Camping knife: Kabar D2, ESEE 4 or a Scrapyard knife?

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agoutihead

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If you had your choice of a camping/survival knife out of the following 3, which would it be & why?

Kabar D2 (Preferably with a plain edge, no serrations - not sure if the Kabar D2 comes with a plain edge though?...)
ESEE 4 (Actually I should be receiving my new 4 in the mail tomorrow)
Scrapyard equivalent (not sure what would be the equal comparison to an ESEE 4?)

Is D2 a better steel for camping/survival than 1095 would be?

I know Scrapyard makes theirs out of SR-77, this is a superior metal compared to 1095 isnt it?
 
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Scrapyard scrapper 5, SR-101 steel and a 5in blade. I have one and love it, handle metls in your hand and the steels has very high edge retention plus a good amount of toughness.
 
+1 for the S5's. That is probably my favorite all around knife. Been to the Amazon with me. Will rust, but not bad. Wonderful blade. Will try out the S5 LE on next trip....the Infi should be perfect.

Doc
 
Becker BK2/BK7 or Esee 5/6

But out to the three you chose I would take the Esee 4.

I have never used the scrapper, but I use Esee and Becker and those are my two companies I like to stick with......
 
The only way to get previously offered bussekin knives is through the exchange or ebay if your lucky.

Swamp rat is currently offering the "Rodent solution" also in SR-101 steel though a bit smaller in length.
 
Out the ones i have experience with i would take the Esee 4. I own an Esee 5 and its an absolute love affair. The 1095 they use on there blades apparenlty has some kind of proprietary heat treat on it and the performance ive gotten out of mine has been very very good, the fit and finish is custom grade quality. I am a big fan of the jeff randall design knives that Ontario offers too(Ive got the RTAK II), but honestly the Esee's kinda blow them away. As for D2 Vs 1095 and i dont want to make any D2 fans angry(just my opinion) i think D2 can SOMETIMES be a little to brittle for a thrash on camp/survival knife, i mean alot of what a camp/survival knifes role will play is wood processing, and i have experienced some moderate chipping in my kershaw Outcast D2, plus i think when you get into the higher prices of D2 there might be some better choices(ive heard good things about S7 not say its in the same price range as D2, but just a thought). I have and always will be a fan of a properly treated 1095. With all that said i have no experience with any of the scrapyard offerings so they might be the better choice over all, guess i need to get one.
 
Seems a lot of you love Scrapyard 5!

It seems to be a bit more expensive than I want to spend for a camping knife. $200+

I was reluctant to spend the $140 on my ESEE 4. I bought it from TKC so I could get their new custom G10 handles & we are both in Ohio so I had to pay $10 in tax. Kinda sucks, but I received the knife today & REALLY like it.

I guess if I had a bigger budget I'd take another look at the Scrapyard 5, but like I said its just more than I want to spend on a camping knife.

Can anyone else agree that D2 may be a bit too brittle for a camping knife compared to a 1095 ESEE 4?
 
To me, a camp knife and a survival knife are not necessarily the same thing.

A camp knife is going to be used in camp for chores like prepping food, carving, fire making, etc. You aren't going to use and abuse it on purpose.

Out of your choices, the ESEE 4 would be the best one for that type of work. Not that the others wouldn't work, but the ESEE would work the best.

A survival knife would be used and abused, and come back for more. IMO, they're usually a bit thicker and longer, something that you can do some chopping with and baton without fear of hurting the knife. Maybe do some light prying too.

My advice is to carry two different knives.

I always carry a couple of knives when I'm out. A smaller knife for light work and a longer heavier blade for stout work. I always have a folder of some kind and a multi-tool too.

People talk about the extra weight, but really, if an extra 10-16oz is going to make that much difference when I'm out, I either need to exercise more or lose a couple of pounds.
 
I see that Swamprat is still offering a RMD at the company store. It would be a good choice in the 5 inch category. I also have a Scrapper 5 and they are an excellent camp knife, if you can get one. ESSE 4 is good guality and a good overall design.

I havn't used a Kabar before.
 
I'd go with the ESEE 4. Excellent heat treat on good, tough carbon steel, good price point, easy to shop around for, full flat ground, unbeatable warranty, and a great sheath with molle locks.
 
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