Choosing your first bushcraft knife
The phrase ‘bushcraft knife’ is one that is occurring more and more frequently, but what does it actually mean? In this latest blog, we look at why there is no such thing as a bushcraft knife, how to choose a tool best suited to the job at hand and a look at knife law in the UK.
With that in mind, if you are not already familiar with the ins and outs, read our blog on knife law in the UK here.
Read on to learn more about bushcraft, knives and what you should be looking out for.
What is a bushcraft knife?
Knives are tools. As far as we are at Wildway Bushcraft are concerned, knives are designed to do certain jobs, provided that they do these jobs then they are good by us. There is no need to fetishize knives; ones that are kept locked up and perfectly clean are for show, not for practical use. We like our knives to be practical, not an object of art.
It is really a matter of skill
Despite the huge amounts of discussion surrounding ‘bushcraft’ knives online, it is really a matter of skill. The highly trained, skilled woodsman who is equally at home in the woods as he is in his living room, can be more useful with a penknife than an amateur with a rambo-esque machete. Keep this in mind when first using your bushcraft knife. Before you get to make the first cut, there is a huge amount of skill involved. You need to be able to identify the best material to use, how to use it and for what ends.
Learn knife skills, friction fire lighting , shelter building and more on our
weekend bushcraft course.
Choosing your first bushcraft knife
On all of our courses, our pupils use a Morakniv Heavy Duty Companion. These quality knives cost about £15 and can be obtained through places such as The Bushcraft Store. These knives have a 3.2 mm wide carbon steel blade and will withstand tough use. Remember though to always use it safely, particularly around children. Our blog on knife safety and children can be read here. If you are interested, Wildway Bushcraft use Bear Blades, learn more about Bear Blades here.
Carbon steel and stainless steel bushcraft knives
Some knives, such as the Mora Heavy Duty Companion are made from what is known as carbon steel, while others are made from stainless steel. While the pros and cons of each vary from knife to knife, generally speaking, stainless steel knives are easier to sharpen and much better at resisting rust and corrosion than carbon steel knives. On the other hand, carbon steel knives hold their edge a lot better, meaning that they stay sharper for longer, they also get much sharper. While they need a bit more TLC to keep them in good condition, this is a good thing as it teaches care and responsibility – two things that are important for any serious bushcraft practitioner.
Learn knife skills, friction fire lighting , shelter building and more on our
weekend bushcraft course.
Learning how to use it effectively and responsibly
If you are over 18, the minimum legal age at which you can buy a knife in the UK, then it is worth learning how to use it effectively and responsibly. So, before you dash off and spend your cash, learn the knife skills that you will need for basic (and more advanced) bushcraft skills on our Weekend Bushcraft Course, if you can’t spare the time then we highly recommend our One Day Bushcraft Course as an alternative.
Learning to look after your knife
The following blogs will help you to look after your knife, keeping it sharp, clean, and ready for action.
- How to sharpen your bushcraft knife
- Bushcraft, knives and children
- 5 essential knife skills
- Bushcraft knife skills – feather sticks
Learn knife skills, friction fire lighting, shelter building and more on our
weekend bushcraft course.
