All purpose knife.

D

Diamond Dog

Joined
Jun 25, 2007
Messages
695
Hey all great to be here! Any suggestions on an all around dependable knife for camping/hiking/fishing/hunting. I know this is broad but I like the minimilist approach. I am currently looking at the Victorinox one-handed trekker and the Buck I believe it is called the summit, it is a folder multi-tool syle knife. I am looking more in a folder than fixed blade at this point. Thanks
 
More backpackers and hikers carry SAKs than any other knife. But really, almost any knife will do, as long as you're comfortable with using it, and it's sharp and reasonably durable. I would recommend you select a knife with a locking blade, light weight, and decent steel. I especially think you should check out the FeatherLite from AG Russell, the Spyderco Delica, the Opinel, and the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian.

I know you're looking for a folder, but for hunting and fishing I'd want a fixed blade. It's hard to clean the gore and blechhh out of folders, especially folders like SAKs that have lots of joints and moving parts. For lightweight hunting and backbacking function combined into a single knife, something like the AG Russell Bird and Trout, the Buck Pathfinder or Woodsman, a Scandavian knife like Mora of Sweden, or a Grohmann would all be fine choices.

Lots to choose from. Happy Shopping!
-Bob
 
The Vic OHT is an awesome knife. I thought the saw would be useless, it is great. I have the Bundeswehr version. It is paired with a Mora Clipper when I go camping.
 
Thanks for the feedback all. I have considered the buck woodsman. I think I read somewhere that you can use the bench-made griptillian to gut a deer? Does this sound plausable?
 
Really can't beat an Opinel folder. For less than $20 if you lose it in the field it isn't a great loss.
 
Does the opinel rust fast? Maybe it was me but mine rusted quick I used it alot to clean and gut alot of trout so maybe that is why. I know the blade is carbon so I probably needed more cleaning time on it.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

You can get a stainless Opinel now. I think they are using 12C27 which is pretty impressive.

Even so, I would also recommend a small fixed blade instead. it's A LOT easier to clean. Check out the Mora models at http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

The wooden handle models are traditional. Further down there are plastic handles including the Mora 2000, probably their best. They also have filet and butchering knives, slightly larger.
 
Diamond Dog said:
Thanks for the feedback all. I have considered the buck woodsman. I think I read somewhere that you can use the bench-made griptillian to gut a deer? Does this sound plausable?
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You absolutely could use a BM Griptilian to gut a deer. But, you could also use any other knife mentioned to do it. The SAKs are a little small and certainly less than ideal, but it surely could be done as long as the knife is sharp....the sharper the better. You'll really appreciate a 3" to 4-1/2" fixed blade during any of the process but especially when you get to sinew. The BM Grip would work just fine.
 
The mora's are nice and I know alot of survival schools prefer them but I don't know why the blade seems real flimsy, albeit razor sharp. If I carry a fixed blade I would want something a little more stout for sticking/digging chores etc. Where I do alot of my outdooring there are mountain lions so I would like the steel on my hip strong enough for tougher duties. But really you can't go wrong for like 10 dollars on the mora's.
 
Does the opinel rust fast? Maybe it was me but mine rusted quick I used it alot to clean and gut alot of trout so maybe that is why. I know the blade is carbon so I probably needed more cleaning time on it.
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I've never had an Opinel rust, and I carried one for years working in the Arkansas forests. Perhaps mine was a stainless model back then? Or perhaps when you used your's for fish cleaning, you didn't get all of the "gunk" out of the handle.

As I mentioned earlier, the Opinel is a great knife for general camping, backpacking, and outdoor use. But for cleaning game and fish, I'd go for a fixed blade.

The Mini-Griptilian could be used for cleaning a deer, just as well as any fixed blade of the same size. But the axis lock and other parts of the knife would be very difficult to get clean.

I'm not only concerned about rust and corrosion from animal 'parts' being stuck in the nooks and crannies of a folder, but sanitation and food safety as well. Clean a squirrel and a a few fish with you folder, then use it back at camp for slicing cheese and cutting vegetables? I wouldn't...

Very interested now in the A.G Russell bird and trout knife...
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My backpacking knife and EDC is thre AG Russell Hunters Scalpel. The Bird and Trout is a larger version of the Hunters Scalpel - same materials, same locking sheath, and similar design. The Hunters Scalpel has easily performed every cutting task ever encountered outdoors or at work. Sadly, the Hunters Scalpel is currently out of production, but is supposed to be re-introduced with some improvements in the future. In the meantime, I think the Bird and Trout would be an excellent choice, and very affordable.

Happy Shopping,
-Bob
 
The mora's are nice and I know alot of survival schools prefer them but I don't know why the blade seems real flimsy, albeit razor sharp.
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I have several Scandanavian knives including samples from Frosts, Helle, Ahti, and Eriksson. My Mora knives are the wood handle models which have full-length tangs. None could be described as "flimsy", and they only cost a few dollars more than the plastic models.

-Bob
 
I like the red handled mora's better. I was at a gun show once and there was a light blue plastic handled mora and I think it was more of a fillet knife 'cause it had a lot of flex on it. After a little browsing around I seen the Charles May knives and they look real good. Some of those fixed blades are in a size that may suit my needs. I usually carry 3 knives when I am out and about fishing and stuff. But I am trying out new things, techniques and such where I am trying to carry what I need, but less... thus my inquires on a folder/multi-use type of carry. But definitely not a leaterman tool...I just can't get use to them. Thanks for all the input. This site is great place for knowledgeable and useful info. But it seems like it is easy to want, want and want more knives!
 
I have a sog seal pup. It has a sharp edge that it seems to hold very well and its also a good size, not too big but still big enough to get the job done.
 
Diamond Dog said:
Does the opinel rust fast? Maybe it was me but mine rusted quick I used it alot to clean and gut alot of trout so maybe that is why. I know the blade is carbon so I probably needed more cleaning time on it.
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The carbon blades might rust if exposed to lots of water and fish guts. Like Benyamin said, you can get them in stainless now.
 
heh heh, welcome to Bladeforums Diamond Dog. I love this place - they come here with a simple question and we send them away in a straight jacket:o

Another good allrounder, I reckon, is the Spyderco Pacific Salt. Not sure how it would go for dressing game but it's a good EDC and makes a great fishing knife. OK edge retention and it's easy to sharpen.
 
I am currently looking at the Victorinox one-handed trekker...
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Look no farther, you have already found exactly what you seek. :thumbup:

Actually, any of the large locking-blade Victorinox knives are great.
Like my Vic Adventurer...

knives078.jpg


It performs better than many knives that cost three times its price!
And the screwdrivers are handy for tightening screws on fishing and camping gear too.

Good luck,
Allen
 
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