Need help deciding on a small hiking, canoeing, camping knife (narrowed down list)

A

Ailan22

Joined
Feb 3, 2024
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Hi All,
I am new to the whole Knife thing...and to be honest I don't think I will be a huge knife collector. Hence I need some help finding a great small allrounder knife that I can have for a longer time and use in the outdoors.

Bit of a background (maybe it helps, who knows).
I'm a female with medium sized hands (not small, fine hands but medium stronger hands). I like to hike, canoe and on occasion go camping. I'm not a bushcrafter so I won't be doing a whole lot of batoning, splitting and carving out a whole table set of spoons ;) (only when I go camping sometimes, and I carry a laplander saw and Mora Knife or a Brisa Tra pper 95 as backup).

I'm looking for a smaller knife that I can scout carry. Something I can mainly use on my hiking and canoeing trip. Something that is light, small, inconspicuous and I can use on food prep, light feathersticking and cutting jobs. I have this idea in my head that I also would like a knife that has a sharp spine so I can create a fire with it (ferro rod) however I think its more of a ideal picture or heads in the clouds type of thing. I might get a kydex sheath and carry a rod and striker on it - would that make sense? What type of handle should I pick- micarta or G10.

So my list that I have narrowed down and researching are:
  • White River M1 (CPM S35VN Steel)
  • White River Sendero Pack (CPM S35VN Steel)
  • White River F3.5 (that whole firestarting galore) (CPM S35VN Steel)
  • White River Ursus Cub (will be released this month: Blade length 3.5" (8.8cm), Total Length 7.6" (19.3 cm), weight 5.9oz (167gr) with CPM Magnacut steel
  • Bradford Gaurdian 3.5 (either drop point or I like the Sheepsfoot blade) (either M390 or Magnacut)
  • Joker Avispa (but somehow when I look at it, the handle seems really thick and fat) (14C28N Steel)
I would appreciate any input or help I can get. Where I live I can't get access to these knives to look at and handle beforehand.
Thanks!
 
The Guardian 3.5 does not have a sharpened spine, you would have to sharpen it yourself. I own one, and with an Armatus sheath it is one of my favorites. Light, thin, came sharp as hell with a less than 15 deg pr side edge angle and is a joy to use.

You can get by with the kydex sheath they offer also, but I like the Armatus sheath so much more
 
You may want to consider the Fallkniven F1.
I could bore you to death with reasons but you can watch this.
 
KenHash said:
You may want to consider the Fallkniven F1.
I could bore you to death with reasons but you can watch this.
Click to expand...
I know of the F1 but it's too big for me, or for what I want. However your suggestion made me check out the Fallkniven site, and I found the R2 Scout knife which has the dimensions I am looking for. It has Elmex steel...Is that a good steel, or better said is it good to use by the water?
 
Ailan22 said:
I know of the F1 but it's too big for me, or for what I want. However your suggestion made me check out the Fallkniven site, and I found the R2 Scout knife which has the dimensions I am looking for. It has Elmex steel...Is that a good steel, or better said is it good to use by the water?
Click to expand...
Elmax is an excellent powder metallurgy stainless steel made by Bohler-Uddeholm. With a high HRC of 61-62, it is considered by many to be a "super steel".
All stainless steels are fine for use in/by the water, but all knives regardless of steel type should be wiped dry afterwards when possible. Stainless will be considerably more rust resistant than carbon steel knives when you can't wipe dry promptly after use.
 
I’d like to throw my name into the hat for consideration. The one model I produce is called the Splinter. Standard configuration is 2.5 inch blade but I’ve made some with a 3 inch blade. For me it falls into the neck knife category. Great for a whole bunch of utility tasks very light. I usually run it with 1/16 or 3/32 stock. Last one I made in 1/16 stock came in at 3.375 oz with kydex.

I would suggest for knives around water a lot G10 or Micarta.

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I’m a big fan of the White River knives. I carry an Ursus when hiking around home, an Fc 7 for camping and M1 as a neck knife when canoeing or kayaking so you can probably guess my suggestion:)
 
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David Mary David Mary can make you a custom for what some of those productions cost, just to add to your choices ;)

Check out his Mustelid Scout models, I think they'll be what you're exactly looking for.
They're lightweight and can be made in AEB-L with suretouch handles, which will give you good wet-grip and all the corrosion resistance you need, while throwing nice sparks from a ferro rod.

Mustelid Scout Series - EDC/Large Neckers

A few of you have tried blades I cut by hand like these ones, and have said that you liked them. I am going to be making more like these, in .100" AEB-L first (just over 3/32"), and possibly other steels and thicknesses down the road. If they are successful in the first run, MagnaCut is a...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
SOG Altair would work for you, and this jaktkit is one of my favorites...flat grind, super sharp, comfy handle, robust sheath

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I know you have settled on your list but may I suggest the Rainer Fastpak. I have owned the slightly larger Basecamp for awhile and bought a Fastpak for each of my sons for Christmas. The Fastpak is light at 1.85 oz with handle (1.25 w/o but I found that a bit uncomfortable to use) and its Kydex sheath is set up for scout carry. The spine isn't useable for striking a spark but others have already commented on the impractically of that. The Fastpak has an Elmax drop point blade 2-3/4" in length and the knife itself is 6-1/2" long.
Best of luck.
 
Danke42 said:
Just get a Mora. If you capsize a lot get the floating version.
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This....
Get a Mora, and if you want to carry horizontal you can source a decent kydex sheath for not a lot of money...
These two are older models, a 611 and 612 from Frosts, with laminated blades that have an O-1 core. The kydex is by Randy Bagwell and are slightly modified Mora 511 and 512 sheaths. The 511 and 512 are updated version of the 611 and 612 with molded handles vs the classic wood handles.
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If you don't want a finger guard, a model 2 Classic
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There is also the Becker BK-11. Its a great little blade, and you can source the knife, a nice set of custom wood handles, a nice kydex sheath and a ferro rod for a bit over $100.
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Opinel #8 outdoor is what I keep on my life jacket for canoe and rafting etc, it has done plenty of food prep. The whistle meets local requirements for being on the water. I have an extra long lanyard so I dont have to unclip it to get the whistle up. Not as cool as a scout carry fixed blade.
 
Sounds like the Mora you have would fit your requirements.
I also understand the want for a new knife.
I've owned hundreds of knives and still have too many but usually grab a Mora when I head for the woods.
Enjoy whatever you decide on.
 
Welcome to BF!

I think you have a good list going so I won’t add to it.

I don’t have any first hand experience with anything from your list, but I think all of them will perform generally well with the tasks you describe. Thinner stock/edge will generally cut better but be less durable.

The major difference I see is potential defensive capability. If that’s factoring into your calculation at all then I’d suggest one of the first two White Rivers from your list or the Bradford. The combination of a fairly acute point and a substantial finger guard makes these two much more suitable for self defense than the others, with little downside, imo.

Beyond that I’d just say pick the one that appeals the most visually - you’ll be likely to use and enjoy it more it it’s pretty. ✌️
 
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Welcome to the forums. I have used several of the knives you mentioned and a couple see lots of carry and use for me.

The Bradford 3.5 is a really handy knife. The way it's designed I think it would fit a wide range of hand sizes and it's very comfortable. I prefer a kydex sheath (whether you get one from Bradford or an aftermarket) over the leather, but the leather is a decent option for scout carry. I have the 3.5 in both Cruwear and Magnacut and for use canoeing the Magnacut would be a great choice. The micarta scales are slightly lighter than the G10 if you're looking to save every oz as some do, it's not a big enough difference to me to be the deciding factor on which to get.

The White River M1 surprised me how comfortable and useful it is for being as small and light as it is. It's a bit smaller and lighter which makes it disappear carrying it. The S35VN performs well and although it's not as "stainless" as Magnacut I've never had any problems with it if you take care of it.

The handle on the Bradford 3.5 is in my opinion the difference maker between these two ... IF you are going to use it for extended periods or are gripping it tightly. If your needs are pretty light/occasional use either would be a good choice.

A few pictures for comparison. Hopefully they help.

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Handle width comparison ... the White River M1 on the left Bradford 3.5 on the right.
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2 M1s in kydex and a 2 3.5s one in Bradfords leather one in their kydex.
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All unsheathed.
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