Hiking/Camping knife

H

hkbladelawhk

Joined
May 25, 2006
Messages
188
So choose from these knives to take camping or hiking, I say choose, because I'm not buying a new one (at least not now, I just got the Emerson CQC 13 and Sharpmaker, so I'm broke) :D

FIXED:
MOD: Mark VI Stinger
CS: Recon Tanto (Carbon V Steel)
CRKT: Sting
CRKT: ABC Hammond Operator

FOLDER:
Emerson CQC-13
MOD: Mark I
MOD: Mark II
MOD: ATFK
BM-42
BM Axis Lock HK Tanto
 
Camping OR hiking? One requires a light knife, the other doesn't.

None of your knives are really suited for outdoors work, with all their double edges and tantos and sabre grinds thick enough to be prybars. The CS is probably the most knife out of all your knives, despite it being a tanto.

Out of the list, for camping, I'd take the CS Recon + the Emerson CQC-13. For backpacking, probably just the CQC, seeing that it probably has the most usable primary bevel out of all your lighter knives.

But really, you pretty much own 8 "tactical prybars", a double-edged knife that you can't whittle with, and a tanto CS. You should try getting some knives more suited for, well, cutting.

It's not very expensive either if you're strapped for cash. Get a #946/#860/#760 here for less than $15, and you'll probably get it within 3 business days.

Edit: Does the BM HK Tanto have a chisel grind or a sabre-grind?
 
;)
znode said:
Camping OR hiking? One requires a light knife, the other doesn't.

None of your knives are really suited for outdoors work, with all their double edges and tantos and sabre grinds thick enough to be prybars. The CS is probably the most knife out of all your knives, despite it being a tanto.

Out of the list, for camping, I'd take the CS Recon + the Emerson CQC-13. For backpacking, probably just the CQC, seeing that it probably has the most usable primary bevel out of all your lighter knives.

But really, you pretty much own 8 "tactical prybars", a double-edged knife that you can't whittle with, and a tanto CS. You should try getting some knives more suited for, well, cutting.

It's not very expensive either if you're strapped for money. Get a #946/#860/#760 here for less than $15, and you'll probably get it within 3 business days.
Click to expand...

Haha, yea, most of my knives are more for Urban "cutting", not necessarily woodsy "cutting". Though I would think the Mark VI might be useful for hiking, and ya, like I said, I have nothing for camping trips (since I dont take them enough due to heat).

Though my family and I were thinking of taking one for a weekend, and I know it would probably be a lil dumb to go knifeless.

Also, future recommendations would be helpful (though no more fixed blades over $80, as I really dont go THAT much)
 
If you're just doing the typical family camping thing, any of your knives should be fine. I would personally take the CS over the rest. As for znode's suggestion, I own lots of knives including Busses (Bussies?), and I would take a #2 or 510 Mora over any of them.
 
It is not on your list but a good knife to meet your needs might be a Kabar. Relatively inexpensive and a knife that will last you a lifetime!
 
Like the others have recommended, do yourself a favor and pick up a few Moras from Ragweedforge. They're affordable even if you're already broke :thumbup:
 
The MOD ATFK looks like a good blade profile for general use cutting. You should be fine camping and hiking with that.

Honestly, if you absolutely feel you need a fixed blade, a Ka-Bar or Mora are good low-dollar, quality choices, but you shouldn't run into anything you need more than a folder for.

I would leave most of the 'very tactical' fixed blades either at home or stowed safely in a pack if you're going to be on a public trail.
 
Take the Recon tanto. It will work for chopping (it is not a heavy chopper, but also weighs less to it is a good compromise) and you can baton the hell out of it. It will skin and field dress in a pinch. Plus the handle is comfortable. you can also put your thumb on the spine which the MOD kinda does not allow what with it's pointy bits. The only down side is that they don't make the carbon-v steel anymore (so if it is new in box you might want to keep it nice and minty) but it is also a less expensive knife so what the heck. I wish I had bought the SRK when it was still carbon V (as well as some of their other carbon V knives like the Gurhka Kukri etc).
 
I actually had a Night Ranger KaBar, but sold it due to the fact I never used it! I chose to keep the Recon Tanto! haha

I'll definitely look into the Moras, but all the moras look the same to me, how are they different? They also look like kitchen knives...

Edit: Oh, and Carbon Steel 1095 or Stainless Model? I'm lookin at the 911
 
Whether in the scabbard, Kydex or leather, provided - or in your pocket - a $30 Buck 110 (Wally World) is handy. Too large and a standard lockback take out of the 'ideal choice' for much urban use, while you probably would regret trying to chop down a tree with it. But everything in between is covered pretty well. You'll have a properly heat-treated 420HC blade that comes sharp - and will stay sharp - for quite a while. My new Sharpmaker can keep them touched up, too. You can't beat a 110 for quality - and made here, too.

When you get better funded, Cabela's has a 110 in S30V for $65 while Bass Pro has one, same price, in CPM154 - both 'specials'. Additionally, Buck will custom make you one in BG42 steel and Sambar Stag scales for ~$130. Of course, get a regular 110 first - you just can't beat them for a great camping/hiking knife.

Stainz
 
hkbladelawhk said:
I'll definitely look into the Moras, but all the moras look the same to me, how are they different?
Click to expand...
The handle materials are very different, the blade profiles are only slightly different from each other. Basically almost all of them do fine when well-sharpened.

hkbladelawhk said:
They also look like kitchen knives...
Click to expand...
Their price pretty much dictates that a simple plastic handle is molded over the tang directly. The design will eventually become an acquired taste.

The advantage in Moras lie in their thin blades and their thin, <15-degree grinds. They will not survive a prying, and are never meant to. They will however out-cut all of your tacticals in an outdoors context. Try comparing their capability to whittle wood, and you'll see how.

Here's my 760-MG.
slicehairtl2.jpg


hkbladelawhk said:
Edit: Oh, and Carbon Steel 1095 or Stainless Model? I'm lookin at the 911
Click to expand...
I believe the difference between the two are small as far as cutting performance. If you haven't had to take care of carbon blades before, you might want to go stainless. Or experiment with carbon while the knife is cheap.

Are you proficient with sharpening? This is a necessity (well, with pretty much any knife).
 
znode said:
The handle materials are very different, the blade profiles are only slightly different from each other. Basically almost all of them do fine when well-sharpened.


Their price pretty much dictates that a simple plastic handle is molded over the tang directly. The design will eventually become an acquired taste.

The advantage in Moras lie in their thin blades and their thin, <15-degree grinds. They will not survive a prying, and are never meant to. They will however out-cut all of your tacticals in an outdoors context. Try comparing their capability to whittle wood, and you'll see how.

Here's my 760-MG.
slicehairtl2.jpg



I believe the difference between the two are small as far as cutting performance. If you haven't had to take care of carbon blades before, you might want to go stainless. Or experiment with carbon while the knife is cheap.

Are you proficient with sharpening? This is a necessity (well, with pretty much any knife).
Click to expand...


In terms of sharpening, I'm working on it. I just bought a sharpmaker, so that should help :-D

I was also reading another post that said the Seal Pup or Field Pup would be pretty good for general outdoors use, and would put up with more than a mora, this true?

What about some of the Bucks at Wally World or REI?
 
It's almost time to start waiting for Gander Mountain to put the 110 on sale for $20 again, like last holiday season. I may pick up a couple for gifts.
 
You don't need any sharpening experience to sharpen a Mora. Just follow the bevel that's already there.
 
Fallkniven F1 has been my camping knife for several years.

Just started using a Helle Fjellkniven I got from Ragweed Forge, and I'm thinking of a Mora 2000.
 
I have a nice assortment of outdoor knives to take with me. Any of the following will suit you well for hiking or camping:

The Buck 110 (around $35, sometimes cheaper) is a great knife. 3.8" blade, comes sharp and stays sharp. Locks open until you want it closed. It comes with a sheath for you to put on your belt or pack. Basic and very effective. Made in the USA.

Kabar Folding Doziers ($20) are really good. Made in Taiwan, if you care about that sort of thing. The blades are AUS-8 and 3" long. They all come very sharp right out of the box. Comes with a reversible tip-up carry clip. More knife than you pay for.

Spyderco / Byrd Cara Caras (around $25) are another good series. Made in China. You can get them with steel handles, FRN, or G-10. The blade is 3.7" long and has a comet shape cut through it for easy opening. It comes sharp and is very easy to resharpen. I only needed to resharpen mine once, and I've had it for about 9 months. It comes with a reversible tip-up clip, or a 4-way clip in the FRN handle.

Mora knives are the best bang for your buck in terms of a fixed blade. Many varieties, and usually nothing over $20. The blades are sharp and easy to resharpen.

If you need something to chop with, an Ontario machete (around $25) is enough to hack through anything smaller than 5" in diameter.

Search for any of these things on the forums, and you'll see very few (if any, in some cases) complaints. They're all tough and affordable.
 
For a woods knife on a budget, the Mora is the answer. Just pick one up, then go use the crap of it for anything that a knife is meant to be used for. I think you'll likely find it's 'limitations' are well beyond your normal practices.

P8030027.jpg

morawithpouchescontents.jpg
 
hkbladelawhk,
I don't mean this in any negative way, but have you ever been camping?
Or do you do much hiking?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top