Camp Knife whats you prefrence

[lmbhami]

I am in the market for a camp knife. Did not really have my mind up as to what I wanted it to look like.

I has spoke to some knife makers and started to notice that opinions varied on every aspect.

Blade size some stated 4" max as long as you did not want to do any chopping. Yet others stated 6" max for all around use.

Some suggested a tactical look with micarta handles yet others suggested a traditional look with stabilzed wood.

Some stated stainless steel is the way to go , yet others stated carbon steel was the only way to.


I know everyone has thier own opinions for specific reasons, I also respect all of the opinions of these people as it is what they do for a living.


Just wanted to hear other peoples thoughts. Please chime in with your comments and pictures if possible.

Please comment wheater you are a maker or a user or both. Anything suggestions you have to offer will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Eddie

 

[Fallons Knives]

i for one carry two blades with me at all times in the woods. one a bushcrafter blade made by paul baker with antler scales. and another custom camp blade by fowler. the fowler is for the heavy stuff and the bushie is for everything else. i find this setup to be perfect. but its all preference

 

[bcornelis]

For general camp use such as food preparation, making a fire, preparing game or working with wood, a 3.5-5 inch blade is preferable in my opinion. I am a big fan of stainless as I work in both a boreal forest and a coastal rain forest, where moisture is always an issue. Some exceptions I have to stainless are Busse/Swamprat products (such as the BAD and Ratmandu) and Dozier products in D2 steel.

As others with likely say, chopping or cutting thick wood is more efficient with an axe/hachet or saw. I do like to play with my Battle rat on occasion as a personal preference.

 

[kgd]

I categorize camp knives as mid-sized blades (6-8"), belt knives as smaller blades (3.5-5.5"), necker/pocket knives (1.5-3") and choppers (>8"). These categories are a bit arbitrary but tend to fit with how I use them.

In terms of size, a camp knife to me should fit comfortably on your belt. This places an upper limit on the size and weight. The camp knife will be called to do a variety of jobs like firewood prep, food prep, making tent stakes and pounding them in the ground, some bush craft chores (e.g. stands for billy pots) etc. The food prep and firewood prep (batoning and splitting) require a bit more length than typical of a bushcraft or belt knife. It is the latter two chores where I distinguish a camp knife from my belt knife used for day hikes or bushcraft type chores.

When I am base camping or car camping, I prefer to have a good size knife to do the chores I want. As a knife fanatic, I tend to like using my knife for more things than most people do. For instance, I will hang around the fire and carve things etc. Albeit, I like a smaller knife for whittling. Still, I will tend to use a knife where many others will seek a devoted tool. My choice isn't always the most effective, but that is just something I like to do. For example, in most cases I split wood by batoning with a knife rather than using an axe. The axe is faster and more efficient. For me, the knife is more fun.

When I'm hiking or moving about, I might opt for a lower weight, smaller belt knife. Here weight, and ease of carry will trump the functions of the mid-size knife. In this case I prefer a 4" knife or sometimes a knife as large as 5" but not any bigger than that. I do have some lighter 6" knives that I use for this purpose as well though.

For steel, I really prefer carbon steels. My two favorites are O1 and 1095. I also have a knife in A2. There are lots of charts comparing these steels across different properties. In all honesty, I really can't tell a difference between O1, 1095 and A2. As is often mentioned, if you are getting a custom knife from a knifemaker, you steel choice is best based on what the knifemaker is most familiar with. Heat treat is everything.

The main reason I like 1095 and O1 so much are that they are really easy to sharpen and maintain a really fine edge. Sure, they can rust on you if you don't maintain them but I like the way these steels perform. They get super sharp, can be readily touched up and maintained in the field. They also tend to be quite tough, being able withstand impacts. So chopping might at worst roll the edge, but does not cause chips. I've also grown to like the patina that forms on carbon blades. In my view they give a knife character.

So a couple of recommended camp knives. I have an Rat cutlery RC-6 which has excellent balance. The coating on the blade isn't something I really like, but the balance if this knife and mircata grips are top notch. Very well worth the money and I find myself using this one often as a camp knife. I also have a custom Bryan Breeden peacemaker that is lighter weight than the RC-6 and could pass for a belt knife. It is less proficient at chopping, but still a great all round user. I have an Scrapyard SOD which I think is too heavy for a camp knife and while it is indestructable and excels as a chopper, it is best used as a chopper. I don't want that beast hanging on my hip. Most of my other knives fall in the bushcraft size so I wont talk about them.

Below is a picture of my Breeden Peacemaker (6", 1/8" thick, O1 steel with osage orange handle) along side a JK Kephart (4", black mircata, 1095 steel). Both excellent knives, the peacemaker can pass as both a camp knife and a bushcrafter due to its light weight.

Here is a shot of my RC-6

 

[Dag-nabit]

Since you state you have spoken to some custom makers I assume you are most likely looking for a custom knife.

If not, I would recommend either the Fallkniven A1 or A2 Survival Knife as excellent choices for a production knife.

The A1 is a 6" blade, the A2 is an 8" blade. Laminated VG10 blade with Kraton handles for good shock absorbtion and grip.

I currently use an A1 around camp and have an A2 on order because I think the longer blade may be a bit more useful for light chopping and batoning. I will know better once I get a chance to try it out.

If you are into hiking and backpacking the A1 may be as large as you want to go, the A2's size may make it a bit more cumbersome, heavier and more likely to be getting caught up on things. The A1 is a good size for all round trail/camp use. (just my opinion of course)

There are lots of top notch knives available and I'm sure many forum members will chime in with their personal recommendations and favorites. I have no hesitation recommending Fallkniven based on my experience.

They also offer the S1 Forest Knife with a 5" blade and the F1 Hunting and Fishing Knife with a 4" blade. All somewhat similar in design.

Kevin


Sorry, don't have a photo of the A1, but here is the F1 in Micarta Handle and Thermorun Handle.

 

[Tripton]

I like a big knife and a medium knife.

Right now it would be probably an RC-3 or RC-4 and my SOD. I do not currently have anything bigger...but I usually take an Estwing 26 inch camp axe along as well. Works pretty good.

Last year for the hell of it (and so I didnt lose a decent knife en route) on a 5000 mile motorcycle journey, I packed a Cheaper than Dirt Rough Use Knife. It is a little light, but was capable enough for light splitting and clearing out brush. Did not care one bit about hitting rocks or dropping it either. 10 bucks, so I consider it to be a one time use disposable.

Hopefully this year I will be using the M9LE if not one of the SODs. (I am just getting into the larger knife scene.)

 

[GregS]

Busse and Swamprat. The HG55 currently available at Busse Combat, particuarly the LE model looks just about perfect. I currently use a big knife small knife combo, sometimes I leave out the small knife and bring a multi-tool in its place.:thumbup:

 

[mhawg]

I like something along the lines of the RatManDu or the Howling Rat if you have your chopping duties covered elsewhere.

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[GregS]

+1 on the Howling Rat! I have the micarta version.:thumbup: I love that little bugger, perfection with a handle if you ask me.

 

[lmbhami]

bump

Please chime in

 

[Maybeso]

I commissioned a "Pack Knife" from J. Neilson a couple of years ago:

http://www.mountainhollow.net/camp bola knives.htm

With a 9.125" blade, it's a bit on the large size but it's made beautifully and performs very well for camping/hiking chores! The only issue I have with it is it does make it tricky to park myself on a camp chair while wearing...

Mine is a custom jobbie, but for the same price or little less it looks like you can pick up a Busse without the wait time, and for even less a RAT, once again with no wait time, and both of these have stellar reputations. :thumbup:

Hope that helps.

 

[rmfnla]

I'm a traditionalist so I like the Puma White Hunter in stainess. This knife will do almost anything.

I can't do attachments so here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/P116375-Stainless-Steel-White-Hunter/dp/B00022IFTE

I've had mine for about 10 years so it doesn't look quite this new but it still works like a charm.

 

[Varulv]

For the camp i use my fallkniven s1 or f1 with an OX-HEAD axe or Wetterlings hatchet.

 

[Spydie]

Grohmann Large Camper Flat Grind for food prep, etc.

Also my Cold Steel Pocket Bushman for beating around.

 

[mmarkh]

i for one carry two blades with me at all times in the woods. one a bushcrafter blade made by paul baker with antler scales. and another custom camp blade by fowler. the fowler is for the heavy stuff and the bushie is for everything else. i find this setup to be perfect. but its all preference

I really love those Fowlers. Hopefully I can afford one someday. That would be my camp knife to end all camp knives.:thumbup:

 

[udtjim]

Vic Farmer.

 

[shunsui]

4-7"
~0.186" thick
flat grind
full tang
slab handles

Busse, Rat Cutlery, Bark River all make good ones.

 

[knarfeng]

Camping for me these days means car camping. So a stockman, or one-hander EDC does pretty much everything I need to do.

IIRC, when I used to backpack I took an SAK.

 

[kgd]

Scrapyard SOD

SOD and Breeden custom knife (4.5" blade, 1.37" wide x 5/64 thick with an extra long 5.5" mircata handle)

Teeny guy is the Bark River micro-canadian

Scrapyard SOD and Ratcutlery RC-6

Becker companion

Becker companion, BK9 and JK Kephart

Breeden peacemaker (6" x 1/8" thick blade in osage orange handle)

Mora #1 and Sak Solidier in silver Alox

Breeden Peacemaker with JK kephart

Pretty much any of these knives would do:

 

[ipm]

A Fallkniven F1, a Swiss Army Knife with a small blade, and a fire-steel of some kind is all you need.

I see some people on this forum are Fallkniven fans. I agree with them: get a Fallkniven.

The F1 is really the best all round knife if you ask me.

It WANTS you to use it.