Looking for a Camping knife under $150

usfpaul82

usfpaul82

Joined
Jul 4, 2010
Messages
392
as the title says....I want a fixed blade to take on camping trips. I have some nice folders that can be used as my backup and am considering a izula as a permenant backup but lack a larger fixed blade. i am thinking around 5 maybe 6" blade. I have looked into the RAT series but want to know if there is anything else out there worth looking at in the price range. Thanks
 
Ranger knives makes a good 6", I have one. Made out of 5160 steel it takes a great edge and keeps it well in my limited experience. You already know about the RC-6. As stated above, the Bravo-1 is a great knife but understand its a convex grind. Not bad, just something to keep in mind. Ridgeknifeshop.com has a good selection with good prices and fast shipping. You should check them out.
 
A Blackjack 125 is nice. A2 tool steel blade, 5 inches with a number of different handle options from stacked leather to stag. The leather or micarta handles come in at right around $150, the stag around $165 (that's what I have.)

Blackjack125stagjpg.jpg


large-bcb125l.jpg
 
Check into this forums custom makers, can get something exactly to your specs.

If that's not your thing. The Bravo-1 is a great blade, the Swamp rat Howling rat and ratmandu are also very nice, and the ESEE line is very good. Anything from ESEE, Busse/Swamp Rat, and Bark River will be a good knife.

I personally pack an izula and a ratmandu.
 
ESEE/RAT makes great knives, I'm not crazy about the coating but everything else on them is great. Simple, practical designs, good steel, well made sheaths and a great warranty. You can get an RC-6 for around $100, I'd recommend that one or an RC-4. I'm not crazy about the RC-5, it's too thick and the sabre grind doesn't perform as well as a full flat grind.

Fallkniven is another brand you should look at. Depending on your blade length preference you can go with an F1 (4"), S1 (5") or A1 (6.3"). Any of them will serve you well. I tend to favour smaller knives, and the F1 is one of my most used tools.

Bark River has a ton of really good models, a few of them are in your price range. I've been beating up on my Fox River for years and it keeps coming back for more. Amazing hunting knife. All the ones I've got have blades around 4", but I'm sure there are larger models available.

Best bang for your buck might probably be Becker knives. A BK2 Campanion (5" blade) is a heck of a lot of knife for around $65. I've been testing a BK9 (the largest model, 9" blade) and I'm very happy with it. It came sharp, properly finished (I expected less) and the sheath is quite good.
 
for US$150 you can own some of the finest steel ever honed to an edge and held by man.

Fallkniven, ESEE, Bark River and a whole bunch of other great makers have top notch offerings squarly inside that budget.

i'd also suggest you look at snagging a couple of Moras while your at it. a clipper 840/860 can be had for around US$15 and is an acclaimed hunk of metal in it's own right. very useful around the camp and no great shakes if you lose one (or lend it to someone, hint hint)
 
Hi usfpaul82 -

Welcome to the forum.

There are already a nice collection of suggestions in reply to your request here, so you won't go wrong.

I would like to suggest that you look at a custom, hand made knife by Stomper, John Kiedaisch. He will custom make a knife in 01 steel with any of a variety of handle materials for you, and will also provide a custom, hand made sheath for the knife.

You can get several of his knives from $100 up, and he will custom make your own design for no extra charge.

So - do you want a production knife (won't go wrong there), or a custom, handmade knife, or even your own special design, for the same cost?

Here is a link to Stomper's page where he lists his current models etc.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=703136

Good luck in your choice and best regards -

mqqn
 
CS SRK
Swamp Rat RMD
RC-5

There are a lot of good one in that price range really.
 
For $150 you could get this...

IMG00587-20100710-2222.jpg


... twice and have enough left over for the excellent book and a pizza to eat while you're reading it.
 
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