Best folding camping knife with blade length of around 3"

B

Bo-Ri-Do

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Oct 21, 2014
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I am looking for a good folder that deals with camp chores well, as a backup for my fixed blade. I would like something that has a blade length of 3" to 3.4", and has nice steel. It would also need to be under $50, so I won't be scared of losing it, though if it is a really good knife, but just over the limit t is fine. I also hate Spydercos and liner/frame locks. I am open to whatever is not filtered out above.

Thanks a lot for the help!
 
You're going to get a lot of people saying this:

Opinel #8. Cuts well, very tough, good steel, 3.25" blade, costs only twelve bucks so it's not the end of the world when you lose it.
 
Any one of the 7 series Ganzo range especially the G717, G704 or G712. Under $25 for the most part and very solidly built plus 440C blades.
 
I understand your feelings on liner locks and Spyders, there are some great knives out there but they just don't feel natural for me. Since nobody has said it yet I will: Buck 110. I've had mine since I was eight and when camping its never not with me. Other knives have come and gone but the 110 has always been the best folding outdoors knife for me. I just paid $30 for a new one for my girlfriend and she's in love. They still make them as good as they always have. (As far as I can tell) There's plenty of newer choices out there but for me nothing works quite as well as the old 110. Put a clip and thumb stud on it and you can keep you belt free for the sheath knife.

That being said I carry an Opinel a lot too. As long as you're not prying or needing a really thick blade then you can buy multiple Opinels and keep one in your pack or in a shirt pocket.

Another idea if you're using a fixed blade too, get a large Stockman pattern. That way you can have a choice of what blade size/shape you need for each task. For me again that means Buck, their current Stockmen are strong heavy duty feeling knives so there's no worry about snapping a thin blade.

The important thing is finding a knife you like and are willing to depend on. A knife failure is annoying at home, but dangerous in the woods.
 
What about the Spyderco Tenacious or perhaps a Byrd Cara Cara2?

I regularly see Spyderco Enduras on the exchange in like new to very good condition sell for about $50; that would personally be my first choice. ( New you could buy one for $60 shipped if you could bump your budget up $10. )

Lots of folks on the forum really like the Cold Steel Voyager. I think that too, would be worth serious consideration.
 
More than 50 bucks but the new cold steel American Lawman would be a good choice with the new steel. You could probably get an older version with aus8 still for closer to your target budget. Soild as can be.
 
No $50,- folder will replace your fixedblade imho.
Just buy a second fixed blade if you're afraid of loosing it.

Pick something very pocketable yet big in its action like an Izula:
EseeIzula_31.JPG
 
I'm going camping today for a few days. Buck 110 and Svord Peasant are coming along.
 
I'll second the Opinel. For a real world slicer and dicer it's hard to beat. It out cuts knives costing many times more, and is just a bit more cost than a lunch at a cheap restaurant. More like two lunches at a fast food place. Lots of people get them for just the fun of sanding down and customizing the handles.

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waterbar said:
More than 50 bucks but the new cold steel American Lawman would be a good choice with the new steel. You could probably get an older version with aus8 still for closer to your target budget. Soild as can be.
Click to expand...

Plus One for the CS American Lawman - Not sure what they cost in the States but you may pick one up on the 2nd hand market for under your $50 budget.
 
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