Multi use Camp Knife

GingivitisKahn said:
Who said "perfect field knife"? Reread the OP - he said, "good fixed blade multi-use camp knife" and the BK2 is certainly that. Since the OP isn't looking for a chopper I think the BK2 is a better choice than the BK9 and since he didn't mention he is looking for a fighter, I think it's a better choice than the BK7 (both outstanding knives, just less relevant to this thread in my opinion).

Hope that helps. Have a nice day.

I guess I called your "baby" bk-2(favourite knife on your profile) ugly.......anyone will defend what they love and this is not personal
I did read the OP and he is asking for a GOOD fixed blade MULTI-use camp knife, which it is not

35 yrs of knife use, trapline, hunting, fishing, multi-day backpacking, and 14 yrs of professional butchering is what my opinion is based on.

A camp knife besides processing/chopping wood needs to be able to efficiently do kitchen and game cleaning chores which any short 1/4in thick knife could not possibly do well, even with a full flat grind the geometry is inefficient to downright wrong for these purposes.

The bk-9 may be listed as a "combat bowie" but IMOP its shape and edge geometry makes it a mountain man's butcher knife/hudson bay for the 21st century.
I buy whole hips to break down for the freezer and the bk-9 is a fleshing/slicing machine, plus one of the best chopping knives out there. Carves better than the bk-2 as well.

Love becker knives(have 6) but the bk-2 just has no appeal or realistic function to me and I have had a bk-2 for 3 yrs now.
Take care and I am a flyfisher as well.
Back to your thread bill

if your considering between esee-4 and esee-6 go for the 6. Same thickness but with the extra height of the 6's blade with full flat grind it has a better/thinner edge geometry for slicing and carving. Big enough to slice a whole onion,manageable for detail work , long enough to baton and plenty tough.
On my scale the esee-4 with molle sheath is 12.9 oz and the esee-6 plus sheath is 14oz
The esee-6 gives a lot more function for an extra 1.1oz

Don't forget to let us know what you have decided to go with

Regards
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esee 6
ontario 5 or 6 "cheaper versions of esee, but same steel and overall quality"
scrapyard 511 is great choice, great steel good price.
falkniven a1- looks pretty solid, stainless steel. so less care needed
coldsteel recon scout, pretty good value, or so it would seem
 
I do agree that the BK 2 is a bit thick for the food prep camp kitchen uses, although IMOP, it is a great survival knife but not what I'm looking for.
So far the short list is the esee 4 or 6 or Spydie Moran.

I like some of the Bucks but not a fan of the 440, 420 steels that most seem to be made of in my target price range.
 
After trying a bunch, I settled on a Nessmuk pattern for general camp use. I find the shape excellent for working with food and good for the other stuff too. A custom knife maker could do a good one for you at your price point.
 
if your considering between esee-4 and esee-6 go for the 6. Same thickness but with the extra height of the 6's blade with full flat grind it has a better/thinner edge geometry for slicing and carving. Big enough to slice a whole onion,manageable for detail work , long enough to baton and plenty tough.
On my scale the esee-4 with molle sheath is 12.9 oz and the esee-6 plus sheath is 14oz
The esee-6 gives a lot more function for an extra 1.1oz
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Now you tell me. Just bought a 4 and now have buyers remorse. The handle is about as short as my Izula 2 and makes the knife feel weird to me. Should have gotten the 6. Anyone need a slightly used 4? :)
 
ALL HAIL BK2!!!
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While I'm obviously a little bias toward Beckers, have to agree with some others about the BK 2, bit thick for a great slicer. Don't get me wrong, good all around knife, but in the Becker line, maybe a BK 7 as a camp knife. Little longer than your OP, but better slicer and still do ANYTHING. JMHO -

Plus you'll have enough left over for stuff to pair it up with, like a SAK, a folding saw and a Mora :D

ANYWAY - TONS of great knives fit your criteria. From the formentioned ESEE's to a Blind Horse Knives Bushcrafter, to some Swamprats to a Bark River Bravo 1, to a Spyderco Bushcrafter ... to a ... to a ... Like I said TONS :D

Check out the exchange here on the forums too. Some nice customs.
For example, this puppy's sweet:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/909597-Tobin-Smith-O-1-Camp-Knife-Only-109-00!!!


Good luck and stay safe out there.
 
Cobra281 said:
While I'm obviously a little bias toward Beckers, have to agree with some others about the BK 2, bit thick for a great slicer. Don't get me wrong, good all around knife, but in the Becker line, maybe a BK 7 as a camp knife. Little longer than your OP, but better slicer and still do ANYTHING. JMHO -
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How about a BK10 Crewman? Sort of like a BK2 on a diet. Sometimes I regret having traded mine off.
 
Foilist said:
How about a BK10 Crewman? Sort of like a BK2 on a diet. Sometimes I regret having traded mine off.
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The 10 would be another excellent choice.

Funny - after I finished that post, I was going to go back and edit it in.

I picked one up with "all the bells and wistles" awhile back. Nice knife.

Top of the OP price range, but ... :thumbup:

Here's a nice Laconico too:


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...oty-Handley-for-sale!?p=10308236#post10308236



edit: BK 5 would also make another good, reasonable, camp knife. Maybe a little big, but we just did a pass around with one and it handles great !! Very impressed.

Also, there are 3 new Beckers coming out in a couple months: BK 15, 16, 17 (smaller versions of the 5, 2 and a nice clip point)

Like I said, TONS of options. It comes down to what works for you. Best thing to do is try some. Esp. if you're lucky enough to have a good knife store in your area.
And remember you can always sell a GOOD knife, if you don't like it. You'll take a little hit, but sometimes it's the only way to find what works for you.
 
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Fallkniven F1, S1, Bark River Bravo-1 or ESEE 4 would be best. BK2 is great, and much cheaper but quite heavy and overkill for many applications IMO.
 
Leaning more toward the Moran, watching several on eBay now. I think the thinner slicer profile along with VG-10 is what's attracting me. I do wish it was a bit longer and I'm not overly impressed with it's appearance. The Temperance is cool but pricey now.
 
bill_in_tx said:
Looking for recommendations for a good fixed blade multi-use camp knife. Multi meaning cooking/cleaning food and light general trail use. No chopping down trees or anything like that. I'm thinking less than 6" with quality kydex sheath and <$150.00.

Opinions?
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the esee 4 or 6 sound like good options for you.
 
bill_in_tx if you have the funds to buy a $150 knife I would suggest (as others have) that you get an ESEE 4 or Scrap Yard 511 . Both are much less than $150 and both companies have lifetime warranties on their knives .


HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
 
You might want to check out some of the Scandinavian made knives. Great ergos and a wide variety of blade sizes, handle styles/materials, etc. The classic puuko style is highly regarded by many bush crafter folks, as well as general knife users. You might have to have a kydex sheath made for one, but at the reasonable prices for these types of knives, you should be easily able to stay under your price limit. Good luck!
 
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