BUSHCRAFT ON A BUDGET - TOOLS (Gransfors, Cold Steel, Hultafors, Silky. Bacho)

Continuing the BUSHCRAFT ON A BUDGET series, we look at what can be some of the most expensive items in your kit….TOOLS! But do you have to spend a fortune to get the tools you need?
Enjoy
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[@srpeters]

Enjoy your videos. Love the fact you show you don't have to have the fanciest or most expensive gear to enjoy the woods. I use vintage and surplus gear mainly and now have started sewing my own gear. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@SouthernPatriot1]

Make your own leather sheath for a mora…bps is also a great knife that are budget and also come with a quality leather sheath. They’re full tang as well. Marble axes are awesome and they range no more than $40. Thanks Neil. Take care and God bless.

[@br549american5]

I live in an area where there is litteraly nowhere you can go without running into briars. A handheld pair of fiskers pruners is absolutely necessary.

[@gordonhenderson1194]

Really enjoying this series. I'm getting kit together for my son at the moment. Most of mine was bought years ago, and as a result I'm out the loop of whats available. Keep up the good work fella

[@MBlackford100]

I am not sure if they are available where you are (maybe the internet) but when I helped my son put a kit together a couple of years ago I purchased the Marbles Hunters Axe. Very inexpensive, a great starter axe. It needed the head touched up a bit to get it sharp but has been a good option for a starter axe.

[@gregorymckoy3179]

I use a Council Tool hatchet and a SOG Tomahawk for splitting kinlin or chopping small trees. I have also, used my U.S. military machete for the same thing. I have a few folding saws and Moras that I use every now and then. It depends on the mood I am in. I purchased most of my gear but, some were gifts from family and I like to show love to all! 😉 Great video!

[@phillipadams4738]

Love this kit. A lot of channels push very expensive gear. This will help a lot of people.

[@ricardodafonseca9043]

Brilliant video. Sometimes the more expensive bits of kit are wants more than needs. I still use a no name brand hatchet that I got from the hardware along with an axe file. Thought I'd replace it when I could, but turns out its been pretty good to me, so it stays.

[@michalurbanful]

"wants more than needs" Exactly my case. I've got multiple Gransfors, Hultafors, Fiskars and Cold Steel axes and hatches and in the end all I use is Fiskars X21 for heavies splitting and Gransfors Outdoor axe for everything else. I wish I could sell the others but I just can't let them go. :D

[@airmobiledivision7759]

@@michalurbanful Great items to pass down, at the very least. Plus, you can bust them out every once in awhile for some variety.

[@charleslamica5123]

I run a youth program that teaches bushcrafting to teens. Kids are hard on equipment! If there's a way to break something, kids will make it happen. So, I'm always looking for tools that will be strong enough to withstand abuse but inexpensive, too. As for belt knives, we've found two that perfectly suit our needs: The Mora Companion and the Condor Bushlore. For their price, these are great knives! The Mora is under $20. You'll want to grind a square edge onto the back of the blade. The Condor is aroung $40, and it has wooden grips for those who don't like plastic grips. Either way, these knives will do what you need them to do without costing a lot of money.

[@utubeape]

I saw a guy make a spoon carving tool from a ring spanner - he dremmeled it to get a sharp edge and finished it off with wet and dry paper. Its a great idea because the proper tool is a bit pricey for one task - you can buy a lot of spoons for the same money!

[@Mike-kr9ys]

Wisdom from the Woods! Thank you for sharing this with us. Too often we forget and start thinking that pricey kit is more important than skill.

[@treksntarps]

Great advice on this budget series . Got a few of the bits you've shown and recommended 👍. All good so far. Take care and atb 👍

[@johndagostino2451]

Neil I tend to be a minulmimist I carry light my pocket knives of. Choice is the two blades Barlow and a Swiss Army knife with a excellent saw rough rider pocket knives are excellent value for money ass as is schrade old timer pocket knives love them and nostalgia I do hadd ad a silky pocket boy saw too and a mora companion I been exploring use of a Japanese kobun tanto for bushcraft. It works great 👍🇬🇧🐾🦊🇮🇹

[@broodmother5027]

Thanx again for another useful video...was looking to get a folding saw...you narrowed things down for me 😉😘

[@marksadventures3889]

Hello - my sticker arrived. I need a patch now for my day bag. Ha ha ha nutter. Opinel is a standard, I've had a few over the years. (not really into the macho crap - but it's fun for those who are impressed by it - personally I prefer quiet and purposeful with just enough kit to get by). I do all of my trips by myself as my camping mate lost interest. I just got my Mora - will see if I have the money one day to get Sandy Wiltshire Man to make a knife for me. Couldn't find that price on the Hultafors knife, - £7.95 was the closest on Amazon, even more on eBay!

[@greencraft4783]

I always Google and it often turns up good deals. UK Tools have them for £3.95. Glad you like the sticker.

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍 great advice! Yep, 'budget' does not necessarily mean poor quality unusable. Keep them coming please .. take care.

[@MichaelR58]

Neil , good video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@anthonyjacobs6790]

And thank you for another great video, you're a credit to the bushcraft community.

[@kevinparker9407]

Bahco also do a tomahawk style hatchet with a fibreglass (orange!) handle. HFGPS-0.7-400FG. It takes and holds an edge well. I like that I can remove the head for packing it out of sight. Also a cheap basis for a project...? Around £32 on ebay but some hunting around on tool supply websites should get you a price under £30. I picked mine up on sale at Toolstation a while back for around £20. I can also recommend the Hultafors Heavy Duty knife.

[@mike_outdoors4918]

Even though I have upgraded I still know that my mora companion hd, bahco laplander, and prandi axe are perfectly capable for my needs. Thanks Neil 👍

[@Chris66able]

Same as me, except for the axe !

[@jimmybrooks1059]

Great video! Totally spot on. Thanks 👍😁🌟

[@epbrewtus1]

Love your show. I will be following. Thank You!

[@ScottMitchell2]

Cold Steel kicked CRKT's butt with that tomahawk. The CRKT ones are too heavy for their practical use. Great video sir

[@tourcheverybridge]

I did push the boat out before xmas and bought a Condor… love it to be honest….then what does my partner goband do bought me a 2 day forge your own knife course in my native Cornwall…..could have hinted and saved nevthe money 😆..you are correct you do not have to spend bundles on kit if you are not using it day in day out… trim your kit and cost to how much you really are going to use it I guess.

[@markbooth1117]

A cheap alternative to the folding saw I found that works and is fairly cheap is a Plasterboard cutting saw. with coarse teeth. 1 piece and the blade doesn't flex as much.

[@maveraver]

Great video Neil, my own goto kit these days is all cheap but purposeful equipment thats gets used and used hard, my axe was a fiver from a car boot, just needed a bit of elbow grease to bring it up to standard, my fixed blade is either a Mora Classic, Hults HVK or an original Mora 511 with the guard cut off, my "current" pocket knife is an Antonini Old Bear Medium, much better for me than the Opinel which i always had an issue with the locking ring moving, the Old Bear has a far superior (i think) locking system, which having used it every day for over a year i've not found to come loose or get in the way (despite its looks) when in use, i've used the knife to prep everything from Christmas veggies to carving notches in sticks and its excelled, not had to sharpen it since i got it, although it did need a quick sharpen when i first got it, but up to know a quick strop and its back to shaving sharp. I've also recently started using a Rough Ryder Scout Knife (nice bit of nostalgia), which i'm impressed with, did need a bloody good sharpen though when i first got it. For a saw i use a Silky F180 and/or a Laplander as you allude to in the video. As you rightly say, just because its cheap, doesn't mean it's bad.

[@karenclyne4054]

Very informative and reassuring, as the economy items you were recommending are the things we have. Keep doing what you're doing. It gives us more confidence when we're camping.

[@margaretadler6162]

Great video! Thanks Neil. ATB Sam Adler from Vietnam

[@terryfinley7760]

Very nice video all around! 👍

[@tinkypete491]

Great video, Neil. I still use a lot of my cheaper more basic tools when I go out or when I travel abroad. They work well and don't break the bank. I always have a Swiss army knife, and the German army knives are great. I know a lot of bushcrafters don't like the friskars axes and saws but for me they work, are cheap and the axes have a lifetime guarantee, but I never known anyone break one with normal use. All the best and I will probably be visiting the estate store again :)

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I think for the money it is hard to beat the Fiskars axe, the X7 can be found almost anywhere and with minimal care provide a lifetime of service!

[@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsPals]

Yes! I love my Fiskars hatchet & Corona saws. I keep bending the saw blades so I am going to buy a $40 9.5" Silky folding saw.

[@barryjeffries2067]

Great video Neil. Love your advice always informative

[@nomadbushcraft1485]

Reclamation yards are good picked up an elwell up for £8,just needed a sharpening

[@magneto263]

Very helpfull. Top bloke!

[@MTwoodsrunnerPrimitiveSkill]

Bravo Neil...well done!

[@paganoutdoors3193]

Wonderful video, really enjoying the series ,commonsense and sage advice as always, good health and safe travels my friend, cheers craig 🙏 🌿

[@herbsmith6871]

Great series, good info 🤠

[@David15597]

Thanks Neil, great video. I have a Hultafors Craftsman knife, cant believe the price and quality. Keep up the good work. Honest videos with no fuss. Very inspirational.

[@SirWombat]

Loved the reviews.

[@NEWCAMPINGMAN]

Neil series awesome many tips Absolutely fantastic Save money time and energy Definitely a no brainer For the expert and the beginner on a budget

[@pembling1]

Cracking video Neil, I can’t get over that little knife for under four quid, amazing. Many thanks for sharing, atb, Paul.

[@asmith7876]

There's a channel I watch, Endurance Room, often uses a cheap Mora and a skillet that looks like it came from a thrift shop. And he's out killing it! LOL. Some people just like bragging rights.

[@russelllieser4226]

Great video.

[@BushcraftReviewsUK]

Great video as usual!!

[@saber1able]

Good info on affordable outdoor tools. I carry the Bahco Laplander, Condor Bushlore (kydex sheath with firesteel & tinder tin attachments), Hults Bruk Aneby (which is as good an axe as any Gransfors IMO) and a Gerber multitool. Of course, I also have a takedown bowsaw, a bearded hatchet and various types of knives to choose from in different situations as well. Thanks for sharing.

[@daeholm]

The Mora Robust is another one. Fantastic knife for the money. I also have a Prandi hatchet that I'm very pleased with and it didn't break the bank.

[@succubusstop]

Hi Neil, check out the Bahco chisel knife; it's excellent for batoning. We tested it out against the bog standard mora and it was better. Under £20 too.

[@apocosy]

Great overview. I've used many of these items, all great choices. These days I prefer my kukri, silky sugoi and a modified old hickory knife. I tend to be a bit tool heavy.

[@stuartduke999]

The Hultafors gear is excellent quality . Great video Bro, thank you !🙂👍

[@jimcy1318]

The problem with custom knifes that cost a fortune, is that most of the Walter Mitty's that buy them, wear them as fashion accessories, they for the most part dare not use them. Mora's and fiskars are more than reliable enough.👍🇬🇧🇩🇪

[@steverose4639]

Thanks for the advice Neil, "only lend the Laplander not the Silky" After seeing yours and hearing the pricing logic, it would explain why your continuing with the dumpy version!!

[@richardhenry1969]

Well you covered my exact way of thinking. It's always nice to find someone that is doing stuff the same way you do. I was trained in boyscouts by many old ww2 guys with a few Vietnam and Korea veterans. The main thing that was stressed was always carry a knife. An know what your knife is capable of. I carry a coldsteel voyager folder. Because that is my survival knife. The one tool that can help me make other tools and fire. I also carry a fixed blade but the size depends on the adventure. I really enjoy BPS adventurer great blade great price. Secondly I always carry saw blades. A bow saw is easy to make. I also carry a folding saw because 2 is one. One is none. My last thing is a tomahawk I don't need anything bigger for my environment. I'm in eastern North America. I usually have the coldsteel trailhawk but I want to get the Hudson Bay hawk. I also have a frontier but that's more for play. Anyway nice video very informative 👍

[@johncrouch8988]

I sold my Small Forrest axe as I just wasn’t using it! I have a pocket Vaughan sub zero axe that punches way above its weight and the Gerber pack axe but still rarely take it out because I just don’t use it. 🤷‍♂️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@glennfyfe1357]

Thanks, hope I can find it in my area , Hultafors.

[@leopoldbloom4835]

Same: For about 30 years I carry the same two knives whenever I‘m travelling or out in nature, an Opinel No. 8 and a Victorinox (the Huntsman, not the one issued by the Bundeswehr, because scissors can be pretty handy).

[@Christian_from_Copenhagen]

Both lovely knives, but what does the Opinel do for you that the Huntsman can't? Just curious ✌

[@leopoldbloom4835]

@@Christian_from_Copenhagen The blade is somewhat longer, lockable and you can get it to razor sharp in no time at all. Anyway, I like to carry two knives for outdoor activities, one more as as a tool and one e.g. for cooking and eating. Once you have got your huntsman full of barbecue sauce, you‘ll know what I mean. 😉

[@norco4life518]

As far as the saw goes, you can’t beat the Boreal 21 or Boreal 24 by Agawa Canyon

[@9P38lightning]

Neil I bought a Laplander set for about £22 it's been ok up to know. The axe I bought was an impulse buy from Bnq can't remember the make and haven't really used it... It needed an edge putting on, it was dreadfully blunt when new ... Love your videos think I want two patches of you....👍

[@HighWealder]

Great pruning saw from Lidl, about 7 quid a few weeks ago and in the past couple of cracking axes looking identical to the Bahco and again made in China, yes the handle had to be replaced.

[@misolgit69]

the even better deal is Hultafors GK it's the 'plain jane' version of the OK4 bare steel blade nice fat grippy green handle £10 or less

[@mannihh5274]

Love your "on a budget"-series - whenever I bought an expensive item I was sorry later on, because they didn't so much better than the budget ones. According to the folding saws you missed the really cheap ones I use. They cost me 2,99€ a piece and have japanese pull-action, hardened, laser-cut SK5 blades, which perform very well. I picked them up from Lidl in Germany. At the price of one Bahco Laplander you can get 8 of those - so, buy two or three of them, take one saw and the other blades as a replacement, in case you manage to damage one. But you have to be careful - at a price under 10€ you meet a lot of blades, that are simply stamped out, poorly hardened but with a lot of "set" and minor performance.

[@johnnycobalt2758]

Got a link to those saws mate?

[@Ajaxykins]

In the realm of "bushcraft" there's a focus on... crafting. One can have a high quality bushcraft knife and axe for cheap. Buy a knife blade from lamnia or brisa, make your own handle and sheath. Buy an old axe head, clean it up and put on a new handle. These are DIY solutions that can land you outstanding gear for 15-30 USD. And after all, this hobby is about enjoying nature and old world crafting skills isn't it? Use those skills! A good saw or pocketknife, leave those to skilled professionals to make haha

[@maxboonkittypoison]

I was searching for a Ray Mears axe. Found the website of Gransfors. Saw a good looking axe the Hunters axe. Found it a bit steep. So found a great looking axe from Hultafors with the right specs i need. So now i own an awesome axe for a great price. Now for safety reasons they did not sharpen all the way but i have an old wetstone so wil sharpen to razor sharp edge 20' So i wil keep the sharp edge and not ruin my sharp edge with the first use. I really liked the video so i wil be enjoying more video's i guess and perhaps i'm going to be a subscriber soon. Going to check out the mercs. Hope you sell to the Netherlands as well. Greetings,, Kitty.

[@bencoombes2711]

Another great video I have been using plastic and now alumium wedges in stead of my axe to keep weight down you can buy plastic wedges whitch work very well for 7-10 pounds or aluminium ones for £24 make a baton with you knof and start the split with your knife if using a plastic wedge just drive away with a Ali one my fav us a still feeling wedge £20 ish fab bit of kit and less bull too be great to see you review one against an axe and share your thoughts ???

[@reneschaap8091]

ik heb al jaren een opinel nr 10 en doe er alles mee!!!

[@cyndywaskelisthecrowscall]

Have you done a video on maintaining the various blades?

[@davidallen7540]

It's the person, not the tool there using. Great channel

[@ed5042]

for your thoughts, folks love hot chocolate, I started using whey protein powder and tried something. Using hot water from the tap I mixed the chocolate protein powder slowly. No clumps, tastes just like 'swiss miss' chocolate ,and mix. It offers all that extra for the person in the field. I switched out my kit to now carry this powder in a nalgene bottle instead of hot chocolate mix.

[@StanMJr]

I can’t get over you cutting/carving towards yourself. I understand feeling comfortable and confident with your blade, if you should slip you could be seriously injured.

[@greencraft4783]

It is a standard carving technique, the point always remains upwards and the cuts are lightly pressured as it is used more as a finishing cut, rather than trying to remove lots of wood while in the initial shaping phase.

[@NGMonocrom]

Those Bahco saws are excellent. Was going to get a Silky saw until I learned about their reputation for snapping in half. Those Bahco axes.... horrible reputation. I don't know a single person who owns one who didn't break the handle before they were done using it literally their first time. Usually after only one or two chops. Good to know their heads are good. Still, having to immediately replace their handles shouldn't be standard operating procedure regardless of how inexpensive they are. I love my Cold Steel Trail Hawk. But they need so much work when brand new. I didn't even bother. Bought a customized one on eBay. Black paint stripped off. Head properly sharpened. Retaining screw removed and discarded. Inside of the eye filed smooth. Head attached with a proper friction fit. I plan on gun-bluing the head to give it some rust resistance. (Though I'm guessing that isn't a product easily found in the UK. Have heard of others using a combination of vinegar and mustard to put a patina on their heads for some corrosion resistance.) Ironically my Granfors Bruks Outdoor Axe arrived just yesterday in the mail from one of their Authorized Dealers up in Canada. No one in America had them in stock. Though they pretended they did and simply left out the fact that $180 gets you a backorder on the Waiting list of who knows when they'll get them. The Canadian dealer had about 18 in stock of that model. Cost me just over $203. (Guessing that would be maybe £150 or there abouts.) Yeah, GFB will never be a budget option. And realistically that Outdoor Axe is the only GFB I'll ever own. The Condor Tool & Knife Bushcraft knife model is indeed an excellent budget alternative. The cost of the leather sheath alone is worth the asking-price of the knife. I love mine.

[@eddie8826]

You can get gun blu8in a lot of gun shops and really easy to use

[@asmith7876]

Silky saw blades break due to operator error. I'm sure of the millions sold a bad one got out the factory door but I'd bet a paycheck anyone who breaks a Silky saw simply isn't accustomed to using a pull saw. Not a design flaw...operator error.

[@TheDavewatts]

Can't go wrong with a Bacho, they cut well for a long time, silky although good blunt very fast and as you say very brittle, a Bacho is much more robust.

[@asmith7876]

I acquired a handful of Laplanders when Sandvik still made them, I'm down to my last one. I discovered Silky saws. There is NO comparison, none to be made, other than to say a Silky is better in nearly every way. Silky blades break due to operator error. And the blades last nearly forever. If you can't use a tool properly then absolutely don't use that tool. The Laplander is much more forgiving for those not willing to learn and pay attention.

[@TheDavewatts]

@@asmith7876 I can use a saw perfectly fine thanks, I've used a silky big boy saw for many years and it is by far the best cutting saw I have ever owned but I can say in my opinion and experience it doesn't keep its sharpness for to long, it's not a criticism just my opinion.

[@BingWatcher]

Neil, another very enjoyable video. And on top of the subject matter, I have learned a lot from watching. I found it very interesting how you used contrasting colors🦺 of cordage and tape on your neck knife. i assume that would be in case you lose or misplace it, you could easily locate it. ↩ 🚧 Just wondering why the gear links don't currently appear to be available in your description? ⚠ Thank You

[@gerardmartyn1738]

Sorry am in America, switching between pound and quids is confusing. But still a great video. 👍

[@__-yw1hb]

i guess other people recommend the Laplander, so they are in short supply. it was briefly listed on Amazon at £29 but has been out of stock for a while, someone has a listing at £39 on eBay. are they the only forgiving foldable saw? not sure where else to look

[@averagecamper4265]

Opinel all day everyday

[@maxboonkittypoison]

BTW would like the link to the webshop pls.

[@dannyoutdoors5322]

Hi.. Where did you get the hotel force knife £4 from & the moras please

[@greencraft4783]

Danny, just Google hultafors craftsman knives

[@keithorbell8946]

I’ve just got into your store from my iPad…

[@robertfelts8773]

Anyone got the guide to finding sheaths to axes, like marbles camp axe and cold steel trail boss? The number 10 isn't it for marbles. Hard to find stuff that fits, drives me nuts

[@asmith7876]

A good excuse to make your own! Leather supplies are readily available on line, tons of videos about it, and a good simple first time project.

[@robertfelts8773]

@@asmith7876 time and space for hobbies like this are hard to find

[@silvafox8371]

Some very sound advice

[@Matthew_Dubroq]

I.....I desperately want a fixed blade knife made by elves.

[@mallyredfearn6834]

Good video! The Mauser officers knife; they're collector's items now! I bought mine 40 years ago brand new for £18. Sold it recently for £100. It was rarely used and still had the box and booklet. Axes, I've just used a Fiskars which again I've used since the eighties.. It was the only size they did then so, it's just a Fiskars hatchet lol, no X- size.. But!! Because It's not a regular use bit of kit, the composite handle is better for me as nil maintenance, even after spending a year in a draw. Again, enjoyed the vid..

[@greencraft4783]

It's not the mauser officers knife, it's the issue version....no clip point blade.

[@mallyredfearn6834]

@@greencraft4783 Ah, I see. Thanks for that! I want one now lol..

[@marcel757]

Great content! Informative and motivating. It did bother me a bit that you did swallow a lot and scraped your throat every couple of seconds. That was a bit distracting. And if you notice it, it will become worse 😄 But again, great content. Cheers!

[@zlatkodervisic9727]

Hello Thematic and informative, very good video clips. But, too long, and full of shots and descriptions that are irrelevant to the clip. 80% of each clip I skip to find the essence. Good luck in further work

[@randyyeager]

I think your budget picks are kinda expensive. their are a lot of less expensive saws and axes that you can find that work just as well for a lot less money. I like your knife picks, and even your multi tool picks. Their are cheap hook knives from china that work well, though they need to be sharpened more often. I think sharpening is a skill that everyone should have, but doesn't. If you can sharpen a blade with ease, it opens up a lot more knives to you, and they are a lot less expensive.

[@johnmcclelndon7641]

Cool video!check the BPS knives out

[@Chris66able]

Got disagree about Opinel, absolute rubbish, flimsy, weak, highly prone to rust, and the blade getting jammed in the handle.

[@greencraft4783]

All true! But if you remember all of that when using them and look after your tools....they are a great, lightweight and very affordable knife.

[@larrybadman9965]

OTHER ECONOMICAL CHOICES FOR SAWS ARE : ROBENS FOLDING SAW, ROBENS CUSTER SAW, ROBENS CYLINDER BUSH, FOSCO CYLINDER BUSH, DUE SIGNI FOLDING SAW, AND THE JAPANESE FOLDING SAWS, ARS G, ZETSAW, TOPMAN, SAMURAI AND SHARK.