Entry level fixed blade, primarily for camping

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Hi all, after lurking for a few weeks, I've decided to finally post to the forum.

I currently only own a single knife, a Spyderco Delica which is extremely useful for most day-to-day needs. However, I'd really like to have a fixed blade knife, partially because I just like them, but also for utilitarian purposes. I do a lot of camping/climbing, and I have a tendency to be rough with my "tools." So the knife I'd want would have to be durable, sharp, but also sexy.

I guess I'm just not really too educated about differences in steel or types of blades. I like the looks of drop-point knives, but don't really know what makes them special.

I guess I'm looking for information in general, as well as different brands/types to consider. Currently my budget is probably under $100, but if there is a big jump in quality, I could be convinced to wait a bit or possibly just ask my girlfriend to get it for me for christmas.

So, what knife would you recommend? What would you get if you were in my position? Think long-lasting, fun, and attractive. Something that I could use for almost everything, but something I'd show off as well.
 
USMC Kabar with plain edge. Razor sharp from the factory, easy to sharpen, holds a good edge, handle gets a nice patina over time and the more you use it, the cooler it looks! Our soldiers use this knife everyday. $40.00 at Big Five.

Collecter
 
My Becker Knife and Tool BK-7 is not sexy. Sometimes when I've been bush for a week or two and have started talking to my gear, I find myself saying "BK, you are just too ugly, get back in that pack and out of my sight'

Otherwise I have found it to be a great all round camping tool. It does ok as a makeshift machete, can be battoned through wood for kindling and wet weather fire starting, can be used to hammer in stakes and is an ok food chopper, although I tend to use a large SAK or my Syderco Military for this.
 
A Ka-bar would be an excellent choice, I carried one for years and it always performed well. The Becker line is also well regarded, I handled these at the Blade show and was impressed. Swamp Rat is on the high end of what you're looking for but also well regarded.

None of those are what I would consider to be very showy though. If you'd like something more attractive, three brands that come to my mind are Marbles, Bark River and Blackjack. All are traditionally styled, with a variety of handle materials available, and with blades that are convex ground of quality steels. I have a Marbles and a Blackjack, both are beautiful, well made knives. I have read good things about Bark River knives on another forum, e-mail me if you'd like a link. You can view more information about all of these knives at //www.marblesoutdoors.com/, www.knifeware.com, and http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/.
 
Spyderco Temperance.
Camillus/Becker BK10, or its' bigger brother, the BK7.
 
I agree with Roadrunner. A Ka-bar would do, but there are other knives that would do just as well, and look better doing it.

I have never had any experience with Bark River knives, but they look like an EXCELLENT buy! The materials and quality of workmanship sound outstanding, especially for the price! I have owned Blackjacks and Marbles, and I can tell you they are both options you should consider. If you want a good price on BRK (or any other knife for that matter), here's a great link to check out:

http://www.knifeworks.com

www.newgraham.com has excellent prices on blackjack knives. There are also many custom knives in your price range... just look for them. Happy huntin'!
 
Try a Fallkniven F1, goes for $75 on www.1sks.com

3 3/4" blade of 4mm thick laminated VG-10 concave grind, full tang. Very hard to beat IMHO. If you want bigger, there's an S1, or an A1

Good luck in your search!

www.fallkniven.com

f1blue.jpg
 
I was just gonna say try Fallkniven.

They've got good value VG10 blades...comfy in the hand and the blades are seriously sharp...currently i use the S1 and it's superb...but i think the F1 would be a great camping/survival knife unless you need bigger, then you can go for an S1 or the A1
 
IMHO, I do not think there is a good quality "camping" knife with good curb appeal for under $100.
However, you have not mentioned what you plan on doing with the knife. Do you want to be able to chop wood with it? Are you just planning on doing food prep??
I think there are some great choppers WELL under $100, especially the Becker BK&T9 Combat Bowie. A 12" or 18" Ontario machete, if sharpened well is a great blade too, especially paired with your Spydie.
If you are looking at Food and utility use then there are a myriad of choices including the Fallkniven, Benchmade 180, Kershaw Echo, KaBars, Browning Mako, ETC.
If I was choosing a sub-$100 knife for camping, I'd forget curb appeal and get a Becker. I have beaten the heck out of the 9,7,and 10 and they keep coming back for more.
Good luck in your search but the more specific you can be in your intended use, the better these guys can make recommendations.
 
I'm telling you, you cannot beat a Mora for cheapness / quality
they are like $10 and kick @$$. I think that this is a perfect choice.

www.swedishknives.com


Pascal

Edited to add:

Plus you cant get any easier for shaprening. It is a single grind, so just rest the bevel flat on the stone and go to it!
 
There are two approaches to buying knives if you are "rough with your tools". One is to get cheaper knives, like the Moras, and discard them if you wreck them; the other is to get the bomb-proof type of knife. The advantage with less durable knives that are inexpensive is that they are often thinner and therefore are more efficient for light work. Since you have a folder to handle light stuff I will deprioritize the cheaper knife approach.

To go for a maximally tough knife that will last you want a carbon steel blade rather than stainless. There are trade offs between harder steel that may chip or break and softer steel that is very unlikely to break. The way around that tradeoff is to heat treat such that the edge is harder than the spine of the knife. This is normally an expensive custom or semi-custom knife feature. The outstanding exception to this are knives from Swamp Rat Knives. Take a look at their forum here at Blade Forums.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=778

Also look at their website:

http://www.swamprat.com/

They use a premium alloy and premium heat treatment and make a variety of heavy duty camp knives that have high performance characteristics.
 
In addition to the Kabar consider a Buck Nighthawk.

I carry a 'hawk in my truck as a grunt knife and
have abused this knife on everything from punching
holes in 55 gal drums to splitting wood. Dug cat
holes while hunting to cracking bone. Done things
with the 'hawk that I wouldn't even try with ANY
of my other blades. :eek:

Get one. They are inexpensive and carry a killer
Buck warranty. :D
 
Oh, my bad, I didn't see that fun and attractive were two of your requierments. Moras are neither. However I disagree with the contention that they are not long lasting, or are junk (especially the carbon steel ones). A prybar they are not, but I have had mine for many years now using as my hunting blade and it is still great.


Pascal.
 
Falkniven are definatly good, but Dullone & Jeff are right, the Swamp Rats are the very best. For the money, you can't buy a tougher knife. Buy it once , use it for life. They're that good. Amazing value really.
 
If you like Spyderco try the Moran, good company that makes fine products.
 
Originally posted by Roadrunner:

If you'd like something more attractive, three brands that come to my mind are Marbles, Bark River and Blackjack.
Click to expand...
I can recommend the Bark River line. I have a Mountaineer II which has been through a couple "experiences" with me. The feel is terrific, it's almost too sexy to use, but very durable. It was also my first fixed blade ;)
 
Awesome, a ton of responses with a lot of ideas I hadn't yet looked at. I'd already seen the swamprat website, but wasn't sure yet if they were as tough as they look. They're now definitely in the running.

I'm also going to go out and check out the other suggestions.

As far as what I'm planning on doing with it:
I don't hunt, so I doubt if I'll do any skinning or anything.
I do find myself having to dig a little, cut wood a little, pound in tent stakes a little, prepare food a lot, cut cords/webbing a little, and consider self defense every once in a few blue moons.

I've considered going with a less rugged knife as well as a hatchet, but have also considered just looking for a really tough do-it-all knife.

The problem is that the more I research, the more knives I see that I want. But. I. will. resist. I have enough expensive hobbies already, and certainly can't afford to pick up another.

Thanks!
 
try a Mora 2000...they are inexpensive, ergonomic, maintenance friendly, easily field sharpened and get REALLY sharp....ragweedforge.com

AND welcome to the forum!!!!
 
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