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"Home Brew" Bush Knives - Part One
by Keith A. Williams
After a recent conversation with a friend of mine, I had to marvel at the potential level of confusion that a newcomer to the outdoors must endure. Though a beginner may have a genuine interest, it would be easy to become confounded and confused about getting started. To make matters worse, many will seek guidance in the local department store, only to leave with light pockets and heavily laden, ill fitting packs. This series will be an attempt at enlightening the novice in the more simple methods of enjoying the outdoors without the burden or trappings of an expensive price tag.
With this in mind, let us consider something to cut with. While it could be argued that other things may or may not be higher on a list of absolute priorities, I feel that having something around with which to cut raises you higher up on life’s little totem pole of happiness. Although one might think that finding a suitable knife would be a simple matter, many find that with the wide array of shapes, sizes, styles, and material make it pretty frustrating to select what may be the best choice to take home with them. When browsing around one quickly learns that knives can range from cheap to ridiculously expensive. How can a newcomer to the outdoors get an affordable, effective cutting tool?
I have struggled with such decisions on many occasions, and will readily admit to paying more than I probably should have on one occasion or another. Never have I run across a knife that has been perfect to everyone that I’ve shown it to, and as a beginner’s skills progress, he or she may develop preferences toward a particular design or modification that better suits their personal knife needs. I encourage a newcomer to keep an open mind, but to be critical. Discover what works best instead of buying into any attempts to nudge one into carrying something that is just not suitable.
Well fear not folks, as I am here to tell you that to find a good quality blade, you often have to look no further than right under your nose. What I am speaking of is the common carbon steel butcher knife. These patterns have been around for a long time, and examples can be found in many shapes and sizes. They were born of necessity, and used extensively by everyday people who worked a lot harder than you or I. These fine designs may not have had much in the way of a flashy appearance, but proved to be so efficient that they have seen little changes over the years. It is no surprise to see why these time-tested styles remain the tried and true favorites of so many professionals to this day.
On to PART TWO
With this in mind, let us consider something to cut with. While it could be argued that other things may or may not be higher on a list of absolute priorities, I feel that having something around with which to cut raises you higher up on life’s little totem pole of happiness. Although one might think that finding a suitable knife would be a simple matter, many find that with the wide array of shapes, sizes, styles, and material make it pretty frustrating to select what may be the best choice to take home with them. When browsing around one quickly learns that knives can range from cheap to ridiculously expensive. How can a newcomer to the outdoors get an affordable, effective cutting tool?
I have struggled with such decisions on many occasions, and will readily admit to paying more than I probably should have on one occasion or another. Never have I run across a knife that has been perfect to everyone that I’ve shown it to, and as a beginner’s skills progress, he or she may develop preferences toward a particular design or modification that better suits their personal knife needs. I encourage a newcomer to keep an open mind, but to be critical. Discover what works best instead of buying into any attempts to nudge one into carrying something that is just not suitable.
Well fear not folks, as I am here to tell you that to find a good quality blade, you often have to look no further than right under your nose. What I am speaking of is the common carbon steel butcher knife. These patterns have been around for a long time, and examples can be found in many shapes and sizes. They were born of necessity, and used extensively by everyday people who worked a lot harder than you or I. These fine designs may not have had much in the way of a flashy appearance, but proved to be so efficient that they have seen little changes over the years. It is no surprise to see why these time-tested styles remain the tried and true favorites of so many professionals to this day.
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