Best knife for camping/hiking/survival

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Chaos480

Joined
Dec 23, 2014
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I have been searching for a knife almost nonstop for a ~week and I need expert opinions asap!

I live in the Pacific Northwest so a lot of rain (and a lot of snow in the mountains).
I intend to use the knife for when I am hiking/backpacking (By backpacking I mean walking with a big backpack with tent,sleeping bag...etc for 15~20miles), and to cut wood (Instead of bringing the heavier axe).
I want a fixed blade knife (preferably full tang) to complement my MORA companion knife.
The price has to be no higher than ~$80 (unfortunately I not made of money :D)
Also what size would be right for the knife?

Here are the knives I've found so far that seem to fit the my requirements:
-Ka-Bar Becker BK7 (I excluded the BK2 b/c its too short for the weight it has)
-Ka-Bar Becker BK9
-Ka-Bar Heavy Bowie Knife
-KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife
-Schrade SCHF9
-Schrade SCHF27
-Schrade SCHF10
-Ontario 8604 RAT-7
-Ontario 8628 RTAK II Knife
-Glock Model 78 Field Knife
-SOG Knives Seal Pup
-Condor Tool and Knife Rodan 5.25-Inch Drop Point Blade
-Condor Tool and Knife Bushlore 4.375-Inch Drop Point Blade
-Condor Tool and Knife Hudson Bay
-Ontario Knife 7025 7-Inch Butcher Knife
-Old Hickory 7-14 in. Butcher Knife

Any ideas/suggestions on which knife is superior for what I want from it?
 
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I like the Cold Steel GI Tanto, Cold Steel Bushman, (both well under your maximum price) and the Ka-Bar Marine/Army fighting knives.
 
KABAR is a tried and true choice. Honestly though, that Mora Companion will do everything you ever need it to do, and if you manage to break the handle, you were probably doing something really stupid with it to begin with. Those things are tanks.
 
Assuming you're using a tarp or tent and some kind of stove, even the Mora is overkill.

My standard carry for wet New England is an Opinel 9 and Learherman Squirt PS4. I consider the Squirt the must have and the Opinel a luxury item. I sometimes carry a Mora instead.
 
Becker BK7, KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife,
Don't know much about the other knives you've listed.
 
If you are carrying the Mora, add a Victorinox Farmer instead. It has a saw and would be more useful than a larger fixed blade. Plus it's lighter in weight.
 
You picked a great bunch of knives and any one of them will make you happy you picked it. But, I think trout hound hit the nail on the head perfectly with the mora comment.
 
pinnah said:
Assuming you're using a tarp or tent and some kind of stove, even the Mora is overkill.

My standard carry for wet New England is an Opinel 9 and Learherman Squirt PS4. I consider the Squirt the must have and the Opinel a luxury item. I sometimes carry a Mora instead.
Click to expand...

Must you make so much common sense??

Please add an Opinel Folding saw to cut wood in to short pieces and is very light
 
...good luck with your choice. Suggest you ditch the tent (too much weight and you cannot heat it) and go with a tarp shelter and an small axe and/or folding saw. With an axe and/or saw you can process a lot better quality wood, in far greater abundance in less time/work/calories, and you can build a reflective fire to warm your tarp shelter. Ditching the tent will help offset the added weight of the axe.
 
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From that list, my first choice for what you describe would be the Condor Hudson Bay, with the BK9 as a strong second.

Both would pair well with a smaller knife like your Mora, they do well at chopping and can even be used as a draw knife for shaping wooden utensils, fuzz sticks etc...
 
Im going to go with some of the others here. Dont worry about another fixed blade, if your already carrying the Mora. Get your self a multi tool of some sort for in your pocket, be it a SAK or a leathrman. When I go on canoe trips or back packing trips I carry two knives, a 4" scandi ground knife and my leatherman TTi. I hardly use my fix blade, the multi tool does eerything i need it too...besides baton wood. 80$ can get you a nice leatherman- be it the wave or wingman or many others.
 
The 'king' on your list is the Becker BK9.

But, as an "ax replacement", you should also consider the Becker BK4 Machax. Excellent chopper and currently 'on sale' at one of BF's supporting dealers - www.coyleoutdoors.com
 
Take a look at the Ontario Blackbird SK5. It's simple and no frills but solid without being a crowbar with an edge. I've heard a few instructors who have really gotten behind this knife. I know I love mine.
 
Considering the weather conditions often experienced on the 'wet' coast, I'd opt for a stove rather than rely on damp wood. My pref for that country would be an F1 or similar.
 
You could take a look at a hawk. There are several at or under your price range. Will out chop the typical 7" knife, less weight than most small axes.

When I am on my own land I don't use a tent, stove, or bulky sleep system. I can chop, build, and make fire to my hearts content.

Been using this for a few months now teamed up with an F1 or whatever folder is in my pocket.

qxjdp5.jpg


It's tactical and $20 over your budget, but it works and I like it.

So don't overlook a hawk as a viable alternative to a 7"-9" knife or hatchet/belt ax.
 
I personally avoided Cold Steel b/c they are usually made in Taiwan/China and from what I heard (from youtube reviews) they have pretty shoddy quality checks.
I dislike the Cold Steel GI Tanto b/c of the shape (awesome sheath though) of the blade.
Same with the Cold Steel Bushman ; though my main dislike is the hollow handle (even though it's made of one piece of steel) b/c it seems very uncomfortable to use for extended periods of time.

The Ka-Bar Marine/Army fighting knives seem more for killing people (duh :D) than for use as a camp knife (I'm not worried that they don't have full tang since the military uses them and if they broke too easily the military would be using another knife)
 
afishhunter said:
I like the Cold Steel GI Tanto, Cold Steel Bushman, (both well under your maximum price) and the Ka-Bar Marine/Army fighting knives.
Click to expand...

I personally avoided Cold Steel b/c they are usually made in Taiwan/China and from what I heard (from youtube reviews) they have pretty shoddy quality checks.
I dislike the Cold Steel GI Tanto b/c of the shape (awesome sheath though) of the blade.
Same with the Cold Steel Bushman ; though my main dislike is the hollow handle (even though it's made of one piece of steel) b/c it seems very uncomfortable to use for extended periods of time.

The Ka-Bar Marine/Army fighting knives seem more for killing people (duh :D) than for use as a camp knife (I'm not worried that they don't have full tang since the military uses them and if they broke too easily the military would be using another knife)

Sorry about the re-post (still new to the forum)
 
Trout Hound said:
KABAR is a tried and true choice. Honestly though, that Mora Companion will do everything you ever need it to do, and if you manage to break the handle, you were probably doing something really stupid with it to begin with. Those things are tanks.
Click to expand...

Mora's are awesome!!! Lightweight, heavy duty, razer sharp.
The thing is I really don't want to cut wood (Or poisons plants) with it since I prefer to use it for food (I have the stainless steel mora).
 
pinnah said:
Assuming you're using a tarp or tent and some kind of stove, even the Mora is overkill.

My standard carry for wet New England is an Opinel 9 and Learherman Squirt PS4. I consider the Squirt the must have and the Opinel a luxury item. I sometimes carry a Mora instead.
Click to expand...

I did not see that before (I looked at the more expensive leatherman wave) thx!
Leatherman Squirt PS4 is a good deal for what it gives!
Leatherman Wingman Multi Tool is also a pretty good deal also

I also found some swiss army knives that are also a pretty good deal
Victorinox Swiss Army Climber II
Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman II

I love multitools but I still am looking for a good large fixed blade (to complement my mora) although I am now considering getting a multitool
 
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