Fixed blade for camping / basic bushcraft?

JWheel

JWheel

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Jun 18, 2015
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I grew up on a farm in the middle of the piney woods of East Texas. I didn't know anyone who went "camping." You might sleep outside if you had a weekend hunt or fishing trip, but "camping" as the point of the trip just wasn't a thing.

Fast forward 20 years of city living and I'm ready to go camping. I'm trying to educate myself about all kinds of gear, but I trust the opinions here regarding knives. I'm looking for a fixed blade to compliment my Paramilitary 2 (and whatever beater I carry) which I'll use for the smaller tasks. And if possible, I'd like something that might eliminate the need for a hatchet (or do I really need a hatchet?). I expect some some basic bushcraft.

A friend suggested the Ka-Bar BK2 because of the price, but he also recommended the micarta scales and reviews suggest I may want a better sheath. Those add-ons knock that great price up a notch or two. I've heard great things about the ESEE 5 & 6 (but not sure which is better). Those aren't the only options. I just don't really know much about the offerings in this knife category. I don't want to spend more than $200.

Any recommendations, fellas? Thanks in advance!
 
I use a cheap mora and a spydie salt1 combo, but BRK bravo1 seem to fit your description, micarta, nice leather sheath.
there is a spyderco bushcraft but only in g10 scale.
 
Which ever one is appealing to you - in that price range anything is going to be able to handle your needs. There are even some customs from makers on the site that would fit the bill. Every blade has its pros and cons - go for one you like. I have many knives from all the top companies and all of them are more than capable.

Now I will say that blade length should be a consideration to fit the tasks.
 
From what I read you need a BK7, BK9 or a SCHF37. Them are the best hatchet replacing knives I have used. I'm sure others will have more technical ways of justifying what they suggest, I'm just letting you know from my use them are the best for them kinds of duties.

Have fun and let us know what you get, and pics or it never happened ;)
 
I'd suggest the bk4, it is an amazing chopper, but was also designed to smaller tasks. Plus it's on sale almost everywhere for about $60 so you can afford to upgrade the handles if you want, but it's not really needed. Plus it comes with a.pretty nice stock sheath
 
I'd say a kabar potbelly for chopping; does anything a bk2 can do but better; and comes with a small little cheap fixed to handle any lighter/finer duties... Currently on sale for a great price at Knifecenter last I saw.

For more of slicer that can still chop, I'd say a bk15, also on sale real cheap at Knifecenter right now... (And pick up up a $20 Tramontina machete or a small camp axe/hatchet for any serious chopping)
 
Go with a good folding saw from Silky or Gomboy for breaking down larger limbs and a husqvarna hatchet/small axe for splitting wood. Together you will be under $100 that will leave around $100 for a pretty good fixed blade.

Or swap the hatchet for a BK4 and skip the BK10 and go with a Becker 15/16/17.

Check out the Becker BK10 for a general use camp knife. And though the scales look slick, they are surprisingly grippy. I used to be a butcher and I would use a Becker BK5 and BK15 with stock scales in constantly wet and fatty environment, and if I had Any slippage, it wasn't noticeable.

If you would prefer a more agile knife, look at the Becker BK15/16/17.
The 15 is going the way of the dodo, and Great prices can be found, but due to the swedge, it doesn't baton that great (that's why you have the hatchet though), that being said, it is my favorite of the 3, slices incredibly well, Great for de-articulating joints as small as a hog shoulder and is Fantastic for full meal prep in camp as well as the kitchen.
The BK16 is a Fantastic general camp knife and it is also good at breaking down game from large does on up, and zipping trout if you choke up on the blade.
The BK17 will work well for any detail work needed due to the clip point, as well as being a good camp knife. Though it can be a bit "pokey" for skinning and processing game.

If you Still want scales, the Becker Micarta should still land you around $100 total.
 
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Condor Bushlore with micarta scales. No one can make a complaint about Condors sheaths it is the perfect knife for a little of everything and the carbon steel is like a razor. The only possible downside is the carbon steel can rust if not cared for properly (mine never has but I clean it after every use.) I re-profiled mine to a scandi grind because I can just find a nice flat rock in a worst case scenario.
 
I would recommend against the BK2 and ESEE5. They're tanks and a bit too unwieldy and heavy for their 5" blades.

I'd go with NJBillK's recommendations of the BKs, especially the BK4, BK5, BK10, and BK15, and add the 'King' - the BK9.

The BK4, BK5, and BK15 are currently on 'clearance' and can be found for $35~$60.

If you like the ESEE6, I'd also recommend the BK12 aka the Doug Ritter RSK Mk2 Perseverance...
DRRSKMK2.jpg

http://www.knifeworks.com/dougritterrskmk2perseverance.aspx#.VYY16PlVhBc

I'd also recommend you try the factory handles before springing for Micarta or G10 replacements. Most find the factory grips just fine, maybe hit them with a bit of sandpaper or stipling.


BTW, I used to live in Tyler and still have relatives scattered about East Texas.
 
The less expensive route would be a Condor like Stainless mentioned above. I'd probably suggest the Rodan. Slightly longer blade, blade coating to help against rust, an extra half inch on the handle, and a non-wood handle. That paired with a small hatchet would give you a great start. You could even add a Mora for food prep and get those 3 for under $100 and use the other $100 for something else. If you really wanted a nicer blade, the Becker or ESEE are great knives too.

But yes, I would take a small hatchet, or a folding saw like a Bahco Laplander (under $25).
 
I grew up in a small town and we didn't camp either. Then after college I got into camping and backpacking. My family couldn't figure out where that came from. But to the point, I've camped and backpacked for over 30 years. Long ago I bought a Cold Steel SRK for use while camping. I also carried a smaller knife, much of the time it was a Gerber LST. In all those years I never found something I needed to use the SRK for.
 
A couple modestly priced considerations: ESEE 6, Kabar Becker BK-7 or BK-15/16/17, Condor Hudson Bay or Kumunga, Condor Moonshiner, ESEE 4 or BK-10. I personally like the factory Becker handles and see little need to replace them. They work real well.

I would pick up a folding saw such as a Silky. They are quite useful around camp for bigger wood for the fire, limbing, and so forth. If you are truly going to be just car camping, consider the Becker BK-9. It's a good knife and easier to handle than it looks.

You really don't need a big knife, but car camping they are fun to have around to play with, split kindling, and so forth.

I am guessing you're still in Texas, and I am also guessing your camping will be primarily car camping. Check out the Arkansas state parks. They are most excellent and have nice scenery and trails.
 
TravisH said:
BTW, I used to live in Tyler and still have relatives scattered about East Texas.
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Tyler was the big city to me. ;) I went from a farm town of 1700 to Los Angeles. TIP: People in downtown LA do not respond well to random "Howdy"s from the stranger in cowboy boots.

But seriously, these are some great suggestions, guys. I will start combing through them all. Thanks so much!
 
Seriously,
a 4" Mora companion HD for cutting
a 14" Tramontina for clearing/light chopping
an 18" Council Tool Hudson Bay axe for heavy chopping.
All 3 For well under $100 (right around $100 if you get the sheath for both the Tramontina and Council), coupled with your PM, gives you a full armada of everything and anything you may possibly need in the woods edge wise outside of the saw, which, you'll have money left for a bow saw if you'd like too...
 
I am very fond of the Moras for general outdoors use. I think a Bushcraft Black, Companion, or no 1 would work just fine and be quite affordable.

I also like the BK 16 if you want a heavier knife.

A hatchet or chopper is not necessary but can be useful if you are planning on constructing a campsite from natural materials and not packing in a tent and tarp.
 
Not "necessary" persay, but it is also a lot more convenient for splitting firewood; but then again splitting wood isn't "necessary" either, just another convenience for better burning camp fires.
 
austexjg said:
Which ever one is appealing to you - in that price range anything is going to be able to handle your needs. There are even some customs from makers on the site that would fit the bill. Every blade has its pros and cons - go for one you like. I have many knives from all the top companies and all of them are more than capable.

Now I will say that blade length should be a consideration to fit the tasks.
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Lots of genuinely good advice already in this thread - I just thought I would add that I would highly recommend a relatively softer steel like 1095 so that you can cut your teeth re. sharpening relatively easily. To that end, the ESEE's are a good option. I prefer the thinner stock of the ESEE 3 (if you 'need' bigger the 6 is substantially thinner than the 4 & especially the 5).

Moras as recommended are perfectly suitable and plenty tough but if it doesn't resonate with you you find something that does. I have several Moras tucked away as pack bags because they are a) cheap and b) light weight.

That said, I typically use knives in the 3-4 inch range that really speak to me as appreciated/admired tools.

Enjoy your search, your purchase and using the heck out of it! ;)

Ben
 
I think I just looked at everything that's been recommended so far. I guess my new question is: What is the utility of a longer blade? If I'm packing a couple 3-4 inch blades already, then don't I want something at least a couple inches longer for versatility? Or is that my lack of experience talking?

And (follow-up) what does a thicker heavier blade buy me? I'm assuming it helps for chopping and batoning. Is that it?
 
Heavier thicker blade is better for chopping/batoning. Yup, that is pretty much what it is made for...

In my experience, blades between that 7"-12" range I'm not a huge fan of. For me, they just seem to be be too big to comfortably perform finer detail oriented tasks, and seem to always be lacking a bit whenever the need for a "real" bigger blade arises (like a machete).

4" usually is plenty, and 5.5-6" for me dies the trick for a heavier duty utility blade, provided a real (14"+) machete is available for clearing brush in a hurry...

Some would disagree, that's fine, different strokes for different folks, but that's my take on it.
I have a 9.5" blade, and I hardly ever use it. I opt for my 3.25" bk11, 4" mora (stainless craftline), 5.5" bk15, cheap Gerber or Tramontina machete's (both around 18"), or an axe (SOG Camp, an oldschool inherited michigan axe, or an 8lb maul), for specific jobs...

The pro is, it "can" do the jobs of all the tools; knife, chopper, and axe; if needed, (the H&K Feint)... It can cut, hack, and chop. If I ever needed a one knife fits all blade it would absolutely be it...
But it won't do any of the jobs "as good" as the other "job specific" tools can, and you can get a Mora, a Tramontina, and a camp axe for about the same price or less that I paid for my Feint.
 
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Even with the para 2 I'd still carry a 4-5" fixed blade and a big blade. If I had a folder it would be a backup thing and never my primary small blade. I'd prefer my primary folder be a SAK with tools in my pocket. True backup folder(s) would be pack carried.
 
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