All purpose camping, hiking, sailing and canoeing knife?

D

Dude Crush

Joined
Nov 22, 2004
Messages
30
I suppose it’s comforting to know that the knife you carry could, if need be, cut through a car door. But for myself anyway, the knife is mostly used to eat with, spread peanut butter, cut vegetables, cut rope and cut feather sticks for kindling. Okay, maybe a fish once in a great while, but not bear, cinder blocks, refrigerators or other campers. Now the point…

The Swamp Rat Howling Rat or Bog Dog. (http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/knives.html) Guaranteed forever, “combat” ready, kill anything (including refrigerators and cinder blocks apparently), SR101 or D2, more than a little aggressive.

OR

The Gohmann #1, 2, 3 or 4 (http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/outdoor.html) Simple, elegant, 440C and doesn’t scare the other campers.


One of each would be optimal (if not one of each model), but if these were your choices…which would you choose?
 
Fixed blades are way over the top for most outdoor activities. Here's what you need:

0-8863.jpg


Victorinox Rucksack

12 features:

1. large lock blade
2. corkscrew
3. can opener with
4. - small screwdriver
5. cap lifter with
6. - screwdriver
7. - wire stripper
8. reamer, punch
9. key ring
10. tweezers
11. toothpick
12. wood saw

maximus otter
 
Dude Crush said:
I suppose it’s comforting to know that the knife you carry could, if need be, cut through a car door. But for myself anyway, the knife is mostly used to eat with, spread peanut butter, cut vegetables, cut rope and cut feather sticks for kindling. Okay, maybe a fish once in a great while, but not bear, cinder blocks, refrigerators or other campers. Now the point…

The Swamp Rat Howling Rat or Bog Dog. (http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/knives.html) Guaranteed forever, “combat” ready, kill anything (including refrigerators and cinder blocks apparently), SR101 or D2, more than a little aggressive.

OR

The Gohmann #1, 2, 3 or 4 (http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/outdoor.html) Simple, elegant, 440C and doesn’t scare the other campers.


One of each would be optimal (if not one of each model), but if these were your choices…which would you choose?
Click to expand...


For camping, hiking and canoeing, I would strongly recommend something with a corkscrew and tweezers.
 
Given the description of what you're going to use it for, and the two choices, I'd go with the Grohmann. It's a sweet knife (comfortable in the hand, sharp, easy to maintain)...had one years ago, lost or gave it away, and am now trying to figure out which of the styles you list I'm going to get. I go back-and-forth with the #3 and #4. Been looking at those colored handles they offer on their site too...
Good luck.
PS: And carry a SAK folder in your pocket!
 
I vote Grohmann I have two, one wood and one stag. Durable, natural handles, very comfortable.

Happy shopping,
-Bob
 
That Howling Rat is a sweet looking knife - excellent warranty, better steel... And from the tone of your post, combined with the fact you list 2 SR's to the one other knife, I'm just guessing this is really what you want anyway - no? :D It's the one I would get. :)
 
For the chores you mentioned any of the knives you mention would work admirably. I think it comes down to asthetics, if you are looking for a knife that looks like an outdoors tool and not a intergalactic survival/escape tool then go with the groman or perhaps consider any of the knives made by Bark River knife and tool. Yeah yeah I know just wht you didn't want, some other option but hey they appear to be awesome knives and they scream classic outdoor tool, especially the models with orange g10;-)>
 
The Gohmann #1, 2, 3 or 4 (http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/outdoor.html) Simple, elegant, 440C
Click to expand...

Is that correct about Grohmann blades being made of 440C? I have seen complaints about Grohmann stainless being not so good, and some folks recommending the carbon steel versions instead. I always assumed their stainless blades were made of something like 420 or 440A.

One thing that bothers me about the Grohmann's is the lack of a guard on most models - at least, what I would call a real guard. Gently downward curving areas between the handle and blade don't give me much confidence, because such curves can roll over the hand if a knife is slipping. Most Swamp Rats don't have guards as such either, but the rubber handles give a pretty secure grip.
 
I've have my swiss champ for almost 20 years. I've never had a problem with rusting or any of the metal part wearing. Is better steal really that much better?
 
grohmann #1SF.
no contest, in my opinion.
swamp rat makes good quality blades, but they're way overbuilt for most people's purposes.
i, like you and most other people, will probably not need to punch through a car door or kill a bear with my knife, so i generally steer away from combat-oriented knives.
this also helps if & when you need to explain why you are carrying a knife to others, or (knock on wood) a law enforcement officer. it's a lot more likely that your knife will be seen as a tool rather than a weapon if it is designed as such.
peace.

edit: and the flat grind on the grohmann 1SF is just sexy.
 
DON'T GET A STAINLESS GROHMAN !!!

The stainless Grohman I had did not hold a good edge worth a tinkers d---. My Buck Woodsman and stainless Frosts from Sweden were way better. The Buck out cut the Grohman so bad it was not even funny!

If you get the grohman get the carbon steel FLAT GRIND. It will cut better and you will love it. I've been canoeing, kayaking and sailing for the past 30 years and a 4" blade knife has been just fine. I've used a Buck woodsman, Frosts Swedish army knife, and a carbon steel Grohman. I got the carbon grohman after I got rid of the stainless POS. I was never going to get another grohman but a friend loaned me his carbon one and it so impressed me I ended up getting one. It was like night and day as far as the difference between them.

I've spent most of my life playing on the Potomac river and Chesapeke bay and the knives I've used worked just fine. All backed up with a SAK or multitool.
 
Dude Crush said:
This will be my fixed blade. I already carry a Swiss Army knife and usually a Leatherman.
Click to expand...

Do you have a team of sherpas to carry your kit? I've done several long-distance hikes & bikes, always carrying everything I'll need. I have only ever carried an SAK. I've never felt the want of anything else.

Now that I have a Leatherman, I'd probably carry that as well on a bike expedition, but a fixed blade? Why?

We spend a fortune on titanium cookware, Lexan cutlery, down-filled sleeping bags and featherlight tents, all to shave ounces from our loads; then strap half a cutlery shop to our belts in case we have to fell a redwood or gut a gorilla!

SAK all the way!

maximus otter
 
I would go with Swamp Rat. Of general camping, food prep, etc. I would get a Bog Dog. They are very light weight, though, and sharp, and Resiprene-C handles are just awesome.
 
Either Swamp Rat would be a great knife. The Bog Dog will be the better slicer, and the Howling Rat is a do everything knife.
 
Since when did Grohman start using 440-C? :eek:
This is news to me because when I talked to a dealer at an outdoor show I was told the stainless they use is 440-A. :yawn: :(

What's the scoop fellas? Their designs are nice but their stainless needs to be seriously upgraded to stand up with those great designs, IMHO of course. :cool:


All the best,
Mike U.
 
puukkoman said:
grohmann #1SF.
no contest, in my opinion.
swamp rat makes good quality blades, but they're way overbuilt for most people's purposes.
i, like you and most other people, will probably not need to punch through a car door or kill a bear with my knife, so i generally steer away from combat-oriented knives.
this also helps if & when you need to explain why you are carrying a knife to others, or (knock on wood) a law enforcement officer. it's a lot more likely that your knife will be seen as a tool rather than a weapon if it is designed as such.
peace.

edit: and the flat grind on the grohmann 1SF is just sexy.
Click to expand...
I have a #1 & #3 Grohmann. I bought them when I went up to Nova Scotia in 2001 and I stopped by their store. My #1 has aluminium rivets and they are starting to discolor, I bought my Dad a #1 and it is doing the same thing. My #3 boat knife has brass rivets and is holding up well.

Does anyone have this problem with Grohmann knives. Other than that they are excellent knives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top