Goin on a wilderness expedition with some friends for a couple of weeks, and I'm on the market for a new slicer. Figured it's time to retire the 110 and find something more practical for general outdoor use. Have my eye on the spyderco endura4 but not sure how well it'll hold an edge and if it can withstand saltwater. Also I'm looking for something to replace my 119 as it just doesn't cut it anymore, in fact I gave it to my brother so I don't even have a fixed anymore. If you all have any suggestions I'd be glad to hear em.
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Best knives for my needs?
- Thread starter Paka
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Welcome to Bladeforums!
Can you describe your "wilderness expedition" some more? Those words to me sound like you will not see other people during your trip. Where are you going? Are you going swimming with your knife?
"Slicer" generally means a knife optimized for cutting (not strength), like a paring knife. Is that what you mean?
How much are you looking to spend?
I would recommend a fixed blade of some sort, but need more details.
Can you describe your "wilderness expedition" some more? Those words to me sound like you will not see other people during your trip. Where are you going? Are you going swimming with your knife?
"Slicer" generally means a knife optimized for cutting (not strength), like a paring knife. Is that what you mean?
How much are you looking to spend?
I would recommend a fixed blade of some sort, but need more details.
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There are a ton of good directions you could go. The Endura 4 is great bang for buck, but as stated before, there might be better options depending on the use it will get. How much saltwater exposure are you talking about? The Spyderco Pacific salt may be worth looking at for you.
abbydaddy
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Do you have a price range you're looking at? I feel like that makes a huge difference. Also are you looking for a folder or a fixed blade? I can go ahead and list my favorite knives, but a lot of it is really going to depend on your preferences. There is a whole world of wonderful knives, especially these days.
If you want something cheap that works a lot better than you might expect I'd suggest the Kershaw Cryo G10. Grippy handle, solid lock, and very functional blade design. I reviewed it on my non-BladeForums blog. But it is a small knife, and I suspect you're looking for something a bit more substantial.
I would think that ease of cleaning would be important for your purposes (especially if looking at folders).
If you are looking for wilderness knives you might want to look at Lone Wolf knives. I can't say I've ever used one of the recent Lone Wolf knives (not sure I'm ever going to forgive Benchmade for discontinuing some of my favorite knives after they bought the company), but I've read quite a few people praising their Lone Wolf Swale knives. Benchmade moved the Lone Wolf brand into a dedicated outdoors niche, and the Swale is made out of a steel designed for use in saltwater environments.
If you want something cheap that works a lot better than you might expect I'd suggest the Kershaw Cryo G10. Grippy handle, solid lock, and very functional blade design. I reviewed it on my non-BladeForums blog. But it is a small knife, and I suspect you're looking for something a bit more substantial.
I would think that ease of cleaning would be important for your purposes (especially if looking at folders).
If you are looking for wilderness knives you might want to look at Lone Wolf knives. I can't say I've ever used one of the recent Lone Wolf knives (not sure I'm ever going to forgive Benchmade for discontinuing some of my favorite knives after they bought the company), but I've read quite a few people praising their Lone Wolf Swale knives. Benchmade moved the Lone Wolf brand into a dedicated outdoors niche, and the Swale is made out of a steel designed for use in saltwater environments.
Well We're starting off doing the John Muir trail and since I have almost a week after doing that I'm not sure if im going to stick around Yosemite or head back to the Bay Area. Reason I'd like it to be saltwater proof is because I figure I'm in a damp climate most of the time with salt content in the air so I want something that won't rus. Most I'd like to spend is 150 for the knife.
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Not sure how I have never seen the Lone Wolf Swale. I dig the looks of that one.
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Welcome to BFs!
A little more info on your trip would help and what you mean by a slicer? That's between a Chef and a carving knife to me.
Outdoor long trips for me, can mean at least two folders, at least one strong fixed blade, A hatchet and a folding saw depending on the extent depth and duration?
A little more info on your trip would help and what you mean by a slicer? That's between a Chef and a carving knife to me.
Outdoor long trips for me, can mean at least two folders, at least one strong fixed blade, A hatchet and a folding saw depending on the extent depth and duration?
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Spyderco H1 Saver Salt or Atlantic Salt for a folder
ESEE 3 or Izula for a fixed blade.
SAK Pioneer or Farmer - nobody I know even walks their dog without a SAK in their pockets.
ESEE 3 or Izula for a fixed blade.
SAK Pioneer or Farmer - nobody I know even walks their dog without a SAK in their pockets.
Winter camping?
Here is what I would bring: an SAK, a hatchet, and a folding saw. SAK (Swiss army knife) will cover food prep, first aid, can opening, loose screws, etc. Hatchet for splitting forearm sized pieces of wood for kindling, saw for cross cutting wood (I might skip the saw to save weight).
But, that is not what you asked, so I'd recommend for a folder, an SAK again, due to its utility. Then I would get a 4-6" fixed blade. I like Mora knives, but they are not the best for beating with a baton. Condor knife and tool makes some affordable, interesting knives. Beckers get mentioned a lot around here, too.
I personally don't like to hump around lots of steel that ends up not getting used, so I would skip the 10" battle bowie. YMMV.
Here is what I would bring: an SAK, a hatchet, and a folding saw. SAK (Swiss army knife) will cover food prep, first aid, can opening, loose screws, etc. Hatchet for splitting forearm sized pieces of wood for kindling, saw for cross cutting wood (I might skip the saw to save weight).
But, that is not what you asked, so I'd recommend for a folder, an SAK again, due to its utility. Then I would get a 4-6" fixed blade. I like Mora knives, but they are not the best for beating with a baton. Condor knife and tool makes some affordable, interesting knives. Beckers get mentioned a lot around here, too.
I personally don't like to hump around lots of steel that ends up not getting used, so I would skip the 10" battle bowie. YMMV.
Well, then, your original idea of Spyderco is on the right track. I'll let the Spyderco experts take over from here.
A parting thought: traditional knives like sodbusters, Opinels, and Svord Peasant knives have been used for centuries to do exactly what you described...
:thumbup::thumbup:My backpacking combo is a Leatherman PST and a Rat 1 folder, which is light, and simply a great blade size and profile for gen utility when back packing.
My fixed blades don't go on anything more than day hikes due to weight. They come on all my camping trips where I drive in and / or have a base camp.
Others will know more than me, but it seems most modern steels are OK near saltwater environs with a very little care. I mean how hard is it to rinse, wipe down, and dry a blade, or just put a little olive oil on it on occasion? That's my thought anyway.
My fixed blades don't go on anything more than day hikes due to weight. They come on all my camping trips where I drive in and / or have a base camp.
Others will know more than me, but it seems most modern steels are OK near saltwater environs with a very little care. I mean how hard is it to rinse, wipe down, and dry a blade, or just put a little olive oil on it on occasion? That's my thought anyway.
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You are going to be really limited in what you can do for woodcraft and fires on the JM trail as I recall. I would suggest staying light with adequate folder/s and skip the hatchet or really large fixed blade for this one. You are going to need the weight savings for winter gear and food anyway if you are on the trail for that long.
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For a folding saltwater slicer, hands down, the Spyderco Pacific Salt (Endura) in rustproof H1 steel. In either Plain edge or full serration, lose-me-not yellow or black handles.
For a fixed slicer, the KaBar Becker BK5 Magnum Camp. 8" of trailing point slicing goodness that's beefy enough to handle most chopping chores.
For a fixed chopper, the KaBar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie. 9" of chopping power that's suitable to be an ax replacement yet nimble enough to do all bushcraft chores.
Pair a BK9 with either a BK14/15/16, and all your fixed blade trail/camp tasks are covered.
For a fixed slicer, the KaBar Becker BK5 Magnum Camp. 8" of trailing point slicing goodness that's beefy enough to handle most chopping chores.
For a fixed chopper, the KaBar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie. 9" of chopping power that's suitable to be an ax replacement yet nimble enough to do all bushcraft chores.
Pair a BK9 with either a BK14/15/16, and all your fixed blade trail/camp tasks are covered.
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For 99.9% of my outdoor trip I need about 3-6 tools. A stainless knife (folder) for food preparation, SAK/multitool for DIY jobs and a sturdie 5'' fixed blade for everything else + a saw. Maybe a specialised knife for hunting, fishing or woodcarver depending on the type of trip. The terrain and weather might ask for a hatchet/axe, machete or big chopping knife.
Redundancy is key, all need to do what I ask of them + a lil more...just in case a other tool breaks or gets lost.
For me: Ontario RAT-1, Leatherman Wave, Kabar Becker BK10 + el cheapo folding saw. Usually a Mora for woodcarving and backup fixed blade. My machete's and axes mostly stay at home.
Redundancy is key, all need to do what I ask of them + a lil more...just in case a other tool breaks or gets lost.
For me: Ontario RAT-1, Leatherman Wave, Kabar Becker BK10 + el cheapo folding saw. Usually a Mora for woodcarving and backup fixed blade. My machete's and axes mostly stay at home.