Good knife for camping, general use

A

Aaron1100us

Joined
May 14, 2012
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I need a good knife for camping, hunting, self defense and just general use. Looking to spend under $50. I heard Benchmade is a good brand. Found an HK Benchmade AUS8 around $30. Checked reviews and it doesn't seem good. What else is out there?
 
check out the ontario rat 1. It'll make a good camp folder. It's also a great value at $30. I also recommend anything made by kershaw. They tend to go for smooth sleek lines which for some reason makes people think they're not good hard use knives but in my experience kershaw knives are just about the best you can get for the dollar value. I have something called the kershaw compound. i payed 15 bucks and it's a beast of a knife. a popular kershaw model is the skyline. they cost around $35. Benchmade makes good knives but i don't recommend any of the HK or other side brands (besides bone collectors). Some of the HKs are alright but you pay a premium for the name. not worth it in my book. If you can spend $60 the benchmade griptillian and mini griptillian are excellent knives all around.
 
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mora knives are the best bang for the buck.... from what i hear. They are not pretty but they are well made high carbon steel and will take a beating. I have never handled one but you can get one of 10 dollars.
 
MEJ said:
mora knives are the best bang for the buck.... from what i hear. They are not pretty but they are well made high carbon steel and will take a beating. I have never handled one but you can get one of 10 dollars.
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I own a few moras and i second this. moras are about the best camp knives i can think of. If you want an inexpensive fixed blade get a mora. I assumed from your question that you wanted a folder though.
 
If I were to pick one of my folders for camping and hunting and self defense and general use, I'd take my Ontario Rat 1. It's big and solid for camp. It's got belly and pillar construction for hunting. It flicks out fast for SD.

It may be too big to carry everyday. The G10 is slick, but the handle shape provides plenty of purchase.
 
Either folder or fixed blade. One of each would be nice. Two that I had been reading about are the Bear Grylls Survivor by Gerber (saw at walmart) or the Gerber LMF II which looks similar but a better knife from what I've read. A little more $ for the LMF II. I've heard Benchmade makes good knives but pricey. I've only really carried knives that are in my multi tools. Last one was a Gerber Legend multi tool.
 
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I'd go for a Mora. Growing up in Sweden you see these knives everywhere, usually decades old and still going strong. I own an old Mora that was given to me by my father some 15 years ago and I abuse it every which way I can. Really easy to touch up and get razor sharp. The only down side is they look like shit, but I'd vouch for a Mora more than I would Gerber's Bear Grylls series of knives.
 
I think I figured out what I want for a small folding pocket knife. The Kershaw Half Ton seems nice and.good price. So I just need to figure out a good fixed blade.
 
The Buck 119 'Special' is a hard act to follow. Les Stroud, Discovery's 'Survivorman', carried one on several episodes. Chain stores, even WallyWorld, carries it and the infamous Buck 110 'Folding Hunter'. US-made, except for the sheaths. Still an effective tool. Here is the 119 with a standard KaBar for size comparison:

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Stainz
 
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The Becker BK2 is a great knife. Its around $60.00 - its like a sharpened pry bar. You could use it to knock someone out if you needed too. I would spend the extra $10.00 and get one of these.
 
Aaron1100us said:
... Two that I had been reading about are the Bear Grylls Survivor by Gerber (saw at walmart) or the Gerber LMF II which looks similar but a better knife from what I've read...
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Aaron1100us said:
The Buck 119 sure looks like a solid built knife.
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I've owned all three of these knives, still have the LMFII, and I personally would not recommend any of them for all the purposes you mentioned.

The LMFII, while a very impressive knife (at least the 12C27 one I own) and a great package deal, is specifically designed for military use, and it is loaded with bell & whistles to that end... features which make it very HEAVY and not ideal for most non-military situations, also not ideal for SD where light and long reign supreme (it is neither).
The BG "Ultimate" knife is Gerbers China-made civilian alternative to the LMFII, but is is less durable than the USA-made alternative the Prodigy, slightly smaller and lighter than the LMFII and lacking some of the military-specific features. Check out some reviews online.
A cheaper Gerber alternative to both is the Big Rock which I've never owned but have heard good things about in terms of durability and usefulness.

For hunting, I prefer a shorter knife or at least one with a fairly thin grind, like the 119's... but the handle on the 119 is very slick and the guard is a PITA - WAY too large, constantly gets in the way of gripping the knife, and I don't like clip-points for field-dressing game. To my mind, the 119 looks to be a fighting knife by design. The pommel is aluminum so don't try to hammer with it. But the good thing about the 119 is that Buck's 420HC is top-notch and with a hollow-grind the edge stays thin and sharp for a long time and is easy to restore when dull... but being so thin it can fracture/chip-out more easily so use it with care.

I also wouldn't recommend the BK2 - again too HEAVY and lacking any features beyond brute durability as a pry-bar & hammer to recommend itself. But that's just my opinion, lots of people on the forum love over-built heavy, clumsy knives and make them work for whatever purpose.

There are lots of options out there for what you are looking for. I recommend that you find a brick&mortar store where you can handle some options and get a feel for what you like about different knives before making a purchase. But whatever you do get, with enough practice you can make any knife work for whatever purposes you intend. Good luck! :thumbup:
 
Well, there are a couple of approaches.

Let's begin with level flight. Oh, wait, wrong story.

Let's begin with a light, durable, sharp, versatile fixed blade -- something suitable for woodcraft, game processing, food handling, and general cutting. Do a web search for "Swedish Mora catalog" and you will find at least one site out there that carries several of them..

You will, for instance, see one of these:
2000.jpg

It's the Mora 2000, and it costs about $30 plus shipping. I have several, and have given some as gifts. It's an elegant and practical design. The Mora Frosts boys have also released a "Bushcraft" series, the Bushcraft Forest and the Bushcraft Signal, which have updated handles but use exactly the same blade. They are about $35 plus shipping.

This is the Bushcraft Forest
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bushcraft-forest.jpg


This is the Bushcraft Signal
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bushcraft-signal.jpg


That page has several other outdoor-friendly general-purpose knives that are the result of generations of outdoor and hunting savvy and practical experience with woodcraft.

I would wager that you can find something among those that will do what you require.

Now, let's consider folders.

For the last few years I have lamented the disappearance of the EKA Swede 92. I have recently been informed it's once again back in production, and I'm kinda stoked about that. The Swede 92 is a robust folding knife about the size of a Buck 110, but having a Scandi grind that runs the full length of the blade, all the way to the handle. The lock release is located all the way at the back of the knife, making it virtually impossible to disengage the lock by accident. The blade is done in 12C27 Sandvik steel, a remarkably competent stainless that's very well suited to knives and other cutting tools. It is, if you'll pardon the expression, frickin' sharp. Seriously. Watch your fingers when closing this knife. The spring is . . . authoritative. The handle is secured with a pair of brass screws that can be removed with a coin for cleaning. If you've just field dressed a deer, this is a good thing.

EKA also has more recently produced the Swede 8, which is a result of the collaboration between them and Outdoor Edge. I don't much care for the design when compared with the Swede 92.

Now, you may not be able to find the Swede 92 at a US retailer, but if you're willing to shop at an overseas site, like something in the UK, you will be able to find one. They are currently priced in the low fifties, depending on where you buy. You might try this: find a US knife outlet that sells the Swede 88, and ask them if they will contact EKA or their distributor for a new shipment of Swede 92 (or the wood-handled Swede 82) knives. It would be worth the wait.

I own and carry several full-sized folders, including Buck 110s, but the Swede 92 continues to be the one I favor for most daily and outdoor use.

Don't get me wrong: I have nothing bad to say about the Buck 110 and Buck 112, those are great knives -- time tested and proven -- but the Swede 92 just has that special "something" that keeps it on my belt.

So, my recommendation today is to shop for one of the Swedish pieces. There will be something in your price window that will do what you need.

When you're ready to spend a bit more, there are some American custom makers that will just melt your heart. Sweet cutlery out there.

 
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Aaron1100us said:
I need a good knife for camping, hunting, self defense and just general use. Looking to spend under $50. I heard Benchmade is a good brand. Found an HK Benchmade AUS8 around $30. Checked reviews and it doesn't seem good. What else is out there?
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Folder: Ontario RAT-1 :thumbup:

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Fixed: Becker BK-11 :thumbup:

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For general/outdoor use and under $50, either would be a great choice, imo... Good luck, OP! :)
 
Thanks for all the replies. Lots to choose from. I'm thinking the most important use will be camping/hunting/outdoors stuff. The only SD use will be when I run out of ammo. Would also be useful for tasks around the house and garage.
 
Two of the fixed blades I like are the Gerber LMF 2 and Kar Bar Becker BK 2. I like the looks of the Gerber but guessing the Kar Bar is better? Saw a youtube video of a guy splitting wood with the Kar Bar, impressive. That is an important feature for camping/survival stuff.
 
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I'm not a fan of gerbers in general and the serrations on the LMF 2 are useless in my opinion. The knife might look cool but I think you would regret buying it after just a few uses. Personally, the bk2 is a bit thick for my taste but it's still a great knife that'll stand up to anything. It's a no contest. If it's between the two go for the becker.
 
Aaron1100us said:
Two of the fixed blades I like are the Gerber LMF 2 and Kar Bar Becker BK 2. I like the looks of the Gerber but guessing the Kar Bar is better? Saw a youtube video of a guy splitting wood with the Kar Bar, impressive. That is an important feature for camping/survival stuff.
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Hey Aaron, if your looking at a solid, hard working, kick ass knife, then the BK-2 is definately the way to go. I own one, and let me tell you, it's a beast. I started off on Blade Forums asking basicly the same question you have. I opted for the BK-2 and it was one of the best choices I've ever made. Now I also own the BK-4, the BK-7, the BK-9, and the BK-11. The Becker line up is just fantastic IMO. You should look over on the Becker Knife and Tool subforum and check these knives out. I've owned a few Gerbers. I still like my Gator. But the BK-2 gets my vote for the best value, "do it all" camp knife.
 
Aaron1100us said:
Thanks for all the replies. Lots to choose from. I'm thinking the most important use will be camping/hunting/outdoors stuff. The only SD use will be when I run out of ammo. Would also be useful for tasks around the house and garage.
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Aaron1100us said:
Two of the fixed blades I like are the Gerber LMF 2 and Kar Bar Becker BK 2. I like the looks of the Gerber but guessing the Kar Bar is better? Saw a youtube video of a guy splitting wood with the Kar Bar, impressive. That is an important feature for camping/survival stuff.
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For tasks around the house and garage, the Ontario Rat 1 or a smaller fixed-blade like the BK-11 will serve you the best - light and easy to carry, very tough, very versatile, easy to sharpen, etc. You might also try various Buck and Gerber offerings in that size range. If you have a local Dick's Sporting Goods, you can probably ask to handle a few so you know what you like.
The LMF2, as stated before, is a military tool which is outstanding in that role, but if you're not deployed then go for the BG Ultimate or Prodigy instead.... unless you like uselessly bulky knives. Also, ANY knife suggested can be used to split wood, including the folder (Rat 1) and the Moras. It is NOT impressive. The most important features in splitting wood with a knife are length (to process larger materials which shorter knives cannot), toughness (to handle impacts and the stress that wood grains put on the blade edge), and your own skill level. The BK2 and LMFII are both short and fat, attributes which make them worse performers at this sort of task. Both can handle it, but as said before, ANY knife can when you have the proper skill level, including dirt-cheap kitchen cutlery.
Also, you WAY over-estimate the importance of this activity in outdoor activities or even survival.

In short, neither the LMFII nor the BK2 are your best options even in that price range. BUT, both are fairly idiot-proof. You could also look at other knives in the Becker and Ontario product line-up. Check out Condor Knife & Tool as well.
 
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