Light duty camp knife for small hands?

M1GarandGuy, pass on that particular Mora.
Sandvik 12c27 is my favorite stainless. Mora does a particularly good job with it, too.
 
Get her a steak knife and a sheath lol or maybe the condor kephart but it's 4.5 inches or the case lightweight series? Crap just remembered your budget those are little over
 
Ka Bar makes the Little Finn, it is rather smallish, yet fits into your size criteria.
 
hariph creek said:
MontyB, my son and I LOVE Opinels!
My wife on the other hand is not fond of the classic or "old timey" styles, or wood. That is why she specified synthetic handles. She likes fairly plain, modern-ish looking stuff. But not tactical, fighting, fantasy type stuff either.
Plus she REALLY HATES the way a Opinel all but locks up when wet. She has got a little Byrd meadowlark and her SAK, for folders. Now she finally wants a fixed blade.
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Sand and plasti dip the handle , pin the lock and make a sheath...lol just kidding they do make fixed blade paring knives in a few different shapes but no rubber handles so I'm all out of ideas in that price range
 
stainless paring knife with a molded sheath for camping
- cheap - small handle - light weight
Gerber Myth compact.

I'm not a Gerber fan, but it's exactly what you're looking for.

That or, w/ a bottle opener in the handle;

Condor Tarpon
or
Schrade schf5n
(wrap the handle in 550cord of her favorite color for a customized comfort grip).


Or CRKT Ed Halligan Sweet K.I.S.S.
 
Gerber freescape kitchen knife? A bit over your budget, and china made, but looks pretty solid, good food prep shape.
 
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average gimp, nailed it ... FOR THE WIN!!!
Thank you that is perfect. While slightly more than I wanted to spend (with shipping). It is not a "shot in the dark" or a throw away cheapie.
I see another order to Baryonyx in my future.

On a side note. That Bucklite 679 seems like a heck of a bargain and was the front runner. If she balks at the idea of a Mora with orange on it? It will be the next choice.

Thanks to all for all the help. I think I can consider this question, answered.
 
This is a really ideal solution.

I finding inexpensive, flat ground fixed blades are harder to find that I would have thought, particularly in that size range.

The new Buck Selkirk might have been an option but it's closer to 5" long and I would be worried the handle would be too big.

I'd be curious why the need for a fixed blade though. Plenty of good folders for the uses you describe with flat grinds. I actually find a folder with a 3.5" blade to be easier to manage for camp life. Much easier to just slip into my pocket. You can't loose the sheath.

I really like the large Case Sodbuster for what you describe, as well as the Opinel 9 and 10.

Regarding the Opinels, I sand the sides of the handles down flat and round off the butt end for a better feel in the hand. As for seizing when wet, I get carpenters bees wax at the hardware store and melt that into the joint with a blow dryer. Still, a slip joint like the Sodbuster handles wash up better.

Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
pinnah, in no particular order:

1. Easier to keep a synthetic handled fixed blade sanitary when used for food under rough camp conditions. No gunk in the pivot or lock work.

2. She already has a couple folders she likes.

3. She asked "why don't I have my own camp knife?"

4. I love folders and carry one every day, but they are not a substitute for a decent fixed blade. For some applications.

5. We are working on "Go Bags" and a fixed blade is useful addition.

6. I want to teach her more woodcraft and survival skills and this would be easier with a tool that fits her and that she likes.

7. Hopefully she will catch on to this? If so I will look at helping her pick a much nicer knife that fits her needs.

8. A decent less expensive knife will help her figure out what her needs/wants are.

9. If #7 happens a light, inexpensive, decent knife will make a good back up.

10. Most importantly ... any excuse to buy a new knife!
 
The cold steel Finn bear is a very nice knife for the $$. Not an actual Scandinavia grind and it is in my car camping kitchen kit too.
 
The Victorinox/Forschner 40811 Rabbit knife at about $20 is not well known but should check most of the boxes. Doesn't come with a sheath but easy to find or make one that will fit. I've had one for years and use it in my kitchen as well as away at camp. It was designed for small game processing and taxidermy use but has many other practical uses.
 
hariph creek said:
pinnah, in no particular order:

1. Easier to keep a synthetic handled fixed blade sanitary when used for food under rough camp conditions. No gunk in the pivot or lock work.

2. She already has a couple folders she likes.

3. She asked "why don't I have my own camp knife?"

4. I love folders and carry one every day, but they are not a substitute for a decent fixed blade. For some applications.

5. We are working on "Go Bags" and a fixed blade is useful addition.

6. I want to teach her more woodcraft and survival skills and this would be easier with a tool that fits her and that she likes.

7. Hopefully she will catch on to this? If so I will look at helping her pick a much nicer knife that fits her needs.

8. A decent less expensive knife will help her figure out what her needs/wants are.

9. If #7 happens a light, inexpensive, decent knife will make a good back up.

10. Most importantly ... any excuse to buy a new knife!
Click to expand...

Everybody should own a Mora Companion, just to experience the grip. It's just stunning.

And there's no way to tell how well a fixed blade will fit into her rhythm of camp life... or not... Until she tries.

I thought the "some applications" here were basic food prep and simple wood working like marshmallow sticks? Above 4", I prefer a fixed blade for a lot of reasons but under 4"... I find there's a trade off. Just me. Just my own reflection. My fixed blades tend to get left in the kitchen kit or in a bag. That's fine but it's not a replacement for a folder, at least for me. I try, but I just can't adapt to sheath carry on a belt (or where ever).

But this isn't about me. It's about her and I think the FFG Companion is dead spot on for what you describe.
 
hariph creek said:
average gimp, nailed it ... FOR THE WIN!!!
Thank you that is perfect. While slightly more than I wanted to spend (with shipping). It is not a "shot in the dark" or a throw away cheapie.
I see another order to Baryonyx in my future.

On a side note. That Bucklite 679 seems like a heck of a bargain and was the front runner. If she balks at the idea of a Mora with orange on it? It will be the next choice.

Thanks to all for all the help. I think I can consider this question, answered.
Click to expand...

Glad to be of help. If it wasn't orange, I'd probably buy one myself.
 
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