Hultafors Heavy Duty GK Budget Bushcraft Knife

[@BG-rf1mx]

I've got one and agree with everything you said Mark. For those detractors, you have to remember that this is designed primarily as a tradesman's knife (I think the handle is made large to allow a tradesman wearing gloves to use it) but with a little work makes a great budget bushcraft knife. I also found the handle texture not quite right so I used a piece of inner tube rather than tape. As you said, the spine can be sorted out with a file in 5 minutes. It's a robust knife (probably most comparible with a mora robust) which will take a beating and ideal as a starter knife (especially for those with big hands). Price point varies and this may be a decider depending on where you are. In the UK we can get it for the equivalent of 17 CA$ delivered. Lose it, break it or muck it up learning to sharpen and it's easily replaced at that price.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Right on. Totally agree. Thanks for commenting

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day mate, yep good comment all round. I dont mind some of the more cheap and cheerful handle materials they use these days, but assuming you have a good fit, a bike inner tube is a ripper solution to add some grip/girth, you could probably do 2 or 3 layers if need be. I've always thought of them for slingshots and fire starting flame extenders, or as a ranger type elastic band for retention of various things. Just goes to show, you never stop learning. Have a good one !!!. Cheers Duke.

[@dkoriss1]

Nice review Mark, I have many bushcraft knives including Hultafors gk and craftsman and mora bushcraft black. Both my GK and craftsman have perfect symmetrical tip and as you said within 5 minutes you can put a 90 degree spine on them. For many years I heavily baton even the hardest wired knots woods so I can safely say with the craftsman you can baton any wood all day long forever, with the GK you can baton ANY TREE TRUNK DOWN TO TOOTHPICK FOREVER it’s literally impossible to damage it. There are two Dutch guys I think, performing knives destruction tests on utube. They stab in a stump a mora bushcraft black half way of the blade they bend it 90 degrees and broke it. They did the same to Hultafors GK and only thing happened was a tiny bend which disappeared by bending it to the other side !!! They shoot the blade with a rifle and they cannot brake it THATS WHY I CALL MY HULTAFORS GK …TANK !!! I don’t use my mora bushcraft black so much because I really love it, I spent time for it after each use to keep it in mint condition I treat it more as a jewelry piece and less as a bushcraft knife, it cast me 130 euros after all. But make no mistake my 2 Hultafors do all the job, any job for over 12 years and they never failed me, they perform perfectly EVERY TIME.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

That is a great testimony to the strength and endurance of the Hultafors knives. Thanks for commenting

[@Sharpbevel]

Since this thing will rust just by looking at it I cold blued mine today. Came out really well.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Cold blue is a great idea. Thanks for commenting

[@kermitthepog7063]

Ow my ears! High pitched noise throughout, loose connection on the mic possibly?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Possibly. Thanks for commenting

[@kermitthepog7063]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft No problem. It might be that high frequency you can only hear if you're under the age of about 30, some supermarkets in the UK use these "mosquito" devices to stop teenagers hanging around outside, would you believe! Great video otherwise, I don't know why Hultafors isn't as well known for their knives in the US and Canada as Mora. Marttiini also, great value knives. I have the Timberjack and the Snappy. High quality wood handled knives with leather sheaths for >£30!

[@steverose3318]

Take a piece of #60 grit sanding belt and sand the handle cross ways to roughen the grip. Next, take the blade to a #60 grit belt sander and reshape the bevel to a true V - shape. Then, use a single cut file and rasp the bevel straight down on each side. Finally, take it to coarse sharpening steel. Start with decent pressure. Ending with lighter pressure strokes on that sharpening steel. You will then have a real tool. I used paint on the handle after roughing it up. Mine is now camo. I used Super glue and put a piece of leather in the sheath opening to better retain my knife. This knife is very strong and tough. It's not a truck stop blade, or a soft ( beginners) grade steel. I've used them for decades in construction. They always seem to walk off and never return, but they never broke.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

All great suggestions. Thanks for commenting

[@FrankSchweppe]

I have this one and it is my go-to knife for yardwork, I strap it on every time I step out the door (mine has a long paracord loop through the sheath so I can carry it diagonally from right shoulder to left armpit, or 'diagonal neck carry' if you wish...). It is insanely strong, designed to be used on construction sites, and to be hit with a hammer, both on the spine and on the pommel. In fact, I also have a wood chisel from Hultafors and apart from the colour that has the same handle. The hidden tang is long and sturdy enough to not break (JoeX did not manage to break this knife, he gave up at the end!), and the long handle provides a massive hard plastic pommel to hammer on that will not split apart, as it might have done if the tang were longer all to the end. For what it is, it is also insanely cheap. Price here in continental Europe was just 9 euros. Nine. As in less than ten. Nice to know is that Hultafors is not just a knife company (they outsource them to a Taiwanese factory that uses Japanese SK5 steel for the carbon versions, some people suspect that it's the same OEM factory that does the Cold Steel SRK). It is a tool company that makes and sells all sorts of construction hand tools, including very good shop saws, hammers, chisels and all kinds of carpenter's rulers and measuring implements. They invented the folding carpenter's ruler. They are also part of a group of brands that includes the Snickers brand of work clothes, and of course they have several equipment vests that include belt-level hammer loops and dump bags for tools, nails and such - and on the chest, a large button to clip one of their knives on. So the GK and Craftsman knives are really part of a craftsman's tool system. That they are also very useful for bushcrafting and general outdoor use is a nice extra... lol. They have some fun specialty knives as well, for little money. There is one for painters, essentially a stainless Craftsman with a tip that doubles as a screwdriver to unscrew wall outlet covers to paint behind them and screw them back on, and a notch to open paint cans; and a plumber's knife that has a file engraved on one side of the blade, to finish the ends of plastic hoses and pipes afer you cut them off with the knife. And so on. Often so cheap that you can get them essentially for free by adding them to an order to just pass the limit for free shipping... ;-) I like these. I feel that on a one-on-one basis they are just a tad better than equivalent Moras - the GK for instance has a higher/thinner and thus slicier main grind than a thicker Mora like the Robust or Heavy Duty (20 degrees included or 10 per side versus 28 degrees/14 per side for 3 mm thick Moras), but I found that it holds its edge better then a Mora HD. End of story is that I now have a collection of Moras and a collection of Hultafors knives... And neither has broken the bank.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with the knife and information on the company

[@pullo5518]

Excellent knife and review.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting

[@johnjoyce8995]

That's a nice blade to put a birch and antler handle on and make it into a puukko, I think I'll be getting one and do it..

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Great idea. Thanks for commenting

[@Buggapanda]

Mine has a perfectly symmetrical tip, maybe you got a weird batch. This knife is a BEAST and if you manage to break it it's because you were pretty much set on breaking it

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I agree. Thanks for commenting

[@jelkel25]

The Hultafors are my favourite building knives as they are inexpensive, very good blades and built like tanks. I have an OK4 for outdoor use as the handle is more comfortable and the sheath is made to fit a belt. These HDs are ideal as a starter knife as they're very forgiving of mistakes but you have a good bit of steel to learn things like sharpening that won't break the bank if it goes really wrong!!! Theyre good fun too because they're almost impossible to break but are good knives. Thought you'd put hockey stick tape on the handle which would have been the most Canadian thing you could have done! 😂😂😂

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I could have used hockey tape with the spin wrap😅. I have a review of the OK4 coming. Thanks for commenting

[@thedriftingspore]

Oh man this is right up my alley, thank you very much for bringing this one to my attention Mark!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I was thinking of you when I released the video. Thanks for commenting Steve

[@cordellkent4790]

Australia here. Thank you for this honest review.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@kevinAuman1]

Brilliant idea with the paracord! 👍

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you like it! Thanks for commenting

[@charlescollier7217]

Thanks for this, Mark. The Hultafors knives are indeed cost-friendly, but actually getting hands on them can be a challenge. I look forward to hearing your views on the Mora Kansbol.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Kansbol review coming soon. Thanks for commenting

[@charlescollier7217]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Nice!

[@spencerdodds2207]

I have many bushcraft knives but this is the only one I really use. Great knife, all you need.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I can understand why. Thanks for commenting

[@Badger77722]

Thanks for the review, Mark! That sounds like a real competitor for Mora on a bang-for-the-buck comparison. I'll have to look into seeing what they're going for in the US and see if it's worthwhile getting one as a spare. EDIT: It's actually a little bit more expensive on Amazon (cheapest price I could find online) in the US than it is in Canada. Not much, $18.49 USD, so still well within what I'd consider a budget-knife price range.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Cheaper in Canada? That does not happen very often. Thanks for commenting

[@misolgit69]

I did the same mod but I used a 'soft shackle' that way I don't have to remove my belt (see numerous videos especially by Blackie Thomas)

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day mate, yep good work around, I do like a dangler for bushcrafty type knives, mind you I'd be happier if they just made this one able to cope with HD belts. i..e. one still wouldn't have to remove ones belt and the reverse design naturally jams the thing captive against ones hip. Cheers Duke.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Soft shackle is a good option. Thanks for commenting

[@zrMysli]

8€ in Germany! Another budget knife: Böker Manufaktur 03BO002R Sandwich Knife 10,5 cm -> only 3€! and great for the outdoor kitchen or Victorinox 6.7831 for about 5-6€. Have a look at Ganzo knives!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Good to know. Will take a look. Thanks for commenting

[@JohnTBlock]

We have the same shipping cost problem here in the U.S. In fact, ordering leather work supplies here, it's usually cheaper to go postal service than some commercial shipping, and as fast if not faster!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I have found shipping from the US to Canada often more expensive than the item I want to buy. Thanks for commenting

[@FrankMuchnok]

That's the most worn down ferro-rod (18:00) I've seen on any outdoors channel. It's starting to look like a dumbbell. Good review Mark.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

LOL...yeah, getting to use as well. In fact, I have a video coming soon with its replacement. Thanks for commenting

[@mjo4981]

It seems like much more expensive knives sometimes have small imperfections in the grind at the tip. It seems to be one place that the Craftsman may let up their attention.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I agree. I have few more expensive knives with uneven tip grinds. Maybe not this much though. Thanks for commenting

[@misolgit69]

PS are things normally more expensive in Canada? average UK price for these the GK £7-10, the Craftsman £5-8, the Craftsman also comes with s blue handle denoting a stainless blade if you wish to use it for food prep, the blade of the GK is also the basis fir the slightly more upmarket OK1 and OK4 models, and for a bonus they have a model the precision knife which is heading towards the style of a Sloyd type knife with the polymer handle for comfort atb Bill

[@jelkel25]

The Canadian dollar is as a general rule of thumb worth half as much as Sterling so 15.99cdn is roughly £7.50. I've travelled between the two countries and when you're used to Sterling everything seems ridiculously expensive in Canada for a while and you don't want to buy anything.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Price is about the same with exchange. I have a review of the OK4 coming. Thanks for commenting

[@TheDavewatts]

I sanded the finger guard down on the craft knife works much better as a craft knife now. It is a for crafting not for bushcraft in my opinion. I've had both these knives for years, the heavy duty knife is solid, I sharpened it to a zero scandi then turned it into a scandi vex

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Best thing about these knives is you don't mind modifying them. Thanks for commenting

[@terryw.milburn8565]

Very Fair Price For This, I Was Gifted A Companion & Love It ! Love That Handle Wrap. Thanks For Your Thoughts On These Mark ! ATB T God Bless

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

You are so welcome! Thanks for commenting Terry

[@tamaratapp-wilkerson8189]

Thank you for your honest demonstration of this knife...I'm kinda a newbie/coming back to my woods roots

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

This would be a great place to start. Thanks for commenting

[@northwind9505]

Wow what a deal! Great review and testing.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting

[@liammalarky3483]

Excellent review, Mark. Thank you. I love my Mora Clippers. I've been using them for years, but I have been eyeing up the Hultafors GK and Craftsman recently for simple fire prep, etc, around camp/braai. My grand daughters are quite used to this style of knife too, so may have to gift them their own GK's now.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Hultafors are a great alternative to More. The GK my be a bit big though. Thanks for commenting

[@patfinn8859]

I love the price !

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Great deal for sure. Thanks for commenting

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Thanks Mark😊

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@StevanOutdoor]

It's the 'all you need' knife. When I started the Dutch Bushcraft Association back in 2011 I wanted a strong budget knife for students to use and possibly buy as their first knife for less than 10 euro. This is the one and never seen one break. Some people with smaller hands (mostly women and children) found the handle a bit long and bulky so I also had the HVK (orange handle) and RFR (blue handle and stainless) for sale. Even JoeX could not break this Hultafors GK. It's simply the best budget knife.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Agree totally. Thanks for commenting

[@olleaberg7271]

You can get that knife for close to 9 dollars in sweden, the price i truly phenomenal. I intend to buy one for this exact purpose, I had a Fällkniven before which I lost on a backpacking trip a couple of years ago so now im afraid of buying expensive knives after that.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I can appreciate that for sure. Thanks for commenting

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

got the ok4, cost me 18 euro lol. and it's nearly indestructible :) the sheath is much better as well. has some nylon straps etc. Took some effort to get sharp though.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Right on. I like the OK4 as well. Just a bit small for me. Thanks for commenting

[@crossxcats]

clip could be for a bachelor button some pants have them for suspenders

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Right on. Thanks for commenting

[@steverose3318]

It clips on the steel round buttons on a pair of Carhartt bibs. There are buttons you can see on too.

[@miroslavstavar2980]

What a great review! Thank you Sir. After seeing this video I've ordered one 😜. Greetings from Slovakia.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting

[@twen7yseven]

Great review, cheers. I ordered a handful based on good reviews to keep and give as gifts.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad I could help. Great high-value knife. Thanks for commenting

[@charlesfaulkner8653]

Another great review. Thanks for sharing.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome Thanks for commenting Chuck

[@J.sh_CDN]

Might be the next knife I use for a rewarding project! Sheath looks sevicable, I usually add a Carribeaner to mine, and that blade looks longer and wider than a Mora companion foe much less (lots of companions going for 30 CAD!)

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

It is closer to the Companion HD but with a larger handle. Thanks for commenting

[@grevedanko]

Would love to see Hultafors OK4 and Mora Kansbol side by side comparison.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Interesting idea. I do have my Kansbol review coming. Maybe I need to do a head-to-head video. Thanks for commenting

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Mark, like the Bushcraft Black, ..... without ever holding one, .... the ergos look outstanding. The reverse belt clip is a great idea IMO, but an excellent mod on your part to cater for its inadequacies + add a height adjustable dangler at the same time. 17 bucks in AUD here, shipping would be around 8 or 9 bucks so you'd be up for 25 - ish, a fraction cheaper than a Companion before shipping. If I didn't have 3 Moras already, I'd probably buy 2 of these. Btw; I did end up purchasing a Terava Puukko 140, ... missed your discount code by 24 hours, .... c'est la vie. ; ) I suspect you're happier with the 110 mate, though the 140 has filled a niche for me and very glad to have it. Cheers Duke

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

You can never have too many knives Duke😅. I do like the TJ 110 just a bit more than the 140 for carving and the like. The TS 200 or 240 pairs well for the big wood. Thanks for commenting

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Hahahaha, you got me there Mark. Yes indeed, I have the TS 240 and I was think'n about a piggy back carry mod, but the sheaths are so good as is, I couldn't bring myself to mess with them. Maybe that's one for Terava to think about, i.e. a dual sheath, either with the blades included or as an option for those that already have them. On second thoughts that would be 4 variants for different size combos, probably too much to ask.

[@MichaelR58]

Nice knife and review Mark , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@chrispearson4325]

Hey Mark you have a great Channel...any thoughts on a review of the Bemco backpacker oven. Thanks for all the great reviews...

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Concept is sound. More weight than most UL hikers would carry. I would love to give it a try. I have videos on my reflector oven and Coleman oven. Thanks for commenting

[@steamboatmodel]

Hi Mark, have you looked at any of the knives in the $ Dollar stores? We picke up some for equipping out Scout/Venturer kitchen boxes, they were porches for kitchen camp work, but the youth used them for all kinds of camp chores.A couple of them bought there Owen and reground them to there own design and made sheaths to carry them.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I will need to go to the dollar store and check out the knives. Thanks for commenting

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@mrwdpkr5851]

Looks like a pretty good knife to me .

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

It is for sure. Thanks for commenting

[@NorthcoastPatty]

Light bulbs went off in my head when you showed that tape. Does it attract dust? Every silicon item I have ever purchased for my kitchen attracts dust like a magnet. I have to search out for that tape. I can think of many uses for that. Looks like it could hold gauze on a wound in an emergency. Thanks for speaking about it..

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Dust has not been a problem with it. Thanks for commenting

[@yoshi13455]

刀尖设计是那样的，这种刀尖是为了保护刀尖不会轻易折断

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@shawnr6117]

Not bad. Do they make any bigger knives 5-7" ?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Not that I am aware of. Thanks for commenting

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦🖐👍❤🎠🎪👌🖌🎨🌴🚐🌲🌊🌳🤳😎 Cool knife

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@Dydeeo]

Enjoyed your video as always, and that is a good value oriented but tough knife. I've had one for years and use it roughly for a utility and yard knife. It is no worse for the wear. I'm interested in your shirt and guess it is wool with a water resistant cloth shoulder cover. Would you mind telling the brand? Thanks

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

It is a Fjallraven shirt I picked up at a thrift store. Great clothing but very expensive new. Thanks for commenting

[@DominikChmiel-mp8ch]

Czy nie za krótkie ostrze!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Depends on what you are using it for. It may be small for survival but just fine for bushcraft, especially when pared with a large knife or axe. Thanks for commenting

[@DrDennis]

Mora or this one Mark? ❤

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Both😅. This fits my hand better than most Mora but I do really like the Bushcraft Black. Thanks for commenting

[@rickylahey3229]

I Have that knife and maybe just mine is weird or sth but only grinder can sharpen it, noone of the stones work and the steel is unbreakable metal, stones, glass everthing it goes through. I think that craftsman hultafors is better, heavy duty is for metal.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@georgerector9252]

Wow, $18.50 USD$. Cheaper in Canada.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I just read that from another viewer. I was very surprised. Thanks for commenting

[@jimf1964]

Long slow standing ovation for this company. Don’t try to tell me companies who are charging $200 for a knife aren’t gouging the clients. Yes they’re way nicer, but the blades aren’t made of gold, and sharpening isn’t that big a deal. It’s more in the handles. But still, 10, 15 times the price? I don’t think so. If you have the money and are willing to pay the price, that’s your choice, no judging, but it’s not a linear curve on return of investment vs quality. Good to go is a decent store. Just order something else with this knife. Shipping won’t hurt so much.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Good way to look at it Jim. I do the same with other companies. I wait till I have a few things I want before ordering. Thanks for commenting

[@Kevin-px3gk]

Not Lois it .

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@daveblodgett7315]

I don't know, Mark...you're dismissing a lot of drawbacks of the knife with the price point. I've never seen a knife that wouldn't make feathers, or scrape, or baton. Seems like not a very good value for my money.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I don't see to many drawbacks. Thanks for commenting

[@dkoriss1]

Where did you see that Hultafors GK don’t baton? well I paste here my comment to Mark and try to find the video I refer to, you may change your opinion for the Hultafors, also about feathering performs at least double better than my mora bushcraft black, so here we go: and as you said within 5 minutes you can put a 90 degree spine on them. For many years I heavily baton even the hardest wired knots woods so I can safely say with the craftsman you can baton any wood all day long forever, with the GK you can baton ANY TREE TRUNK DOWN TO TOOTHPICK FOREVER it’s literally impossible to damage it. There are two Dutch guys I think, performing knives destruction tests on utube. They stab in a stump a mora bushcraft black half way of the blade they bend it 90 degrees and broke it. They did the same to Hultafors GK and only thing happened was a tiny bend which disappeared by bending it to the other side !!! They shoot the blade with a rifle and they cannot brake it THATS WHY I CALL MY HULTAFORS GK …TANK !!! I don’t use my mora bushcraft black so much because I really love it, I spent time for it after each use to keep it in mint condition I treat it more as a jewelry piece and less as a bushcraft knife, it cast me 130 euros after all. But make no mistake my 2 Hultafors do all the job, any job for over 12 years and they never failed me, they perform perfectly EVERY TIME.

[@dkoriss1]

@@MarkYoungBushcraftNot only there are no drawbacks this knife is the epitome of bushcraft knives including its price, please refer to my comment to see why, against very honest review Mark and extremely humble I would say having facing the possibilities of this knife for over 12 years and in comparison with many other knives including 3 mora with the bushcraft black costing me 130 euros

[@BrianChamberlin-e1n]

Irritating sound issue, continuous tone.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@BrianChamberlin-e1n]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Didn't know if you aware of it or not. I haven't heard it on other videos of yours. First time.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I do appreciate your assistance. I have been having the occasional issue with my camera-mic set up causing sound issues like a hiss. I can not hear the tone on this video but then again, I have hearing issues@@BrianChamberlin-e1n