Best Camping/Survival knives under 100?

hughewil said:
Condor Hudson Bay for your big knife, mora clipper for general bushcraft knife, and SAK of your choice just because you should always have a SAK. All together around $70-$80
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Seems like a good set up.
I myself would suggest a Condor Bushcraft 5 inch and a Victorinox farmer.

He mentioned he doesn't want to do batoning and that he thinks its meant for an axe so he probably won't do much chopping either.(?)
So a big blade like the Hudson Bay is perhaps not needed.

Edit.
Nevermind, just read the op's post above this one.
Your recommendation is definitely better.
 
I just received a Condor Tool and Knife Varan. It is sweet. If it is anywhere near as tough as my Kumunga it is sure to be a favorite. You may want at try a Rodan for the size knife you are looking for. A ton of bang for the buck in the Kumunga, Varan, and Rodan. $20-$35ish in 10", 8", or 5".
 
BECKER.... BECKER !!!!
For a very good price (WELL UNDER $100), these knives will last you a few lifetimes. They are built like tanks and will do anything you need them to do!

Look up the BK-07 or the BK-02. If you are looking for something smaller, Kabar has a new line out of camp knives called the MARK series. Look those up to. Good luck to you!!

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Beckerhead #32
 
thanks to everyone who contributed so far, but im honestly looking into a coldsteel bushman bowie. opinions? and the bushman or the varan? something of the sort, maybe shorter, but the bushman is looking good to me right now. opinions? also, is the sk5 better than 1075? and is it comparable to 1095, or even d2?
 
I have been thinking of a varan myself to pair with my mora. regardles what you do you should get yourself a mora for the trip.
 
I checked out a CS bushman at a show a couple of months back. It does not have a very good handle on it. It would be more difficult to use for the tasks you mentioned than the other knives. The idea behind it is valid. As a lone survival tool (cutting fuel, making shelter, making a spear for fishing or defense) it is a good choice. As camp/bushcrafting knife it is not the best choice. Does sk5 refer to the steel used in the bushman? because of the low price of the knife I'd guess it would be comparable to 1075. Probably not as good as good heat treat 1095 and D2.
 
I like my BM Rant D2.
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Wow, the rant looks really good! I would of put camoform tape on the handle of the CS bushman anyway.. but so far im definitely with a mora, and im looking into the rant now. Whats a good steel that doesnt rust easily>
 
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The CS Bushman Bowie was one of the first knives I bought. I loved it when I got it, the handle could use better grip but otherwise it was a solid knife. The design was the main point I got it(along with the price), I like the hollow handle for all the possibilities it brings, and with the fairly big blade it was decent at chopping at brush.

Then after lots of research and reading many threads, I decided to get a BK2. Man, that knife is something else. The blade just feels so solid, nice and heavy, and the blade itself is very thick. Id say its almost twice as thick as the Bushman. The thing feels indestructable, I dont think I could bend that blade using my strength alone, and its nice and sharp. I find its great for splitting wood, which is great when its time to make a fire. The BK2 will make short work of saplings and other plants when making a shelter, plus its small enough that you can do more detailed work. A good knife is a multi-tool in itself, and the BK2 is a very well made knife, Id bet the knife outlasts me.

When I bought the Bushman I also bought the CS Canadian Belt Knife, and I still absolutely love that knife. It was very cheap, but the blade was really nice. Its made with 4116 Krupp steel, and the blade has a nice feel and is very sharp. This knife is very light, barely weighs a thing, so Ill still bring it with me. I like to use this knife for cooking, food prep, things like that, and I save the heavy dirty work for the BK2. You could probably get this combo for under $100, so I recommend it!
 
the benchmade rant is quite a nice blade. they've gone through a fair evolution over the years, but i've got the bowie style in 440c. there's a bowie and clip in d2, and the newest ones appear to have gone back to 440c with two more blade options and a sheath upgrade. i do wish i had the newer molle compatible sheath, the old leather one is very nice quality but less versatile. came shaving sharp and is very comfortable, light, and well made. for the price it's a real deal imo. good luck!
 
If your not going to split wood with your knife then all you need is a mora. Or a swiss army knife really. Most any slip joint would be fine too. Food prep, wood carving and line cutting can all be done with just about any knife. No reason to buy something big and expensive and thick.
 
Boxterr said:
Wow, the rant looks really good! I would of put camoform tape on the handle of the CS bushman anyway.. but so far im definitely with a mora, and im looking into the rant now. Whats a good steel that doesnt rust easily>
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The 440C steel that the Benchmade Rant has is a very good stainless steel. The Rant fits between the Fallknieven F1 and S1 as far as design parameters. And at 1/2 to 1/4 the price appears to be a good deal. The primary difference being the excellent laminated stainless steel that the Fallknieven has. Moras' Sandvic stainless steel is also very good. You can probably get the Mora and the Rant for @ $100. There are a lot of good knives in the $40 to $80 range!!
 
The Buck 119 'Special' is pretty useful - and if you have a well-stocked WallyWorld sporting goods area, it's available and reasonable (<$34). It's 6" x .175" 420HC hollow-ground clip blade can do a lot of camp chores. Made in the USA, too (.... except for the sheath!).

Stainz
 
For under a $100.00 this combo should get you through the night. I know you were just asking about knives. But nothing like a saw for processing wood efficiently and quickly.

Becker BK 9 $75
Corona 10" folding saw $20


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You mentioned already having an ax. Good. Unless you HAVE to Batton why dull up your knife right ? (Haven't quite figured out this obsession with battoning, but whatever)

For about $200 (ish) this combo is pretty good. (It's what I take when heading out, plus a SAK) Not much you can't do this bunch. :D

Becker 9 and saw
Huquvarna hatchet $40
ESEE 4 $100

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If you can throw a $15 Mora in there too. Great little knives.


Anyway - Have fun, stay safe, enjoy you trip.
 
You want to be able to do light chopping? Then you either need something that chops or a saw. Anything shorter than 7 inches is going to really suck at chopping. With that size you're really looking at having to use it in conjunction with a baton. Then you're talking batoning cross grain which is actually more stressful than batoning to split wood. If you really HAVE to have a "camp knife," the BK9 is a good choice and really the shortest knife I would choose. I personally would stick with a hatchet, machete, or saw. If you're worried about rust, the condor stainless steel machetes are reported to be just as good as carbon steel.
 
I hear that 1075 is great because it doesnt rust as easily due to a lower carbon content. that sounds nice, and i might just get a rodan.
 
I ALWAYS take my Ontario MK3 USN with me, i do believe the steel is 440C. It stays sharp and I love it in the outdoors. Of course on one of my last wilderness ventures i took my MK3, a CRKT SOTFB, Schrade folder and a 12" blade machete.
 
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