Budget folding knife for camping

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Fuori

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Oct 13, 2014
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I know these threads pop up often and I apologize. I need some help, so it gets here before Christmas. I was up really late last night reading through a bunch of them and could really use some help sorting out the choices I found. They own a Rat-1 and a Svord Peasant.

Option 1:
Ka-Bar Dozier or the Ka-Bar Dozier Hunter with the thumb notch.

Option 2:
Cold Steel Voyager Med. with the clip point.

Option 3:
Ontario 8902 Joe Pardue Utiliac or Ontario 8916 Joe Pardue Utiliac

Option 4:
Buy them another Rat-1
 
Depends on intended use. Generally speaking: decent edge retention AND ease of sharpening, easy to clean (flow-through design and no complicated lock or pivot designs), and finally excellent ergonomics for long usage...

Not too many knives like that. If it were me I'd pick a EKA Swede 8 or similar. No clip, decent lock, easy to maintain and has great blade geometry. If lightweight is a necessity, doesn't get much lighter than an Opinel. If non-locking is not an issue, consider the Ka-BAR "Big Easy" slipjoint. It's a Dozier design as well and is very ergonomic, although I only handled it, so no idea on long-term quality.

If one-handed opening is a must, I would probably suggest a Spyderco Delica or Tenacious, or a Ka-BAR folder, like the Phat Bob or the more common Dozier variations. All are very budget-friendly and good-value.

For some very nice value traditionals besides the ones mentioned try A. G. Russell. However, if it is important to you, the vast majority under $100 are manufactured in China or Taiwan. That said, I owned a Large Folding Hunter for a time and it was one of my favorite knives, extremely useful and ergonomic design, however it is a touch heavy in slacks or the like but should be nigh unnoticeable in jeans or cargos. Other options include their versions of Sodbuster (Cowboy / Rancher) or their Barlow.
 
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I'd like to get them something they'd have fun with since they love camping and collect cheap blades. The gift budget is $35, but I don't mind cheating a bit.
 
I own at least one of all four you have listed, and multiples of 3 of them.

First off, the Cold Steel "triad" lock is just amazing, so the Voyager is a great knife for camping use.

Since they have a RAT, the next one I'd go for would be the Utilitac.

There honestly IMO isn't a bad choice in your list.
 
Can't go wrong with a Buck 110. Saw some in a big chain store yesterday...50th anniversary edition with a leather sheath, for 28 bucks.
 
Probably too late to be of any help but for a folding camp knife around $35 I would definitely go with Option #5: Victorinox Farmer
 
fishiker said:
Probably too late to be of any help but for a folding camp knife around $35 I would definitely go with Option #5: Victorinox Farmer
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Absolutely! HD blade (thicker and larger than standard models), superb awl (works great as a fire striker and secondary HD blade), and a fully functional saw (really functional). I cannot think of a better outdoors folder. I just grabbed two on a Big River deal. I can't recommend this model enough for camping. I have a Rat 1 and it's great, but you can carry a SAK Farmer and Mora LMF for around the same weight and have a lot more utility.
 
Interesting. There is still time for me to get one before Christmas. So, the Farmer is thicker than the Fieldmaster for example?

It sounds like a system is better than one blade. I'm asking for myself now with this question, but is the Rat good enough if paired with a SAK? I had an orange one in my cart this weekend, but held off.
 
I have the Rat-1 and 3 of the KA-BAR Doziers; and they're all very good knives.

The Rat is stout and would probably be the more indestructible, while the Doziers are extremely lightweight; like most of these choices, I guess it really depends on what the intended use will be... can't go wrong regardless.

I will say I was very impressed with the Doziers for their price point; a lot more knife than what you pay for... great value.
 
Well, Santa may be bringing me one of both. It's great to give gifts, but there is nothing wrong with getting a few for yourself too ;)
 
Fuori said:
Interesting. There is still time for me to get one before Christmas. So, the Farmer is thicker than the Fieldmaster for example?

It sounds like a system is better than one blade. I'm asking for myself now with this question, but is the Rat good enough if paired with a SAK? I had an orange one in my cart this weekend, but held off.
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Yes, the Alox SAKs have a thicker and larger blade. I kept reading that and compared my son's Farmer against my Tinker. The farmer's blade is considerably larger and thicker. Even the awl is a beefier design. Unless they changed since 2011 (and I hope not since I just ordered 2). The blade is very good, the awl is great for a multitude of things, and the saw just plain works. It is much better than you'd think, being a pocket knife. It makes notches, cuts through inches thick wood, and makes saw dust for tinder. It's a system in and of itself. I'd pair that with a Mora and call it quits. The RAT 1 would work very well, but not as good as a fixed blade. And, you'd have your folder covered with the Farmer. A $10 Mora is very hard to beat. Much tougher than you'd imagine. You could grab both off the net for around $41 shipped. That's just my opinion anyway. Good luck.
 
Farmer order is done! Rat done! Thank you! When people on here give me advice it doesn't take me long to follow it.
 
Good choice. I bet you're gonna love that Farmer after using it for a while. :thumbup:
 
I liked some of the colors I saw better than the silver, but they were substantially more, so I'll just put some orange paracord on it. The Farmer will make a nice gift too.
 
Appreciate the help finding a gift. So, while I'm spending money is there anything else I should by for myself? Rat, SAK Farmer, already own a few Mora.
 
Fuori said:
Appreciate the help finding a gift. So, while I'm spending money is there anything else I should by for myself? Rat, SAK Farmer, already own a few Mora.
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I'm hoping Santa brings me one of these: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1238622-The-Svord-Peasant-Mini-One-year-of-EDC I already own the full size model and like it's cousin the Mora offers a lot of knife for the money. I hope you like the Farmer as much as I do. I never go into the woods without mine.
 
How does the Svord fit in the pocket with the spine extending up the way it does? Does it open accidentally?
 
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