Condor Bushlore

[Guest bkelm18]

Got my order of blades in today. One of which being the Bushlore by Condor Tool & Knife. Before ordering I read several reviews around the interwebz about people who were dissatisfied with the blade on their Bushlore when they received it. Many complained of it being completely dull and others who had to re-contour the blade. I chalked these up as referring to the previous version of the Bushlore. This newer version has a thinner blade and a sharpened edge all the way to the grip, which the previous version did not have (it stopped about a quarter inch before). The edge was considerably sharp on the one I received. After a little bit on the Sharpmaker, it was very sharp. It performed well in the obligatory arm shaving test. It feels very solid in hand. I believe the right palm swell is slightly larger than the left, making it fit quite nice in the right hand. The grips aren't the highest quality but they work fine. The wood is a little rough but I believe that helps in maintaining a good grip on it. The blade is full tang but the grips are not easily removed, though I suppose you could with a drill press. They are held on by a couple brass pins. The sheath that comes with it is a very nice and sturdy leather sheath, which is rather surprising for such an inexpensive knife. I'd pay at least $20 for the sheath alone.

Now, probably there are only two things I can say I wasn't super pleased with. One, the tip of the blade was rounded over. I could press it into my skin and it wouldn't do anything, though that was easily remedied with a hone. Secondly, the curvature of the edge changes the closer you get to the point. The edge straightens out maybe .5" to .75" before the tip. It doesn't affect the sharpness of the blade but it just looks a little odd. Other than that, I'd say this knife is a fantastic value at $30, especially with the sheath. A micarta handled version can be had for about $20 more.

Now, just to mention the other two knives I purchased. One being the Ka-Bar Eskabar. Comes, again, very sharp out of the box. Very lightweight. The skeleton grip wouldn't be too comfortable if you planned on actually using it for any length of time. I threw a quick paracord wrap on it and it has become quite comfortable.

Now for the Kool-Aid. The ZT 0350. This is the most well made pocket knife I've ever had. Very solid. Opens quickly with a nice "shlack!". Goes without saying the blade is sharp. The G10 grips feel great in the hand and the jimping is just right. A great knife.

[Moped]

Thanks for the reviews! Glad you got some good knives. Condor listened to the criticisms of it users when it revamped the Bushlore. One of their chief designers is a member at BushcraftUSA and he got an earful. He took it back to the company and they changed most of the major things. I think it's a great value for what you get with it now. Not sure there is a more inexpensive full tang knife out there unless you go buy an Old Hickory and modify it, then make it a new pair of pants to wear. When I bought my Condore Medium Bushcraft a year ago, they were still making the old version, which after holding it for a few minutes I hated. Felt and handled like a short sharpened crowbar. I went with the Bushcraft instead.

That little Eskobar is probably going to end up being your go to woods knife. It's really hard to beat a Becker! The one thing I didn't like about it is it's stainless and I prefer carbon steel if I can get it. That's why if I buy a Becker, it will probably be a BK11. I like the fact that the BK11 can also open beer bottles as well! That's an ideal package!!!

[Oh Shoot]

...

That little Eskobar is probably going to end up being your go to woods knife. It's really hard to beat a Becker! The one thing I didn't like about it is it's stainless and I prefer carbon steel if I can get it. That's why if I buy a Becker, it will probably be a BK11.

While 1095 Cro-Van offers some rust resistance compared to plain 1095, it is far from a stainless steel. The BK11 (Becker Necker) is also 1095 Cro-Van. Matter of fact all the Becker 1095 is this variety AFAIK, like BK 2, 9, 11, whatever; has it not always been since Ethan cranked back up under Ka-Bar? Matter of fact, the Ka-Bar USMC fighting knife stuff is all 1095 Cro-Van also.

No 1095 variant is a stainless steel -- they all will indeed rust, they're not coated in black just for style.

Brandon, thanks for report on the Condor. Sounds about right. Fit and finish on any Condor may or may not be just so, but their rep is in making very serviceable and strong knives, not just for the money which is a plus, but period. All three of my big Condors have cosmetic imperfections, but that's become almost part of their charm among aficionados.

- OS

Edited December 16, 2011 by OhShoot

[Guest bkelm18]

That little Eskobar is probably going to end up being your go to woods knife.

The Eskabar would be good for just little short hikes but if I'm backpacking or camping, I might as well just bring both. The Eskabar is so light I'll probably lash it to the shoulder strap of the pack for easy access.

[mav]

You are correct. The blade on the Condor does look odd. I had to magnify the image on the first pic to see whether I was seeing an optical illusion. Still, for $30, I don't think you can really go wrong with that.

[Moped]

While 1095 Cro-Van offers some rust resistance compared to plain 1095, it is far from a stainless steel. The BK11 (Becker Necker) is also 1095 Cro-Van. Matter of fact all the Becker 1095 is this variety AFAIK, like BK 2, 9, 11, whatever; has it not always been since Ethan cranked back up under Ka-Bar? Matter of fact, the Ka-Bar USMC fighting knife stuff is all 1095 Cro-Van also.

No 1095 variant is a stainless steel -- they all will indeed rust, they're not coated in black just for style.

Brandon, thanks for report on the Condor. Sounds about right. Fit and finish on any Condor may or may not be just so, but their rep is in making very serviceable and strong knives, not just for the money which is a plus, but period. All three of my big Condors have cosmetic imperfections, but that's become almost part of their charm among aficionados.

- OS

You are correct and I was wrong. I thought the Eskabar was the only Stainless steel blade Becker ever made! That's good to know, because I snarled my nose up at it. I'm very tempted to run to SMKWs and get one of these now!

[Oh Shoot]

You are correct and I was wrong. I thought the Eskabar was the only Stainless steel blade Becker ever made! ..

The little BK 13, or Remora, is stainless, maybe you were thinking of that.

- OS

[Oh Shoot]

You are correct. The blade on the Condor does look odd. I had to magnify the image on the first pic to see whether I was seeing an optical illusion. Still, for $30, I don't think you can really go wrong with that.

Yeah, the more I look at it, more I think it's a bad grind, actually possibly a bad stamp out or something. I might be tempted to swap that back in for another w/ Amazon. Free to do it.

- OS

[Guest bkelm18]

Yeah, the more I look at it, more I think it's a bad grind, actually possibly a bad stamp out or something. I might be tempted to swap that back in for another w/ Amazon. Free to do it.

- OS

I thought returning it but it really doesn't affect the function of it. More of a cosmetic issue.

[willis68]

It does appear to be a bad grind, but if you are going to use the knife who cares? It will not affect its function as a knife keep it and use it if that was your intention when you purchased it

[Moped]

The little BK 13, or Remora, is stainless, maybe you were thinking of that.

- OS

That's the one!!!

[Moped]

It does appear to be a bad grind, but if you are going to use the knife who cares? It will not affect its function as a knife keep it and use it if that was your intention when you purchased it

I wouldn't worry to much about it either. It's not like you can't reprofile it and if it's sharp and cuts who cares. It's not like it's a collector knife.

[Guest 22-rimfire]

I have the old version of the Bushlore. It is a major hunk of iron. Maybe I need to look at the newer version.

For the price, it is hard not to like the Bushlore. I just purchased the Condor Hudson Bay and I am really liking this little beast. I need to be able to peel an apple with a knife and the Hudson Bay is pushing it. But I can still do it. It is light in the hand where as the Bushlore is chunky. The apple thing just relates to my dexterity and my ability to use a blade in a fairly precise way. If all I can do with it is chop limbs, it is not so useful to me. I use machetes or axes for that purpose.