Advice for a first buy

I recommend an HI Khukuri. Mine seems completely indestructable, and it serves a variety of purposes around the camp (combo axe and machete).

As a sidenote, I have several taiwanese knives and they're all flawless.
 
snodog said:
Thanks,
I like those knives. That is kind of what Im after. One thing I dont quite understand is how some knives are so unveleibably expensive?? Is it the steel used? Does this mean that I cannot get a really good quality knife for around 40-50.00?
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Welcome to Blade Forums.
If you want to spend about $50, probably the best option is Spyderco Endura 4 or if you want smaller knife than Spyderco Delica 4. They come with stainless steel or FRN (fiber-reinforced nylon) handle. FRN is lighter and few bucks less expensive. I have Endura and love it. It come razor sharp, blade made out of very good steel, very durable knife. The same applied to Delica, but it smaller, blade length 3", Endura almost an inch longer.
Benchmade Griptilian also good option, but you will need more than $50 and if you will think about Grip, than make sure to buy a blade with 154CM steel. It is 2006 model; older knives had 440C steel blades. 440C is a good steel, but 154CM will hold edge longer and for some reason my Benchmades with 154CM come out sharper than 440C. Griptilian have blade length 3.4", also mini-Grip available with blade length 2.9". Griptilians have axis lock, which is very strong and fast. There are few models of Grips: 550 has a hole for opening, 551 has a stud, also they available with tanto blade.
More info on BM web site http://www.benchmade.com/
All these knives can have plain or combo edge, spydercos can be fully serrated (SpyderEdge)
Good luck
R
 
Define " camping".
Are we talkin' pickup truck, tent, KOA campground, Woodstock 4, Horsebacking for Caribou ?
Maybe Everest ?
I mean.. If I dont have to pack it in, physically, I take 3-4 items.. An axe, Bowsaw, Belt knife of some sort and a fillet knife.
I always have a good chef knife too.

If you equate backpacking to camping, which it's not,you need a nice, light, fixed blade or folder in stainless.
Backpackers don't have sinks so stainless is the way to go for cleanliness.
IMNSHO, folders are a sanitation problem so a fixed blade is always my choice
 
IMHO all the ones listed here are good choices. I just wanted to add a few to the list.
:thumbup: Buck 110- Not too expensive and tuff as nails
:thumbup: Spyderco Salt- won't rust
:thumbup: Victorinox Outrider- locking main blade and lots of other useful tools.
:thumbup: CRKT M16- good knife, good price
:thumbup: Gerber Gator- My fav for deer hunting. For me this is a great hunting knife. Good blade shape for dressing deer, rubber grips help you keep a good hold on it even if your hands are bloody, part serrated so if you need to cut grisal and the weight is not bad.
:thumbdn: S&W- stay away

One other thing to consider. Lots of folks here carry 2 or more at one time. I usually carry 2 myself. One locking blade knife and one smaller non locking blade( usually a SAK) The locking blade is for tuff cutting jobs. The smaller one is pretty much everything else and around sheepy people. Today I have a Spyderco Endura and a Victorinox Super Tinker.
 
Best camping and outdoors knife I know of is the Camp Tramp. Maybe a bit big but you can get you a smaller Swamp Rat if so. Something like the Ratweiler or the Bog Dog maybe. Once you handle one of these knives you won't look anywhere else.

STR
 
I wasnt going to spend a fortune since I will actually be using these quite abit. I am basically wanting a multipurpose knife for survival camping which is basically hiking far into a wooded area and using my survival skills to live with only a small pack. This is why I need a good quality knife that is durable. I see know though that maybe a midsized fixed knife and a nice sharp folder may be the way to go. How abou the Buck 650 nighthawk or the Kershaw Echo or Vertigo?? For a folder I was thinking the Kershaw Storm 2. Any feedback on these models??
 
snodog said:
Actually, I saw the taiwan printed on the blade...ugh....How about the Buck nighthawk for a fixed bladed knife? Anyone use one of these? It looks like a really sturdy blade.
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I fell in love with the nighthawk as soon as I saw it. It is a very robust blade that should last you a long time. It used to be my main survival knife but in my mind would be better if it had no belly. For a larger, very well made fixed blade I would recommend the Kershaw Outcast. Great steel (D2) very comfortable in the hand and fairly cheap.
 
Not quite sure if this is what you're looking for, but this is a survival folder designed from the ground up by a survival expert and Benchmade. Axis lock and S30V steel. Based on the Benchmade Griptillian, but upgraded for one-handed and survival usage. Can be had for just over $100.

http://www.equipped.org/rsk_mk1.htm
 
Going camping, (and can only take one knife) It'd be my KA-BAR 5.25 inch. Like carbon steel , but I'd carry a can of gun oil. If I could only carry one that is.
 
Benchmade Griptilian, or for less $$ look at the BM red class knives--excellent blades in the $20-$50 range!
 
I'm not sure if this has already been brought up... buy BRKT knives are fantastic. A2 tool steel, convex grind, and reasonable prices. Take a look @ the Highland Special. Perfect size general outdoor IMO. www.knifeworks.com

Also, don't look past a Mora. They are inexpensive (not cheap). I have several and non have let me down. www.ragweedforge.com

Hope this helps.
 
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