Need a Camper knife

If you like the Buck 119 - but want bigger - look for the 7.5" bladed Buck 120 'General'. It was last made for Cabelas' "Pro-Line" series. A better choice, if you want a CS blade, is the basic KaBar. Get a version without that sharpened secondary edge - like a USN version. The knife was designed as a utility knife - it's Bowie like shape is useful in camping chores. My late Dad's old KaBar served me well for years in camping, eventually being replaced by a Buck 110 folder and and a Plumb camp hatchet. The smaller Buck knife made most camp cutting chores easier - the limbs/trees fell more easily with the hatchet, too. Still, that KaBar was all I had... before the 'enlightenment'...

Stainz
 
You would probably do fine with a 6" or so knife. 7-8 is getting a little heavy and big for hiking. Do the A1. It is my favorite for numerous reasons.
 
Becker BK7 with the Becker micarta scales. Or the BK9 if you decide you want a bit more chopping ability.
I just got the new SP50 from Ontario's Gen 2 Spec Plus line. Gotta say, I love the blade shape and full flat grind. The rubber handle can get abrasive after extended chopping.
As far as backpacking with big blades. I carried a big bowie over the NH 4K footers. If it's what you like, the extra few ounces are not a big deal.
 
ranger rak if you want a cheaper blade, or ranger rd6 or rd7, 6.5 to 7.5 inches...

At the very top end of your range, right now crks is selling the rd-6 signature (3/8ths thick) ...that would be very heavy and totally overkill, but still kinda cool, its s-7...
 
snorkem said:
Please, would like suggestions on the knife i should get, not what i shouldn't get. this is a general outdoors knife for when i go up to my house in vermont, i have to use a fixed blade daily there to baton wood, make fires, and everything in between. Right now i have a 5 inch puma hunters friend. I want something a little bigger, with more heft.
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Thats not what you said in your OP.

If you are based in your house, it's silly to just have one knife to do everything. Get a pure chopper (or an axe or a saw) for the wood, a 4 incher for walking around, and a kitchen knife for the kitchen.

You want a chopper? Get a big Ontario Ranger RD or a big Kabar Becker.
 
richw said:
ranger rak if you want a cheaper blade, or ranger rd6 or rd7, 6.5 to 7.5 inches...

At the very top end of your range, right now crks is selling the rd-6 signature (3/8ths thick) ...that would be very heavy and totally overkill, but still kinda cool, its s-7...
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I love Rangers, but why would one want a Ranger Assault Knife for "woods" use? Its designed for assault. Its got a sharp, pointed pommell.
 
marcinek said:
I love Rangers, but why would one want a Ranger Assault Knife for "woods" use? Its designed for assault. Its got a sharp, pointed pommell.
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it could still be used for general purpose. i agree the pointed pommel is a turnoff...my point was also on the cheap side, its $55 in paracord, light, not too thick, and with its grind its tough...could be used for chopping, batoning, etc...
 
You might want to look at Schrade Extreme Series. I think the SCHF9 is the model I have. Really solid knife for $40.
 
richw said:
it could still be used for general purpose. i agree the pointed pommel is a turnoff...my point was also on the cheap side, its $55 in paracord, light, not too thick, and with its grind its tough...could be used for chopping, batoning, etc...
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Point taken, but I think if one insists on going out into the woods and bashing the bejeebus outta stuff then the RD series would be the way to go! The added cost is probably worth it for the added bashtasticness of the RD. :thumbup:

Of course, if one is spending an extended stay at their home in the woods I'd let an axe or chainsaw do my firewood prep. Batonning firewood all day seems a little perverse if you don't need to do it, in my book.

To each his own I guess.

I suppose one could use the RD as a shovel too. Or get a shovel. :D
 
marcinek said:
Point taken, but I think if one insists on going out into the woods and bashing the bejeebus outta stuff then the RD series would be the way to go! The added cost is probably worth it for the added bashtasticness of the RD. :thumbup:

Of course, if one is spending an extended stay at their home in the woods I'd let an axe or chainsaw do my firewood prep. Batonning firewood all day seems a little perverse if you don't need to do it, in my book.

To each his own I guess.

I suppose one could use the RD as a shovel too. Or get a shovel. :D
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i have used some of my folders as toothpicks....so maybe my opinion is null and void...
 
So right now my 3 choices are
Esee junglas
becker Bk 9
Rtak 2

I suspect i will end up getting the becker bk9 because of its price and size, i can also spend a little extra and get micarta grips for it. One question, do all of the bk 9s come with that little companion knife? the becker necker
 
kilua said:
i agree with marcinek...who wants to carry a big 7+ blade while backpacking? well, i did ;). untill i realized that weight matters...haha. now i just take a mora ;).
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+1 :thumbup: Ditto. I just got back from a camping/hiking trip where I baptized my new Mora 2000. What a great outdoor knife. Don't knock it, till you try it.
 
I love threads where we all get to shout out our favorite knives. :D

My son loves his Becker BK-7 (top) for general outdoors stuff but I prefer my Becker BK-2 (bottom)...
IMG00648-20100827-2315.jpg
 
Take a look at Himalayan Imports and the Kabar Becker BK7. Also watch out for makers like DFarmer and some of the other guys that use high quality mid carbon steels in their beaters that offer them for very reasonable prices. 7-8 inches is practical for a camp backpacking blade, I think... I see some guys lugging around 18-22 inch machetes thinking wtf do you need that for? Also take a look at a few shorter machetes-there are some good cheap alternatives out there, such as the 12 inch Tramontina at 6 dollars, the Ontario Camp Machete or the Condor Khukri.
 
I assume that you have looked at the rest of the ESEE knives since your first choice was the Junglas but, http://www.eseeknives.com/knives.htm the ESEE 5 would be a great all around knife. The ESEE 6 would also be a great choice for a little more blade length. With the warranty on the ESEE you would have yourself a lifetime user.

Here in the northwest as in a number of other places an axe or a large blade will save your ass if the weather changes or if it has been very wet. Its not "ultra light", but when a fire is the difference between life and death I would rather not be limited to a one knife philosophy. IMO

On another note I wouldn't take my large chopper on a day hike or a mid summer fishing trip. Out of the brands you listed you couldn't go wrong they are great knives!
 
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