• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Advice on my first fixed blade knife for camping/backpacking

S

seventytwo

Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
9
I spend some time in the woods and on the river. I have a large Sebenza that I carry and I have a ax that I have found suits all of my chopping needs. I want to have buy my first fixed blade knife that would fill the gap between the folder and the ax. I have been considering the CRK Mountaineer line but I'm not so sure I want a round handle. Also the Pacific and the Green Beret from CRK, as well as in a more moderate price point the Ontario TAK 1 or the Rat 6 when it becomes available. I would love to hear your advice and suggestions on these knives and others to consider. I don't want to start a collection just have one really nice fixed blade in the 5-6 inch blade range that will last and feel great to use.

Thanks for the advice!
 
Check out the Bark River line... I recommend going to DLT trading or Knives Ship Free. Excellent outdoors knives that won't break the bank.

Specifically, the Gameskeeper II is in that size range, though many prefer a smaller knife in the 4" blade range.
 
SOG SEAL Team or SEAL Pup might be worth a look. I've got the "Pup" and it's pretty solid. I filed some grooves on the top of the handle to improve grip, otherwise it's kept me happy. Maybe an alternative to meet your needs.
 
The RC4 and RC6 are out really soon, they'd be a great option. I've just got a RAT7 but will likely pick up the RC4.

rc-4-photo.jpg

rc6-field-3.jpg


Anything from Fallkniven is another winner, but may be a bit more expensive. The F1 is a very popular blade around here.
f1-web.jpg


As mentioned, there are a lot of great knives from Bark River (BRKT) that are real winners. You might look at their Aurora, Northstar, Fox River, etc..


It's not as 'sexy', but a Mora is always a great choice for a general-use field blade. They're very light, very comfy, and easy to maintain, and CHEAP (~$10)! The 510 and the #1 are my favorites.
P8030027.jpg
 
Mora 510 or 711 9-12 bucks solid performes carbon steel blades... (ugly as sin) I you looking for something with a thicker blade and more pizazz bark river and fallkniven are bothe excellent
 
Spookypistolero beat me to it. A RAT or a Fallkniven F1 are two of the best production choices out there for sure.
 
First stop Fallkniven. As you're playing round water, probably last stop Fallkniven. Outstanding steel in simple, proven, well executed designs without compromising corrosion resistance. Nothing bigger, or disposed to rust, or hopeful that one day you will find ideal match for it's exotic construction need apply.
 
To me, camping and backpacking are two different things. And when I think backpacking, I think light weight. And that leads me to the mora 510. For camping, well-- I STILL like the 510.
 
You have an ax already. :thumbup:

You will be backpacking/camping. :thumbup:

Imo?
A 5-6 inch blade is way overkill. :thumbdn:

A well designed and made smaller fixed blade will be far more useful and versatile. Already some great suggestions have been made. :)

Search some of the threads on the woods trios and combos for a wide variety of knives and handle as many as you can. You already know quality with that Sebenza...
 
It's sounding like everyone is pretty much voting for the Fallkniven. Is there anything that compares that would be made in America? Thanks for all your suggestions!
 
Dan Koster is making some of his Bushcraft knives in stainless and I think one of the Bark Rivers maybe the Nebula? is in stainless. It's hard to go wrong with Bark River and they are USA made, but most of their models are carbon steel and you mentioned being around water.
 
you have gotten some great recomendations already...:thumbup: i would also have to say to check out bark river knives, fallkniven F1, RAT-3 or the RC-4... all are excellant all around field knives.. that should serve you well camping and/or backpacking...:D
 
Stainless is nice if you are not very good about taking care of your gear and like carrying the extra weight of some type of specialized sharpening system:p:D Take note that a lot of the "tracker" or bushcraft knives are made of simple carbon steels like 1095 and O1.
 
I like the Ontario TAK , it's about the right size for everything IMO:thumbup:
Also I like the Mora knives (cheap but awsome)
 
If you want one made in the USA then check out the SwampRat knives but you will have to buy off the exchange, the Ratmandu should fit your needs and holds it's own against any other like sized knife out there....
SaanichInlet115.jpg


The TAK you mentioned is also a great blade that I'm sure you would be happy with, here it is with another you should consider, the Dumpster Mutt from ScrapYard knives....
knives008-1.jpg
 
say bear... i see a mora 2000...Vic OHT....what's that 3rd knife w/ the green handle?

Bill
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top