Best knife for long-term camping?

Well you got plenty of good suggestions, one thing I would keep in mind is ease of sharpening. What about an Axe or Machete by the way?
 
Lots of great knives/suggestions in this thread. 👍


Like many here, I'm blessed to have many great blades at my disposal. And, with that, I've never felt "under-knived" (*during my many nights under the stars) with one of my trusty ol' TOPS 107s...









Either of the above knives will 'bout do it all. In my experience, they're crazy-tough, anvil reliable, and relatively easy to sharpen in the field.

I reckon most of us would have a reputable folder in our pocket. So, pair either of the above with a good folder and a BAHCO Laplander (*which weighs almost nothing), and you can forego the camp hatchet or Sportsman's axe...and pretty-much walk on water...in my very humble opinion.

Your mileage may vary...
 
Just get a Rockstead. I use mine for everything. It doesn't need a sharpening stone. Stropping is enough to maintain the edge.
 
jay1992 said:
Hey yall. I have an opportunity to go on a very extended camping trip. (6 months to year, year and a half) I've posted in the axe n hatchet forum for ideas on a good long term camp axe; now its time for knives!! So, based on yalls testing and experience, what are some good choices? Thanks in advance!! I should also add money is not an issue, i will be testing multiple knives and gear for about a week or so in my properties woods before i make real decisions, keeping the items that pass.


Jay
Click to expand...
Esee 5. It's Esee's only knife that is 1/4in thick and can actually be used to pry, cut, dig, and baton without fear of breaking it. Plus you can use a rock to sharpen it. Just my two Lincolns on the matter.
 
Hello, my first post in blade forums after about a year of being a lurker. I have the same question as the OP but with the knives and stones I already have (probably you have guessed that I have limitations on the price and frequency of buying knives, and I want to be happily married for another twenty-six years), and for being outdoors for up to two weeks for either camping or backpacking.

The only fixed blades I have are the Mora Classic from the 2020: #1/0, #2 , and #3. My folders are all traditional, and they are slip joints with the exceptions of Mercator, Higonokami, and Svord Peasant. I have two sizes of Douk Douk, and their Squirrel cousins, Au Sabot La Suisse, Opinel #6, Opinel #8, and the rest are Case: swayback, peanut, copperhead, and teardrop. My pocket stones are soft and translucent Arkansas 4x1, black Arkansas 3x1, and a small Norton 3x7/8 that look has much finer ground surface than India IB8. I also have a small 4-1/2 x 3/8 round ceramic rod for honing, and a peace of leather not attached to anything.

I have limited experience with these knives, except for food preparation - it is so much fun to use the slipjoints for that task, even though they are not "the right tool for the right task." In regards to my fixed blades, I have find out that the Mora # 3 required just a honing after cutting a quite big fish across into quite a few pieces, and after chopping a coconut. However, opening a tin can with a Mora bent the blade enough to need 20-30 minutes to repair it on my oilstones. So, my experience with knives is limited, and, I subjectively place my sharpening skills of being not so bad to put an working edge, but no further.
Thanks!
 
Last edited:
V vinprom - welcome to blade forums. Sounds like you have some working experience with the tools you mentioned, and maintenance requirements.

Money is definitely issue for most of us I’d guess. I would read as many reviews as possible, ask questions, check the exchange here for good deals. You’ll be able to make a better informed decision on a knife purchase.

I’d look for a decent “heavy use” knife, not necessary hard use. Most people are not going to be chopping cinder blocks ( nice to know a knife can handle it though ).

The Becker tweener series are great - they will handle coconuts and cans with ease - maintenance is easy too. Bill Siegle makes some incredible knives for what it’s worth - fair prices , especially for what you’ll get from his workshop.

Esee , Becker , Bradford and Ontario make great users at decent prices ( Esee has one of the best warranty policy’s anywhere ).

Good luck on your search.

I’ve heard Mora’s are for pros - a few of the serious bushcraft people I know swear by them. Great knives.

I gifted a coworker a Ontario RAT3. This guy was obsessed with Coconuts, no joke. He used the RAT3 to open coconuts daily, for years, still in use. The knife has opened so many coconuts it almost looks like it has a satin finish ( I’ll try to get some pics ). For about $75 bucks or less.. the Ontario RAT3 is a solid little performer.
 
Last edited:
I don't know how much hard use it would take, probably not a lot like battoning, but this Old Hickory Hunting knife is an excellent buy for the $$$.


51d3Q9HU+DL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 
jay1992 said:
Hey yall. I have an opportunity to go on a very extended camping trip. (6 months to year, year and a half) I've posted in the axe n hatchet forum for ideas on a good long term camp axe; now its time for knives!! So, based on yalls testing and experience, what are some good choices? Thanks in advance!! I should also add money is not an issue, i will be testing multiple knives and gear for about a week or so in my properties woods before i make real decisions, keeping the items that pass.


Jay
Click to expand...
Camping for 6-18 months requires a lot more than a tent and ruck sack. What are you planning to do for shelter? Are you going to hunt, fish or farm? How are you going to deal with weather and seasonal changes? Would you have access to logistics, and medical care? Will you be doing this alone or as part of an expedition or community?

A simple knife is not going to cut it. You are likely going to need a wide array of tools and skills if you plan to recreate a civilization somewhere. Even a hermit in a cave needs a support system.

n2s
 
luethge said:
V vinprom - welcome to blade forums. Sounds like you have some working experience with the tools you mentioned, and maintenance requirements.

Money is definitely issue for most of us I’d guess. I would read as many reviews as possible, ask questions, check the exchange here for good deals. You’ll be able to make a better informed decision on a knife purchase.

I’d look for a decent “heavy use” knife, not necessary hard use. Most people are not going to be chopping cinder blocks ( nice to know a knife can handle it though ).

The Becker tweener series are great - they will handle coconuts and cans with ease - maintenance is easy too. Bill Siegle makes some incredible knives for what it’s worth - fair prices , especially for what you’ll get from his workshop.

Esee , Becker , Bradford and Ontario make great users at decent prices ( Esee has one of the best warranty policy’s anywhere ).

Good luck on your search.

I’ve heard Mora’s are for pros - a few of the serious bushcraft people I know swear by them. Great knives.
Click to expand...
Thanks, seemingly if I take only one fixed blade with me - it would be better to not be a Mora. Since this is the one I have, I will see how I will proceed once I know better what I will do, where, and for how long. Thanks again!
Albin said:
I don't know how much hard use it would take, probably not a lot like battoning, but this Old Hickory Hunting knife is an excellent buy for the $$$.


51d3Q9HU+DL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
Click to expand...
Looks good, and is quite different than the Rat 3; neither better than the other, and the choice will come depending on the anticipated activity. Thanks!
 
Bark River Machete for chopping
Fallkniven H1zcos for hunting/small tasks
Either Fallkniven a1x (6.3 in blade) or s1x (5.19 in blade)
 
584E369E-883D-453B-8659-A7BE733DA625.jpegE6B530AD-8799-4D08-8D41-0844D8A99959.jpeg

V vinprom - I may have imagined the satin finish..

Here’s a RAT3 that’s been used for opening coconuts daily x 4 years and counting. That knife has been beaten on like the owner hates it - still going.

If money was tight , I’d look at the RAT3 , 5 or 7 for a decent camp knife. Definitely worth the money imo.
 
A knife you can easily sharpen on a river rock, if need be, would be preferred and not a really super hard blade steel. Also, in a steel that if called upon to pry will not snap and could be bent back to straight in a pinch. Good luck on your hunt which is the best part.
 
My late (way too late) two cents on this: you will see a lot of carbon steel put forward, and that's fine. But for long term, I personally feel that stainless steel is a better choice. If you're going to have this thing out in the elements for "a very extended camping trip. (6 months to year, year and a half)", that's a hell of a stretch. If you go with carbon steel, fine. Carry a stainless steel blade as a backup. You should have some kind of backup anyway.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top