Advice for folding camp knives

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Fuori

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Oct 13, 2014
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I'm about to buy an orange Rat and a NS Trekker. I own a few Rats, but I've always wanted one in orange. I also already own a Trekker, but love it so much I'd like to have a backup.

The third knife I've kicked around buying with them is either an Endura 4 or a Pacific Salt with the plain edge. Would they be redundant since the Trekker is stainless and the Rat would do most of the same things the Endura would? I've read on here that the serrated Salt is stronger, but I'm not sure how feather sticks would be with them and prefer plain edges.
 
Having redundancy is great when packing out but there comes a point where you have to limit for weight.

That said, selecting a folding knife in plain edge as redundancy is solely your choice - just remember, it has to handle the tasks others won't / don't. The brand/model is moot.
 
Thank you for the advice! They all won't be going with me on the same trips. I meant redundancy in ownership. Sorry I wasn't more clear.
 
The Trekker is great because it is a swiss army knife. I have the Soldier models which are very similar.

I prefer a fixed blade, often a light Mora to go along with a SAK. A basic Mora will weigh as much or less than that RAT.
 
Agree, I own them and love them. My basic question is there value to owning a Salt if I own a Trekker? It's better steel, but will I ever really notice enough to justify the purchase? The same question of the Endura when I own Rats? All specifically with camping in mind.
 
I think the Endura would be a great backup to the Vic Trekker and very cost effective. The Trekker gives you the saw and large plain edge blade. Some other options along the same line; (1) Hunter XT which is a three layer knife with the saw, plain edge and serrated blades. (2) Swiss Soldier which is about the same as the Trekker with the partially serrated main blade. (3) Dual Pro X with the plain edge and serrated blades. (4) Spirit multi-tool.

For me, the Hunter XT might be a great choice but it would go inside my pack versus on my belt.

I don't think you need the Spydie Salt unless you just want it.
 
Nope, I don't want the Salt other than I heard it was a good stainless folder. I was thinking it would be nice to have if it was raining a lot on my trip because I wouldn't have to worry about it. If I won't gain much over a Trekker or Farmer I'm happy to cross that off the list.

Now it's just would I gain much with the Endura already owning a few Rats? It's not that much, so I could probably still buy the Orange Rat, Endura, and another Trekker for the budget I put aside for a PM2. It's a great knife and I've kicked around the idea of buying one for a while, but I'd rather have 2 or 3 knives I could use on different trips instead of one.
 
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I think the RAT 3 (or larger one coupled with the SAK) already covers the normal folder for slicing, finer cutting and so forth especially when you have a 111mm SAK. I would look at expanding my options rather than just duplicating what you have already. The Hunter XT would do that. I believe it is a new Vic model. But, I could never carry the thing comfortably in my pocket. I don't even like to carry a Trekker in my pocket. It depends on how much you rely on the other tool choices in a SAK.

A multitool (leatherman type) might be what you might consider as well. For me, I avoid using one except for the tools other than the knife as I find digging out the tools a bit of a pain on the fly. Certainly the tools available add a lot of potential capability for camping or hiking scenarios.
 
Fuori said:
Thank you for the advice! They all won't be going with me on the same trips. I meant redundancy in ownership. Sorry I wasn't more clear.
Click to expand...

Ah....well.....LOL!

ok, in that case.....

For me, I tend to stick with "what works." In other words, I'm happy with "X" brand/model for "X" job then I will tend to stick with that one particular blade.

I have two EDC blades. One is a Buck mini folder:

mini-buck_857DA12F_large.jpg


........and the other is a Buck Deputy Crosslock.

741568-crosslock.jpg


I have had both of those knives for YEARS and only recently, have I thought about replacing the Crosslock. I was thinking a Tanto Voyager as it's replacement. Why? For one, weight. The Crosslock is heavy. Two? Something new. I've had the Crosslock since it first came out/I saw it: that was in 1995.

So it took me 20 years to decide to carry another knife...and those reasons were stated above. If you like the blades you have, continue to get them. If you want a change for something 'different' then go for it. If you need to change for a particular reason, then definitely do it.
 
I don't need a change, but I'm always open to improving my collection. I don't own an Endura or Salt, so I have no idea how they'd perform in the outdoors compared to what I have. A fixed blade is always going to be what I primarily use, however a folder will always be in my pocket.
 
Fuori said:
I don't need a change, but I'm always open to improving my collection. I don't own an Endura or Salt, so I have no idea how they'd perform in the outdoors compared to what I have. A fixed blade is always going to be what I primarily use, however a folder will always be in my pocket.
Click to expand...

Oh I agree...a fixed blade [in my own mind] will always perform more/better than a folder for most things. Folders do have their place in any kit and in fact, I have an old Case folding hunter attached to my KA*BAR for in the field:

Mine:
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....which is this knife:

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Mine's pretty old, it was my father-in-law's and he passed it to me. It gets wicked sharp with a fine whetstone and has carved its way through a few hundred animals in its day.

They are still available on Amazon and highly recommend one:

http://www.amazon.com/Case-Cutlery-Folding-Hunter-Stainless/dp/B0018VF94C
 
Just a thought...

Benchmade Adamas 275.

Just about the toughest folder that you can get for the application you are seeking.
 
I've heard nothing but good things about Case knives!

The Benchmade is no doubt a great folding knife, but I decided I'd rather buy a few quality toys instead of one outstanding one. If I lose them or they get damaged it's not as big of a problem to replace them.

I can't find the topic, but I read something on here recently where someone paired a SAK with an Irwin Vise-Grip. I'm thinking of getting their 4" long nose and trying it out.
 
That 4" long nose is my most used vice grip and I just recently purchased another one (for different tool box). The disadvantage of the vice grip is that it pretty much does only one thing (and cut wire) which you can duplicate (without the locking feature) in a multi-tool and have additional tool choices. By far however, I use the pliers the most on my Vic Spirit and it fits into a nice pouch. Will have to dig out my SOG multitool (Power Lock) as I am curious it it actually locks the pliers closed.

If you like Case knives, look at Great Eastern Cutlery (Tidioute and Northfield lines) slip joints. They are a step above Case, but do usually cost a bit more. Queen has been producing some good stuff too. I recently purchased their S&M Large Gunstock Jack in stag which is a pretty large traditional folder (4.25" closed length). I like it. Also picked up a GEC (Tidioute) #42 Missouri Trapper (2-blade) which is also 4.25" closed length just this past week. As you can see, I like the 111mm SAK length. These are probably about the same weight as the Trekker or a tad more. I carry them in a leather slip so they are not so much a lump in my pocket and are protected from coins ands and so forth.

I feel the same way about Benchmade and for the most part Kershaw. Good knives. But I tend to buy other brands.
 
So, what justifies the Victorinox Spirit's $100 price over a Wave for example? Would the other tools be used more than those on a $40 Trekker and a $10 Vise-Grip stored in my pack? I agree that for ease of use it's absolutely going to be preferable because you'd have one tool on your belt, but I'm just trying to understand what the other benefits are.

I love the Farmer. I own one, I'll never sell it, and I will buy another down the line without question. I'd like another Trekker first because I like the extra blade size and the lock. If there is ever another orange, black, or red sale on the Farmer I will have my money out :)

Thank you all again for taking time to help me make these choices. I've eliminated the Salt and am not sure about the Endura now. That money may go into the Spirit or just stay in my pocket for future Farmer purchases ;) To me it's a great knife for EDC, but may not be ideal for my uses. Would anyone pack an Endura over a Trekker or Farmer for example?
 
I think my Spirit ran me about $80 from Lowes. I'm not all that experienced to be comparing Leatherman vs Victorinox vs SOG multi-tools. I own a Vic, a SOG, and a couple Gerbers (bought one a long time ago and have found several others since). The Vic and SOG are clearly stronger than the Gerber. I bought the Vic Spirit last year because I have confidence in Vic SAKs. No other reason other than I knew they were well built and strong. As far as justifying the cost over the long nosed vice grips, can't help you there other than to say that there are a lot more tools available on the Spirit vs the Trekker and they tend to be a bit more useable. That said, the pliers is the most common of the tools used for me. The other stuff is there if I need them. I view the multi-tool as expanding my capabilities and options (vs duplicating). But for real work, I'll take regular tools any day over any multi-tool. Remember, this is for the woods and you aren't likely to have your tool box with you. I feel sure you would be comfortable with a Leatherman product. Using and carrying a multitool takes some getting used to. I still tend to reach for the knife first.

The Endura is a good knife. Have two (fully serrated and plain edge). I am more comfortable using the Delica personally and carry it from time to time along with my SAK Adventurer. I see the biggest cutting advantage of the Endura over the Trekker is a longer blade if that is something that you would find more useful. I would probably not carry my Endura in the woods. I'd rather carry a slip joint than either the Delica or Endura in the woods. Honestly, I would carry my Native 4 over the Endura in the woods and it has a smaller blade but I suspect a much stronger knife with the G-10 scales and S35VN steel. The SAK always goes with me or I substitute the Vic Bantam and carry the GEC #42 slipjoint.

I don't own a Vic Farmer. I tend to prefer the 111mm sized SAKs if I am going to carry one as a primary EDC. The Trekker is too fat for me to pocket carry comfortably.

Added: It just occurred to me that what the heck does this post have to do with camp knives? Of course, my tangent is to increase capabilities versus duplicating them. Just in case, the Vic Spirit would make a terrible camp knife. But that pliers might be handy for lifting a hot pot off the fire.
 
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Good points that make a lot of sense. I've heard the Spirit mentioned often in different topics and will have to find one to look at. I own a Wave and Wingman, but don't mind improving on them.

I couldn't find a Native 4 for sale, but saw a Youtube video and it almost looks like the Tenacious with better steel. Is that wrong?
 
They are hard to find and kind of expensive as far as I'm concerned. I believe you're right on the Tenacious, just have to check blade lengths. The Mannix 2 is a good one... a little larger than the Native.

If you have the Wave, I wouldn't bother with the Spirit and focus on a knife.
 
I'd like to see a SAK Spirit in person before I write it off. Like you I really enjoy their products.

I would still like to get something in the middle between the Rat and the PM2. The Manix, Tenacious, and some others were mentioned above, so are there any others that would be better than the Endura in the $40 to $70 dollar range, which would excel camping before I make my choice?
 
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