Camp knife

So, a "Camp Knife" : is this to be used while car-camping with the family in State Parks or sitting around the fire after a long cold day sitting in a deer blind . . . or carried into the wilderness while traveling self contained and independent for a week or more?



If the first scenario, about anything up to a double bitted ax or chain saw can fill the bill. If it is to be that last one, size and weight will be the controlling factors.

A motorcycle trip will be a cross between car camping and backpacking I imagine. Weight will be less a limiter, bu space might be an issue . . .so only one knife then . . .right? But: No pocket folder? No Multitool?

If it is deer camp though, cutlery with some cachet or dash might be the thing. . . .

So, what is the "camping" that the camp-knife will be supporting?
 
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Back in the 1990s, I had the opportunity to trap or hunt alligators in South Louisiana. The knife I brought: Went to the local Kroger store and bought a wooden handled kitchen knife (Old Henry?), then cut up an old purse from Goodwill to make a sheath for it. It was 4" or 5" of carbon steel, would do the job . . .and not be a tragic loss of a family heirloom if dropped into the swamp.
 
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VorpelSword said:
So, a "Camp Knife" : is this to be used while car-camping with the family in State Parks or sitting around the fire after a long cold day sitting in a deer blind . . . or carried into the wilderness while traveling self contained and independent for a week or more?



If the first scenario, about anything up to a double bitted ax or chain saw can fill the bill. If it is to be that last one, size and weight will be the controlling factors.

A motorcycle trip will be a cross between car camping and backpacking I imagine. Weight will be less a limiter, bu space might be an issue . . .so only one knife then . . .right? But: No pocket folder? No Multitool?

If it is deer camp though, cutlery with some cachet or dash might be the thing. . . .

So, what is the "camping" that the camp-knife will be supporting?
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Depending on who, what, where, etc etc.....?
It's many things, could be All things. We each might have a own personal definition on what a camp knife is?

It's the same word quandary as "Survival Knife" or "Self Defense Knife" or "Utility Knife"..... heck "Kitchen Knife"
What do Any of them mean???

For ME, a camp knife is your main knife at CAMP...... Could be at a deer shack, backyard grill, or on a side of a mountain.
It's what you use to cook, fire tinder, make sticks for smores, possibly clean a fish if you had to , or are lucky enough to? Woodcraft/etc.
It's not going to be perfect at anything, but Ok at almost everything you need to use a knife for.

The older I get the smaller It becomes.....
 
I agree with the above. Guess I was trying to say much of that by asking questions.

So then, What would work of the OP on his motorcycle based camping trip?
 
Really... Page 2 and only 2 pics yet? :p
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Esee 6...
Or 4 if you think it's too big out on your bike
 
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ESEE 6 with 3D scales makes my wallet itchy. I would pick that. My camp knife was a Kabar Jarosz Turok but I gave it to a Boy Scout in need. I use my Fallkniven A1 now. It is not as good at food prep.
 
ESEE 4, take your pick of the 1095 or stainless. I don't need, nor do I want, a big honking knife. If I want to chop trees I will get an axe or hatchet. I use a knife for cutting.

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I will make the recommendation for an orange handle. That way, if you drop the thing, the chances of finding it increases as the thing lays flat on a brown or green surface.
 
I've got an esse 5. To me it's too heavy/big to bring on the bike. If I wasn't packing up all the other gear it wouldn't be a big deal. It sounds like you have all the gear for at least one person on the bike already though? I'd think a good stainless would be worth while. If you're willing to up the price tag bradford makes great fixed blades. I only have a 3 but I always carry it for a food knife. Tons of options for blade and handle shape/materials. More proportionally built to what I expect from a knife.
 
When hitch-hiking in Colorado during the early 1970s, I remember seeing motorcycles with what used to be called a "sissy-bar" sort of rack on the back of the seat. Often there would be a hiking backpack strapped to it.

Now I have seen motorcycles with a solid looking trailer out back.
 
Define camp knife? Is it a camp kitchen knife that can handle other outdoor chores from starting fires to cleaning fish? Take a look at the TOPS Pasayten. The US Forest Service actually considered it for their wilderness guards but backed off because of the price. They wanted something around $19.95. :)
 
The knife would be used for car camping and motorcycle camping.

I ride a BMW GSA with hard luggage. For a short trip, space/weight is generally not a concern. But when we take off for two weeks space/weight is a priority.

Motorcycle on trip

I have a small Gransfors Wildlife Hatchet that I can bring, but that doesn't handle kitchen duties. If we buy firewood, we just need something to help get a fire started, not split wood. I was thinking that a 'camp' knife could replace the small axe on MC trips. When car camping, bring it all!

It sounds like I should be looking at an ESEE 4/5, an HM model if available.
 
So the ESEE-5 doesn't seem to be available in an HM handle. For those who have this knife, is the regular or G10 handle more comfortable to use?

What do the Caruthers BFK, TOPS PASAYTEN LITE TRAVELER, and the Bradford Guardian offer over the ESSE knives?
 
I cannot speak for the TOPS but I do have the Carothers BFK and a Bradford Guardian 6, both have thinner blades than the ESSE 5, both are CPM 3V w/ the Delta 3V seeming to have some additional benefits. For me the handles of the BFK are amazing, fits the hand perfectly. The BFK is 3/16ths and is nice and slicey. The Guardian 6 handle isn’t nearly as comfortable and is shorter. I don’t have large hands but the Bradford handle seems short. I believe the blade thickness on the Bradford is .2”. With the delta 3V and the more comfortable handle and slicier bIade I would recommend the Carothers BFK (if you can get it) first, the Bradford Guardian 6 second due to the benefits of CPM 3V over 1095 (but certainly acknowledging the great heat treatment Rowan gives and the awesome warranty ESEE gives). The flip side is the ESEE gives a great knife for a more affordable price. Your call but they all seem like great knives, choose one (or all) and work it like a rented mule.A248DFF7-E24D-4B08-80A1-DF495594B4F2.jpegAD6CA3F8-3038-49E7-901E-5204A8C24B62.jpeg656B838F-501C-4ADD-B34C-885FE10697E4.jpeg
 
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