Looking for an allround fillet, kitchen and basic camp knife

extrastout

extrastout

Joined
Mar 10, 2013
Messages
1,422
I don't have a knife shop around me, and I cannot tell by looking at knives on dealer sites. I am looking for a good quality fixed blade knife (under $250). I want to be able to bring it fishing and camping in a saltwater environment be able fillet fish and other basic fishing/camping tasks. Would also like it to be good in the kitchen as well, for food prep. I will maintain this knife, but it could be stored in a tackle box overnight. I can not tell by looking at pictures or reading dimesions what knife will work for me.
 
For that price level you can have one of the many excellent makers, here on the forum, make you a knife to your specs.

I have nothing but good things to say about the following makers

JK handmade knives

AA Forge

Graywolf Knives

Ryan Weeks

Bryan Breedan

DP Knives

Lon Humphrey

I'm sure that any of the above makers would be happy to work with you. There are many other excellent makers too - I just can't name them all and don't have experience with all of them.

Best of luck
 
Spyderco Phil Wilson South Fork. CPM S90V stainless steel and it comes with
a nice kydex sheath. Easy to find under your budget.

(Forum member Mr Blondes photo)

spyderco_amsterdammeet2012_prototype_southfork_zpsa27edf3c.jpg
 
The Fallknivens are grand outdoors knives in stainless (VG-10). It's a bit on the short side, but I do believe that the H1 could, possibly suffice for your requirements. They come with a downright scary sharp, convex blade grind. EnZo Makes a couple of excellent models as well, that sport Scandi Grinds, the Trapper and Camper. They're offered in O1 and D2, and maybe some other steels, I'm not for certain. But they have very practical blade profiles, as far as I'm concerned.
 
I have a fallkniven F2 which I like a lot, but may be too small depending on what type of salt water fish you catch. It is a great all around knife. The blade is not flexible like a true fillet knife, but works well for fish and other food prep tasks. The VG-10 steel is excellent. I also have a Phil Wilson South Fork which for me would be too big for fresh water fishing (trout and bass), but is a fantastic knife. If you want something on the larger side, maybe the fallkniven F4. Their thermorun handles or whatever it's called is very comfortable and grippy in slimy environments.
 
grybsh7 said:
Spyderco Phil Wilson South Fork. CPM S90V stainless steel and it comes with
a nice kydex sheath. Easy to find under your budget.

(Forum member Mr Blondes photo)

spyderco_amsterdammeet2012_prototype_southfork_zpsa27edf3c.jpg
Click to expand...

+ 100. The Southfork is an ideal knife for filleting and outdoor food prep.
 
On the other hand, you can get a Rada sportman knife, and save yourself a whole lotta money. Those goofy Rada sharpeners work well enough on their knives. No fancy numbers to describe their steel, no love from knife nuts here. But you can take pride in using a knife that's inexpensive, practical, US made, and just works.
 
For a couple of years the only knife I used in the kitchen was a straight bladed 6” boning knife. It did everything I needed it to. Including filleting fish. It never saw much dirt time, but I don’t doubt it’s up to camp cooking.
 
The Fallkniven F4 has a 6" VG10 blade that is 2.5 mm thick. It would work for fishing and kitchen, but won't chop down trees. I would want an axe or saw for wood stuff anyway.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, The Southfork is looking good. I wish for that price it was made in the states, but as long as the qualities there. The main fish I go for is Striped bass, which from what I catch range from 12 to 45 inches. This blade will be just fine, I was just looking for 1 knife to have in my pack during the summer season. Me and my buddies never really plan things out, so I never know when I might end up camping or fishing over night or through a weekend, or week (always have my backpack with me). Does Spyderco's S90v chip easily (splitting small kindling, making tent stakes). Also is it easy enough to touch up the while at the camp or on a boat with a basic field stone (even though S90v should never get dull)?
 
if you are reasonable about splitting wood it should do okay, shaping tent stakes would be no problem at all. I have never sharpened the s90v, but with a diamond field sharpener and a practiced hand you would probably be okay. If you tried to sharpen it on the bottom of a coffee mug like an old carbon steel you might see no results though, haha.

personally I think a knife isn't for splitting wood. Do something like carve a wedge, only use the knife at the very start, then use the wedge... Or Carrey a sak model with a saw, or any other folding saw/hatchet and use the knife for knife chores.
 
grybsh7 said:
Spyderco Phil Wilson South Fork. CPM S90V stainless steel and it comes with
a nice kydex sheath. Easy to find under your budget.

(Forum member Mr Blondes photo)

spyderco_amsterdammeet2012_prototype_southfork_zpsa27edf3c.jpg
Click to expand...

That covers just about everything, good suggestion.
 
extrastout said:
Thanks for the suggestions, The Southfork is looking good. I wish for that price it was made in the states, but as long as the qualities there. The main fish I go for is Striped bass, which from what I catch range from 12 to 45 inches. This blade will be just fine, I was just looking for 1 knife to have in my pack during the summer season. Me and my buddies never really plan things out, so I never know when I might end up camping or fishing over night or through a weekend, or week (always have my backpack with me). Does Spyderco's S90v chip easily (splitting small kindling, making tent stakes). Also is it easy enough to touch up the while at the camp or on a boat with a basic field stone (even though S90v should never get dull)?
Click to expand...

The Southfork is a pretty good all around tool. S90V is one of the hardest steels to sharpen back from being dull I have ever used. That being said I learned my lesson now I just don't let it get super dull, but if you let it get dull you will need a bunch more than a basic field stone.
 
I said small kindling, which I don't consider to much abuse for a fixed blade :), if you have nothing else. But anyway's I got a ratmandu for those tasks. I was just using those examples, considering I'm probably going to be stuck with this one knife. I know it's not going to be the perfect kitchen, fillet or camp knife (for saltwater environment). I am just looking for a good balance. The South fork sounds good and looks great (besides the hole) but just wish the steel was a little bit softer/tougher. I do have a wicked edge, so as long as s90v could get through at the most a week in the woods without getting too dull, I will be fine. Thanks for your help!
 
extrastout said:
I said small kindling, which I don't consider to much abuse for a fixed blade :), if you have nothing else. But anyway's I got a ratmandu for those tasks. I was just using those examples, considering I'm probably going to be stuck with this one knife. I know it's not going to be the perfect kitchen, fillet or camp knife (for saltwater environment). I am just looking for a good balance. The South fork sounds good and looks great (besides the hole) but just wish the steel was a little bit softer/tougher. I do have a wicked edge, so as long as s90v could get through at the most a week in the woods without getting too dull, I will be fine. Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
The edge retention on that S90V is so amazing, you could probably cut cinder blocks with it and not dull it (not really, but you get the point). :). Unless your cutting rocks in the woods for a week, that knife will still shave under normal woods conditions, not to mention, you can process scaly, bony, and thick skinned salt-water fish and not worry about having to sharpen it. I personally think the blade shape is not good for fillet tasks, but like most knives, it'll do it.
 
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