What's the difference between a Bushcraft knife and a Hunting knife


Bushcraft vs Hunting Knives – What’s the Difference?

One of the questions I’m asked most often is, “What’s the difference between a bushcraft knife and a hunting knife?” On the surface they might look similar – both are fixed blades, both tough as nails – but the real difference comes down to purpose, shape, and steel. At Skol Knives, every blade I make is designed with function in mind, whether you’re carving feather sticks or field dressing game.

A bushcraft knife is your all-round outdoor tool – think carving, batoning, making fire prep, and general camp work. You want a strong, simple edge that’s easy to sharpen in the field and can take a beating without chipping. For that, I often use 1095, 1084, or 80CrV2 steel. These high-carbon steels hold a wicked edge and are perfect for tough bushcraft use. Just a quick oil and they’ll last a lifetime.

A hunting knife, on the other hand, is a bit more refined. It’s designed for clean, controlled slicing and skinning, not chopping wood or striking a ferro rod. That’s why steels like AEB-L, SF100, and 440C are ideal – they’re stainless, sharp, and easy to clean after field work. The blade geometry is thinner, with a finer point, giving precise control when working around joints or skin.

At Skol Knives, I build each knife to suit its job. My bushcraft knives are built tough for the woods, while my hunting knives are balanced for precision and comfort. Whether you’re camping in the UK, trekking through the Scottish highlands, or heading off-grid, I make blades that are built to perform and built to last.

If you’re looking for a handmade bushcraft knife or custom hunting knife, have a look at my range over at www.skolknives.co.uk — every knife is heat-treated, tested, and finished by hand right here in our Northamptonshire Workshop 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Traditional Gyuto Japanese Kitchen Knife www.skolknives.co.uk

Image
Traditional Handles & Materials for a 210mm Gyuto in Blue Paper Steel — A Guide by Skol Knives When choosing a 210mm Gyuto knife, most people focus on the blade — especially when it’s crafted from premium Blue Paper Steel (Aogami). But the handle is equally important. Traditional Japanese wa-handles influence comfort, balance, durability, and even the cultural heritage of the knife. In this guide, we explore the most authentic and time-honoured handle materials used on Gyuto knives, why they matter, and which options pair beautifully with a high-performance blue paper steel chef’s knife. --- 🔪 What Is a Traditional Japanese Wa-Handle? A wa-handle is the classic Japanese handle style, usually lightweight, octagonal or D-shaped, and fitted to the blade via a hidden tang. SEO keywords: Gyuto handle guide, traditional wa-handle, Japanese knife handle styles. Wa-handles give Japanese knives their signature feel — a lively balance with the weight focused towards the blade. This compleme...
Read more

Skol Knives new Pure Edge Kitchen Knife Range

Image
Introducing the Skol “PureEdge” Series – A New Stainless 12C27 Kitchen Knife Range. A New Era for Skol Knives: The PureEdge Kitchen Series Skol Knives is proud to announce the launch of the PureEdge Series, a brand-new kitchen knife range crafted from premium 12C27 stainless steel. Known for our heritage in bushcraft and handcrafted outdoor blades, we’re now bringing that same precision, durability, and craftsmanship into the modern kitchen. The PureEdge Series has been designed to offer professional-level performance with the clean, functional style Skol is known for. Whether you’re a home cook or a working chef, this new range delivers sharpness, control, and reliability in every cut. --- Why 12C27 Stainless Steel? Choosing the right steel defines how a kitchen knife performs — and 12C27 is one of the most respected stainless steels in the culinary world. Key Benefits of 12C27 Stainless Steel Excellent Corrosion Resistance: Perfect for a kitchen environment with moisture, acids, and ...
Read more

Are traditional Scandinavian Puukko knives still relevant today.

Why Puukko Knives Are More Relevant Than Ever in Today’s Outdoor World – Skol Knives In a world filled with oversized survival blades, tactical folders, and ultra-modern steels, you might expect an ancient Scandinavian knife design to have faded away. But the opposite has happened. The Puukko knife, a tool perfected over a thousand years ago in Finland, isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving. At Skol Knives, we believe in making tools with purpose. And few knives have a clearer purpose, cleaner design, or more proven track record than the Puukko. Here’s why this traditional Nordic knife is still incredibly relevant in the present day. --- A Knife Perfected by Practical Use The Puukko was never invented for show. It evolved naturally through centuries of daily work in forests, workshops, farms, and hunting camps. Its defining features are still exactly what modern bushcrafters and outdoorsmen need: 80–110 mm blade that offers control, not bulk Scandi grind for clean, accurate wood carving...
Read more