Camping

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illumination

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Nov 21, 2005
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Looking for a good (not really expensive!) knife for camping/backpacking. It has to be reasonably light, durable and should have pretty good steel. Will be used for general camp chores (e.g., cutting tinder) and for emergency.

Any suggestions?

I'm thinking that since its going in a backpack, fixed blade may be the way to go...any thoughts on that?
 
The Camillus/Becker BK-10 Crewman would be a good choice, as would the slightly larger BK-7.
 
Thanks for the suggestion. Usually 3-4 days in the back country (everything carried on foot). Someday I'll go for longer, but never seem to have the time!
 
How much is not really expensive? What sort of emergency? Sort of 72 hour survival? Building fire? Shelter? Is weight a big consideration i.e.:) are you an ultralight junkie?

I used to carry big blades on my backpacking trips and never use them, so I switched to multitool/folder combo and it worked fairly well until I got lost one day. When I got out of the woods:) I purchased a knife with 8 inch blade(chopper) and a gps:) Are you planning on getting lost, do you bushwhack a lot or are you always on trail with topo maps? Get the best knife you can afford. If not, go with Mora or Frost knives - cheap and good.

Good Luck.
 
There're a couple of good long topics about this in the Outdoor forum.

For backpacking and camping, over the years I've "progressed" from a Bucklite to an Opinel, and now a Hunter's Scalpel. Each one easily performed every cutting task ever encountered. And I'm talkin' bout years of daily hiking, backpacking, and working outdoors. Most of the folks here will probably recommend a heavier, larger knife than what I've used. Different strokes...

Probably more campers/hikers/backpackers carry a SAK than anything else. A good choice? Maybe, but I'm not big on them.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
If you're going to be carrying it on your back, go light... every ounce counts. Rather than a large heavy chopper (if that is something you think you'll need), consider taking a light ax and a small folder or multi-tool. For backpacking I tote a Bark River Woodland or next year, possibly a Roselli Carpenter's knife, which is even lighter.
 
Bob W said:
There're a couple of good long topics about this in the Outdoor forum.

For backpacking and camping, over the years I've "progressed" from a Bucklite to an Opinel, and now a Hunter's Scalpel. Each one easily performed every cutting task ever encountered. And I'm talkin' bout years of daily hiking, backpacking, and working outdoors. Most of the folks here will probably recommend a heavier, larger knife than what I've used. Different strokes...

Probably more campers/hikers/backpackers carry a SAK than anything else. A good choice? Maybe, but I'm not big on them.

Best Wishes,
Bob
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Your progression Bob, is called getting older and more experienced. If we live long enough we learn from it. It took me a heck of a long time, but I learned.

From a bit over 50 years of camping that ranged from Boy Scouts as a kid, to army outings in the field, to backpacking, to canoe and kayak camping a good pocket knife did everything. I carried a couple of different fixed blades when I was young, for whatever I suposed a young man thinks he's going to need it for. I never used the Randall number 15 airman for anything, nor the Buck special. As I got older and problems with arthritus I went very light, and only carried a folder.

If you feel like you have to carry a fixed blade make it a light one. A Swedish Mora or the like will do just fine. Since you are already camping or backpacking you have your gear with you for shelter. In an emergency you have your tent or tarp with you so no need to chop down stuff for shelter.

One of the best backpacking books out there is "The Complete Walker" by Colin Fletcher. A must read for all backpackers.

Are you going to carry a small stove?

Hey Bob- how do you like that hunters scalpel?
 
Yes, I've got a stove. MSR Simmerlite. About as light as the non-butane stoves go. I don't have butane b/c I didn't want to have to deal with the hassle of finding the cylinders. (Yep, I instead have the hassle of using the liquid stoves...)
 
Becker Knife & Tool (BK) # 7 & 10
Cold Steel SRK & Master Hunter
KA-BAR

All are well under $100.00
 
Take a look at Bark Rivers products. They live and work in camping/hunting country and make great knives, IMHO.

http://www.barkriverknives.com/

A small bow saw is more handy around camp for small brush and trees than hacking away with a bowie and you can use it for hunting as a bone saw when quartering your moose or whatever.
 
My main camping knife is an HI WW2 Khukuri. I still have another knife for more fine cutting (CRKT STIFF KISS), but it did replace my axe and had I carried one, my machete.
 
SAK trailmaster will do the job !
It's light, versatil, blade is not nice but cut well... what else do you need?:D
 
Hey Bob- how do you like that hunters scalpel?
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It's my EDC for work at the drill rigs and my regular carry for hiking/backpacking. I like that it's a fixed blade, but slips into my pocket and is as unnoticable as a slipjoint. The long lanyard makes it more difficult to lose, and the hard sheath is perfect. The AUS-8 blade holds an edge fairly well and it's easy to sharpen. Again, it easily performs every cutting task encountered.

The next size up (the Bird and Trout) would also be a good backpacking knife. Too big for pocket carry, but if you're planning on a lot of cutting, it's a more comfortable fit.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
I have a #748 from http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html and really really like it. I have larger hands and find the feel of the knife wonderfull. I find it hard to put down. AND it only costs $16!!!

I have a Becker Crewman also, and while it is a great knife too, it is VERY heavy, especially compared to the #748.

If you want carbon steel you can get the #731 instead. I had to get stainless because eventually my wife will leave this one soaking in water somewhere - I know it will happen.

By the way, these are the two Mora knives recommended at http://www.equipped.com/devices8.htm too, though I didn't realize that until I had already purchased it as a camp "kitchen" knife.

Another consideration is the #2000, but I'm not sure how thick the blade is (for weight).
 
As others have said, large, heavy knives and backpacking do not mix well. Same with expensive knives, because you're more likely to lose or damage a knife in the bush. And, no need for a blade over 3 or 4". What for? I can't figure out why some people feel the need to destroy nature by chopping down trees with those monster knives. Green wood is no good for a fire, and you'll have a tent for shelter.

Just get a cheap Mora or Frosts sheath knife. Also pack a lightweight, folding saw, if you want...safer than a monster knife or an axe, for cutting DEAD wood for your fires.
 
Stepa said:
I used to carry big blades on my backpacking trips and never use them, so I switched to multitool/folder combo and it worked fairly well until I got lost one day.
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Especially if you're out alone. I camp in the mountains of Arkansas and Colorado solo and like the assurance of a big blade with me.
 
Pocketknife said:
Also pack a lightweight, folding saw, if you want...safer than a monster knife or an axe, for cutting DEAD wood for your fires.
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Pocketknife

A great suggestion! Folding saws are lightweight and much faster and easier for firewood and for cutting larger poles for shelter etc.

David
 
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