camping knife

A

armstrong*skier

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Apr 27, 2009
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hello everyone. I have just recently started to go camping (a couple times last year, hopefully lots more this year) so i need some help deciding on what knife would best suit my needs. This knife will mainly be used for fire prep and occasionaly carving. i will always take my axe with me so i dont need a huge chopper. at first my mind was set on either a bark river bravo 1 or RAT rc-4.
Today i went outside to practice making fire and used only my axe and my bark river bumble bee. this proves that i dont need a big knife to get a fire going. so my first question is: are there any other likely tasks that i would need a bigger knife for?
I am now thinking of getting a knife a little smaller like the bark river gunny or RC-3. can some experienced campers give me the pros and cons of going down a size? I think i would prefer a convex blade, but im open to others.

I would also like to hear what all you guys and gals take camping.
thanks everyone
 
my $0.02

personally, i've yet to find any job for a big (8"-10"+ blade) knife that i can't do better with a small axe.

i rekon a 3" and a 5" blade knives complemented by a small axe would cover pretty much all camping-blade needs.

you could compromise and go with a 4" blade and a hatchet if you like.
 
i really like my rc-4. i cant comment first hand yet on the use it will see while i am camping or backpacking as i have not been able to get out yet, i will soon. I could see the 4.5 inch blade being very useful though for everything from food prep, carving, light fire prep, and any of the millions of other things that need to be cut, carved, or chopped.

-Alex
 
My camp blades are my 18" Ontario 'chete, a Gerber Gator clip point folder (had it since 1996) and my SOG Powerlock milti-tool.
I've never found that I needed any other blades in my pack.

My collection is a different story. ;)
 
For camping/dayhiking, I like a small knife and either a large knife or an axe. Two tool system. I think you'll do just fine with what you've got.

If you're wanting to replace your bumble bee with a good bushcraft knife to be a companion for your axe, look at the Bark River Liten Bror. It's a great little convex-scandi grind in CPM3V (one of the toughest steels on the market). I just picked one up and it's going to be my small companion knife this year. :)

The large being a Busse SAR 8 that I also recently picked up. Last year I used a Bark River Golok and a rotation of different small knives, none that I was as excited about as this Liten Bror.

Good luck!
 
can't speak to the BRKT, but the RC3 is a lot of knife for its size.
The RC3 is 1/8" stock, the RC4 is 3/16".
both are full flat grinds, but some folks have had them convexed.
either will do an excellent job of dealing with any camp chores that you can't take care of with your axe.
either company should supply you with an admirable camping tool, to me, RAT cutlery has an edge on warranty and price.
 
Either one will do well. Out of the two, I would probably get the RAT. I like its look a little bit more
 
for Hunting, Hiking, Camping I carry 3 sizes
pocket sak with 2 blades and saw (can opener etc.)
3.5 to 4 inch fixed
and small hatchet- metal head poly handle
Have yet to not have what I need
while out and about i mostly use the 3.5 to 4 inch just because of not having to reach into my pocket for the sak but while in camp I use sak the most
very large blades are overrated IMO

lot of times i also carry a 3.5 inch folder also just because i usually have it with me- I always try and have an extra :) in case i lose one :)
 
The only thing I'll comment on is the decision between the Bravo-1 or Gunny. Since you have your axe, and your fixed blade will be mostly for food prep and carving (a few other things too, I realize), I think the Gunny would be more appropriate than the Bravo-1. Same knife, but thinner (but not thin or weak by any means!) and lighter. Sure the Bravo-1 can prepare food, but it's not really ideal for that task. And there are those that will pooh-pooh me for commenting on a knife I don't own and have never used, but nobody can argue that a 3.9 mm thick blade will out-slice and out-cut the same blade of 5.5 mm thickness.

I would love to own eithr of those knives, however.
 
I'll throw the MORA into the mix here. I just bought an orange & black handled MORA & sheath from a member here, and I just wish I'd discovered these before. Look at the #840 maybe halfway down the page here.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

Nice & cheap, you can buy several & stash them all over the house & car.

I like the knives mentioned above; I don't own any but I've handled them. My MORA's going to get a workout this summer.

thx - cpr
 
I'm sure any of those knives would would out fine.

I'd have to go with the Bravo-1 for smaller tasks and you have your axe for larger chopping.
 
orca8589 said:
I'll throw the MORA into the mix here. I just bought an orange & black handled MORA & sheath from a member here, and I just wish I'd discovered these before. Look at the #840 maybe halfway down the page here.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

Nice & cheap, you can buy several & stash them all over the house & car.

I like the knives mentioned above; I don't own any but I've handled them. My MORA's going to get a workout this summer.

thx - cpr
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If you plan to do any food prep such as cutting up meat or vegetables or the like while camping, a thin bladed knife such as any of the numerous Mora offerings would be a good choice. I like a 4-6" blade for such things, but a thin blade, no thicker than 1/8th".

That, and a good folder, maybe a nice Stockman or the like for your whittling and carving.

Andy
 
I would take something that I was not afraid of really messing up on a camping trip, chopping wood, prying stuff, opening big old chili cans, poking marshmallows, gutting dolphins, slaying polar bears.. you know the usual stuff.

If you have the money for the expensive busses or rat then by all means go for it, but I know I am going to mess a knife up when camping so I don't like bringing collection quality blades.
 
eneyman said:
I would take something that I was not afraid of really messing up on a camping trip, chopping wood, prying stuff, opening big old chili cans, poking marshmallows, gutting dolphins, slaying polar bears.. you know the usual stuff.

If you have the money for the expensive busses or rat then by all means go for it, but I know I am going to mess a knife up when camping so I don't like bringing collection quality blades.
Click to expand...

Both of those brands are catered for people who use their knives. Good luck even finding a safe queen RAT, Busses I can't comment on as I don't own any (though I have seen a few safe dwellers ;) ) With either company though, you're buying a knife that will take whatever you throw at it, thats why they exist, to be used. A cheap fixed blade will likely not hold an edge or it will break when you batton with it, a RAT won't, but if it does they replace it, no questions. You're not buying just a knife, you're buying a knife for the rest of you're life. I think you're mentality is quite common, but think about it. I know I went through many cheaper knives that just didn't last, until I bought RAT (rc-3, technically the weekest :eek: ) and if I know I'm going to be a bit rowdy with a knife, thats the knife I turn too, because I know it won't fail me. If you get the chance I encourage you to pick one up, they're well worth the cost.

OP:
And they make a heck of a camp knife (RC-3 slices considerably better than the 4, making it better for food prep usually) Get a mora and if its too "dainty" :D I'd suggest a RAT.:thumbup:
 
When I hike/camp I bring my small hatchet, a SAK and one (sometimes two :o) of my user fixed blades.

My fixed blades range from 3"- 3 7/8" blades.

100_1407.jpg


A Mora 840 MG (3 7/8"), my JK Anniversary EDC (3") , or my JK Hiker (3 7/8", almost Identical in size to an RC-3). The two JKs are O1, 1/8" thick. All three fixed are more than enough knife to bring along.
 
Ceck out Busse/Swamp Rat/Scrap Yard knives all are great for camping. Also depends on where you camp. Knife is a versatile tool, it allows you to deal with a lot of things you might encounter, where the axe or a hatchet is more specialized. I'd get a combo. But I just got me an expensive thick chopper of a knife and can't wait to try it out. Its gonna replace my small hatchet, but someone in our group will still have to carry an axe.
 
Todd A said:
When I hike/camp I bring my small hatchet, a SAK and one (sometimes two :o) of my user fixed blades.

My fixed blades range from 3"- 3 7/8" blades.

100_1407.jpg


A Mora 840 MG (3 7/8"), my JK Anniversary EDC (3") , or my JK Hiker (3 7/8", almost Identical in size to an RC-3). The two JKs are O1, 1/8" thick. All three fixed are more than enough knife to bring along.
Click to expand...

Now that's a man that knows his kit! If you can't do it with that roster, it can't be done.
 
ok i am convinced a smaller blade will work better for me. im thinking about the size of an RC-3, convex grind, and 1/8 thick. does anyone know what knife will fit into those specifications?
 
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