Camp knife

The question leaves a lot open for interpretation. If I think about all the uses and possible needs for a 'camp knife" and consider not only the size and shape of the knives you have listed, but also the steel they come in and comfort of use plus sharpen ability ... it would be the Esee 6. Esee 4 HM and 6 HM for comparison.
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If I were to pick one such knife without limitations of a list to pick from it would be the CPK HDFK or even the slightly smaller CPK FK2.
 
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I own an ESEE 5 - it's too much knife - by this I mean it's too heavy duty, too thick. Can it do the job, sure, but it's more of an emergency last ditch knife than an every day camp chore knife. I would also recommend an ESEE 6 over the 5.
 
sranderle said:
I ride a BMW GSA with hard luggage
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Hopefully you're one of the few that wave back? My long distance rig is givi 36l side cases and some bags on top of a honda atas. I also have a little 2l or so toolbox they offered at the time on the non exhaust side. Decent storage for a bike. I wouldn't bring the esse 5. It's too much knife. I have a g10 version, and the handles are comfortable. I hated the super thick powder coat too so I took that off n forced a patina. I like the knife. I frequently show it off. The knife is too big for the bike imo.

As far as what the guardian offers over the esse. The guardians are built more to do knife tasks. They aren't overly thick. The 3 has a skeletonized tang that I think changes to full when you go up a size to the 4. Don't know for sure about the tang? You can get magnacut for a stainless steel right now. The blade comes in different shapes, and finishes. The handles come in a flat n 3d or contoured style, different colors and materials available, g10, cf, micarta.
Emielke said:
I own an ESEE 5 - it's too much knife - by this I mean it's too heavy duty, too thick. Can it do the job, sure, but it's more of an emergency last ditch knife than an every day camp chore knife. I would also recommend an ESEE 6 over the 5.
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My esse 5 chills in my work truck center console. If i roll off a hill and have to chop the tree down blocking my door from opening. I have faith that if I can open my center console I can chop down that tree. Jokes aside it chills there more so I can show it off to coworkers. I would use it to smash my window if needed? I wanted one. Now that I have it that's the best use I have found for it.
 
stonemedusa6264 said:
Hopefully you're one of the few that wave back? My long distance rig is givi 36l side cases and some bags on top of a honda atas. I also have a little 2l or so toolbox they offered at the time on the non exhaust side. Decent storage for a bike. I wouldn't bring the esse 5. It's too much knife. I have a g10 version, and the handles are comfortable. I hated the super thick powder coat too so I took that off n forced a patina. I like the knife. I frequently show it off. The knife is too big for the bike imo.

As far as what the guardian offers over the esse. The guardians are built more to do knife tasks. They aren't overly thick. The 3 has a skeletonized tang that I think changes to full when you go up a size to the 4. Don't know for sure about the tang? You can get magnacut for a stainless steel right now. The blade comes in different shapes, and finishes. The handles come in a flat n 3d or contoured style, different colors and materials available, g10, cf, micarta.

My esse 5 chills in my work truck center console. If i roll off a hill and have to chop the tree down blocking my door from opening. I have faith that if I can open my center console I can chop down that tree. Jokes aside it chills there more so I can show it off to coworkers. I would use it to smash my window if needed? I wanted one. Now that I have it that's the best use I have found for it.
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I keep a Junglas 2 for my truck knife.
 
I found a Mora fixed in my camping supplies, so I have a 4" blade covered. I also have many folders available. I'm looking for something that can handle some basic firewood prep while motorcycle camping, but maybe removing the need to bring the Mora.

Based on replies and more research, I'm down to this.

ESEE-6 HM
Bradford Guardian 6
CPK HDFK/SDFK (not sure of the difference, but the HDFK is no longer being made)

Bradford is twice the cost of the ESEE, and a CPK is twice the Bradford.

I would love to pick up a CPK, but supply and demand seems to be against me.

Is the Bradford a step up from the ESEE? Will it handle firewood duties along with kitchen duties?
 
sranderle said:
I found a Mora fixed in my camping supplies, so I have a 4" blade covered. I also have many folders available. I'm looking for something that can handle some basic firewood prep while motorcycle camping, but maybe removing the need to bring the Mora.

Based on replies and more research, I'm down to this.

ESEE-6 HM
Bradford Guardian 6
CPK HDFK/SDFK (not sure of the difference, but the HDFK is no longer being made)

Bradford is twice the cost of the ESEE, and a CPK is twice the Bradford.

I would love to pick up a CPK, but supply and demand seems to be against me.

Is the Bradford a step up from the ESEE? Will it handle firewood duties along with kitchen duties?
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If you’re actually considering an HDFK, then HDFK all the way!!
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One of the things I love about the hobby is that quite a few terms are not set in stone. Camp, fieldcraft, and fighting knives will elicit different mental images depending on who you are talking to. If Aristotle were alive today, he’d probably give five different definitions of ‘camp knife.’

I agree with the others that said the camp knife is simply any cutting tool you take with you during your adventures in the wilderness. That includes anything from your basic Mora to a full tang monster khukuri. The activities you anticipate will determine the camp knife you need. If there’s firewood chopping and trail clearing to be done, that may call for a bigger knife. If it’s just a hike in the woods, then maybe a four inch blade is all you need. Lots of guys here swear by the two-knife combo.

There’s also the matter of weight. Smaller knives are more convenient to carry over long periods of time.
 
Since you have opened up your options a bit one I would throw out there is the winkler woodsman. Personally a big fan of it and it’s one thats small enough to ride with while also being quite a capable camp knife. Def not at the level of an HDFK but much easier to get and a bit less $$$.
 
If you’re open to various options on the market apart from those in your original post, as it seems like you are, I’d suggest an LT Wright knife in A2. Similar to the ESEE’s you’re looking at, It’ll give you that nice carbon steel experience of fast field sharpening and the ability to throw sparks with a piece of chert / flint (which is something high-alloy or stainless steels can’t do), but will also give you LEAGUES better edge retention and toughness when compared to any ESEE in 1095. And it’s in the same ballpark price range as ESEE.

Look into the Gen 6, GNS, and any others that pique your interest. Lots of good “camp knives” out there.
 
I'd drop down to the g5.5 if you want a bradford. The 6 is only available in 3v on their website right now. Could be available in other steels other places. The 5.5 is available with magnacut. I'm on the fence about magnacut, it is supposed to be super tough and ss. The edge retention isn't that high and when I'm chasing super steels I tend to chase edge retention. Bradford has a pretty crazy heat treat process and I'd trust it to hold up to anything I did with it. They say theres a lifetime garantee and 7 days to send it back if you don't like it. Never heard of anyone that's had to do this with them.

Someone might correct but I think getting into either of these would mean you'll need diamond or cbn stones if you want to sharpen them. Something that should be made known. If you get any steel with a decent amount of carbides in it you might have to upgrade other stuff to sharpen it.
 
What do you understand or what do you plan on doing with a CAMP KNIFE?

For me CAMP KNIFE calls for woodcraft and food processing, which would lead me to something shaped (and sized) as a chefs knife (6" or more, wide full flat blade, jusssssssssssssssst enough weight to allow some chopping). You can always do it all with a big blade, but for peeling potatoes (for instance), a smaller knife would be advisable. But it could very well be whichever folder you have in your pocket (because you carry a folder in your pocket at all times, right?).

From the aforementioned knives, I would say ESSE 6, but just because it is the biggest one.

Out of my (small) line up of fixed blade knives... I would choose between the RAT 7 D2... o BRKT Canadian Camp... but again, just due to size preference.

Mikel
 
I'm cheap and like to have a couple of extra bucks when travelling for last minute exits for attractions that pop up en-route so I would opt for the Rat 5 myself.
I'm sure that if the Rat 5 is treated like a knife and not a crowbar / hammer it will last quite a long time.
But the Esee knives are very pretty with the color patterns if that's what your into.
 
The smaller the better.
I‘d be more concerned about a comfortable chair.
Hanging onto handlebars, and sitting at a picnic table..if there is one..is the same position.
A very good mattress is more important than a knife on a bike trip. We’ve done it since ‘65.
Let the hate begin!
 
So I didn't win the SDFK lottery today. :(

Tonight I came across the Architect Field Buddy 6.5 (TOPS I believe). Any experience or thoughts on this knife?


Thanks
 
I found another possibility when I get to the point of not being able to wait anymore.

Reiff F6 Leuki Survival Knife

Any thoughts or experiences?

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Thanks
 
Bang for your Buck, literally. If want a larger knife Buck 119 or 105 in 420HC or fancier steel, or my favorite the 117. If want carbon and a good tough knife, the Compadre in 5160.

Edit: forgot this is motorcycle carry.
 
I tend to loose knives while camping so I take cheap ones. Buck Selkirk has actually done well for me. Does not hold an edge as well as the ones listed in this thread but it has served me well. If were not so irresponsible I'd vote for the ESEE.
 
I went on a 5 day motorcycle camping trip last summer up on Mt. St. Helens. The most important thing I found is focus on weight! I left the house with all this and almost immediately turned back to stay home another day and figure out how to take less stuff. The bike handles wildly different when you add a bunch of weight to it, so really plan out for weeks ahead what you really need and put away any extra gadgets and fluff that you really don't. Also, the lower the weight is on your bike the better for a lower center of gravity. My trip was 5 hours one way of highway riding, then backroads, then gravel, then rutted up skinny dirt roads. Like GmpaJim GmpaJim said above, you'll want to also focus on making your trip as comfortable as possible. Sitting on a picnic table sucks. In our case there was no picnic table, just a spot out in the woods. I brought a tripod folding chair with a backrest. It worked ok, but it would have really been nice to have a full size camp chair.

As far as knives go I packed pretty light and never found myself needing any extra tools. I brought a Fiskars/Gerber hatchet (The second from the smallest size), a stainless mora, a Leatherman, and a plastic handled Bugout. I also brought a SAK and a whittling knife, but really just because I wanted to play with them. Oh and I had my lighweight Corona foldable saw. So my main kit is the hatchet, saw, multitool, and Bugout (or whatever folding knife you want. It was an amazingly awesome trip though, you'll have lots of fun!
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