TBS Boar Bushcraft Knife Review 2013/12/11
As more and more people get involved in the field of bushcraft it has
a positive effect on increasing the range of tools and equipment
available to all of us. There are so many exciting new items on the
market and the TBS Boar Bushcraft Knife is just one of the latest
knives to be put on sale.
Introduction
The TBS Boar Bushcraft Knife is an exceptionally well-priced full tang,
scandi grind bushcraft knife that gives a lot of performance and bang
for the buck.
Sheath
Starting with the TBS Boar Bushcraft Knife's sheath design, which
is actually rather different to many bushcraft knives on the market
today. The sheath enables you to carry both vertically and horizontally,
this is really useful for getting in and out vehicles and in particular
my experience of canoeing with the Boar on my belt, it doesn’t dig into
your leg when carried horizontally. For us at Ember Survival running
bushcraft courses that have a mixture of land and water based sections
this type of sheath really comes in handy as I don’t have to constantly
reposition it or take it off.
Handle
The handle on the TBS Boar Bushcraft Knife is actually rather good. Most
knife of this price bracket suffer from really thin scales, which after
prolonged use can fatigue the hand. The Boar's scales are much thicker.
The blade is slightly longer than my other bushcraft knives, which makes
it better for battoning but you do lose a little bit of control in
strong cuts. It’s 4mm thick so super strong and that deep Scandi grind
just glides through natural fibres that we find in the bushcraft world
so often. It’s made of a steel I have never heard of before, K720, it’s
a high carbon steel and as a result holds an edge well and it’s strong.
The TBS Boar Bushcraft Knife does come in a stainless option but I would
always suggest the carbon version.
Use
As with many of these super price orientated knives on the market the
handle normally is a bit dry out of the box. The Boar Bushcraft knife
needed some linseed oil to help hydrate the scales, which are made of
Curly Birch on the model I am using. I also rubbed some bees wax
into the scales; this made them feel like ones on my £200+ bushcraft
knives. The ergonomics of the handle are very usable, way better than
other knives in this price bracket, there is not much of a palm swell
but the handle is large enough to get around this, so if you have big
hands then the Boar Bushcraft will work perfectly well. Some of the
other knives I have tested in this price point seem to suffer from very
thin scales; the Boar Bushcraft knife has a much better handle and as a
result can be used for extended periods comfortably. The handle
can be used in the chest lever grip with great success and indeed in the
forehand grip too.
Conclusion on the TBS Boar Bushcraft Knife
My version came with a firesteel and a modified clip to hold it. I like
keeping the firesteel on my sheath and the Boar Bushcraft knife creates
a good shower of sparks when using it to strike the firesteel. Carrying
a means to light a fire around with you is made easy with this setup.
From an instructor's point of view its super convenient when teaching,
to quickly be able to create your own shower of sparks without the need
to go hunting for equipment. Performance of the TBS Boar is excellent
and for the price is more than you would expect. Out in the field and
around camp its Scandi grind bites into natural materials well. Slicing
through nettle stems easily for example. The handle design really shines
on the TBS Boar. Consequently it can be used throughout the day in
comfort. The TBS Boar Bushcraft Knife is an absolute bargain for the
price, go and get one! Just make sure to nourish those scales before you
go out and start using it. You will have a knife that is more than
adequate to be your intermediate and advanced knife. The finishing is
excellent and will be something that will be by your side for years to
come. Highly Recommended
