Day-Pack Knife Recommendations

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c0nspire

Joined
Feb 13, 2012
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I am looking for suggestions on a fixed blade to carry in my EDC/day-pack/Get-Home-Bag. I am open to all suggestions in the $20 - $200 range.

I have been considering an ESEE-4 and a HI Kukri for backpacking/camping or a true "bug out" situation. That said, what I am looking for right now is a blade for a small pack that I carry daily, take to the shooting range, and that I hike with. The ESEE-4 and kukri do not feel like optimum solutions for that use.

My bag already contains a Leatherman MUT which seems to have a decent, thick folding blade on it, and I always have a SOG Vulcan folder in my pocket. These currently address my every-day needs. However, should I get lost, stuck or injured on a hike and have to unexpectedly spend the night outdoors, I would like something that can handle some basic bushcraft and chopping duties.

So... not too big, not too heavy, but enough to handle some light chopping if need be. I really like the ESEE-6, but I hear it's not the best chopper.

Any thoughts?
 
I recommend the bk2 because of the forward balance and the blade thickness, both which make it an unbelievable chopper in a rather small package. I have also heard great things about the bk7 and CS SRK.
 
Why not the ESEE 4? It does seem like the ideal size for what you're talking about, a little more compact than the 6, more solid dedicated blade than the Leatherman or SOG. Also, from what I've seen and heard the 6 does work as a light chopper.
 
The ESEE 6 is a great choice for a knife like that. I would also look at the Becker BK2 (5in blade, .25in thick), Becker BK7 (7in blade, 3/16 thick), and the Ritter MK2 (Becker BK12, 6in blade, 3/16 thick).

Also, if you're trying to find a compromise between a chopper and a bushcraft knife, it doesn't always work well. I would say the BK7 is a great compromise, and that you also might look into a few smaller folding saws.

Good luck :D.
 
Tomahawk or hatchet? If you want chopping that's what you need unless you want to look into knives like the BK9 or the like. 8" plus blades. My setup is a Farmer 3/32" by 4 3/4" long pictured below and a Gerber folding saw. That combined with my edc(izula 2 or SAK soldier) and I'm set. Lightweight too.

IMG_1174.jpg
 
From what I can tell you are after a standard sized "do it all" type fixed blade, right? Something you can use for basic camp/survival tasks as well as a little chopping here and there? If you are in the $200 and under category it's hard to beat any of the BUSSE-KIN knives. I just picked up a RatManDu and I can tell I am going to like this knife a whole lot.

Also, going custom is great. We have some outstanding makers here who'd be more than happy to make you something in that price range.
 
CS Roach Belly is under your range, but I like mine. There light and inexpensive. Same with those Walmart Buck knives. For some reason I am interested in the replaceable knife market today and I think I would choose a couple or few of lesser expensive ones, but good luck
 
xylum said:
Why not the ESEE 4? It does seem like the ideal size for what you're talking about, a little more compact than the 6, more solid dedicated blade than the Leatherman or SOG. Also, from what I've seen and heard the 6 does work as a light chopper.
Click to expand...

I think the 4 paired with a dedicated chopper (probably an HI kukri) would be ideal. However, that's too heavy and not easily concealable for every-day carry and/or hiking. I'm hoping to find one decent sized blade to see me through an overnight emergency (again, paired with the other two small blades I carry daily).

ocnLogan said:
The ESEE 6 is a great choice for a knife like that. I would also look at the Becker BK2 (5in blade, .25in thick), Becker BK7 (7in blade, 3/16 thick), and the Ritter MK2 (Becker BK12, 6in blade, 3/16 thick).

Also, if you're trying to find a compromise between a chopper and a bushcraft knife, it doesn't always work well. I would say the BK7 is a great compromise, and that you also might look into a few smaller folding saws.
Click to expand...

Someone school me on .25" thick blades. Isn't this just "too thick" in many cases? Also, I'm starting to think more about the saw as a substitute for chopping capability.

Shotgun said:
Tomahawk or hatchet? If you want chopping that's what you need unless you want to look into knives like the BK9 or the like. 8" plus blades. My setup is a Farmer 3/32" by 4 3/4" long pictured below and a Gerber folding saw. That combined with my edc(izula 2 or SAK soldier) and I'm set. Lightweight too.
Click to expand...

Again, just not something I can carry and conceal daily and/or take out in a day bag for a simple hike. Camping or backpacking would be a different story...

Sulaco said:
From what I can tell you are after a standard sized "do it all" type fixed blade, right? Something you can use for basic camp/survival tasks as well as a little chopping here and there? If you are in the $200 and under category it's hard to beat any of the BUSSE-KIN knives. I just picked up a RatManDu and I can tell I am going to like this knife a whole lot.

Also, going custom is great. We have some outstanding makers here who'd be more than happy to make you something in that price range.
Click to expand...

Great suggestion! I researched the RatManDu as you suggested and this looks like it may be a viable solution. However, I did not see sheath's with most of these. I'm not resistant to having a custom Kydex sheath made, but I would love to hear suggestions for any sheaths that are already available for it?

I have mixed feelings about having a knife custom made. I love the thought initially, but I end up fearful that I will have a tool of unproven providence when I may need to use and abuse it most.
 
I think that .25in thick knives are very much an opinion/personal preference thing. Some people love'em, some hate them.

The BK2 has a pretty high saber grind, and the blade is pretty tall so it is slicey enough, and the mass and the handle design really lets it chop well for a small blade, hence the recommendation. No, it doesn't slice as well as a mora or opinel, but I've been able to do everything that I've tried to do with it without any problem. So it might not be the "best" at anything, but it is a great all around blade that you know you can trust no matter what. The downside is that it is a bit heavy. Its not the end of the world, but to each their own. Search the site for reviews of the knife and you'll find some great information. All I know is I can make feathersticks and traps with it just like I can with the Mora, its just a different experience.

The BK7 and BK12 are both thinner (3/16, or the same as the ESEE 4 IIRC) with high saber grinds. They cut very well, but still have enough blade length to actually chop a bit. Interestingly enough, both of these are actually lighter than the BK2, which is why I would lean towards these for a hiking knife.

Really, the midsize knife is all about compromises. You just need to pick what you want to do better and go from there.

And the small folding saw idea is great. With a any of the above knives and a folding saw, I would feel I could do everything I would need to do outdoors.
 
My preference is .25 blades.....the thicker the better....but I'm probably different than most. I've got blades up to .30 in thickness just because I can and I love the feel of thick as crap steel!! My problem is my champagne appetite on a beer budget. I'm still looking for that good balance. However, I'd look at Mineral MOuntain Hatchet Works(MMHW) as they have 5160 .25 steel blades that will fit within your budget and are true beaters....I have a large fighter and it is a beast......I'm still trying to fit one of their bowies into my diet currently!!
 
Regarding the hatchet.....

Again, just not something I can carry and conceal daily and/or take out in a day bag for a simple hike. Camping or backpacking would be a different story...
Click to expand...

Why not?

my combo...

10" haft Wetterlings with a 1.25 lbs head...Fallkniven F1

100_1692.jpg



Fits into a Maxped Jumbo.......My fall/winter day hike setup.

With food and water is only 10 lbs...

100_1806.jpg


And that little hatchet chops and splits better than any 6"-7" knife.
 
I actually think the ESEE 4 is a pretty good chopper for its size and, of course, the ESEE 6 is much better yet. When chopping, do you utilize a lanyard? Makes a big difference...
 
if you're worried about processing wood, a folding pocket saw like the gerber/fiskars is easy to carry (it's only about 3.5oz). paired with a folding saw, the esee4 or 6 should serve you well.

the ontario ranger TFI might also be a good option for you.
 
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My choices for this include the BRKT Bravo-1, Fallkniven F1, Scrapyard Wardog, and ESEE-3 or 4. Lately its been the Wardog as it is light, has nice blade size, and great steal with a nice convex edge.
 
Bahco Laplander folding saw and a Mora of some sort should do it. I know a Mora isn't the most exciting knife, but it's an awesome cutter, it's cheap, and it's light. If the Mora doesn't suit you, try an ESEE 3 and the folding saw. Unless your felling trees, these two along with your MUT should do whatever you need.
 
Pair up a Bahco Laplander and Fallkniven S1 = win.

If you go the saw but want a slightly smaller blade then I'll second the nod for the Fallkniven F1. If you want it all in one package, then Becker BK7.
 
c0nspire said:
I think the 4 paired with a dedicated chopper (probably an HI kukri) would be ideal. However, that's too heavy and not easily concealable for every-day carry and/or hiking. I'm hoping to find one decent sized blade to see me through an overnight emergency (again, paired with the other two small blades I carry daily).



Someone school me on .25" thick blades. Isn't this just "too thick" in many cases? Also, I'm starting to think more about the saw as a substitute for chopping capability.



Again, just not something I can carry and conceal daily and/or take out in a day bag for a simple hike. Camping or backpacking would be a different story...



Great suggestion! I researched the RatManDu as you suggested and this looks like it may be a viable solution. However, I did not see sheath's with most of these. I'm not resistant to having a custom Kydex sheath made, but I would love to hear suggestions for any sheaths that are already available for it?

I have mixed feelings about having a knife custom made. I love the thought initially, but I end up fearful that I will have a tool of unproven providence when I may need to use and abuse it most.
Click to expand...

I don't know how you determine a custom knife unproven compared to a production knife? Just because a knife is a one-off custom and not a stamped out model made in high numbers doesn't mean one is more or less dependable than another. Each knife needs to be tested in order to determine it's worth. I'd put more confidence in a small-lot semi-custom or full-house custom over a production knife any day.

I just traded in to a Landi PSKX and am very impressed with how well it is doing. Along with a SAK, it is now living in my EDC backpack I use to haul my MacBook Pro to work and back everyday (along with some other odds and ends making it more of a BOB than an EDC, but it works both ways).
 
Dayhiker1968, I would love to see a pic of how all that gets into the Jumbo, seems like a lot of stuff!
 
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