A Matter of Opinion

E

EvilGemini

Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
22
I realize there are umpteen "what knife should I get" thread (someone should make a stickie :P) however I need to implore upon user opinon here for a camp/chopper/bet your life on blade.

Having read alot of "what do you carry" posts here, it seems like most folks prefer a large blade (7+ inches) or an axe or saw, a medium blade (4 or 5 inches), then a small multitool like a SAK, leatherman, or gerber.

My first question is what does the 4" or 5" fixed blade do that the 7"+ or multitool blade can't ?

That being said I settled on a leatherman or SAK for detail work & a "portable toolbox" and a BG Wildlife hatchet for very heavy chores however am stumped for a "camp knife I could bet my life on" as described above.
There is hope! I have narrowed it down to the following:

Browning 580 Crowell/Barker Competition Knife
Fallkniven A1
Ontario RAT-7
SYKW Yard Hook (I like the beer opener :) )

That all being said I do most my camping in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia ranging from car camping to backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. Im addition I do a a full contact medieval wargame & tools etc on those excursions tend to get abused a bit.
My camp knife used to be a CS SRK but was lost in a divorce some time ago & I'm just now looking toward gearing back up :)

So, any an all insite is appreciated as I hope to learn from other's experience.

Thanks,
EG
 
of the four knives you have listed three seem to be a great choice and since i have never handled the browning i cant say for that one but the best least expensive on the list is the ontario...great blade and cutting abilty. i would stake my life on it any day. ihave a rat 3 in d2 and it has been used harder than bigger and badder knives and has outcut and outlasted them. thats what prompted me to get a rat 7 in 1095 for bigger stuff if his little bro can do it he sure can too...and guess what...he can and do it well. i just had to thin the scale for little girly hands..damn good knife use and feel good about woodslife!
 
EvilGemini said:
My first question is what does the 4" or 5" fixed blade do that the 7"+ or multitool blade can't ?
Click to expand...

Precise woodworking is something you can't do with the 7". And trust me, if your 4" fixed blade is no more precise than your 7" blade, then you've got a seriously crappy 4" blade - crappy for woodworking, that is, and it might be the best in everything else. As for the multitool, it can't do anything that actually requires decent strength. Sure, the better of them like the SwissTool Spirit can take some punishment, but would you trust them enough to baton hardwood with their knife blades? Uhh...
 
I am over 70 years old and have spent a fair bit of time in the outdoors. I have NEVER found the need for a 7+" chopper/camp knife.....particularily if I have access to a hatchet/axe or saw. For me it is wasted space and extra wight. That doesn't mean I don't own any or "like" them.

However, I respect everyones right to choose any combination of tools that works best for them in their wilderness travels. For my particular needs a 4" blade is plenty of knife. YMMV

- regards
 
My opinion is that if you are going to carry a hatchet you really don't need a big knife. One thing you might want to ask yourself though is what you use your knife for. If it's just splitting some kindling and pointing a few stakes go with a bigger one if you like. If you're interested in doing finer 'bushcrafty' things like making deadfalls, cordage, or any other wood working thing then you might want to lean towards a small knife that can be more precise and wont fatigue your hand. And it is nicer to use a fixed blade for that type of thing because they're stronger and usually more comfortable in the handle compared to a SAK or Leatherman.
 
Well, if you're carrying a Wildlife, you really don't need a big knife. The SAK (my preference for outdoors) or multi-tool (get's more urban use from me) will do a lot of minor work and camp chores.

I would look at a quality fixed blade with a 4-5" blade. Since you already of an excellent chopper, you don't need the extra weight and length of a large fixed blade. Additionally, a good knife/sheath combo in that range would be easy to carry on the belt and always be at the ready. The A1 is a good choice, but the blade is a little too thick for my taste. The RAT 3 is an excellent suggestion and has a good sheath system (if you don't mind Kydex-moulded plastic). Grohmann makes some good little knives or any of the Scandi-versions from Helle and other makers offer a wide selection to fit the bill.

I personally have taken quite a liking to the TOPS Pasaten model; the blade is a little longer than 5" (cutting edge is just under 5") but it is wide and thin...gives you a great edge and strength, and is easy to carry on the belt.

ROCK6
 
Since you have an Axe for chopping and splitting wood, I'd go with a light FB. No reason to carry extra weight. Something like a TAK or RAT would be overkill IMO. Personally I'd go with a Mora or something along those lines.

Myself in the warmer months I go without a dedicated chopper. I have a Brusletto fixed blade with a 4 inch handle and 5.75 (Roughly) inch blade, 1/8 inch thick, scandi ground and weighted towards the blade. It can do some chopping, has a nice blade length if you're doing batoning or slicing up vegetation, can carve well thanks to the grind and is still much lighter than knives I've handled with less blade length. It's quite versatile, I often pair it up with my reprofiled SAK Farmer so I have a dedicated precision blade and a saw which expands my capabilities some.
 
Thank you all for your responses. You have certainly given me some things to think about, including the possibilty of hatchet for winter, large chopper for warmer months. I could dream up possibilities all day long & remain stuck in the maelstrom on indecision for eternity. At some point I'll just have to bite the bullet.

I never considered a duribility factor for a precision knife (maybe it's all those years I spent whittling with my SAK ;) )

I have a weekend long canoe/fishing/camping trip coming up & I think I'll let it help decide for me when I say "you know I really wish I had....."

Thanks again for the input, it's nice to pick other people's brains :)

-EG
 
Gramps said:
I am over 70 years old and have spent a fair bit of time in the outdoors. I have NEVER found the need for a 7+" chopper/camp knife.....particularily if I have access to a hatchet/axe or saw. For me it is wasted space and extra wight. That doesn't mean I don't own any or "like" them.

However, I respect everyones right to choose any combination of tools that works best for them in their wilderness travels. For my particular needs a 4" blade is plenty of knife. YMMV

- regards
Click to expand...

Gramps, Haven't caught up to you yet, but could not have said it better myself......I've got my fair share of larger knives, as I do like their heft, but only seem to use my >5" blades whenever I get outdoors. Today will probably be my Dozier Master Hunter.
 
To the bushcrafty people this combination is popular, living in Europe or US doesnt matter.

1A. Gränsfors axe about 50-60 cm or anything else about the size of a Nessmuk axe.

AND/OR

1B. Sandvik/BAHCO folding saw. A much safer tool than the axe and in most situations it is enough.

2. A REALLY good 4" fixed blade. Some people use a 2 dollar plastic Mora, some people go with a 500 dollar Strider but the popular models are the Mora 2000, the Fallkniven F1, some Ray Mears woodlore clones or Bark River.
There are naturally the JPSK and such but they have a saw on the back which voids two uses of the knife (batoning and scraping firesteel).

3. A multitool of your choice. PST, old Wave, Victorinox, whatever as long as you like it.

4. Bonus thing: a small folder, like whatever you want. It can be a SAK, it can be something fancy. A Fallkniven U2 is a good choice. Not necessary but nice to have.

This is the basic setup. To make the trip complete you need a Swedish Firesteel and a "pee test" jar with cotton balls with petroleum jelly.

One other thing. When you find the knife you really like, get a second one, identical or of the same quality to keep as a spare in your pack. Put it in a bag with firesteel and tinder and emergency food etc. Just in case.
I do not remember who pointed out the good thing to bring a spare. If someone drops your knife in the lake the first day you have to make do with the multitool as basic knife for the duration :(

If you feel the A1 is too big, try the S1. It was developed as a forest knife and is considered a big knife in Europe :)

Whatever knife you choose, RAT, FK, CS (not!), BR, Ont., whatever the most important thing is that you feel comfy with the knife. If you then find a carbon knife to be the most comfy, you have to live with the care you have to do to it, A stainless is harder to keep sharp, but is on the other hand sharper for a longer period.
A knife with a saw on the back destroys the firesteel and the baton you use. A knife with serrations looks cool but is a real pain to sharpen in the field.
A convex blade is really easy to sharpen in the field, a 600 paper on your thigh.
The sheath is much a thing of taste. The classic scandinavian dangling leather sheath is popular as well as the tactical combat kydex, zytel sheaths.
Same thing there. Get both and get a feel for it. If you wander around between forest/outback and the city a leather sheath might be "cute" while a tactical sheath tied to your leg looks "combat". There is nothing wrong with "tactical sheaths" but you dont go to the opera in BDUs :)
At my place you see lots of hunters and outdoors people with a small 3-4" puukko type knife peaking out from their pockets while shopping food. Even a JPSK or a LMFII tied to my calf would arouse lots of people :)

If you have the possibility, try to find a knife store and pick out the ones you think is good, then ask the dealer for help and feel the knife.

Good luck with your knifebuying. By the way, if a big knife was the best knife the Fallkniven MC1 would be the best survival knife :). The other reason that you should pick a 4" is that it is small enough top be carried all the time. You can even use a neck sheath if necessary.

How about getting a WM1 or F1 blade and make a fancy leather neck sheath and carry is as a last resort knife :)

Here is my combo http://hem.passagen.se/nodh/trio.jpg
 
Big knives are big toys, IMHO. If you want to haul all that steel around the woods, it's good excercise :) They certainly can be used, but it comes down to maximum ultility for weight when you're hauling the stuff under your own power.

In a survival situation, a 4" (or smaller) knife will be more appropriate for making traps and other more precise wood-working, cleaning small game, and preparing food in general.

A 4" fixed blade can be supplimented with a small multi-tool like a Leatherman Micra and a saw like the Gerber and Kershaw folding saws. For a little extra weight, the small axes like the Vaughan Sub Zero, Wetterlings, and Gränsfors Bruks can be used.

IMHO, the only real reason for hauling saws and axes is for all-out survival situations where larger wood needs to be cut for fuel and shelter. When hiking or camping, you shouldn't be tearing up the woods -- practice Leave No Trace so the next guy can enjoy it too. If you want good CYA with a group, each person could carry one of the arger tools like a saw or small axe, along with their personal tools leaving all bases covered.

I would have to be headed for some rough back country to want such tools and I would be getting so weight conscious with such a trip that a pound or two of steel and wood would drop off the list pretty quick. The Gerber Sportsman's saw is about 3.5oz and the Kesaw/Bahco folder is about 6.6 oz-- that's about all I would be willing to haul, along with something like a mora and a SAK Classic or Leatherman Micra. There's nothing wrong with quality folders like the Benchmade Griptilian or a Victorinox Trekker and they are much more reasonable tools for hiking.

I think the most punch for the weight would be a Leatherman Micra, a mora stainless or good folder, and one of the lighter folding saws. Most of the time I would head out with the first two.

My advice is to invest the weight of a larger knife in more coverage in your survival kit-- better first aid, shelter options, water treatment, fire starting, signalling, food gathering, catching small game, clothing layers, etc. For example, my Cold Steel Bushman weighs more than a mora stainless and an Adventure Medical bivy bag together; a RAT-7 weighs 13.2 ounces and I could make a really thorough PSK for 13 ounces weight.
 
EvilGemini said:
My first question is what does the 4" or 5" fixed blade do that the 7"+ or multitool blade can't ?
Click to expand...


Lots of solid opinions on this thread. One thing that I have not actually seen stated althought it has been hinted at I think. IMO most knives over six inches long are too thick for bushcraft, cooking chores, etc. They are too thick to clean fish and clean game effectively not to mention food prep or whittling stuff. There are some really thick 4" knives but they are usually designed for a specific purpose (tactical or self defense). A thinner 4-5" knife is what I would prefer if I already had a hatchet. The reason for a 4-5" fixed blade over a folder is it is almost always more comfortable to use and theoretically stronger becasue there is no lock to fail. I tried to make a fireboard with only my Spyderco Endura and my SYKW Dogfather and although I got it done I was really wishing I had my Mora. Endura was even too thick to do a good job on whittling the hole and notch.

Someone else said there is really no use to carry a big chopper or a hatchet while camping and I have found this to be true for me as well. I like to leave no trace. I carry a saw at least on my SAK for shelter building if I have to. Some guys obviously like to chop stuff a lot and to each his own. However I guess if we were talking about survival/ vehicle prep. I would definately opt for a hatchet or tomahawk and a small knife.

The only one I have on your list is the ScrapYard Yard Hook and it is a nice knife. It just feels more like a knife than my SRK does although the Scrapper 6 is my favorite for this larger size of knife and I have one in both vehicles (w/SAK, Mora, and hatchet) just in case.

Just some thoughts, I am still searching for the perfect combo too.
 
I have a BK-7. I've never carried it on my person. While camping it's relegated to the chuck box.

A carbon steel Frosts Clipper takes 90% of the workload, and A BM minigrip takes care of the rest.
 
I keep a machete on my pack for clearing and chopping, but have you ever tried to cut a steak with one ? Great for popping bottlecaps though.....
 
DeadeyeLefty said:
I keep a machete on my pack for clearing and chopping, but have you ever tried to cut a steak with one ?
Click to expand...

Ya actually I have, I have a 18" flat tipped machete that a local fella let me pick out for free w/ an M65 field jacket years ago. I prepped a very nice Irish beef stew w/ it. (beef, onions, garlic, etc :P) however I hear where ya'll are coming from and am rethinking my choices.

A special thanks to nodh, while you ALL have offer great advice his seemed to hit home. Maybe it's my Scandinavian blood.

Again you ALL have offered me many things to consider & altered what will be my final choice.

-EG
 
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