Top 3 Knife Brands Every Bushcrafter or Prepper Should Own

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

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[@adamparks6756]

All good knives and I own all of them. But I think Buck should make "the cut" too.

[@GunnarCreutz]

Mora knives are legendary! I have at least seven Mora knives of different ages.

[@jwgbmp40]

Been a hot wet summer with touch down tornadoes here in sw Mi. Sooo glad for this nicer weather!

[@OtherThanIntendedPurpose]

I have the Rangergrip 78, it is the one with out the cork screw ( yours in a 79) the spine on the saw is one of the best ferro rod strikers ever made, and the longer saw ( longest on any folding pocket knife/multi tool I have ever seen) make crafting in camp quicker, and easier.

[@marko9912]

I have the 79, it's great and the saw is longer than Leatherman saws, same for the blade. Perfect for bushcraft. My large and medium fixed blades are the Condor Heavy Duty kukri and Terava Jakaaripuuko 140. The kukri is more versatile than any straight bladed knife I think as well, it really should be investigated by anyone who doesn't own one, The draw knife capability alone with the top half of the spine being rounded and comfortable to hold is enough reason on its own, before we talk about the hatchet like chopping. I don't have one yet but for a large straight blade my choice would be the Tops Tahoma. (But only because I can't get my hands on a Dark Timber Honey Badger!)

[@OtherThanIntendedPurpose]

@@marko9912 I use a TOPS BoB for a primary knife ( medium sized) for my big knives I like the TOPS Apache Dawn, the BK 9, and the Joker Nomad 6.5 I wish the Apache Dawn had been around when I was in the ARMY, it is a far superior field and combat knife to what we had access to.

[@marko9912]

@@OtherThanIntendedPurpose I like the Tops BoB and only seen good reviews. I wouldn't buy it now because it's about 3 times more expensive than my Terava. I bought that after seeing it on Dutch Bushcraft Knives channel. Between Nomad and Apache I'd go for the Apache because I like having the finger choil, like on the Tahoma. Nomad looks quite similar to the Esse 6. Did you have the KaBar USMC in the Army? And I do like the BK9, lots of comparison videos with the Tahoma and they're quite equal. I prefer the angled handle and finger choil and the few other things it has as a sort of multi purpose blade. Single edge as well I prefer without the sharpened top part. DBK is one of the best channels for knife reviews, recommend if you haven't seen them.

[@OtherThanIntendedPurpose]

@@marko9912 we were issued the M-9 bayonet and the Pilot's survival knife. neither was something that I wanted to carry. I did have my father's Ka Bar ( he was a Marine in Viet Nam) but it's sheath was not "jump" ready, so I didn't take it on deployments. The Nomad is a very capable bushcraft knife, the reason I would have preferred the Apache Dawn when I was in, is the combat/assault aspects of it's design. it would actually be a little less effective as a bushcraft knife, but not so much so that it would cause an issue. they both have a lot of heft, and some serious hack and slash ability. something sourly missing on either of the issued blades I carried.

[@Jaxon1776]

All great choices. Those three together pretty much covers all your needs. Hey I like the big foot sac scales.

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

Thank you

[@moderntentcamping]

I’m not into bushcrafting - but I enjoy family camping and I LOVE knives. I strongly agree with your first two picks but I was surprised by #3. I use an axe to split our firewood & kindling so I Don’t know much about ESEE. I’d say that most family campers would include an Opinel in their top 3 because it is great for slicing many foods. It is probably the #1 favorite camp kitchen knife.

[@richardhenry1969]

I like the classic mora and the Garberg. Not a fan of the other designs because they are righthand sheath only. My two favorite brands are coldsteel and Condor. Both make great affordable gear. I love machetes Condor terrachete is amazing. Another great knife company BPS. The adventurer is a great knife.

[@TucoDog-ho6fw]

@@richardhenry1969 We lefties just learn to adapt. I’m thinking of learning to build Kydex sheaths to alleviate the frustration. Some of the big On Line knife retailers are showing quite a few left hand sheets now for some of the more popular fixed blades. I just carry them backwards and deal with it most of the time. It’s not really a big problem. When it comes to folders, I don’t buy them if they’re not built with an ambidextrous clip. There are more and more knives that are ambi. A few manufacturers are building true left-hand frame locks. I really appreciate those companies thinking of us👍🏻

[@richardhenry1969]

@@TucoDog-ho6fw I'm working on my own kydex now. I bought the foam and a few sheets of kydex. Wish me luck. BPS sells lefthanded leather for a great price on their website but it's ships from Ukraine so it takes a bit. But it's definitely good quality. An very good prices better then the insanity on Etsy.

[@TucoDog-ho6fw]

@@richardhenry1969 I don’t know about BPS. I think it was DLT Trading that appeared to have lots of sheaths available. Thanks 👍🏻

[@thevirginiabushcrafter8833]

My three to carry is 1) a multi-tool, 2) a Scandinavian grind from Condor, and 3) a knife with a cutting eade of 7 to 10 inches. Thanks for Sharing

[@surfandstreamfisher5749]

Condor is a decent knife for the money.

[@thevirginiabushcrafter8833]

@@surfandstreamfisher5749 👍

[@HighSpeedNoDrag]

Excellent choices and my differ being (1). Ka-bar BK-2, (2). Leatherman Wave, (3) Benchmade Osborne , 154cm.

[@StarDarkAshes]

I just got the Swiss Tech Haltbar. The value of that thing is just crazy. I had to buy once I saw your video. I had been wanting to buy a new bushcrafting knife for a while and I kept thinking which one I wanted, but there’s so many products that I wanted to try, but I never pulled the trigger on several of the ones that I was thinking about getting because they were all pretty much over $100 or even 200 but when I saw how good that thing looked for 50 bucks I figured I would buy it and if it was not what I was hoping it would be I would just return it but wow, that thing is amazing.

[@andyd7213]

Great video! I have several Victorinox, Opinel and Mora knives. Just managed to get my hands on two Buck USA made knives here in the UK and love them. Spitfire & Spitfire mini.

[@Shaundalfthegrey]

I've been a fan of Victorinox and Mora knives for years. 25 years in commercial kitchens,and Victorinox were the bulk of my kit. Had some off-brand SAKs as a kid,got my first real one in my 20's. I currently have two Campers,and two Moras(one older carbon,wooden handle, one newer in stainless). I also have to mention Grohmann Knives, their D.H. Russell models are superb. And,they're made in Canada in Pictou,in my home province of Nova Scotia. Equals Victorinox and Henkels, and if you're in Nova Scotia, you can take the factory tour...

[@joshuabomar6974]

Good overall picks on affordable blades. My garberg & EsseRB3 is a personal favorite among a ridiculous number of knives I own & use. Thanks PW.

[@edwardanenberg349]

Love the mora ,I have probably a dozen or more every get home bag , in the kitchen , in the barn gifts,even put up for replacement,or trade 😎

[@vanquestgear]

You can't go wrong with any of these knives; they are well made and just simply do the job they are designed to do. I own a couple Victorinox knives and can definitely attest to the quality design and workmanship; definitely invaluable tools to have in your prepping kit! - Justin @ Vanquest

[@hkchris1]

The corkscrew is good for taking out knots. You can also put gear such as mini srewdriver or fire starter

[@jelkel25]

If you are talking of beginners the first folder i really took to as a kid was an Opinel. You don't have the strength or dexterity in your hands then and they are super easy to open. The locking collar is also easy to use and effective. The steel is good enough quality so you can learn to sharpen with them, best of all for kids they are inexpensive and there are version's with no point on if required. Im a little jealous of your Sasquatch SAK! Nice!

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

Thanks! Smoky Mountain Knife Works has the Squatch SAK

[@jelkel25]

@@ThePreparedWanderer No SMKW for me, I'm in the UK and they don't deliver outside North America and our customs are very over zealous these day's, id hate to loose it in delivery. I'm considering going home to North America though so I'll keep an eye open when I'm back.

[@eriktaylor5704]

Mora Companion HD, SAK Huntsman, and Joker Ember are my three preferred knives when heading out to camp or bushcraft. All three are quality knives for a moderate budget.

[@Ajoe5810]

Great instruction video. Well done, good pace, clear, and informative. 2 Thumbs Up!!

[@johnny_w]

My choices for a beginner: Glock 78 Fieldknife, Mora Kansbol and Victorinox Fieldmaster. Not to expensive, and not to heavy (important !) .

[@shawnpatrick1877]

Good choices, I love the Mora Kansbol and Victorinox Fieldmaster, along with several other models from those two companies.

[@pavolcibiri9030]

I agree with your choice. I have Mora Kansbol and Companion, Victorinox Climber and Swiss Tool. Also my most favorite knife - ESEE 3 MIL. And on the way is ESEE Sencillo. All these tools are perfectly functional. And to be sure, I have it supplemented with Terävä Skrama 200. :-) I wish you all the best.

[@drouleau]

First knife video I've watched where I actually agree with all the choices. I have several SAK's as I like options, but my favorites are the RangerGrip (I have the 78 but want the 79) and Handyman - RangerGrip goes into my pack for hiking. I recently picked up an ALOX Pioneer X and Farmer X....Pioneer is great to carry in the pocket for day to day use (gives most of the tools you'll want and not bulky in the pocket), and the Farmer X I will take hiking when not going too far off the beaten path and want something smaller than the RangerGrip. I have a Mora Kansbol which is great for hiking due to being super light, and excels at carving/cutting/scraping tasks. Debating getting a Victorinox Venture, but for now the Kansbol works great. For heavier duty tasks, I greatly prefer my ESEE Gibson axe as it's far more useful than just a bigger knife like an ESEE 6 (which I also have but never use) but still easy to carry in a pack and not heavy, relatively speaking. Ironically, my worst knife for "bushcrafting" is my Benchmade Bushcrafter - super comfortable handle, abysmal blade geometry. The ESEE Sencillo is actually a great little carver, but I'm a little leery of how thin the blade is behind the edge. I have an ESEE 4HM (along with an ESEE 3 S35VN, Izula 2, JG5, Sencillo, Xancudo) that I love and is one of my favorites - it actually cuts/carves quite well for a thicker blade and is a great size with a comfortable handle. I also like a good folding saw when I need something larger than what the RangerGrip has, so I have a couple of Silkys. Unless you're felling trees to build a log cabin, don't really need much more than a good SAK, the Kansbol, the Gibson axe and a good folding saw.

[@ManInTheWoods76]

Great choices, sir. When a feller considers a combo set for minimal tools and maximum spectrum, instead of 3 knives, think of this perspective: Basic kephart knife (under $100) Laplander or Silly (under $50) Fiskars 14" hatchet ($25) For about $150 or less, you have the entire arsenal. Add a small shovel and you're done (cold steel spetzna or your handmade one from a garden shovel.)

[@muskett4108]

Advanced: another three would be Terava Skrama 240, Silky Saw, and GB Axe. Frankly, there is a toolbox to be "must have".

[@rajibjoshi9647]

good video 👌 knife is a important tool I have 3 knives 1 my main ( fixed blade hunting knife in seath paid about 60 dollar cdn. ) 2 high quality folding sharp locking 3 another fixed blade hunting 40 dollar cdn. not as robust as the other but doable

[@WolfQuantum]

Thank you. I was expecting the usual shilling of pricey, "kewl" knives. Nice to see someone recognizing real working knives. Love the Moras and I should have bought of case of the basics when they were still around $12 or less. Real knives made by people who, as you said, have actually been using their knives for daily work for a very long time. Victorinox. I have carried Victorinox since the late 80s including Army service. Right now, it's a Trekker with a serrated blade and a SAK Manager as EDC plus a pretty inexpensive D2 flipper for slicing that works quite well. I also have a couple of ESEE that I would feel well equipped with. I have everything from Rough Ryder to Randalls with Benchmade and others in the middle. Nothing wrong with that lineup at all. Someone else mentioned the Skrama 240 in the comments. Just another thumbs up for that amazing bush tool. Not pretty to look at, but amazing to use. A SAK toothpick story. At one time I was working in Security at a Citibank Financial Center. The CEO was arriving for a conference there and I was the guy at the door checking people in. We were wearing blazers and I heard on the radio that his vehicle was coming onto the property just as my top blaser button fell off. After a "Crap" moment I pulled to toothpick from the little Classic I was carrying and used the blade to slice the toothpick thin enough to shove it through the eyelet of the fancy button where it was normally sewn to the blazer. I popped the back of the button through the buttonhole and slid that toothpick into the eyelet, pinning it to the buttonhole so it looked like all was well. Just as the CEO's shuttle came around the corner. Victorinox for the win.

[@Clambelly]

Buck is No. 1. Dexter, Chicago Cutlery, Schrade, Kershaw, Spyderco, Gerber, Kabar, Swiss Army Knives.

[@harpomianre6228]

When, I go camping. I like to take 2 knives or a knife and a machete. The ESEE is a great knife. I do have about 3/4 Moras. Great for widling and starter curls for a fire. Great video. I will look more into Victorinox.

[@ROE1300]

👍 Good video. I agree there is a Mora for just about everyone, I like my Kansbol. I never leave home without my Victorinox (Spartan in town and Huntsman or Outrider in the wilderness). With these knives my choice on a 3rd tool would be my Bacho Laplander saw or either my hatchet by Wolf Valley Forge Axes or Kalthoff Axe. But, I have been recently playing around recently with a Parang by My Parang from Malaysia. But we agree Mora and Victorinox are knife brands everyone should consider. Thank you for your thoughts.

[@ergezinger]

I very much agree with your top three brands. To add to it, i would make number 4 Condor, particularly the Hudson Bay, Bushcrafter, and Woodlaw. For number 5, i would add Spyderco, the PM2 and Manix 2 are extremely reliable, and comfortable in hand.

[@PandaMonium294]

I couldnt agree more that the number 1 knife anybody should own is Morakniv. Price ranges for just about everyone, and they are way stronger than they have any right to be. Personally i own the companion, bushcraft black and Garberg. All are fantastic for their price range.

[@matthewriegner5180]

And they're extremely affordable. I think less than 20 on amazon.

[@PandaMonium294]

@@matthewriegner5180 well I have a couple different moras including the garberg. That one at the time was around $100 and for the what you get for the amount of money it's more than worth it

[@DaryooshF.Sh.P-vq6mu]

My top 3 choices; 1- Mora Companion 2- Bark River Wilderness Explorer 3- Opinel

[@benterwellen]

Good Stuff, ty for sharing, all fine knife choices and of course can’t go wrong with any of them especially SAK my personal favorite..

[@jean-claudefauchere880]

Very good and wise choice!

[@THERESISTANCE762]

Im old school and bias because my mom worked there, but i love my CASE knives.

[@debluetailfly]

Idaho Knife Works are great knives. Mike Mann finally had to retire a while back. The website is still up, and tells the story of the company. I have one. I wanted more. I do have a couple of Moras and a couple of Swiss Army knives. Never had an ESEE. Pretty much got more knives than I really need now, but it is nice to have a selection to choose from. Recently got a crooked knife from Ray Mear's Woodlore site. Looking forward to trying it out.

[@ModernRefugee]

I do enjoy ESEE knives and own several. I also have several Moras & SAK. I more or less agree with you. I do however prefer the carbon steel over the stainless on the Moras, but still have both.

[@ShoahBiz]

@@ModernRefugee they run the carbon to a higher hardness so that’s nice

[@dirtywolfhound]

Agree with esee 6 and sake would replace the mora with the joker ember great knife

[@scottnorvell2955]

Great video. The Ranger Grip is a 79. Not a 78. Easy mistake to make. The 78 has the Phillips instead of the corkscrew. The corkscrew is a must. It’s perfect for getting cordage knots out and it also stores a helix tender for emergency fires.

[@madaxe606]

I wish ESEE made versions of their smaller knives without the choil. A full-finger choil on something like the ESEE-3 is just silly. The most valuable real estate on the blade given up, at the cost of a smaller, less comfortable handle. Whereas my Izula II is fantastic.

[@skovbo65]

The reason for the perfection of a Victorinox is that every single knife has been through quality control before being released for sale.

[@juliusgonzo7527]

Very nice video, well done. My only suggestion is that perhaps a larger size number three would provide more capabilities paired with a Mora and a Vitorinox.

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

How about a Victorinox Huntsman II, a Mora Bushcraft Black, and an ESEE Junglass for your multitool/small knife, medium fixed blade, and large chopper combo?

[@MichaelR58]

Good video, thanks for sharing YAH bless !

[@KaylynnStrain]

I habve a Mora Kansbol and a 511, I do have a mini SWiss army knife but I want a larger model. I do not own an Esee but I do like the look of them

[@cocovasquez1]

Mora Garberg, Esee RB3 and 6HM and high end my Reiff F4 in Magnacut. I also own a Condor Ktac Kukri just incase lol

[@scrick7112]

Interesting. No LTWright?? For a fixed blade that’s right up there for me. Personal preference. Thanks

[@bongdudugenio9947]

Custom-made Buck 110 S30V Drop Point with Elk Scales and finger grooved handle is best to my knowledge, i owned one!

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

Limited capabilities

[@ericb.4358]

MY FAVORITE BRAND IS HELLE. It is a great Norwegian company.

[@tankcrowe7668]

My three go to knives, randall model 18, fiddleback forge bush hermit, hinderer slicer grind xm18.

[@stephenwest798]

All good picks and durable knifes, thanks for the review and opinion. Now someone will have to go buy another knife. Not me though, I already have too many!

[@LairdDavidson]

I keep telling myself that too. 😀

[@stephenwest798]

@@LairdDavidson I think that is the one lie we all tell ourselves. LOL

[@morto6876]

Old school Gerber cant be beat.

[@mudsslinger]

nice good advice and 3 good choices, thanks Wendell

[@Mike-ql4sz]

what sharpening angle do u sharpen a Mora and a Victorinox? Thank u!

[@Eye_Guard]

Esee, yes

[@Elias.Agg.]

I should be happy then, that I have 2 of the 3. A mora companion hd and a victorinox handyman. Esee knives are expensive. I wouldn't pick one, because I wouldn't abuse it like the other 2 picks.

[@dontall71]

I couldn't help but notice, a knife review with your thumb taped up. Hope it heals up soon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

Yeah dislocated

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

Thank you

[@aprilnichols2806]

Esee warranty is no questions ask. They have had people cut them in half with a torch and send them back. They replaced anything that’s theirs.

[@DReynolds5294]

@@aprilnichols2806 Came here to basically say this. You can break it on purpose, it will be replaced. They do state in their warranty they rather idiots don't buy their knives though. 😂

[@jamescooper2618]

I had your 3 brands guessed before the video started lol.

[@efrainmaldonado5677]

I have a Bowie knife that was given to me from a dying old man.

[@GLEN-ys7qt]

MORA, OPINEL, VICTORINOX!

[@outdoorsaddiction1085]

Does esee make stainless steel versions besides the esee 4

[@ibanez7412]

Thanks!

[@JeffreyHanson-c1q]

Good video👍👍

[@techie13804]

How do the ESSE knives compare to the OKC fixed blades? I've had a Rat 3 for a few years now. I haven't done any real bushcraft tasks with it, but it has dressed a few whitetails well.

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

Same caliber as okc

[@techie13804]

@@ThePreparedWanderer Thank you!

Morakniv, yes. Victorinox, absolutely. But then you went and forgot about Opinel. 😬

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

Nah

[@nateand3]

Sorry I know we're talking knives, but if you're talking about weather being too warm, don't ever come to Louisiana. Even if you never listen to anyone, trust me on this.

[@deanhendrix3179]

@@nateand3 stay away from Columbia SC, the armpit of the south. Ask any poor soul that did basic at Fort Jackson during the summer.

[@nateand3]

@@deanhendrix3179 I've been all over SC in the summer. A few times. The heat down hear makes that feel like a nice fall day.

[@koungpou3795]

@@nateand3 they jus don’t understand 🤣 let ‘em learn they’ll sweat all the amazing food from gas stations etc

[@efrainmaldonado5677]

@@nateand3 or Texas hotter than the dickens.

[@williamcordell5548]

I 😅dont pick knives by brand if it holds a good edge ill use it . These by chance happen to be hot in the market so many better knives that cost less .

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

It’s personal preference. But these are noteworthy brands that I am highlighting for folks to check out. Not many are better than these in performance/cost ratio. Allot of bang for the buck with fantastic warranty

[@n8mayfield]

I support this message, for me Esee and TOPS are tied, but same difference

[@johnbenton100]

Yessir!! Spot on , great content!!

[@leloup-garou443]

Becker BK7 Holtzman Bloodline And for a small pocket knife ... Cold Steel Large Voyager Drop Point And of course a multi tool

[@kaitsamari]

Leatherman

[@no_handle_required]

every time a bougie and overhyped influencer tells me about some 400 dollar knife and how it's the best bushcraft knife, I smile and pull out one of my moras. There is no better value, and they do everything a knife needs to do.

[@WarrenKimpel]

a nice video thanks

[@eddkapa6507]

Isn't one good knife enough

[@ellianafansuport3251]

Perfect.

[@BrianSmith-ql5nj]

The wood youre batoning is 3 times to long for true application. Only backyard bushdummies baton wood that long.😂

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

Thats the stupidest thing Ive ever heard. Where do you people come from? lol

[@JasonWicklund]

@@ThePreparedWanderer that guy must only use a firebox nano lol

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

Ha! We winter camp around here too

[@mitchalgreen7244]

@@BrianSmith-ql5nj If one does much woodcutting for firewood etc, batoning longer wood, you save time and energy, calories than you will cutting shorter wood. While also leaving wood longer, when placed on a fire and burning into 2 pieces, you can move them up on the fire to finish burning them. Saves a lot of time.

[@alanfrost4661]

Cant own a knife i live in the muslim country called the UK

[@ThePreparedWanderer]

Sorry to here that

[@Cy1onRaider]

BGM Kephart MagnaCut. Kunwu Pulsar. Leatherman Wave. Done.