As in all things, elitest will try to get you to spend more... joining the misery. If you want a great buy in a camp knife, you cannot beat the basic Buck 119 'Special'. It's 6" x .174" thick 420HC Paul Bos heat treated blade is quite serviceable - with great edge-holding qualities. The black phenolic handle and Al pommel & guard aren't as pretty as the rosewood/brass version (119BR), but a lot more serviceable in adverse conditions, particularly with the Kydex sheath - like Wally World carries it equipped with for $33.84 locally. It's ~$38 at 'Academy Sports' chains - with a leather sheath - locally (Birmingham), too. The knife is still made in the USA - ID, actually. Even with sales tax, if you shop Wally World, you could probably get a Buck 110 'Folding Hunter', another classic US-made goodie - $25 there, too. If that pair doesn't cover your woods stomping needs, you are in deep poo.
BTW, if you caught Les Stroud on 'Survivorman' @ 7 Central last night - in a downed plane fuselage in the snowy northern Ontario region - that was a Buck 119 he had with him - and a multi-tool. He has that Buck with him on other episodes, too. He sliced his finger open in Costa Rica on the 6 PM show trying to cut a vine with the multi-tools small blade... not good in the jungle! A Buck 110 or 119 would have been better suited for that application.
Don't get me wrong... I have loads of neat knives... even some Bark Rivers! Sure, they are 'better'... they must be - I paid a lot more for them! Of course, if you caught Bear Grylls of 'Man vs Wild' shows last fall, he carried a ~$750 Bayley custom knife. The Buck 119 would have done there, too.
Stainz
PS My Buck 119 is my favorite kitchen/butcher knife, too. I also have a 119BR - on a stand with other Buck fp 'BR' knives. The 119 is a user.
