonstrated the superiority of a good axe for general bush craft (they called it 'woodsmanship' back then). As with the saw, a good axe in skilled hands will out-perform the best heavy knife. Even the machete is inferior to the axe on the big stuff.

About a millennium ago, my rowdier ancestors used axes to clear land, build ships and kill their enemies. There was no more useful two pound chunk of steel for a man to carry in those days than a good axe - even today, in the woods that's still true.