Need some advise

B

bigfoot25

Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Messages
11
I ran acroos this forum doing some research on what knife to buy. I am hoping y'all can give me a tip on what would be a good blade for me. I won't to stay well under a hundred bucks and a fixed blade. I will be using it camping, backpacking, canoeing, and rafting trips. It is going to just be used as a knife not a machette, hatchet, or shovel. I spend a lot of times in the woods and on the water. I have until now just used cheap chinese junk for cost reasons very easy to replace, but I have decided to spring for something that will last. It would go with me everywhere from the mountains here in TN to the swamps in GA, SC and FL and the rivers around here as well. I have been looking at some of the SOG, Gerber, and Ka-bar knives. I am really leaning towards maybe a seal pup ora ka-bar black with the kydex sheath. I found a Gerber lmf II at a good price 70 bucks but had heard several reviews that didn't hold them in high regard. It was my first choice until that.
Thanks for all help in advance
Tony
 
bigfoot25 said:
I will be using it camping, backpacking, canoeing, and rafting trips.
Click to expand...

from the last two intended uses, i'd suggest a Mora Clipper 860 or two.

they cost ~$20, so you won't be too upset if it goes over the side. they're stainless, so they can handle the wet environment and to top it all off, they are a damn fine blade.

did i mention they are only around $20?
 
Your best option would probably be a Becker or an ESEE Rat (not Ontario Rat). A BK2 or BK7, or an RC5 sound ideal.
 
It's hard to top a Mora, but the Benchmade Rant or CSKII might be a couple to look at. Right in your price range.
 
spyderco Aqua Salt

Very light weight at 4.2oz, comes in yellow and black. If you were worrying about losing it the high vis yellow would come in handy. It has almost a 5" blade and uses spyderco h1 steel that doesn't rust. FRN sheath and handle. Looks like an awesome canoe/hiking blade.

If you were wanting something tougher though I think the sog seal pup would be a great balde too. I believe they are both at around the same price too. Like $60-$80.
 
Kabar, Becker, and Mora will cover all the bases and you can get more than one knife for under $100.

Since you just plan on using it as a knife :D I've look at the Mora's in stainless. Sandvik 12c27 with a RC hardness of 57-58. Takes a super sharp edge and retains it well, but is very easy to touch up. Mora 2000 or the Bushcraft line will serve you very well.
 
Thanks for all the quick replies. Been a big help so far I am for sure going to get a couple of the moras to throw in my pack. I found them here locally for like 13 bucks (the clipper) also have several of the other mora knives I am going to look at. They are at smokt mountain knife works so while I am there I am going to handle a few others. I will check out the ones y'all mention get a feel as to which one feels best in my hands. What y'all think about a combo deal either ka-bar or seal pup and a mora (or 2). Always leave the higher end knife strapped in pack when in the boat that way. Plus, I get more than one new toy lol
 
Combo's on always good. Gives a back-up blade in case you need it. I'm a diehard Kabar fan (and carbon steel) so that's the first counter I go to in SMKW. The SOG Seal Pup Elite is a nice knife and the price is right too. I'd get the plain edge version myself. You might also look at the Schrade Extreme Survival blades. The more expensive ones are 1095 high carbon and a very good value for the dollar. One of them was designed by BF's very own Mistwalker. It's the SCHF9. Around $40 or so. I plan on picking one up soon.
 
Can't go wrong with the already mentioned knives and since weight is probably not your biggest problem, taking a knife combo with you is a good idea. I've never lost a knife during outdoor trips, but always have a backup knife in the rucksack.
 
GloriousCCCP said:
spyderco Aqua Salt

Very light weight at 4.2oz, comes in yellow and black. If you were worrying about losing it the high vis yellow would come in handy. It has almost a 5" blade and uses spyderco h1 steel that doesn't rust. FRN sheath and handle. Looks like an awesome canoe/hiking blade.

If you were wanting something tougher though I think the sog seal pup would be a great balde too. I believe they are both at around the same price too. Like $60-$80.
Click to expand...

+1, I like the visibility idea of the handle color. Just to expand on that a little, you could also add a bright orange paracord lanyard to another knife if you so choose.
 
Thanks again guys for all the tips. I just stopped by the SMKW didn't look much was just a quick stop, checked out the beckers and a few others. I also picked up a mora clipper in the mil. Green and stainless. I have to say for a 12 dollar knife it feels reel good in my hand I am going to use it a while and really think on a higher end knife before I spend the money. I would say that I will always keep a couple of these moras in my pack and tucked around everywhere else, if it performs like I think it will. Keep all the tips coming guys its really been a great help. I also looked at the buck nighthawk while I was there, what do y'all think about it? I looked at all the knives y'all mentioned I have to say the becker companion seemed to fit my hand the best and I loved the good heavy feel to it.
Thanks
Tony
 
This is totally against what I would normally say, but... given your requirements, you would probably want to go with something 3-4" in blade length and stainless steel. To be honest... and I can't believe I'm about to say this... for cost effectiveness, go to Wally world and get yourself a Buck knife. I have one (my first knife Alpha Hunter), and it did the job you're wanting. BTW I'm in East TN as well. If you want something that will last a lifetime, no embellishment here, you are definitely going to spend more than a hundred dollars. I would conker with a BK2, but you need rust prevention, and anything over 5" of blade is too long for what you are doing. I know guys, remember he said he wants a knife, not an all in one blade.
 
The first thing I would consider, in your situation, is the sheath/knife holding options.
I've done tons of backpacking and if a tool isn't seated well it's far more likely to be a bummer.
Most knives today seem to be just fine for about anything... as long as you keep them solidly on your person.
This probably applies more to outdoorsmen/women (bushwacking) than to others.
My old martial arts teacher disagreed, but he's martial and psychotic.
I'm practical.
 
CM_Rick said:
agreed, termiteslayer, cheap knives bring cheap sheaths
Click to expand...

I didn't say that.
I just get the feeling that too many 'really nice' knives don't have the blue collar guy figured into the scenario.
I feel that knives are tools and bricks are weapons.
If I was really a martial guy, I'd stick with the latest technological, martial advances.
Not the lastest flicky thingy...
One of the best knives I've ever had on the job was a $5, high carbon, Swedish factory reject.
It fit nicely in my pocket.
It did absolute wonders with getting a razor edge on a pencil and was almost miraculously easy to sharpen to a stupid amount of sharpness.
It was clearly a tool, not a weapon.
 
I played around with my mora about all day I have to say it seems to be a great little knife. I was thinking for the money I might try playing around "customizing" it a little. Thought for starters I would drill out a lanyard hole in the handle, I don't think that would hurt the integrity of the handle? I am trying to think of a way to do a little work to the sheath it holds the knife pretty sturdy, but at times I get a littls rough out on the trails and it may come out which could be bad. Not just the fact of losing it but came loose at right time I could loose the family jewels lol. Anybody, have any tips on what they have done with theirs? I am still getting a higher end knife I just have a couple months before weather will be good enough for me to get out much. So figure I will take my time deciding and play around with this cheap (price not quality) blade for now.
Tony
 
You have plenty of room to drill a hole in the Clipper, and I don't think it will harm the handle a bit....say a 1/4" lanyard hole.
Mora-Xray.jpg
 
Thanks for the inside view on the moras, not much tang on the clipper but don't think it will bother me none with it still goo knife for money. What do y'all think about the CRKT ultima? I can get one of them for like 30 bucks. I checked them out today at the knife works. Seemed like a pretty sturdy knife a little bigger than I wanted but I always got the mora for smaller work I guess.
 
Hey guys question on these moras. What's best way to go bout sharpening these scandi bevels? End half of the blade is super sharp but the rest could use a little tuning. I haven't ever sharpened this type of bevel and didn't want to screw it up. You could shave with the end half would like to get the whole blade tuned like that.
I know lots of questions for one post sorry.
Thanks
Tony
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top