Best folder for camping/outdoors

K

Kartoffel

Joined
Feb 11, 2004
Messages
4
What do you guys think is the best camping knife? It has to be a folder.

I don't plan on using the knife to dig or chop. Mostly just mundane camp stuff. Cutting string, slicing summer sausage, cutting the cheese ;), most any other cutting duties. I'd like to have the option of cleaning squirrels or rabbits and possibly fish. No larger creatures.

I mostly want to get a folder around 3.5-4" and i can only carry one that size hiking or outdoors because of the laws here.

I'm probably most leaning towards the AFCK because I've always wanted one and I could never justify it because I can't edc it. I don't know how that would handle cleaning game but I don't know what knife would be ideal for that.

Any other good knives to consider around $100 price range.

Eventually I'll get a strider smf or sng but not for a year or so.

Have fun
JP
 
The 806 would be an excellent choice, as would a 710HS. The 806 has a more secure handle, the recurve makes the 710 an excellent cutter. But those would be the 2 at the top of my list.
 
An SAK with a locking blade, saw, scissors, corkscrew, tweezers, magnifying glass, reamer, screwdrivers, can opener, file etc is the best camping folder, bar none.
 
Personally, I have difficulty with the ergonomics of the AFCK, just my opinion, try to make sure you hold it before you buy, if you can.
Another really excellent choice would be the Spyderco Native.....
 
Emerson Mini-Commander. Lots of belly for cleaning/skinning and really tough.
Simple design can be serviced easily or sloshed out in a river. Chisel-edge is tough and easy to field sharpen.

If you want to go cheap...
Cold Steel large Prolite clip-point. Designed for what you're doing. I have one and it's impressive for it's price. It's one of the few CS folders I really like a lot. It stands out from the rest in their line in my experience in USING their folders.
 
"a knife is the most expens...." .... :o
Oops saw FullofLead and went into lecture mode... ;)

Seriously, I am getting an 806 for that very purpose. I love the ergonomics of that knife in that it's shape allows many grips. It works for food chopping and for slicing. For a cheap option, pick up the older Ascent veson: FRN handles ATS34 blade. I got one for around $30 - can't beat it, but I sure have... ;)
 
$10 Opinel if all you want is a cutting tool. The Opinel is nice and thin so slicing food is easy. The blade amterial discolours quickly but they are sharp as hell and if you lose it you are out of poacket by 3 tall Latte's ;)
 
Bobby B said:
"a knife is the most expens...." .... :o
Oops saw FullofLead and went into lecture mode... ;)
Click to expand...

LOL! :D Ahhhhhh! :D

I'm restraining myself from using a bunch of misspelled cuss words against you right now ;) :D but I already got in trouble for that earlier tonight so I'll play nice. :D

But seriously, we've taken up enough bandwidth with "my issue" so let's let Kartoffel have his thread back without spoiling it anymore with leftovers from other discussions. :)

Back to the subject...

Kartoffel,
In my opinion, I don't think the AFCK is a good choice for your uses. It's WAY to narrow a blade for most camp chores and DEFINATELY not for skinning or preparing game. If you WANT an AFCK, by all means, get one! I don't blame you. I have one. It's a fantastic knife but was designed for fighting - even though I use it for other EDC uses.

I suggested the Emerson Mini-commander because I figured the belly of the blade would make it great for cleaning/skinning game.

BUT...
If you look, you should be able to find PLENTY of knives DESIGNED FOR OUTDOOR use. You probably want a drop-point or trailing point blade that's flat ground. It should be stainless or coated to resist corrosion and be somewhat tough if you're not going to have a fixed blade also.

BUCK makes a Crosslock or two designed for outdoor use and I can vouch for the design because my Stepdad used the non-outdoor version for a year as a towtruck driver/auto mechanic and used it HARD and it held up.

I would also suggest a Spyderco, especially the Impala.
 
Well, my favorite outdoor folder, along with a good SAK is the Sebenza. Yeah, I know, it's way outside your price guideline, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. I like the Sebenza for this use because it is very tough and will soak up abuse with no problems. I split kindling with mine, using another piece of wood to baton down on the blade. That will wreck the lock and/or the pivot on a lot of folders, but not on the Sebenza. The other reason I like the Sebenza for outdoor use is that it (the Sebenza I mean) is so easy to clean. Using your knife in the woods means gunking it up. The Sebenza is a snap to disassemble, even in the field. That means a lot to me.

With regard to less expensive knives, I've had pretty good luck with the Benchmade 710, too. Cuts great, good ergos, nice, long, pointy blade. My only reservation about the 710 is the axis lock. Sure, it's a great locking system, but it's also a major pain to clean if it gets gunked up. There's no way you're going to be field stripping your 710 (or your new version AFCK, for that matter) if you get mud in the axis lock.

Another option would be the SOG Tomcat. I like lockbacks, especially for outdoor use, and the Tomcat's lock is excellent. The Tomcat's blade is particularly stout, so that, while it may not be great for slicing, it will work well for general outdoor use/abuse.
 
Best all purpose folder in the world is the Buck 110 or if like a little smaller version get the 112. No other knife comes close to the quality and verstility for $30.00!

Throw in a $17.00 SAK Soldier, Pioneer or Farmer and you have all the knives you will ever need for camping or just hanging out in the bush like an Eskimo! :eek:

Collecter
 
I would go for something classic, like

SAK with lockblade
Opinel
Laguiole
Navaja (my favorite :D)
Linder Jagdmesser
Buck 110

they're all NOT pryer, digger or chopper, but great slicer and..... beautyfull :D
 
you may also wish to consider the Microtech amphibian. I believe they run around $120 in the after market...
 
Take a look at the Blade-Tech Professional Hunter with G-10 scales. Designed by Tim Wegner, an avid outdoorsman, it is the third generation refinement of his original custom design. High tech materials well executed around a design that works in the field.

It can be had for less than $ 100 at BladeArt or Stellar

If you are on a tight budget, go with the Opinel as recommended by Temper.
 
I'd go with a locking blade SAK. The Rucksack or Trailmaster are good choices.

Paul
 
I've got an AFCK (old liner locking one) and love it, but haven't used it for much of anything outdoors. I've also handled one of the Wegner Spyderco's, and it was one of the most comfortable folders I've held.

That having been said, if you want to spend around $100 for a 4 inch outdoors knife, look at the Howling Rat by Swamp Rat.
http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/knives.html I know you said "It has to be a folder", but if you can't EDC the knife anyway, why not make it a small fixed blade and NEVER worry about the mechanism failing?
 
I second Tim Wegner's new Professional Hunter.

It has a flatground blade as a refinement over the original and an S30V blade with G10 grips.

I love mine for camping.
 
Agree with others, top choice has to be one of the many SAK's. Lightweight, a myriad of tools to handle anything under the sun and inexpensive to boot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top