camping

D

deltawhisky

Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
42
i am looking to purchase a new camping knife for the upcoming summer and was hoping i could get some input. i want something durable and fairly hefty. already have a machete so i want something smaller than that but something i can use. i like to use my knives to their fullest extent so if anyone has any input that would be awesome!
 
I'm not sure if by hefty you mean durable or heavy. With the durable meaning in mind, I suggest the Swamp Rat RatManDu.
 
How large?
Use for what tasks? Batonning? whittling? Woodcraft?
Price range?
Any steel preferences?
 
You should definitely check out the exchange and look for a swamp rat or scrapyard or full-on busse if you have the dinero :)
 
I've got my eye on a specific bark river for this purpose. I could tell you which one but then I'd have to kill you

I can however recommend their more common and still in production bravo1. Damn hefty. Too big? Scale down to a gunny. Too small? Scale up to a bravo2. Take your pic from burl, g10, or micarta scales, and a2 tool steel or if stainless is more your flavor they have some available in cpm154 And if you're patient a load of bravo1's in s35vn is in the works :D
 
I can't believe I'm the first to recommend the Becker BK2 but you will kick yourself if you don't at least consider this one for camping. It does big stuff and little and won't be breaking any time soon.

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Beckerhead #42
 
I do canoe camping and the knife that I bring with me is the Cold Steel SRK. The Kydex sheet can be attach in many position witch I like. 6 in. blade is fine for the rought task. I don't bring any machete or axe because of weight issues. Since 3 years of canoe camping with this Knife and i'm satisfied. In this price range it's a good deal.(+-65$):thumbup:

Dox
 
Camping knife? Backpacking or car camping? I prefer to go light when backpacking, and if I have a machete, my other knife will be a smallish knife.
Car camping, well bring whatever you want.
 
How experienced at camping are you and how much do you regularly use your machete? A machete is a great all round camp blade in of itself and if you are pairing a knife with it, you really don't need a big or heavy blade since all those tough chores (aside from prying which is not very necessary in camping) are what the machete is for. My suggestion would be to pair your machete with a 4" x 1/8" thick blade that will be great at slicing, cutting and whittling. A cheap choice would be any of the mora knives that can be had from $15-$30 depending on the model. A really nice choice would be something like the Bark River fox river which is a bit thicker but has a very aggressive convex grind. A fallkniven F1 would fall in between the above two in price range is considered the 'ultimate' outdoors knife by many. If you really want robust at a bit of an expense of slicing efficiency then an ESEE-4 is a great knife at 3/16" thick it will let you pry without effect.

I would say from personal experience that going to 1/4" thick knife is okay if you are getting a chopper blade (e.g. 9 or 10") to replace your machete. In a smaller configuration I think having all that extra steel only detracts from its cutting/whittling capabilities and add excess weight to your hip.
 
+1 on what kgd said. However, I like my Condor Hudson Bay, for a mid size chopper, when camping. Cheap, too!
 
GingivitisKahn said:
I can't believe I'm the first to recommend the Becker BK2 but you will kick yourself if you don't at least consider this one for camping. It does big stuff and little and won't be breaking any time soon.

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Beckerhead #42
Click to expand...

Let me know when they lose the Grivory handles. They look like a premium Condor offering at the moment. Throw some Micarta on them and I'd be in line for a couple of Beckers. ;)
 
SpartanSaint said:
I've got my eye on a specific bark river for this purpose. I could tell you which one but then I'd have to kill you

I can however recommend their more common and still in production bravo1. Damn hefty. Too big? Scale down to a gunny. Too small? Scale up to a bravo2. Take your pic from burl, g10, or micarta scales, and a2 tool steel or if stainless is more your flavor they have some available in cpm154 And if you're patient a load of bravo1's in s35vn is in the works :D
Click to expand...
And the Bravo 1.5 with a 5 and a half inch blade is coming soon with a choice of carbon or s35vn stainless steel.
 
I recently picked up an ESEE-3MIL CP (and the ESEE Fire Kit) specifically for camping. In a few weeks I'll be able to put them to the test.
 
EK20 said:
I recently picked up an ESEE-3MIL CP (and the ESEE Fire Kit) specifically for camping. In a few weeks I'll be able to put them to the test.
Click to expand...

I love my RC-3 MIL best for all purpose camp knife!
 
for the low budget, keep it camp oriented type of mindset I'd go with a Mora maybe something in the flavor of a 2000, and or 511 if you're looking for general camp chores etc, you have your bases covered with a machete.. if your looking for something with more heft BK2 this can be slammed around town and may be a good batoner but again chetes are decent for that also..

in all honesty a good decent 'chete with a good profile set up with scandi etc can handle ALL camp chores including but not limited to food prep :D if your 'chete is set up right it will serve you well, but its always nice to have a small knife available, also you should consider a folding saw..

happy trails......
 
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If your looking for cheap but trusted
Buck 110
Only about $20 (depending on were you get it)
There great. Really well built.
The blade is about "3.5 long...
 
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