Good, cheap, "camp" knives

T

Thrawn

Joined
Apr 24, 1999
Messages
282
Okay, I'm going on a camping trip in about a month and I need suggestions on good camp knives. I ordered a CS Bushman for the hell of it, some of you guys out there said it was the best bang for the buck. What I'm really looking for is a good knife that can hold an edge pretty well, not need extra work to restore the edge, is cheap enough that I won't cry if it breaks or I lose it, and can do stuff like split kindling, skin out game (not for me, but a friend who's likely to shoot something), survive any attempts to dig shallow pits, do some light brush clearing and makeshift staff making (in case I spreign something on a hike), and other sundry camp chores. What I mean by cheap enough so that I don't cry is that it HAS to be under $30. Can it be done? The only steel I'm looking to avoid is 420J2, almost anything else is okay. Hey, if you guys could find one made from 440C or ATS-34, I won't only be shocked, I might be happy enough that I'd buy one for you, too. Really. But that's not a promise. Oh yeah, sawbacks and serrations are also to be preferably avoided. Blade length should be between 7 and 10 inches, the happy medium being 8 1/2 or so (I won't be skinning as much as chopping and slicing). Other than that, I'm open for suggestions!
 
Thrawn,

Have you looked at Ontario's Spec Plus line? They offer several options that seem to fit your needs.

------------------
Travis Autry
My knives are just like rabbits---they keep multiplying!!
 
I failed to mention that I did. However, I think it was a partial listing and so I don't know what else is out there, so besides Spec Plus, what else is there?
 
Don't overlook the venerable K-Bar utility or the all time good deal of the Buck fixed blades. MSRP is above your price but with a bit of work you can find them at the price you want. They are easy to sharpen and are good users in the price range you want.

-Sam.
 
In that price range? Not much! If you segregate your chores, a world of better options will arise:

Buy a Swiss Army Knife for about $26 that will have a couple of blades, a saw, and other useful gadgets. With the remaining $26 you can buy an Estwing hand axe to do your chopping.

That's not only the best bang for the buck suggestion, but you'll have tools that are more pleasant to use in their tasks.
smile.gif



------------------
-Gregory Zolas
tinsta@hotmail.com
 
I'll second the recommendation for a SAK or multitool. You will find them very useful on camping trips.

If you are hooked on the fixed blade, you should take a look at some of the surplus military stuff. After 20 years I have accumulated a wide collection of fixed bladed camp knives; but, I still often take an old Spanish Cetme Bayonet, on my canoe trips. The carbon steel blade is easy to sharpen to a really good edge, it is strongly constructed and comes with a very serviceable plastic sheath; and, with a price of about $20 I really don't care if it falls into the river.

Have a fun trip.
 
Funny you should ask this as I am right at this moment finishing a concealex sheath for my cheap camp knife.It is a barteaux mini machete also known as a garden knife.I get them from my local farm and fleet store for $6.99.8"L6 blade,funky orange handle but tough as hell.I have found them incredibly good at edge holding and toughness though kind of thin blade stock for digging or prying.With this and my swiss army camping knife I feel well equipped.
have fun on your trip
troy
 
Hey MICKEY77, you're joking, right? I didn't see a smiley, but I'm hoping you meant to put one in. Ha! I did happen to find a seemingly appropriate knife. Did I mention I'd probably be doing some meat prep w/ the knife, too? Well, anyway, I Buck Mentor (thanks to whoever suggested Buck) on Discountknives for $16.98. I found a combo pack for about $40 not including shipping, and so I get two knives from a respectable company that can be used for separate chores. However, I would like to know if anyone out there has used these models or a similar kind from Buck and would like to know how they performed for you.
 
Frosts of Sweden make a great fixed blade knife with a plastic handle and sheath. Not more than $20, and it is really a bargain as it is really sharp!
 
You neglected to say where you were going. It makes a difference because out west in the desert most brush is too tough to chop! Take a little Swedish saw with a couple of extra blades if you're going there! Otherwise I would reccomend a standard Ontario machette with a GI plastic sheath. The sheath will cost more the machette, but it's worth it! Take a small mill bastard file and you can easily sharpen it forever! Add a Cold Steel Master Hunter Carbon V to your list and you'll have a great skinner/utility knife. It should stay sharp for the whole trip if you don't really abuse it! Maybe a small steel to straighten the edge up once in a while would be a good idea. A good folder would be handy too.
Just my thoughts, but I think it's tough to get one knife to do what you're asking. For the single knife your CS Bush Ranger will serve you well!
 
As far as the Buck's go, I've had a Buck 119 that has camped with me and my family for over 20 years. My dad gave it to me after he had had it for about ten. At least I think it's a 119. Kinda hard to tell any more. My oldest has it now and I see it lasting for a while longer. I think it cost about 20 dollars new (Back then) and it has given good service. They are not fancy and won't break the bank if lost. It would break the hearts in my family after all the things that have been done with the knife though...
 
I seem to recall that you can buy a factory second (cosmetic) Cold Steel Master Hunter direct from the factory for around $30 or so. I can't imagine a better all-purpose knife for that small amount of money.

have fun,
Phil Reedy
 
Nothing wrong with the Bushman. That's what I use but I'm rarely out for more than 4 days at a time. Wouldn't be my first choice for a desperate survival situation but I've used mine for everything but skinning game and I can't imagine it being too bad at that.

The only problem would be fine work since the edge is pretty thick with steep bevels (which is why I keep a pocketknife handy) and edge holding--it doesn't hold the kind of edge that an ATS34 knife does, but it's easy as pie to sharpen. I think I could sharpen it on a rock in the forest if I had to. I keep a crock stick in the pack with the knife and it's fine. I don't think you'll find a better value because quite simply, makers that make more ergonomic handles (and prettier) or more advanced blade shapes can't make a knife that cheaply. I'll probably get something a little nicer eventually but I don't feel I'm giving up much with the Bushman. Know the difference between what you need and what you want. Your ancestors would have loved the Bushman, ugly or not (the Bushman, I mean, not your ancestors. Just because my ancestors were ugly doesn't mean yours were.)
biggrin.gif
 
Refer to this issue of Tactical Knives..
great review on "MOKI" style utility knives!

Or, go with an old style KABAR!

------------------
God's choices in inflicicting suffering are unsatisfactory to us, nor are they understandable, unless innocence offends him. Clearly he needs some help in directing the blind fury with which he flogs the earth...


 
How about a folding knife for a camp knife? I think one of the large Opinel folding knives would make a great camp knife. The price sure is right.

------------------
Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top