Camping folder?

I had some Enduras that held their own for food prep back in the day. I don't have them anymore, however, my PM2 does very very well in the food prep area and, trust me, will survive on any camping excursion.

I use my PM2 dang near everyday for cutting apples on the go, and most times I don't even clean with water or wipe the blade down well afterwards, except to clear off any excess apple juice that might collect near the ricasso. My PM2 has no real noticeable patina, and if it did, that would be totally fine with me.:D S30V is excellent, I like it a lot.
 
I can understand the possible fear of losing a nice knife, but man, I can hardly think of a time where I wouldn't be more excited to bring along my nicest Spydercos than on a nice long loop or bushwhacking while backpacking!!! :D :thumbup:

I know weight is a large concern, atleast to me when covering ground, so it's hard for me to limit my selection just to 1 or 2 blades. I often bring a Leatherman Skeletool CX, so that has 1 blade also.
 
my CPM M4 millie is my go to woods knife. Last weekend I brought that and my Super Blue Delica. Ended up doing more with the Delica.
 
Next to a fixed blade my favorite folder for camping was my Manix 2XL. However, I sold it for another knife and now regret it of course since summer/camping season is here.
 
goodeyesniper said:
my CPM M4 millie is my go to woods knife. Last weekend I brought that and my Super Blue Delica. Ended up doing more with the Delica.
Click to expand...

If I bring along anything bigger than a 3" blade, it almost never gets used. This includes week long hunting/fishing/camping trips.
M2 is my top blade choice, M4 2nd, ZDP189 a very distant 3rd.
Got a HAP40 blade ordered, curious to see where it will fall.
 
If the fear is of it getting lost then....Note the pic



Go get a PM2 and use a dummy cord on it when in the woods. I have been doing this sort of thing for 30 years and never lost a knife....in the woods. :D
 
I would echo what a few others have said. Manix 2XL. It handles food prep well enough, can get shaving sharp with very little effort, has a very robust lock, a big blade with lots of belly, and is extremely tough overall. I bought mine new for less than $90 and it is easily the best bang for the buck I've gotten out of any knife I've owned...though PM2 is always a good choice too.
 
My two outdoor folders are my Para 1 SE and my G-10 Delica. My favorite light hiking knife is a gray FRN Caly Jr. All are usually carried along with a SAK (Yeoman or Explorer). I've also been thinking about a Dragonfly Salt for light hiking.
 
A good choice:
sRv8fUf.jpg
 
To follow up, I went backpack camping this weekend. I took a few knives. I had my Spyderco Bushcraft, Dragonfly SE H1, CRUWEAR Military, and a Gransfors Bruks small forest axe. The little Dragonfly didn't get used, the Bushcraft saw minimal use, and the Military saw a lot of use along with the axe. I wiped the three non stainless steel blades with a tuff cloth before I left and saw no problems with corrosion. The Mili in my right front was never noticed but always ready. Everything else was in or on my pack. Unless I was seriously doing some Bushcraft build your own shelter type backpacking, I'd say the axe was a bit more than necessary and the Mili could be my only blade.
 
I should highly recommend a spyderco Military in S30V. It does all my outdoor tasks so well ; that on my last 4 hunting trips it is the only folding knife l carry. Edge retention is better than any other knife l own.
But whatever knife you choose make sure it is a plain edge straight blade with a not so thin tip.
 
Military, PM 2 or Stretch. I find the Stretch just a little easier to do food prep and other chores with, compared with the other 2. That sweeping belly really makes a difference. The PM 2 has a sweeter action and lock, IMO, and is more fun to operate. It's also slightly larger in the pocket. I can feel my PM 2 when I carry it, but not the Stretch (in spite of it's having slightly more usable edge). The Military is always a great choice, but slicing on a cutting board is slightly more difficult because of the angle of the blade relative to the grips. It's great for other field tasks though.
 
I was going to say - a Military for food prep and whatever else and a Gransfors axe for wood processing will take care of everything you may need around the campsite. I also have a SFA and its a fantastic piece of gear.

nccole said:
To follow up, I went backpack camping this weekend. I took a few knives. I had my Spyderco Bushcraft, Dragonfly SE H1, CRUWEAR Military, and a Gransfors Bruks small forest axe. The little Dragonfly didn't get used, the Bushcraft saw minimal use, and the Military saw a lot of use along with the axe. I wiped the three non stainless steel blades with a tuff cloth before I left and saw no problems with corrosion. The Mili in my right front was never noticed but always ready. Everything else was in or on my pack. Unless I was seriously doing some Bushcraft build your own shelter type backpacking, I'd say the axe was a bit more than necessary and the Mili could be my only blade.
Click to expand...
 
I have no problem using my Manix 2s outdoors and in camp. My Rock Salt and Ark are H1, if that's a concern, and the ARK is a terrific slicer- so long as you don't need a long blade.

11392820_10100364959266195_4016801652460260376_n.jpg
 
I usually take a mid sized folder (PM2, Stretch or Milli as I mentioned above) and a 12" machete. Mine is from Fiddleback Forge, but Mora makes a really sweet and inexpensive one. I find a machete incredibly useful, not just when camping...
 
The Military is one of the best outdoor folders ever made and it is what I use when not carrying a fixed blade. The Pacific Salt is a good option if you plan on exposing it to lots of seawater without cleaning it regularly.

I prefer CF to save some weight ;)
 
As others have mentioned many times, the Military, Endura, Manix 2 XL, and Pacific Salt are all blades worthy of handling any number of camp chores and beyond.

Let your predicted environment and expected tasks dictate the blade for the job I think.

I typically use a Millie for just about all camp tasks, this week I am camping at the coast and doing plenty of fishing/oystering (is that a world?) I intend to carry and use my pacific salt for the oystering and fishing, and the Manix 2 XL around camp.

I could probably accomplish all this with the Millie and so could you. But man, I say give either that or the Manix XL a a try and don't be surprised when it creeps into your edc rotation.
 
Just my opinion, the Endura is fine for camping chores. I'd have a fixed blade along for any tasks that require a stronger knife. I am a Delica fan, but the longer blade of the Endura would be useful for cooking and all you need.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top