I need a new knife for camping/backpacking/hiking etc.

J

JDX

Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Messages
923
What can you recommend? I'm looking for straight edge fixed blade. I currently own a Kabar Mark 1 (kraton handle) partially serrated. It's fine for some tasks such as cutting rope and cloth, kindling, just small tasks. Its a good knife but I'm looking for something slightly bigger, such as: Ontario Rat 3, SOG Seal Team Elite, and a Gerber LMF II. Or if there's something better within the 50-125 budget, I would like to know!

Thanks
 
Look up Gray Wolf knives. Aaron Gray makes an outstanding knife within your budget.

I picked this one up and it is remarkably well finished and has great edge geometry.

gwk1_zps9a4cc60f.jpg



photo1_zps914b26f1.jpg
 
I am no expert on fixed blades or the outdoors but it seems like a lot of those guys do love their Mora's so I would take a look at those if you haven't already. Their quite a bit cheaper than what your wanting to pay but don't be fooled by it's price it's one of those budget blades that hit above it's price range.
 
Check out Ontario Knife Company (OKC). If Ka-Bar Mark 1 feels too small for you, look at something like OKC SP42 or SP43. It's well within your price range.
 
Have a look at the helle Alden . here is a photo of the helle with the mark one
 
As stated before helle makes a fantastic knife. I have had the Eggen but gave it to a friend who was really in need of a quality knife, he was going backpacking on the AT but only had a cheap knife the day before he hit the trail. I wouldn't have given him that knife unless I knew it could do exactly what he needed it to, plus some.

I am also going to recommend the same outdoors knife I always do on this forum (because in my opinion its the best bang for your buck) which is the tried and trusted EnZo Trapper in 01. It is designed around hard use with an extremely utilitarian design partnered with an amazing steel and heat treat. They have great fit and finish and come with a sturdy sheath.

EnZo Trapper: $111
trapper01blackB.jpg

http://www.thompsonsknives.com/enzoknives.html

Helle Odel: $124
Odel.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Helle-Odel-Knife-One-Size/dp/B001F4TVCI

I have handled the Odel before and its probably the most comfortable knife I've ever felt. It also has a very utilitarian blade geometry, steel, and grind. Some on this forum are not fans of the scandi grinds, however for my outdoor uses I find that there is no better grind. Just my opinion though!

Hope this helps!
 
Last edited:
Did we really get this far without someone suggesting a Becker? If you want something bigger and beefier than what you've got they're a rock solid option. Check out the BK 7, BK 5 (an almost criminally underrated option in their lineup, IMO), BK 15 and BK 10.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Did we really get this far without someone suggesting a Becker? If you want something bigger and beefier than what you've got they're a rock solid option. Check out the BK 7, BK 5 (an almost criminally underrated option in their lineup, IMO), BK 15 and BK 10.
Click to expand...

This is my recommendation , I have been through many knives and have settled on Becker I currently own 2 , 7 and a 9 up coming will be the tweeners to replace my ratmandu !
 
Lots of great choices in your price range. Do a little research and buy one. Use it for a while and if you love it, keep it. If it is not what you want, sell or trade it and try another one. That way you will find the right one for you and enjoy the search.
 
Ontario Blackbird SK5, TOPS Dragonfly, Becker BK-10, Becker BK-7, or BK-9.
 
You mention looking for something bigger, but then state it's for small tasks. Of the knives you've listed, only the SOG is bigger than the KaBar. The LMF II will have a slightly shorter blade, and the RAT 3 will be significantly shorter.

That said, IMHO a KaBar is more knife than I want for small tasks. I'm partial to fixed blades right around 4" or maybe a bit shorter. My favorite woods knife right now is a Bark River Gunny Hunter. To me that's about the best all-arounder I've used (but I'll admit, I don't have nearly the experience of many folks here). I've also got an Enzo Trapper that my dad made for me, and that's been a great knife as well.

Moras are popular. I've got a Mora Heavy Duty in carbon steel that is a beast around the camp. I had a kydex sheath made for it that was more than the knife, but I love that setup. Becker BK's are popular as well - particularly the BK 2 and BK 16. Great knives, and well within your budget. A Buck Vanguard falls in your price range, and the ones I've used have been very good knives.

Really, you've got a good budget, and can get at least one great knife for that amount of money. Spend some time looking at videos and web sites. What blade shape do you want? Steel choice? Handle? Sheath material? Chances are there's something out there in your budget that will fit your needs/wants better than the rest. Buy that knife, use the heck out of it, and perhaps figure out you'd rather have something different in your next knife.
 
JDX said:
Or if there's something better within the 50-125 budget, I would like to know!
Click to expand...

ESEE-3 if you want a light and flat fixed blade with a 4"ish blade suitable for any task a knife is used for.

ESEE-LS if you want a light and flat fixed blade with a 5"ish blade suitable for any task a knife is used for, including batoning up to wrist sized wood. It also comes with one of the best kydex sheaths on the market.

If you can spend a few more dollars, look at Fallkniven and Bark River. Convex edges are ideal for the woods, they're strong and sharpen easily, and the uncoated blades cut better and don't scare the sheeple.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top