All around camp knife

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
5,944
Hi all I'm new here, this might be my second posting...I'm sure this has already been discussed in numerous venues but in my research haven't found a satisfactory answer. I'm looking for a fixed blade sturdy camp knife for light camp duty smallgame hunting fishing, survival if need be, the clincher is I sometimes camp or spearfish, kayak and snorkel in marine environments, so that kind of limits me to stainless varieties of steel I'm looking to spend $100 or less I'm currently looking at the sog seal pup the sog field pup (I like the look, feel and blade size of this one but am concerned about it holding up) but am open to other suggestions the seal pup has aus6 steel and a bead blasted finish the fieldpup has aus 8 steel a satin finish and is abuout 20 dollars cheaper both have an identical rc scale of I believe 57-59 and kraton handles the disadvantage to the field pup is the lack of a kydex sheath which makes taking it in the water a little troublesome but like i said I'm open to suggestions I have been a user of knives in varying outdoor and work capacities for years But am a newbie in regards to understanding what makes a quality knife. I know the true answer to my dillema would be to purchase seperate knives for differnt outings, and have already done that, but now I'm looking for something that can shotgun most tasks adequately rather than accomplish them all perfectly any feed back would be helpfull forgive my rambling and naievity thanks.
 
both sound like good choices I'm not an expert but if they're good enough for the seals they'd be good enough for me.!
 
First of all, welcome to the knife world.

Those are good knives.

You asked for general advice about your new interest, so here is mine.

Performance, utility, blade steel, durability, and fit-and-finish (among a thousand other things) define a good knife, and they're usually primary considerations. For a camp knife to be used near saltwater, you might prioritize your requirements by utility, blade steel, performance and durability.

Another thing I suggest is not to place too much emphasis on the RC hardness of knife blades, as a newbie. Hardness is only an indication of how hard the blade is. A 57-59 HRC hardness rating for the camp knife you want might translate to "difficult to sharp in the field."

You're right to consider the sheath before you buy, too. Not only is water a consideration, so is carrying a big sheath knife in a kayak or a pack. Some experts recommend carrying the smallest blade you can use for everything you'll do, while others recommend the largest.

There are lots of camp knives available out there; it's a very useful design. Take a look at as many as you can and buy the one you can't live without.

Welcome to knives.
 
thanks for the warm welcom I think I'm gonna like it here, and thanks for the great advice as well..
 
Spend around $10 and get yourself a SwAK (Frosts [of Sweden] Swedish Army Knife).
www.ragweedforge.com
Stainless Steel, servicable plastic, ambidexterous sheath. Not long on pretty but functional as all get out.

Use it for a couple of trips and then see if you really need more.
And in the mean time you can save up for one of the more pricey knives.
After all, it is bladeforums and you're not gettin away with only one :D
 
I've thought about those as well they look sort of like a mora.. I was also considering one of the smaller beckers figured if I just wipe it down real good afer a water trip it might be ok, just a thought, Thanks!
 
again, welcome to the forum. I agree with EBB, moras are great, and the price wont hurt, at all,...ever :D.

But about the SOG's, If you want a knife for all thouse things I would take the seal pup. But there is also the seal pup elite. that uses AUS-8, which would be worth the extra cash. But there is nothing wrong with the regular seal pup, and it would work fine for you.
 
I wouldnt say major, but you'll notice the diffrence in how long it holds it's an
edge.
 
cool thanks alot, I prefer the seal pup elite because it is also available in a striaght edge, It also come in 2 finishes satin and titan I'm not eally sure which is better for holding up in a wet environment. I was also wondering If the seal pup or pup elite could hold up to some mild batoning for kindling, trap and shelter making, any thoughts?
 
also, I thought the pup was made from 440-A, aus-6 and 440-A are diffrent, but there pretty similar also. And the diffrence from Aus-8 and 440-A would be noticeable. But then again, I dont know much about SOG's heat treating, If the treat their 440-a like buck does their 420-HC, man, that will take a nice edge.
 
sorry dint see you first post, Yeah they would do that fine. Their built tough, I know that. Although some people dont like their grind.
 
thanks again this place is great. I'm gonna hit the hay but I'll check back in tomorrow thanks for everything.
 
RR welcome!

The knives you are listing are decent knives, sounds like you have a good idea of what you want, and you've done some homework.
 
When I look at the SEAL Pup I see a tactical blade made for military use. In particular the false edge, sharpened or not, makes the knife difficult to use for most camp chores. In my world a camp knife's job is 80% food prep and 19% utitilty tasks. That last 1% is for uses not planned for. My camp knives don't differ that much from my kitchen knives just for that reason.

For $100.00 I'd get a Mora SWAK, a Vic SAK, and a Wetterlings hatchet or small axe. I would not buy any double edge knife.
 
and ya know, If our looking for that one knife to do it all type, And if you can find one, get a BK7, and back it up with a quailty folding knife, multitool and or a SAK.

Thats what I do ;)
 
Ditto on the moras. The stainless models are excellent for kayaking. I had one that hung from the strap on my PFD in it's plastic sheath. Hard to get more bang for your buck and horsepower to weight. Beware, collecting moras is soooo easy. Betcha can't own just one :)

I'm a fan of one little knife, one bigger knife. Something like a SAK Classic or a Leatherman Micra and another bigger toy, but not too big-- you do need to haul it up and down hill. I have a Becker Necker and I'd like to find one with just a little longer handle. A knife of the same blade type with another inch on both ends would be more than enough for hiking. I like the idea of the Victorinox Trekker too. I'm looking for a nice flat-ground folder with a 3.5" blade for EDC and backcountry use too. So many knives, so little me!

Anyway, the little knife with scissors can open packages, trim your toenails, manage your nose hair, trim loose threads, etc, etc, while the bigger one can do kitchen chores, whittle a makeshift tent peg, and save your bacon doing more extensive survival craft if something comes unravelled far from home.
 
yeah I couldn't agree more I typically carry a leatherman wave as one of my everyday carry knives and it come with me as an enhancement piece in the field seems the more I learn the more confused I get I think the blade of the sog field pup is more suited towards camping/survival than the sealpup but the seal pup has reputed amphibious ability and has supposedly passed rigorous testing. there are also other candidates like a sthe smaller becker combat utility the benchmade rant/the buck vangaurd and a few others thanks for all the input so far.
 
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