A good all rounder

Tiiiiiiiim

Tiiiiiiiim

Joined
Jun 11, 2010
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952
I want to buy a decent, all rounder, general purpose, folding knife for wilderness camping. I've been looking at a couple of gerbers that look alright.

The Gerber Freeman
http://www.gerberuk.com/index.php/product/id/230
or
The Gerber Metolius
http://www.gerberuk.com/index.php/product/id/422

Anyone used both and or have any thought on them? They're just the one that took my fancy if anyone's got another suggestion I'm all ears.

You can also get the freeman in the S30V steel from Cabela's which is supposed to retain an edge 45% better than than the standard 440C steel but is it worth the extra $60? (Cabela's wont shi pit to Australian anyway)

Thanks in advance,
Tim.
 
I've got the fixed blade version of the first and like it very much. I've field dressed two deer with it (my son has dressed one with his as well) and found the knife about perfect for that job. The grip was great and secure in my hand even when ... goopy.

That said, I sure don't see much pro-Gerber commentary here.
 
I'd guess you're looking to spend around $50?

I'll say what someone who isn't respectful or your budget is bound to say... get a Chris Reeve or Spyderco Military! (one of my peeves...)

I haven't had great luck with Gerbers but I haven't tried 'em in recent years.
Spydercos and Kershaws have always seemed to give me a decent value.

me - my relatively worthless 2 cents
 
termiteslayer said:
I'd guess you're looking to spend around $50?

I'll say what someone who isn't respectful or your budget is bound to say... get a Chris Reeve or Spyderco Military! (one of my peeves...)

I haven't had great luck with Gerbers but I haven't tried 'em in recent years.
Spydercos and Kershaws have always seemed to give me a decent value.

me - my relatively worthless 2 cents
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My budgets not that strict, their just the ones i was looking at. I would probably spend up to $150 i don't want to go too overboard when im just a casual bushman.
 
Welcome to BFs Tim. For a rugged camping type folder, the first two I think of are a Kabar Mule and Kershaw RAM. I love my Kabar Mule (I just got my RAM so no personal exp with it yet). One reason I love the mule is the beefy size handle, great if you have a big hand. Neither are high end steels but both hold an edge well and are easy to sharpen in the field. Both about $50 usd.
 
thejamppa said:
I am surprised nobody hasn't mentioned Delica 4 or Endura 4.
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I think the Delica and Endura have handles that are too thin to be comfortable in heavy cutting, or at least they are for me. I expect a camping knife to be able to take on heavy cutting chores.


I think well of the Large Cold Steel Voyager (old handle, VG1 blade).
The handle is thick enough to be comfortable in heavy cutting.
4" blade, a good size for a camping knife, IMO.
The VG1 steel holds an edge quite well. Better than 440C, about as good as VG10, probably not as well as S30V.
 
Dagon said:
I'd consider going the scandinavian way and investigate the beautiful new Helle Dokka.
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Those helle knives are hella nice. The dealer in Australia that helle site suggested hasn't got the dokka in though. I sent them an email asking if they will.

gazz98 said:
Welcome to BFs Tim. For a rugged camping type folder, the first two I think of are a Kabar Mule and Kershaw RAM. I love my Kabar Mule (I just got my RAM so no personal exp with it yet). One reason I love the mule is the beefy size handle, great if you have a big hand. Neither are high end steels but both hold an edge well and are easy to sharpen in the field. Both about $50 usd.
Click to expand...

I can get the mule for around $100 AU from an Australian dealer. Their cheaper on ebay but the shipping will end up costing just as much.

knarfeng said:
I think well of the Large Cold Steel Voyager (old handle, VG1 blade).
The handle is thick enough to be comfortable in heavy cutting.
4" blade, a good size for a camping knife, IMO.
The VG1 steel holds an edge quite well. Better than 440C, about as good as VG10, probably not as well as S30V.
Click to expand...

Same story around $100 AU.

I really am partial to the wooden handles and fat blades. So the Dokka or the freeman S30V are winning at the moment. BOTH of which i cant seem to get in/to Australia.

Thanks for the great response from everyone by the way.
 
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I know it's not one that you specifically asked about (also don't know about availability in your location), but I've found that a Buck 110 makes a good hunting/camping knife. Although I no longer hunt, when I did, the Buck 110 was my knife of choice. It made short work of game the size of squirrel on up to deer. Also, quite a few fish. I continue to use a Buck 110 as a camp knife. It's not as "modern" as the two Gerbers pictured, but it is still a very functional hunting knife IMO. I believe places like Cabelas also carries a version in S30V.

Buck110FoldingHunter-1.jpg
 
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as you said your budget is up to 150, why not try a ZT0200, 150 aud plus postage (12 bucks I think), from UC. I've just put an order for one and I intend to use it as an outdoors knife for dayhikes, when I don't want to carry a fixed blade (not to do with weight, more so I can pocket it easily)

Of course I don't know what your take is on liner locks, but from all the things I've heard the liner lock on the ZT shouldn't be a problem and is quite thick.

here's a pic from google images

ZT0200Review005.jpg


EDIT: forgot to add, you did say that your partial to wooden handles and fat blades, well the blade is pretty fat imo, but the handles are g10 so that might turn you off.
 
goodeyesniper said:
That Helle Dokka is absolute sex, know of any US dealers for it? Did a bunch of googling to no avail.
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Yeah, their listed on the helle site.
USA Dryad Bows knifes and blades Retail www.dryadbows.com
USA Ragweed Forge knifes and blades Retail www.ragweedforge.com
USA Jantz Koval Knives Knifeblades Retail www.jantzsupply.com
USA Garrettwade knifes Retail http://www.garrettwade.com

JCK said:
as you said your budget is up to 150, why not try a ZT0200, 150 aud plus postage (12 bucks I think), from UC. I've just put an order for one and I intend to use it as an outdoors knife for dayhikes, when I don't want to carry a fixed blade (not to do with weight, more so I can pocket it easily)

Of course I don't know what your take is on liner locks, but from all the things I've heard the liner lock on the ZT shouldn't be a problem and is quite thick. Where did you get the price for the ZT? i can only find one on ebay for AU $129.53 +AU $46.81 putting it closer to $180

EDIT: forgot to add, you did say that your partial to wooden handles and fat blades, well the blade is pretty fat imo, but the handles are g10 so that might turn you off.
Click to expand...

The ZT does look pretty good but your right in thinking the handle puts me off a little. Also to clarify when i said i like fat blades i meant the width of the blade not the thickness of the metal.
 
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Someone show me my perfect knife already! haha i know there's never going to be a perfect knife for every person. The Helle Dokka comes pretty close but i cant seem to get it yet in Australian. I like the Freeman S30v as well but same story.
 
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