Blades for camping trip (Youth Group)

thedukeoftank

thedukeoftank

Joined
May 17, 2010
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109
I am taking my sister's youth group guys on a camping trip in a month and I was thinking about giving a knife to each of the guys for the trip (with their parents permission of course).

Now I am looking to spend $20-$30 per knife (5-8 knives) and right now, I'm just looking for recommendations.

My initial thoughts are towards a Victorinox Farmer or a Mora.

Thanks for your suggestions.
 
Either of the knives you have mentioned would be perfect. I lean more towards a folding blade as it makes it easier to carry and use rather than toting around a fixed blade everywhere on your belt(if they even have a sufficient way of carrying a fixed blade). You can't go wrong with a Victorinox by any means. The Farmer in itself is a wonderful knife, but if you wanted something with more tools(which young boys will insist they'll use) you can't go wrong with an Explorer, Huntsman, or Fieldmaster in that price range.

If you just want a good all around cutting tool without all of the tools, you can't go wrong with Kershaw or Spyderco or Spydercos Byrd line.
-Spyderco has the Tenacious line - Ambitious, Persistence, Tenacious, and Resilience(The Resilience is huge and not under $30). If you go with that line, since you're dealing with children the Ambitious or Persistence may be the best bet.
-Spydercos Byrd line has several knives that are designed based on a lot of Spyderco designs only they have a cheaper blade steel and are made in china. The 8cr13mov steel holds up well though.

Kershaw has many products for $30 and under. Some are chinese, others aren't.

You really can't go wrong no matter which way you choose to go. I just thought maybe a folder would be cool because boys love their pocket knives lol.

Good luck on your hunt.
 
Moras, you can get Robust or Companions for under 20.00 each. Maybe the bright orange stainless companion so they won't lose it in the woods and don't have to worry about maintenance.
 
Mora scout knife !

tCAJu.jpg


Not sure how much they cost though ?

1234,,,:)
 
The Mora Scout Knife would be great if it's within your price range. I haven't seen them retail here but I picked up an old one second hand - it must be at least a couple decades old judging by the state of the sheath - and it's fantastic. Maybe also consider something by Svord...if it's available in your end of the world? They're old school, chunky and have real character. Oh and they seem to cut things pretty well too. They also require a bit of maintenance and love, which appeals to me. They have a bit more of an old-world look to them. Svord is a NZ brand, but in a rare show of Aussie-Kiwi solidarity I'll back 'em :)
 
Farmer.

In addition to its quality and the set of outdoor tools it brings to the party, it's always better to start out a kid with a slipjoint. Learn how to use that intelligently, and then you can use anything.
 
I would have to agree with the Farmer. Certainly take a fixed blade with you so you can demo stuff and let them try it under your supervision. Plus, any sheepish parents will be more comfortable if you say the magic words: "Its just a little Swiss Army Knife."

Beyond all that, I love my Farmer. I carry a Becker BK-2 and my Vic Farmer when I'm in the woods. There is nothing I could want to do on a normal camping trip that I can't do with those two knives.

I also, have a Fieldmaster. Its a good knife too, but the Farmer has replaced it in the field. Still gets the job done though.
 
If your going on a camping trip I would recommend the Mora companion, they might not know how to properly use a knife like the Victorinox which has no lock so it can close on their fingers if used improperly.
 
marcinek said:
Why. Why would you give kids new to knives easily broken, impossible to sharpen ceramic knives?!?!?

I'd love to hear your reasoning behind that one.
Click to expand...

What in the, are you crazy this isn't a cooking class, ceramics belong in the kitchen and only the kitchen funny though
 
sakcamper01.jpg


Any SAK within budget would be a great choice. Or perhaps a Sod Buster... a fantastic outdoorsy-type folder!

leatherbuster01.jpg
 
jwolf90 said:
What in the, are you crazy this isn't a cooking class, ceramics belong in the kitchen and only the kitchen funny though
Click to expand...

:) Lets, for the sake of argument, say ceramic knives are functional outdoors, but what learning experience would they provide the kids? Way too specialized.
 
I think your original idea of a SAK or Mora is spot on. Both are excellent tools.

You can get some Moras at lower prices straight from the distributor if you buy in bulk (the minimum order is actually quite small) I bought a few packs of 840-MG Clippers (15 knives in each pack). PM me if you want the contact info.

I love SAKs to teach children basic pocket knife use. The lack of a lock is actually a plus in my book, I'd rather they learn how to handle a slipjoint safely and then move on to locking knives instead of the other way around. The extra tools also discourage them from using the knife blade as a screwdriver or something like that.

You can probably get both a SAK and a Mora for around $30.
 
Kershaw, Boker, ColdSteel, Gerber, S&W all make fixed blade knives available in that price range. Most of them are called hunting knives though.
 
If your not going to go fix blade, I think you should at least go with a locking blade. I'd hate to see inexperienced kids wielding a sak and have it close on them.
 
Sounds good but there will be a lot of the kids who have zero knife handling experience so you will need to have a session with them to talk about hwo good a tool a knife is if you use it for what it is meant for and respect it. I hope you get parents on board with it and I would go with an SAK but bring along a couple of Mora's and show them in use. Those who are into it can always get a Mora later on their own. Bring along plenty of bandaids and triple antibiotic cream also, someone will need it no doubt if their learning curve has to be a 90 degree angle.
 
Another vote for the Swiss Army Knife. Kids should learn with a slip joint folder at first. Also a folded pocketknife is safer when someone takes a tumble than a sheath knife is.
 
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