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Need help deciding on a camp/survival knife
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For what it's worth, here's the best "all around" knife I've used. It's a little different than mine, but it's roughly the same materials and dimensions (Mine has a stacked leather handle). http://ragweedforge.com/BruslettoCatalog.html I'ts the top knife.
The edge bevel could stand to be a little thinner, but it still carves pretty well with the stock scandi grind. It's certainly a world of difference compared to a Kabar's stock edge though. The steel has proven very reliable for me. Easy to sharpen quickly and burrs very little, tough enough to take chopping and batoning in strides and holds its edge very well. Out of all my knives I think this steel gets the sharpest.
It's enough handle to get a good hold on, but not so much handle that it takes weight away from the blade. That's what makes the design so good. You get a good amount of blade and forward weight balance in a compact package, which gives it better chopping ability than many tactical knives that are heavier and bigger. I like this knife as a do everything knife because it can do a decent job of cutting through vegetation, can handle light chopping and batons everything it's blade length allows with no problem. It'll carve fuzz sticks, though the weight will fatigue your hand quicker than using a SAK or Mora. I find this plus a SAK Farmer to be an ideal woods combo for myself, maybe throw a stockman in there too for some good whittlin blades.
I still go with my original suggestion, just thought I'd share my pick for the one knife to do it all mentality. Here's a photo of mine:
Middle Knife
The edge bevel could stand to be a little thinner, but it still carves pretty well with the stock scandi grind. It's certainly a world of difference compared to a Kabar's stock edge though. The steel has proven very reliable for me. Easy to sharpen quickly and burrs very little, tough enough to take chopping and batoning in strides and holds its edge very well. Out of all my knives I think this steel gets the sharpest.
It's enough handle to get a good hold on, but not so much handle that it takes weight away from the blade. That's what makes the design so good. You get a good amount of blade and forward weight balance in a compact package, which gives it better chopping ability than many tactical knives that are heavier and bigger. I like this knife as a do everything knife because it can do a decent job of cutting through vegetation, can handle light chopping and batons everything it's blade length allows with no problem. It'll carve fuzz sticks, though the weight will fatigue your hand quicker than using a SAK or Mora. I find this plus a SAK Farmer to be an ideal woods combo for myself, maybe throw a stockman in there too for some good whittlin blades.
I still go with my original suggestion, just thought I'd share my pick for the one knife to do it all mentality. Here's a photo of mine:
Middle Knife
I much prefer a 4” hunting knife with a full tang in conjunction with a Victorinox SAK with a wood saw (such as a Hiker, Camper or Farmer carried in a pocket with a lanyard or a locking blade Hunter or Spirit multitool in a belt pouch) as my basic outdoor utility/survival knife combo.
The Grohmann DH Russell No.1 Belt Knife, Foster Knives Fears Survival Knife, Fallkniven F1 are all good choices, as is the SOG Revolver (especially if you don’t want to carry a wood saw equipped SAK).
I personally don’t find 5-8” blade knives to be as useful as the above combinations since knives of this size do not chop very well (I can cut faster, more safely and more efficiently with a SAK saw) but they are generally big and heavy enough to make them a bit of a pain to carry and awkward to work with for delicate work. If you still want something this size, the basic Ka-Bar is OK and as is the lower cost CS Bushman.
If you want a chopper, I would suggest looking for something with a minimum blade length of 9” such as the Ontario SP5 Bowie, or if you are willing to spend some time sharpening it a machete such as the Ontario 12” with the orange D-guard handles or a Fiskars hatchet…even the CS shovel makes a decent chopper. Still you might be better off most of the time with a lightweight wood saw such as the Fiskars retractable blade Sport saw.
For clearing a lot of brush an 18” machete (such as the Ontario, CS Latin and Tramontina) would be a good choice.
Frank
The Grohmann DH Russell No.1 Belt Knife, Foster Knives Fears Survival Knife, Fallkniven F1 are all good choices, as is the SOG Revolver (especially if you don’t want to carry a wood saw equipped SAK).
I personally don’t find 5-8” blade knives to be as useful as the above combinations since knives of this size do not chop very well (I can cut faster, more safely and more efficiently with a SAK saw) but they are generally big and heavy enough to make them a bit of a pain to carry and awkward to work with for delicate work. If you still want something this size, the basic Ka-Bar is OK and as is the lower cost CS Bushman.
If you want a chopper, I would suggest looking for something with a minimum blade length of 9” such as the Ontario SP5 Bowie, or if you are willing to spend some time sharpening it a machete such as the Ontario 12” with the orange D-guard handles or a Fiskars hatchet…even the CS shovel makes a decent chopper. Still you might be better off most of the time with a lightweight wood saw such as the Fiskars retractable blade Sport saw.
For clearing a lot of brush an 18” machete (such as the Ontario, CS Latin and Tramontina) would be a good choice.
Frank
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2007
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- 955
For 60$ you can buy a Mora for a cutting knife, a Cold Steel Bushman as a larger bang around knife and a Fiskars hatchet for chopping and splitting.
I agree completely. Sure, a $500 Busse is a pretty sweet blade, I wish I could afford one!
However, for what most of us will need when camping/hiking, a good mora/Bushman/hatchet combo will do just fine. For most of it, you could even leave the hatchet behind and add a good SAK with a saw blade for taking down larger branches. You will be able to take care of anything with one of these trios. Not as sexy as an expensive knife, but I think there's somthing nice to the simplicity of it. Just my opinion. One way or another, have fun!!
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2007
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- 955
Vivi, you missed my point. That's great that $ is of no concern to you.
What I'm trying to say is that IMHO, true camping is taking off with (for example); a blanket, a tarp, an SAK, a Bushman, some water and a little food. I think you really get the best experience when you keep it simple. Sure it's more comfortable to go out with new hi-tech equipment, but I think the experience suffers. Again, just my opinion.
What I'm trying to say is that IMHO, true camping is taking off with (for example); a blanket, a tarp, an SAK, a Bushman, some water and a little food. I think you really get the best experience when you keep it simple. Sure it's more comfortable to go out with new hi-tech equipment, but I think the experience suffers. Again, just my opinion.
Cobalt
Platinum Member
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- Dec 23, 1998
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- 17,894
Cold Steel Bushman would be my choice for a cheap survival knife.
then in the $80 to $150 range Falknven, Scrapyard would be my choice.
Above that Busse all the way
Once you go over $100, there are many choices. Just search here under survival and you will get more than you wanted to know
then in the $80 to $150 range Falknven, Scrapyard would be my choice.
Above that Busse all the way
Once you go over $100, there are many choices. Just search here under survival and you will get more than you wanted to know
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2006
- Messages
- 416
The CS Bushmans are great , inexpensive, and tough. i have a large one for me and 2 small ones for my kids. also know that mine were made before CS had to change manufacturing companies when Camillus went down. dont know how good the new ones are.
if you want to spend more but stay under $100, get the Gerber LMF II. i have one and it is the best knife ive ever owned (i dont have the money to get the high priced or custom stuff). this knife is very strong, well made and the sheath is indestructable and has a sharpener. its worth every penny and more.
heres some of my Gerber collection: (the LMF II is under the shovel)
- Eric
if you want to spend more but stay under $100, get the Gerber LMF II. i have one and it is the best knife ive ever owned (i dont have the money to get the high priced or custom stuff). this knife is very strong, well made and the sheath is indestructable and has a sharpener. its worth every penny and more.
heres some of my Gerber collection: (the LMF II is under the shovel)
- Eric
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2000
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- 324