Some folks want a skeleton knife and the Thru Hiker is that, but I couldn't recommend it. It could probably be trimmed a bit, 1/8" stock etc (assuming CPM-3V is available in 1/8" stock), but Fehrman K&T is into strong and robust, not lightweight. My neck-knife is a mini-Talon, that's about as heavy as I'd want swinging from my neck.
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Good camping/backpacking fixed blade?
- Thread starter TheGreatGonzo
- Start date
if youre looking at SRKW and you dont want something as large as a camp tramp take a look at the howling rat or bandicoot and choose the blade shape you like. If you want something lighter, pretty much every review ive read about the bog dog points how how light it is for a knife with a 4 inch blade.
My Bark River Fox River will go into the woods with me. I liked it quite a lot more than the Northstar, although the Northstar had a lighter feel to it. The Fox River has a handle heavy feel so the balance is a bit further back from the choil area. Feels solid - which I like.
Both are robust and will handle most things thrown at them. I also like the ease of resharpening a full convex edge. Thing cuts like a laser to...
I have a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp too. I like it quite a lot, but since I bought it I really haven't used it much. I think it will be an around the camp work horse.
I will also state a complaint in that Swamp Rat has what I would consider to be timing problems. They just don't seem to be on schedule to me. It took 12 weeks to get what was stated to be an 8 week wait time CT and they have had other delays in other products (Bog Dog especially). The Company Store was due to be active by now and isn't (though it is not long overdue yet) and the other D2 blades that were slated for production have seemed to disappear. I am sure that they have good reason for all of this and I think they are very good people over their from my interaction with them, but these problems need to be ironed out before I give them more of my money. Nobody is perfect - especially me and I am looking forward to a time when they can guarantee their delivery as well as they guarantee their blades.
All that said, the Howler may be a nice choice for you. Boy do I LOVE those handles!
Both are robust and will handle most things thrown at them. I also like the ease of resharpening a full convex edge. Thing cuts like a laser to...
I have a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp too. I like it quite a lot, but since I bought it I really haven't used it much. I think it will be an around the camp work horse.
I will also state a complaint in that Swamp Rat has what I would consider to be timing problems. They just don't seem to be on schedule to me. It took 12 weeks to get what was stated to be an 8 week wait time CT and they have had other delays in other products (Bog Dog especially). The Company Store was due to be active by now and isn't (though it is not long overdue yet) and the other D2 blades that were slated for production have seemed to disappear. I am sure that they have good reason for all of this and I think they are very good people over their from my interaction with them, but these problems need to be ironed out before I give them more of my money. Nobody is perfect - especially me and I am looking forward to a time when they can guarantee their delivery as well as they guarantee their blades.
All that said, the Howler may be a nice choice for you. Boy do I LOVE those handles!
Ebbtide
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 1999
- Messages
- 7,958
"Survival"
"Hard Use"
and
"Abuse"
aside, you could, for a measly $10, pick up a Swedish Army Knife.
Plastic handle, plastic sheath, very light and great for wood work (like fuzz sticks).
4" SS blade & a scandi grind make a good little user.
I keep one on my work bench.
Forum member Normark sells them with his kydex sheaths.
Low cost, lightweight (albeit homely) kick butt alternative.
"Hard Use"
and
"Abuse"
aside, you could, for a measly $10, pick up a Swedish Army Knife.
Plastic handle, plastic sheath, very light and great for wood work (like fuzz sticks).
4" SS blade & a scandi grind make a good little user.
I keep one on my work bench.
Forum member Normark sells them with his kydex sheaths.
Low cost, lightweight (albeit homely) kick butt alternative.
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2003
- Messages
- 645
I just ordered a Howling Rat myself to fulfill a similar niche (new Knife Itch). I've gotten 6 years of excellent service out of my CS SRK though. It does everything well, chopping, prying, skinning, hammering...the whole nine yards. Despite all the anti-CS sentiment I would reccomened it heartily to anyone.
My favorite camping/hiking/hunting knife is a Dozier Yukon Pro Skinner that I got from AG Russell several years ago. As one of the guys has already said, it all depends upon WHAT you want to use the knife for. My knives are cutting tools, and Dozier's are awesome cutters! I have not found any better.
I don't feel the need to use a knife to break apart fire wood, or to do other chopping chores. I somehow manage to reduce branches and such to burnable sizes by applying physics... using leverage and my body weight to break the branches into the sizes I need. If I know I'm going to be doing lots of chopping, I'll bring a hatchet, axe, or small camp saw. I have a neat Browning folding saw that really rips through wood, bone, etc. It's very light weight and extremely packable.
Just my $0.02... YMMV.
AJ
I don't feel the need to use a knife to break apart fire wood, or to do other chopping chores. I somehow manage to reduce branches and such to burnable sizes by applying physics... using leverage and my body weight to break the branches into the sizes I need. If I know I'm going to be doing lots of chopping, I'll bring a hatchet, axe, or small camp saw. I have a neat Browning folding saw that really rips through wood, bone, etc. It's very light weight and extremely packable.
Just my $0.02... YMMV.
AJ
- Joined
- Jun 4, 1999
- Messages
- 359
I agree with the above post. I am of the opinion that for hiking / backpacking you are better served with a smaller fixed blade and a pack axe or saw for wood cutting. I find that this allows a more useful knife and more efficient chpping as well. Nothingi do in these situation warrants a knife wiht a 7-9" blade that weighs 2 lbs so teh smaller knife works better for the things I would use it for 9utility, food prep etc...) With teh weight saved using a small knife I would choose a light weight camp axe for wood cutting chores.
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2004
- Messages
- 1,032
chris in mo said:
Instead, why not a khukuri? It might serve better than an axe and wll work as a knife also...just a thought.
Ebbtide
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 1999
- Messages
- 7,958
I've had good use from my SvenSaw.
It is a bit fragile, I'm on my 2nd...ham fisted nephew kind of twisted the first one. Not that it isn't usable, but it takes forever to assemble now. And it was a good excuse to get the smaller version.
I was given a "WhatASaw" 3 blades, all in one swing around handle. Works good as long as you don't lose the screw that holds in the other 2 handles
If it is going to be cold, the standard hardware store bow saw comes along.
24" IIRC.
And an axe.
It is a bit fragile, I'm on my 2nd...ham fisted nephew kind of twisted the first one. Not that it isn't usable, but it takes forever to assemble now. And it was a good excuse to get the smaller version.
I was given a "WhatASaw" 3 blades, all in one swing around handle. Works good as long as you don't lose the screw that holds in the other 2 handles
If it is going to be cold, the standard hardware store bow saw comes along.
24" IIRC.
And an axe.
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2000
- Messages
- 2,429
Fehrman knives are growing by leaps and bounds, thus giving the buying public more time to wait for their knives. I went to their site and saw the message with a three month wait. I am glad business is up for Eric. He is a good guy to talk and deal with. If you want to get one, you may contact Bill Siegle, I think he has one up for sale right now.
If you can find a blade by Peter Jensen, I'd get one of those. Great knife. Also , Bill makes a great knife for the money and is offering his RAW knives for arounf 150.00. I have had many knives by Bill and they have all offered good performance with splitting logs for firewood and general camping duty.
Going through my collection in my head, all the previous brands mentioned have resided or reside there now, barring the ones I mentioned here now.
Cerberus
If you can find a blade by Peter Jensen, I'd get one of those. Great knife. Also , Bill makes a great knife for the money and is offering his RAW knives for arounf 150.00. I have had many knives by Bill and they have all offered good performance with splitting logs for firewood and general camping duty.
Going through my collection in my head, all the previous brands mentioned have resided or reside there now, barring the ones I mentioned here now.
Cerberus
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2000
- Messages
- 6,104
Sounds similar to my use. I carry a Becker BK7. It's light for it's size, but big enough for limited chopping-clearing limbs to make room for a tent, getting clear of briars, stuff like that, along with splitting wood for the fire with a baton. If it weren't for those things, I'd probably just carry a SAK like a Recruit or Hiker, which is what I usually use for all the little stuff.TheGreatGonzo said:
Right on Alpha... I definitely agree.
First, let me say that I really am a knife nut, but I really also spend alot of time outdoors rock climbing and hiking. I spent one month in the Alaska backcountry hiking and what I used most was my SAK in a lanyard in my pocket. Personally, I don't like multitools. SAK's are lighter than multitools. A good pair of pliers probably would weigh less than a multitool (and work better anyway). If you really want a fixed blade than a Gerber river knife mounted upside down on your left pack strap would be light and strong. After 1 month in the backcountry, I realized weight is key (I never had to chop wood).
I think big combat/camp knives are for military applications, not hiking. Most hiking/camping stores (REI/EMS/Campmor) do not sell such knives. I think they would if there really were a need for them among hikers and campers. We don't have to be Rambo and only carry one tool/knife. There is nothing wrong with carrying the right tool for the right job. Besides, really big knife will never chop as well as a small axe (and why risk messing up the blade of your knife by chopping).
Just my opinion... everyone has one.
Mike
First, let me say that I really am a knife nut, but I really also spend alot of time outdoors rock climbing and hiking. I spent one month in the Alaska backcountry hiking and what I used most was my SAK in a lanyard in my pocket. Personally, I don't like multitools. SAK's are lighter than multitools. A good pair of pliers probably would weigh less than a multitool (and work better anyway). If you really want a fixed blade than a Gerber river knife mounted upside down on your left pack strap would be light and strong. After 1 month in the backcountry, I realized weight is key (I never had to chop wood).
I think big combat/camp knives are for military applications, not hiking. Most hiking/camping stores (REI/EMS/Campmor) do not sell such knives. I think they would if there really were a need for them among hikers and campers. We don't have to be Rambo and only carry one tool/knife. There is nothing wrong with carrying the right tool for the right job. Besides, really big knife will never chop as well as a small axe (and why risk messing up the blade of your knife by chopping).
Just my opinion... everyone has one.
Mike
I like the Becker BK-7 but I like the BK-10 (Crewman) even better.
I can't recommend one knife. I like an assortment and that's what I recommend. Here are some of my likes...
#1. Swedish Army Knife, $10, decent steel and cuts real well.
#2. BK-10, IMO it chops about the same as the BK-7 but it's shorter so it fits better in my pack (horizontally in the bottom and accessible from the side zipper).
#3. Ontario 12" machete, it chops really well for costing only $25!
I recommend the 3 or other knives in the same 3 catagories (small, medium & large). Another combo could be...NorthStar, Kabar and BK-9.
I like the USMC MKII knife by Kabar or Camillus. I'm often torn having to choose between my Kabar and my BK-10!
I'm assuming you already have a sak or multi-tool.
The "large knife" catagory can be substituted with a saw or hatchet...I think you get the idea.
Collecter
I can't recommend one knife. I like an assortment and that's what I recommend. Here are some of my likes...
#1. Swedish Army Knife, $10, decent steel and cuts real well.
#2. BK-10, IMO it chops about the same as the BK-7 but it's shorter so it fits better in my pack (horizontally in the bottom and accessible from the side zipper).
#3. Ontario 12" machete, it chops really well for costing only $25!
I recommend the 3 or other knives in the same 3 catagories (small, medium & large). Another combo could be...NorthStar, Kabar and BK-9.
I like the USMC MKII knife by Kabar or Camillus. I'm often torn having to choose between my Kabar and my BK-10!
I'm assuming you already have a sak or multi-tool.
The "large knife" catagory can be substituted with a saw or hatchet...I think you get the idea.
Collecter
I own Busses, Striders, and numerous other high end large blades. All great knives, and fun to own.
When I head for the deep woods, however, these are not what I carry. My choice (as with AJ) is usually a convex ground Yukon Pro Skinner from Dozier and a GB Mini.
The only time I opt for a large blade is when I head for more tropical climates where dealing with a lot of soft vegitation is the rule.
When I head for the deep woods, however, these are not what I carry. My choice (as with AJ) is usually a convex ground Yukon Pro Skinner from Dozier and a GB Mini.
The only time I opt for a large blade is when I head for more tropical climates where dealing with a lot of soft vegitation is the rule.