Good Camping/Backpacking Folding-Knife

The BM is the better looking of the two knives you listed to me. Personally when I go camping, hiking etc. I end up with way more knives that I need, usually end up using one or maybe two out of the bunch. I am always leary of taking my truly good knives into a situation where I know their life may get difficult. If I was going camping and limited to $150 I would have a Leatherman Kick in a pouch or even iside a backpack, a buck or case 2-3 bladed folder (american Buck not the chinese versions) in my pocket, and if I wanted to carry a clip knife, probably something like a Gerber EZ-Out, light quick, and a decent knife for the low $$, toss in a small diamond stone and you still have money left to get the truly items on a camping trip like 550 cord and electrical tape. I always like to have a multi-bladed knife camping something things happen and they get badly dulled or even broken, and the Leatherman is always handy for those small chores like picking up a hot pot from the fire etc. etc.
 
I'm going camping thisweekend and I plan on taking my Spyderco Manix 2 for a folder. The Manix 2 is a very sturdy heavy duty knife with a great lock, and it's below what you want to spen by about $50 to $60 depending on where you buy it. Another good choice would be a Spyderco Stretch 2 or a Benchmade Griptillian.
 
dolfan723 said:
Thanks, yeah, your definitely right, I couldn't dig the looks of the spydies. The one that I could stand was the Manix2 (how is that?), but the thing is, I want this knife to be one that I can just love (both performance and appearance).

If these two choices are lacking in performance that much, than I do get that I'll need to in some ways sacrifice the looks of the knife.

Do you guys really think the performances of those 2 are that bad? (Please tell me about what you've heard on the performance of the 0200 and the 15020.)

(I could always go with a Ritter-Grip too, cause those look nice - especially with the black S30V - and I hear there fantastic knives too.)

Thanks for all the help guys!
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I have no doubts the performance of the BM 15020 and ZT 0200. They are built very well, by reputable companies with great steel options. However, for a basic camping knife I think the ZT is a bit overkill. It's definitely geared more towards military/LE applications and is designed to withstand a bomb. I think (again for the money) there are other options that are still more than tough for camping/outdoor applications but have a better grind or steel for the same price. For instance the Spyderco Military has an S30V FFG blade which will handle tough camp chores on down to fine meal prep work. The ZT has a 154CM thicker grind blade that will still do tough camp jobs, but with its grind wont cut quite as fine (food prep, fuzz sticks for fires) as a FFG blade. Also as was mentioned, the recurve of the ZTs blade is more of a hassle to re sharpen in the field.

Anyways, both your choices will work very well, and If they look the best to you, then go for it! One of these days, check out some spydies. If they feel as good to you as mine do to me, suddenly they'll look beautiful :)

P.S. The Manix 2 is a heck of a knife. Feels AMAZING in the hands (something to consider for when you'll be using a knife for an extended amount of time). Its a bit like the ZT in that it has a thicker grind, but will still do anything you ask it too.
 
Victorinox Alox knives... I suggest the Soldier Alox (get while you still can) or Pioneer (Civilian version of Soldier) or Farmer (Pioneer with Saw)... All look awesome and will do most jobs no problem. They are relatively cheap if lost, damaged, stolen or broken... you could easily get 2 (two is one and one is none in the field)... The Alox scales feel better in ever way to the plastic scales on other SAKs. They might not be for you, but its definitely worth a look!!!
 
The SAK, choose one with the toys you want on it, and you will be fine. you might even already have one.
 
For backpacking I have carried a SAK Climber for years. Recently I have been counting every gram, and have gone to a Gerber LST and/or a SAK Classic.

Car camping is different, in addition to my SAK Climber, I'll throw in an Opinel for cooking, another current favorite knife, such as my Spyderco Delica or a Benchmade, and likely an Estwing hatchet.
 
If you are out in the woods; anything can go wrong. A folder is as sturdy as its lock. A lock will fail before a fixed blade will fail. I would have 2 knives. A swiss army, or a multi-tool, and a fixed blade. ;) The Fallkniven mentioned earlier is rather small.
 
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