Backpacker needing new knife

N

NickM

Joined
May 1, 2002
Messages
43
Hello,

Recently I've realized I'll never be satsified with the knives I'm buying. I've been through several Kabars, Camillus, and Becker knives, and havn't quite found "the knife". Being a backpacker I want to only carry one knife that can do it all. The closest I've owned was the becker combat 7. It is a great knife, but I guess not great enough. Besides my friend really liked it so I let him have it. So, I need a knife that can slice, pry, chop, hammer, and stays sharp since I dislike sharpening knives. I want something that can take abuse. I've had a variety of steels such as ATS 34 and 55, D2, Talonite, the 01... Becker uses, and 440C. So far the D2 and the steel Becker uses have been the best. So, any suggestions would be great. I'm thinking Busse. I just question the value in purchasing such a beast because the previous knives I've owned really haven't failed me for the most part, but just havn't really met my very high standards. So, I'm debating basically between purchasing the Becker Brute, Companion or a Busse (the model is what I'd hope you guys would narrow down for me). Thanks,

Nick
 
You don't necessarily pay for the Busse, look for Swamp Rat lineup (run by Mrs. Busse).
You can always try the Becker Combat Bowie 9. It's like the 7 and some people like the 9 because it has a better balance. I couldn't tell you because I haven't got around to have one yet.
What exactly that you aren't satisfied with your previous blades? What came short for some of them? Chopping? Prying? Cutting?
 
Hey Nick....

Nick Scribes

"since I dislike sharpening knives"

I suggest then you get yourself an axe and a carpet knife, so you can replace the blades...:)

With all that chopping, slicing, prying and carving, you'd better take a crash course on sharpening knives..They don't sharpen themselves..:)

As far as what knife is for you....

It's a Big world out there Nick...Stick with brand names or makers you trust..

ttyle

Eric...
 
You might check out a Finnish Leuku or Lappknife.

Lapp knives are very traditional. They are based upon a type of knife used since several hundred years in severe Arctic conditions for a great variety of purposes by reindeer-tending nomads. The Lapps have used the knife for making fire, cutting dried meat and chopping wood, and huntsmen use it for much the same purposes even today. LINK

If you got a thick one (or a cheap one ;) ), it might even suffice for prying. I think a Leuku would definitely meet your other specs. Leukus have a traditional Scandanavian v-grind that is supposed to be very easy to sharpen. You can get them in various carbon steels, laminated carbon steels, stainless steels and laminated stainless steels and in various blade lengths and thicknesses.

Ragweed Forge

Kellam

Roselli

These knives seem to have quite a following here. I've picked up what I know researching them for myself. I'm sure other members will share their actual experience with these knives.

5229.jpg

(Photo from Ragweed Forge)
 
>"Being a backpacker I want to only carry one knife that can do it all."

================================

It's probably not what you want to hear, but when I'm backpacking, I'd much rather have a SAK or Leatherman than anything else. If I do add a second blade, it's my lightweight Endura. In fact, I can't imagine hiking with only a fixed blade knife - there's just too many cans to open, Bandaids to clip, ticks to pull off, camp stoves to adjust, etc.
 
If you want one knife to do it all, get a knife with a blade at least 9" long. It won't do it all, but it might come close. Busse Battle Mistress or a good HI khukri would do it.
 
I am going to have to agree with mnblade. After many years of backpacking, I find that all I need is a SAK. With cans to open and the most common material to cut is the plastic packing of my dehydrated food, I have never really had a need for an larg knife. And for fire, I normally use an ultralight stove or find dried out sticks laying on the ground. Plus the SAK has a saw for cutting smaller pieces of twigs. The SAK is lightweight but super practical.
 
I suggest a SOG Seal 2000 or the smaller Seal Pup, along with a Leatherman Supertool or SOG Powerlock.
 
This one is easy. Get either the Steel Heart (heavy duty) or the Satin Jack (lighter and a better slicer). Either one will be your best friend for life.
 
Buy two Dozier Professional Guide Knifes. When one gets dull send it back to Bob to be sharpened.

Get one in black and one in white micarta so you can track (it is hard to tell a dull Dozier from a sharp other knife)

Ben
 
Originally posted by NickM
The closest I've owned was the becker combat 7.
Click to expand...
So...what didn't you like about it, and what would you change?
Make a list, and start from there.
 
Ditto the comments on the Dozier's and Busse's! The Dozier's make awesome slicers, and the Busse's make incredible pry bars. My pref is for the Dozier's since they are better slicers & cutters (and that's why I carry a knife). A small hatchet (Granfors Bruks, Roselli, etc.) would be just the ticket for chopping chores.

Other knife makers I would suggest, from personal experience, are Trace Rinaldi and Rob Simonich. Excellent makers of excellent knives, including some larger camp types.

As someone said above, it's a BIG world out there with lots of choices. Enjoy the journey!!

AJ
 
you might consider the bk5 mag. camp knife. They just discontinued it, but there are still plenty around. Should work better as a camp knife then the bk7. I've heard several people say they use them as kitchen kives all the time. At the same time its large enough it should still do some light chopping. I just got one myself and can't confirm anyting yet (it came in yesterday) but it sure feels good in the hand.

Gutshot
 
I Think i Have a ''Perfect Knife '' Try a Bolo Design it will Chop all day Does not have the Big Curve of a '' Gurka'' or Kukkri Which ever You Call it!! Used Daily to Pry the Husk off of Coconut's All day and Chop Bamboo or Coconut For Firewood I Have used these Knive's in the Phillipine's alot They Can Take a Good Beating !! a Good Heat Treated one Lasted My Father in Law 3 1/2 Year's Before the Tip Broke!! That is a Daily Used Knife All Day Every Day !! Some Sharpening is Required !! The Blade is Made From a Truck Spring !! I Have a Couple I Would Consider Selling But Not Real Cheap !!
 
My own favorite backpacking knives consist of a Swiss Tinker and Spyderco Perrin. The Tinker really would be sufficient, but often when I'm "backpacking" I'm actually stalking around the woods lookin' for something to kill.

Anyhoo, my take on your question...I'd go with the Busse. Probably a Basic 5 or a "Killer Bee" if it was myself, but being as you seem to be a big knife sorta fella I'd suggest the Basic seven or nine. Reason I suggest the Busse is I think it's the most efficient cutter of the three, and I think it's the most well balanced between whittlin' sticks, slicing small cords, packets,chopping light wood,and uhmmmm....gee...prying up rocks?

I had the Becker Campanion, and I admit, I had to love it's brutal strength and it's size, but it when it came down to actual use I found that the blade grind was way too thick to really cut much of anything efficiently. Also, though it had an edge well suited for chopping, that short blade and the thick smooth handles could make that sucker get away really fast if I didn't watch myself. There are G-10 handles I've seen available that would fit it for like $60, but that would still only remedy one issue out of several in my mind.

Another problem I experienced with the Campanion is that I found it to be a total pain in the a$$ to sharpen I beat on it for an hour using various hand sharpeners before giving up and taking it in for a professional sharpening. Even the guy who did it professionally was amazed at how tough it was to sharpen. I eventually wound up trading it into that shop, and it's been there for almost a year now. I see it several times a month, but still haven't even remotely considered bringing it back home.

Ditto the same remarks on the Campanion for the Brute. Where the Brute's a bit stronger is in chopping, both efficiency and safety. Obviously you're giving up alot in handling, and agility and gaining even more in weight with the Brute. Basically I tend to think of the Brute as a bit of a stand in for a hatchet or Kukri.

Going into the realm of my own suggestions I'd suggest looking at a Becker Magnum Camp, or something from Chris Reeve, that is if you don't wanna get a Spyderco Perrin, which is by far the best fixed blade I've ever owned....

regarding the sharpening...your knife is gonna get dull, irregardless of what you do, I would most humbly suggest you learn to deal with it. I have terrible tendonitis in my wrists that aids in my obtaining injuries I don't know about until I see blood running onto the ground due to pain and numbness, so trust me I aint a fan of sharpening knives either.

Best ways I've found are three easy things.

First and foremost, don't let yer blade get so dull it's a pain in the a$$ to sharpen. Stay on top of it. sharpening always sucks when you have to bring a knife back all the way from butter knife dull back to a decent sharp edge. With all the folding diamond stones, and compact systems available it's not hard to find one that can travel with ya'.

Secondly look at some of the sharpening systems out there. a Lansky or Spyderco Sharpmaker are as close to foolproof as any device can ever be, and a properly trained and motivated chimpanzee can put a hair poppin' edge on a textbook with one.

Thirdly, I'd suggest getting outta knives with remarkably thick blades deep grinds, and super hardness. Granted they ARE tougher and DO hold an edge better, but all knives WILL go dull after extensive use. The super hard knives are harder to sharpen. The "prybar" style knives lose alot of cutting efficency in comparison to a thinner blade even when they have the same edge. It's just flat out alot more girth to drag through materials.

Anyhoo, I wish ya' the best of luck and hope you find the tool that best fits your wants and needs. Let us know what ya' settle on, eh?
 
First off thanks for the replies. I'm gonna try to give you all some more detail so I'll do it in list form.


1. Sharpening: I'm not going to say I like it, but it irritates me that after I chop through a 2 inch thick branch that the knife will no longer slice through a bag of food well. I bought a sharpmaker from spyderco and it seems to do a good job and its easy. I recently revived a 50+ year old Kabar that is a family heirloom with it. I guess it seems like the ATS55, 1095, Aus6, and 8 have not performed well for me. So far I like the D2 kabar impact knife I had, but sold for a benchmade with 440c which has also been very nice. The becker 7 also held an edge, but it was more of a feel thing. So I guess I'd like something like D2 because I thought it held an edge well.

2. Tasks: I guess chopping has been the biggest problem. Mainly because it seems to dull the blade, but the balance of the knives I've had havn't really provided a lot of power. Believe it or not, the Kabar impact spearpoint was my best chopper to date and its only a 4 inch blade. As for cutting and slicing the becker was a bit too much of a knife. Prying really hasn't been too much of an issue, but if I had to do it I'd like to know I wont crack the blade like I have with a CRKT.

So, I wouldn't say I'm a big knife guy. 5 inches to me is plenty big. To date I like the becker 7, but thought the handle was a little slippery, and that the knife at times was too much. The Kabar impact spearpoint probably had the best feel and balance. I'm sorry for rambling on, but basically I'm looking for a knife that will last a life time, be a great field knife when I backpack, camp, etc. As for uses most important first I'd say, general cutting, slicing, chopping, and then prying. Again sorry for the story but I hope I cleared some things up.
 
For backpacking? With a tent and stove? Busse?

Get outa' here.

The best backpacking knife I know of is the Camillus ARCLITE in 420HC. It is of zero mass, rust proof, and can be sharpened on a smooth river rock.
 
Being a backpacker I want to only carry one knife that can do it all.
Click to expand...

There is no such animal. The best we can do is recommend a knife that can do most things poorly. What works best is to have multiple layers of knives. Start with something like a stockman for general utility, add a medium size SAK for camping and hiking, and then add additional specialized tools (tactical folders, axes, fillet knives, camp knives, etc.) based upon the conditions you actually expect to face on the trip. There is little point in toting a heavy knife on a short well traveled walk, nor in taking one if someone else in the party has already brought one.

n2s
 
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