Question: Good camping knife/hatchet/saw/machete?

[wroughndt]

For a saw you might want to look at the "Wyoming saw". I have one and I love it. Best of all it fits into a small flat pouch that you can carry on your belt.

[HDCase]

"Regarding your desired point of good working conditions, Imacasa/Condor (Condor is an Imacasa subsidiary) has exceptional work conditions, PPE, and training. They're an ISO 9000 certified manufacturer as well."

That's great to know. It seems as if one could create factories or shops that are nice to work in rather than the only employer in town. (Of course the nicer and more artisanal it gets the more expensive.)

[FortyTwoBlades]

I hear that in Central/South America many field workers actually use cheap Chinese garbage because the ones by companies like Imacasa/Hansa are too expensive for them. Bear in mind that they cost even less down there than they even do here--I imagine it's a much better job working in a machete factory than working in the fields!

[bladerique]

For a saw you might want to look at the "Wyoming saw". I have one and I love it. Best of all it fits into a small flat pouch that you can carry on your belt.

While researching the Wyoming Saw (similar to the Sawvivor) I found a review on this. This is the medium size Bob's Quick Buck Saw:



I like it.

[wroughndt]

Nice find! That does appear to be an improvement over the Wyoming saw. It would cut much larger logs without having to reposition.

[bladerique]

Nice find! That does appear to be an improvement over the Wyoming saw. It would cut much larger logs without having to reposition.

The blade stiffening mechanism seems to work better, but I don't really know yet. I'm going to find out the weights of all three models of the Bob Bucksaw and compare them with the other options. I've been using a crappy folding saw and would like something better.

[apintandafight]

I prefer to take a medium knife and a folding saw camping. Generally a bacho laplander and a glock 78 field knife. For finer tasks I usually end up using a folder or an esee izula 2.

[fmajor007]

While researching the Wyoming Saw (similar to the Sawvivor) I found a review on this. This is the medium size Bob's Quick Buck Saw:



I like it.

I have one and really, really like it!!! I also have a folding saw in my EDC, but the Bob Dustrude Quick-Bucksaw is awesome!!!

[SkrufKnifer]

Ontario Machette with or with out the saw back. I've used both, and wouldnt use anything else. You can get one and a sheath,and buy a file or stone for under 50,. Also you can put multipul edges on it, as with any other of the same basic shape. The saw back is great for knotching logs or what have you. Also you can quarter large game very quickly with the right edge or even the saw back. I know Dave Canterberry has a vid on some edge mods,and a complete system built off of the Ontario Machette. I personaly have used them for as long as I can remember, from backyard chores, quick game processing, and all kinds of camp duty. It efectivly replaced my hatchet/axe,saw,knife and shovel. Weighs hardly anything.great tool to keep by bedside camping or at home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQhwbR2a2X4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVHeK...eature=related

[22-rimfire]

The Condor Hudson Bay is a good all around field and camp knife. I don't think it excels at chopping however. I think a Condor machete works a lot better when you expect to do some chopping beyond a little bit. The folding saws are quit handy and useful around a camp. A folder or small fixed blade (<4") is indispensable for little chores.

What do I do? I carry a SAK, lately a Blackjack 125, and a Condor Pack Golok if I believe chopping is going to be a critical element. If I want a knife keeping the size down that would handle a little chopping, then the Condor Hudson Bay or Kabar Becker BK-2. But I'll always have the folder for delicate cutting tasks. Don't have a lot of experience with folding saws except using a Fiskars/Gerber. Sometimes I will carry a SOG Revolver which has the folding saw which is quite good and the knife is light and a lot tougher than it looks.

[HDCase]

Thanks for these great suggestions all. And they keep being helpful (if not only for me, then for other people). So I'm definitely interested in conversation about this.

ScrufKnifer, do you mean the large Ontario Machete or the SP8? I don't know if that one is quite long enough for macheteing, but I don't have any experience, really, macheteing.


I decided to go with the pricier, but excellent quality Ka-Bar BK 9: http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-.../dp/B001IPKL7I . This thing is so bad ass that I cut myself thumbnailing the tape on the box. It's a very solid knife. Feeling that much weight in the handle is new for me. The steel is very heavy. And that probably aids in chopping. It's like a rugged kitchen knife, but with some "combat" thrown in (with that bowie cut point). Two really nice features are the hammer butt (squared-off steel extends from the handle), and the thumb platform.

The knife handle had to be slightly adjusted (hex screw) to align it so there were no rough edges, but I was being pretty perfectionistic. I do wonder if anyone knows if the handles need to be adjusted when temperatures change.


And I bought the http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001IX7OW/ 8 Inch Laplander Folding Saw. One nice feature is that it locks when closed. I haven't tried this one out yet.

Those tools should do me for now, along with a smaller knife (or two).

Thanks again for the detailed replies.

[upnorth]

Decent 4-5 inch fixed blade knife, folding saw, hatchet or small axe. You are good to go.

[CellerDrummer]

I don't worry about the weight because I camp from a kayak or a bike but if I did.?.I'd carry the best portable bow saw that was out there..Fire is probably one of the most important aspects of our camping trips..I can break up all the smaller stuff manually but when we haul in larger logs..The saw is SOOO nice cutting it down to useable pieces..
CD

[SkrufKnifer]

[ScrufKnifer, do you mean the large Ontario Machete or the SP8? I don't know if that one is quite long enough for macheteing, but I don't have any experience, really, macheteing.

I was talking about there 12 0r 18 inch machette's.IMHO are the best machetes you can get. Havnt played with the SP8, I have held one at the Knife shop, man its got some weight to it. I konda thought it would be a good old sckool wooden boat building tool or what have you. I have one of there 1st gen SpecPlus Marine SP1-95, its a great bowie like knife, tuff as nails

[FortyTwoBlades]

I don't consider the SP8 a machete in the most remote sense, regardless of Ontario calling it one. That thing is a steel brick.

[soapboxpreacher]

I like that bobs buck saw alot!

[Smithhammer]

My choices to the fit the bill:

BRKT Bushcrafter knife
Husqvarna 15" Hatchet
Trailblazer folding bucksaw

Not much I can't do with that combo. Maybe some big wood processing tasks, but for camping/survival situations, that rarely seems necessary. I'm just trying to keep a fire going, not build a house.

[AeroNautiCal]

I found the Mora Clipper, Bacho Laplander and GB Mini Hatchet to be a very capable, lightweight trio.