Looking for a solid camping knife

[22-rimfire]

Thanks Spike for the list. I always dislike pictures that the poster does not identify the blades. It is a nit pick of mine.

 

[ridnovir]

Fallkniven A1 would be my strong suggestion

 

[HCrum87hc]

I'm a big fan of the ESEE 4 for an all around good camp knife. I've batoned with it numerous times with no issues. It's obviously not going to be doing much chopping, but it's not too big for some finer work.

 

[dirc]

The esee4 is a very nice camp use knife, my only real problem with it is the price, even on sale it's about $130 and made of 1095 steel. Maybe I'm getting old, or just experiencing the sticker shock again of recent price inflation.

For $40 less you can get a bk2 in 1095 crovan (which should be an improvement over plain 1095) and an inch more blade

 

[Yonose]

There’s no such thing as too large. An infi bb13(13”blade, but not so thick it’s unweildable—users are ~$250 and a light hawk (thinking under 3” edge) will get the job done. Swamprat is good too, like the mountainmandu in sr-77. Both knives are unbreakable, but the hawk is the most important part of the kit.
I’m not opposed to small blades either. I carry the fallkniven s1 every time I go into the woods.

 

[GB940Rookie]

The esee4 is a very nice camp use knife, my only real problem with it is the price, even on sale it's about $130 and made of 1095 steel. Maybe I'm getting old, or just experiencing the sticker shock again of recent price inflation.

For $40 less you can get a bk2 in 1095 crovan (which should be an improvement over plain 1095) and an inch more blade

I quickly found an ESEE 4 for $95 shipped from a reputable dealer.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

Some good knives mentioned ... with your list of uses it kind of puts me somewhere between knives ...

I like about a 4" for most uses ... and can recommend Esee 3 or Esee 4 ... Becker BK16 ... Mora Companions and other Moras ... LT Wright makes some of my favorite canping / hunting / outdoor all around use ... LT Wright Outback or the GNS ... or a Bradford Guardian 4 ... but ... you're stepping up in prices.

For your uses I'd recommend 2 knives or a knife and small axe ... but if you are set on one knife to do it all ...

I would look at Esee 6 ... Rat 6 ... Becker BK16 ... Becker BK7 or BK9 ... Esee Jungla ... or if you want to go for the best of the best check out Carothers and try to find an HDFK or LC ... but hard to come by ...

 

[hunter55]

The esee4 is a very nice camp use knife, my only real problem with it is the price, even on sale it's about $130 and made of 1095 steel. Maybe I'm getting old, or just experiencing the sticker shock again of recent price inflation.

For $40 less you can get a bk2 in 1095 crovan (which should be an improvement over plain 1095) and an inch more blade

ΒΚ-10 = more versatile than BK-2, bigger and more efficient than the ESEE-4 (IMHO)...

 

[- SpyderMan -]

CPK HDFK

Man, the HDFK is such a nice looking blade! I’m REALLY looking forward to mine.

Aside from the above, I’ll throw a vote in for the Ratmandu. It’s a stellar knife!

 

[knoefz]

Bk7 or Esee6 are great for alround camp jobs. For carry the Esee 4 or BK16 are smaller but very capable knives imho. Can't go wrong with any imho.

Some of mine in action:

 

[Revolverrodger]

Look at the enzo trapper
Great design with tons of steel options

 

[knerd]

My go to camp knife is the Bradford Guardian 5. Tough knife w/ good ergos. The 3V holds up well for camp chores.

Can't go wrong w/ the RC/ESEE 4. It's a bit smaller so that limits it. It's still a good "jack of all trades" camp knife. Still love mine.

If you want a more affordable knife go w/ an ESEE 4 or 6 and if you're willing to spend a little cash go for a Bradford Guardian 5. Either option won't disappoint.

 

[Mifune326]

Wow fellas, those are all some awesome suggestions! Even though I picked up an Esee 6, I think I may have to save up for one of the custom camp knives from the Forum here. This may turn into a knife collecting predicament much like my gun disease. hahahaha

 

[Pilot1]

I quickly found an ESEE 4 for $95 shipped from a reputable dealer.

Did that include the sheath? If so, that is a good deal, on a very good knife.

 

[NCprotector]

https://goo.gl/images/vxwLhP

Benchmade 154 jungle clip point. Around $100 and a dang good value.

 

[GB940Rookie]

Did that include the sheath? If so, that is a good deal, on a very good knife.

Yes, I checked for a sheath. Typical ESEE sheath, no leather. Definitely a good deal.

 

[91bravo]

Ditch the esee and go with a Becker. Becker is a better company to support between the two....

 

[extrastout]

any sharp folding knife with any sharp hatchet.....and a bottle opener if your camp knife has rounded edges.

Unless your going out of your way to "rough it" and build a shelter this will be more than you need

 

[SharpieB]

Ditch the esee and go with a Becker. Becker is a better company to support between the two....

Why is that?

 

[dirc]

Between a Ka-Bar Becker, and Esee, my preference would be the Becker also... they use 1095 crovan, instead of plain 1095 (I believe) that Esee uses.

(I'm not sure if that is why it was mentioned to be a better company, I'm not sure why he said that)