Help me settle this!

L

LethaL_98

Joined
Apr 28, 2011
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20
I've been arguing with a mate of mine over the knives we carry for camping. I carry something lightweight like the Paramilitary 2 while he prefers a tank like a Zero Tolerance.

I say that lightweight is more practical, being lighter and easier to carry, and more efficient at 90% of camp tasks (being slicing). He reckons that you need something you can really beat on, esp. if SHTF. Plus looking badass. Or for batoning and chopping down trees. :/

What do you carry?

PS. How do you think the S35VN PM2 sprint run will be? Anyone have any experience with S35VN?
 
Yeah, as much as i love my 0550 it's just too thick to be a practical knife. Most of the chores you do with a knife while camping are kitchen tasks.
 
The S35v sprint run is awesome. The steel is really no different than s30v but man that brown G10 is badass. Its my favorite knife. I would carry the PM2, its a crazy strong knife too. It has one of the strongest locking mechanism.
 
I lean towards heavier folders for EDC. It's personal preference really. Currently EDCing a Adamas
 
Thin is the way to go. Better overbuilt than underbuilt, but built just right is best of all. :D
 
both are great knives.. you guys are arguing over nothing lol
i dont put a weight or girth limit on folders per say and generally carry whatever pockets well.
 
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Your both wrong, a fixed blade is best for camping/outdoors. If SHTF I'd make do with whatever I happen to be lucky enough to have on me at the time. I have a custom friction folder in S35VN and so far I am very happy with the steel.
 
I don't think battoning a PM2 or Zero tolerance is the best idea. If you like the PM2 get it because you're right, most camp tasks include slicing and not very abusive tasks.

If you wanna chop trees down? Get a Becker bk9/7/2
 
LethaL_98 said:
I've been arguing with a mate of mine over the knives we carry for camping. I carry something lightweight like the Paramilitary 2 while he prefers a tank like a Zero Tolerance.

I say that lightweight is more practical, being lighter and easier to carry, and more efficient at 90% of camp tasks (being slicing). He reckons that you need something you can really beat on, esp. if SHTF. Plus looking badass. Or for batoning and chopping down trees. :/

What do you carry?

PS. How do you think the S35VN PM2 sprint run will be? Anyone have any experience with S35VN?
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you and your mate are just two guys with a different opinion on something, cant be settled past that. with the proper skill and knowledge, one can do amazing survival techniques with any sharp blade, regardless of size or build. obviously some blades are better suited for certain tasks, but keep in mind us humans used to get by on stone knifes and axes.

my opinion is the best edged tools for camping is an axe and a medium sized fixed blade, a folder is handy but is never my main tool in the woods.
 
res1cue said:
I lean towards heavier folders for EDC. It's personal preference really. Currently EDCing a Adamas
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How do you carry? This is a big knife and I just cant see myself carrying on my belt. My biggest EDC is an 810 contego that I wear front right pocket. Im usually in a pair of tru-spec 24/7s though so granted, the front right pocket is roomy.
 
I think it depends on your style of camping. If you are using a propane stove and eating packaged food then a small and light folder is all that you need. I've done a lot of camping and backpacking and mostly carried an old Gerber LST. For car camping I also carried a small fixed blade but almost never actually used it, and never had a need for anything larger to cut branches with.

If you are cutting branches for shelter or cooking implements, or cutting pieces for the fire, or processing small game then a larger and stronger knife would be more appropriate. However as mentioned then you get into a gray area where a medium to large fixed blade might also be needed. If you really get into cutting branches for whatever reason then something like a Becker BK9 would seem appropriate.
 
I think it depends on the type of "camping" you do. And when SHTF the best knife is the one in your hand. Any of them in a drawer or safe or "out of reach" is just a chunk of inanimate metal that's about as useful as a marshmallow.

DM
 
To answer your question, I'd go with the spyderco. Batoning either knife sounds.. worthless.. try it :) it will work, but might not be the best working knife after the fact. Blade thickness of either on a folder that size is irrelevant imo. A folder should be for slicing and a narrow pointy blade have more uses than a rounded tip...

BUT personally, when camping... In my truck is always a camping axe and saw. On me is a 5in Grizzly from Joe Hargis in 1095. I might start bringing my Peter R. 5.5in fixed blade as I am partial to 3V over 1095. I do also have a SAK in a first aid kit in my pack and a Nimravus on the side of my pack. Add to that a Leatherman style cs on my key ring. Bare minimum would be a small Black Bear Knives metro razor that is in my pocket almost everywhere I go...

Will be camping in 2wks with all of the above and perhaps a big honkin' chopper for fun.
 
It's like arguing about religion, no winners and no one is converted. You carry what you like, BUT I am with your friend.

Don't let a few ounces sway your decision. Unless you are one of those minimalist who hollow out their toothbrushes to save weight.................
 
All of the replies that I have seen so far are good ones. When camping, I always carry a Buck 110 and a Spyderco Military. In reality, as was mentioned above, most chores are kitchen chores, to which the Military and PM2 excell.
 
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