Best folder for camping/outdoors

in your price range i would go with a buck/strider clip point. built like a freaking tank, can go wrong there.
 
All these "tactical" knives are the worst possible choices. An $8 Opinel will smoke any and all of them for the jobs you describe.
For corrosion resistance, and a wider variety of uses, I like the Vnox Outrider for versatility, or a smaller SAK like a Recruit or Tinker for the basics.
There's a reason you see so many old-timers with stockmans, or similar pattern slipjoints, too.
 
Like OwenM wrote, an Opinel is cheap and sharp. Will totally outcut the tactical folders listed.

A swiss army knife is another good choice, they cut well and have other tools, especially the saw.
 
Another vote for the opinel.. My camping kitchen knive is an opinel #12 with a 5 inch blade, and even that's kinda short. Food prep requires a large blade so any thinner long bladed knife will do... just be sure to wipe down carbon steel blades quickly to prevent rust.

On an off note, I used to have a master sargeant who carried a 12 inch Henckels in the field with him... said it outcut any Kabar or Randall he ever met...
 
My favorite outdoor folders are the SERE 2000 and the Cold Steel Large Clip point Voyager. The SERE will run you $120. The Voyager, $45. Both hold an edge well and are easy to clean. I do a bit of Canyoneering, and anyone doing will tell you that some places get very dirty. This is one reason that I will not take along my Benchmade 520. The axis lock is just too hard to clean out the fine silt/sand that can get in there.
 
Camping and Hiking are so vague... what will you be doing?

When I go camping, I generally take an axe, a wire-saw and a few knives...
 
I used a large locking SAK (The rucksak I think) for many years in the bush before I became a knifenut. It's still probably the best choice. The saw gets used almost as much as the knife blade. I also endorse the Spyderco Military for all the reasons that Buzzbait suggested and in addition; because it is always there. It's so light that it stays clipped to my shorts all the time. Other knives (including the LM Wave) tend to become public property around the main camp but my Millie stays on my person.
 
IMO, the Spyderco Military is the folder that you're looking for....

Full sized G10 handle, lightweight design w/open back(easy cleaning), strong nested linerlock, 4" S30V steel blade....and of course, the full flat grind which makes it an excellent slicer. :cool:
 
You have already gotten some really good suggestions and I will jump on the sak band wagon. I would also suggest that you consider a traditional slip-joint . A large stockman or trapper would be a good choice, I have used both alot and have alot of faith in them.
 
Another vote for the Victorinox Rucksack. That thing is a cutting machine. Plus, at less than $30, you won't be afraid to use it.
--Josh
 
KBR said:
IMO, the Spyderco Military is the folder that you're looking for....

Full sized G10 handle, lightweight design w/open back(easy cleaning), strong nested linerlock, 4" S30V steel blade....and of course, the full flat grind which makes it an excellent slicer. :cool:
Click to expand...

Tim Wegner's Blade Tech Professional Hunter is all this, plus dual nested liners, 4 position clip mounting option, and a much stronger tip design. OK, it doesn't have the "Full Flat Grind" but is an excellant slicer in it's own right. :D
I'd highly recommend it. Do some searching here on the forums for previous reviews.
 
The SAKs are very useful, but I would give one word of caution. They are not the most durable knives. I took a SAK with me when I moved to Germany, and relied on it for allot of kitchen and household chores. However, it did not take long to bend the corkscrew (they have allot of wine bottles in Germany that need opening). The steel is not so hard, so go kind of easy on a SAK.

The blade did work well for cutting up "kartoffelen", though. :D
 
the best outdoor folder is the one you have in your pocket.
I will always remember that guy that cut off his hand with some POS knife to free himself. That's why I have S2K clipped to my pocket.
 
I really like the Military for the type of things that you list. It as a flat grind blade and is now in S30V which really holds an edge. It is light and easy to carry. I haven't used mine to skin any animals but there is no reason that it wouldn't handle that task easily.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I really want a knife with a clip so I make sure it was always with me. My favorite/worst camping story is one night we were getting really ruffed up by a bear and we were in our tent. I had my SAK but it was in my pack wich was 40 yds away with my food (you know to keep the bears away hah)

well the bear was standing guard at the front of the tent. And I wanted out. It was then I realized that it is damn hard to get out of a tent without using the door or having a knife. So I vow to always have a knife on my person in the outdoors. And a clip is the only way to guarantee that (for me).

I don't really like slipjoints anymore, although I may just keep my little case trapper around for skinning animals.

I'll check out the military. I figure if I live in Golden, CO I may as well consider a spyderco.

Have fun
JP
 
roshi said:
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
Click to expand...

That's my recomendation as well. Dual nested liners, S30V blade steel, G-10 or carbon fiber scales, very ergonomic, excellent fit and finish, drilled and tapped for right and left tip up or down, etc. Construction suimilar to the military, but it has two nested liners instead of the single liner of the military. The tip is also stronger than that of the military.

ba02296.jpg


Blade Art has them for $94

http://www.bladeart.com/artists/tim_wegner/tim_wegner.htm
 
Not to ruffle feathers but...

I would pick a one-hand-knife over a traditional slip-joint. There have been many times when I needed to hold something AND get out my knife at the same time.

And I would choose a pocket-clip knife with a lanyard hole. Even if you use a pocket-clip, secure the knife to you with a light weight cord (long enough to allow easy use).

I also would advise against spending a ton of money on the knife. You can get a very well made and high quality knife for much less than $150.00 dollars.

My #1 pick:
Benchmade 550 or 551 Griptilian.

My #2 pick:
Spyderco Endura or Cold Steel Large Voyager. Not as strong as the Griptilians but very maintenance-free.

Here are two more knives that I would recommend except they cost alot of money (IMHO):
Spyderco Military
Benchmade 710

I would also carry a folding saw.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
I've been carrying a SS Spyderco Police while camping for 20 years. It will do 99% of what any camping folder will be asked to do. I use it for everything from making kindling, cutting tangled fishing line or rope, to slicing my steak. It is always hanging on my pants, and can be opened with one hand.

Allan
 
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