Cheap fixed blade for around camp?

N

nash531

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Mar 13, 2015
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I want a cheap knife for around camp and the BuckLight MAX large seems to fit the bill. anyone have any experience with these? i would spend another 10-20 for something else if you have ideas.
 
Bucklight Max is a good choice. Buck does 420HC right and the handle fits my hand very well.

The blade is a bit short for heavy firewood prep so you'll want to back it up with an axe/hachet/saw. Otherwise, it's a very good camp knife.

A Mora Companion HD would be an excellent alternative. I use one for my garden tasks.
 
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SCHF36
OvPBMTb.jpg
 
Mora (companion HD, companion, craftline, take your pick)

+1 on either of the above as well.
 
Mora, then a 12" machete, think the traditional Ontario or Imacasa.
I bought my 14" machete for $11 and mod'd it myself.
 
Light duty or Heavy duty use?

light duty
my Buck 102 woodsman $40
DSC01282.jpg



heavy duty
my Buck 124 (before mods) $100
DSC01224.jpg
 
Two knives are preferred with one of the Mora variety or its ilk and a heavier knife that can chop and, within reason, baton kindling.

There are many, to include some of the Bucks referenced above that cover the former category and in regards to the latter the Schrade offerings are an interesting value and seem to perform more than adequately for their price point. Ontario knives can serve your intended function very well and then there are the Beckers, which I am passionate about. Once you progress past Becker in price - the world is your oyster but for many, myself included, as the price goes up desire to really use the daylights out of the knife decline.

Happy hunting.
 
Kershaw bear hunter II at 4.5"
And
Kershaw antelope hunter II at just over 3.5"
Both are good cheap $20 options as well, the Bucklite max large falling in the middle at 4".
 
If you're willing to spend about 20 dollars more, check out the Becker BK15. It's on sale right now and you can find it at a lot of places for right at 40 dollars.

I'm currently using one as my only EDC knife for 30 days, which has included camping. Check out that thread here.
 
Cheap camp knife that's tough. I have used two since 2004. The Glock knife and most recently the Schrade SCHF37. The 36 would be good but a longer blade like the 37 will not make you wish you had a slightly longer blade. The Glock knife I have used since 2004 will do everything it can and has done so much more.

Either would be a great choice.
 
A Becker bk11 is just under $40 but might be a little small on its own. Perfect to pair with a chopper though. Also, condor bushlore or kephart are both $30-35 and get great reviews.
 
The Condor Hudson Bay makes a good camp knife. Pretty much it's purpose. I just picked up the Kumanga (10" blade) which runs about $40 and it is kind of fun. The Condor Moonshiner is more traditional, but still a cool knife. The Bushlore is good if you want something smaller, the Kephart. Have all of these except the Mooonshiner. I like the Condor machetes a lot and the Kumanga is sort of an in-between kind of knife and use would be similar the the vaulted Becker BK-9.

Big knives are fun, but I would pack a Mora Companion or something of that sort for detailed slicing along with whatever folder you carry. My usual is a 111mm SAK.

Camp knife sizes are what you decide. But I like a bigger knife around camp for playing. But honestly, you don't need the big knife as far as I'm concerned. If I were hiking, the big knife gets left in the truck unless I know I'll need it.

The Kabar Becker knives are very good values but a bit more expensive than what you appear to be looking at.

Added: Just googled the BuckLight MAX fixed blade on that river site ($21). I would guess that you might consider the Condor's expensive.
 
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nash531 said:
I want a cheap knife for around camp and the BuckLight MAX large seems to fit the bill. anyone have any experience with these? i would spend another 10-20 for something else if you have ideas.
Click to expand...

-Cheap
-Fixed
-Good

One thing comes to mind first, Mora
[video=youtube;ovp6_im68a8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovp6_im68a8[/video]
 
So it looks like the Bucklight MAX runs ~$25, and you say you're willing to go up by about another $20 if needed?

Here are some other great options, in no particular order.

Becker Bk15 (~$40)
Condor Bushlore (~$35)
Condor Rodan (~$35)
Condor Varan (~$45)
Condor Kephart (~$33)
Condor Bushcraft Basic (~$35)
Svord Kiwi General Outdoors knife (~$35)
Mora (basically any of them) (~$15-35)
JAB Gamestalker (~$45)

Good luck, and hopefully you find something you like among all of the choices given in this thread :).
 
I'll echo lots of other posts.. Any Morakniv. I'd go for a Companion or Companion HD.. should only cost you $9-12 if you look with any effort... leaves room to spend another $30 or so for a larger, more robust knife if you feel the need; or put that cash into a nice hatchet or folding saw. Camp knife duties: done.
 
Again, nothing wrong with the Buck Bucklight Max, 4", $25

But some good alternatives ...

Mora Companion HD, $15, 4" blade, 3.2mm thick
morakniv-heavy-duty-f-c-orange-satin-thumb.jpg


Mora Bushcraft, $30, 4.25"
morakniv-bushcraft-orange-sturdy-outdoor-stainless-steel-12050-thumb.jpg


KaBar BK15, 5.5", $45 if you search online
ka-bar-becker-short-bk15-thumb.jpg
 
Mora would be my first thoughts on inexpensife camp knife, but if you need something bigger I'd look into condor.
 
I have a Buckllite Max, and it seems quite good as a general duty sheath knife. I like the nylon sheath, and the orange handle may make easier to find if dropped in the grass. However, I don't see it performing heavy duty such as splitting wood or clearing brush around camp - a machete is needed for that.
Any Mora would also be a great choice. Both Buck and Mora are great value. A machete, either of these sheath knives and a pocket knife should handle any camp chores. :cool:
 
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