Not sure what Im looking for in a camp knife

[thewrathofraf]

Hey guys! Haven't posted in quite a while. Anyway...been looking at knives for camping lately, and I am not entirely sure what I am looking for. My wife and I do a camping trip every year for our anniversary, and I've been looking at getting a new knife to take with me.

My wife likes my BK2...she likes that its basically a small tank in her hand haha. I have been carrying my ZT0100 on these trips, and its been great, but the sheath is less than ideal, and I have been having a hard time finding sheaths for it online (guess I dont really know what I am looking for there, either). Plus, while I love the recurve, I find its not the best for some things when camping, and I tend to grab the BK2 for a lot of stuff. We both EDC ZT0350s. I also have a Gerber Big Rock, which is not super great, that I just keep in the car.

I've owned a few TOPS knives in the past (CAT, Interceptor, Steel Eagle) and a Maniord Karambit (which is obviously no good for camping, plus that guy ripped me off for $300 on a custom knife).

Recently bought a couple Swamp Rats...Rodent 3, Solution, and Ratmandu. The Rodent 3 is too small for me to do anything with. The tiny handle is just too small for me. The Solution is a great size, but the handle is too thin, and my hand cramps up trying to use it.

Ratmandu just shipped today, so I am hoping that does the job for me, but if not, what else should I be looking at? Not entirely sure what I need in terms of blade length, but I was thinking around 4-5 inches...maybe 5 is too big? I dunno.

Also, was considering the Becker BK16, but I really don't like that crappy grivory material they use on their handles...and I know the micarta scales are around, but thats more money...

I was also looking at some Swamp Rat HRLMs on ebay, but I don't know if I want to pay what people are asking for them.

Trying to keep price at $200 or less, but could go to $250 or so if something is really worth it. Really just hoping the RMD works for me. Thanks!

 

[The_Knife_Man]

Might sound like a silly questions. But what kind of camping? (RV, pull up in car, tent, hike in, treks etc) Also, what are your intended uses? (General camp knife, chopping, feather sticks, making fire, building shelter, walking stick)

I personally like the survive knives gso 5.1

 

[The Zieg]

The BK-16 with micarta scales should be far below your $200 max, so that shouldn't be a problem (~$120). I'd say, though, your issue is not "what you're looking for in a knife" but what it is you want to do with it. Since you don't make that clear, I can't see how the BK-2 isn't meeting your needs besides being a bit beefy in your wife's hands.

So what's the BK-2 not doing for you?

Zieg

 

[thewrathofraf]

Most of our camping has been drive up to site, set up tent, maybe some hiking to get to the site (less than 3 miles, but we are expanding our camping horizons each year, and it gets a little more primitive). Probably just looking for a general camp knife, probably not using it for chopping, yes feather sticks and that kind of stuff. Definitely dont want something big enough to use as a walking stick hahaha. No shelter building right now, but maybe in the future.

I was looking at the GSOs, too.

 

[thewrathofraf]

The BK2 has been great, but its a little bigger than I need, I think...which is why I was considering the BK16.

 

[BP_]

I would head over to the makers for sale section and find something there. Or you could have them work with you to build a design you like.

 

[The_Knife_Man]

Perhaps an ESEE 4. The 5 is just a sharpen crowbar. The 3 is too small for my liking. And the 6 might be more knife than you really need.

 

[katanas]

So, when you get to your camp, what do you do with your knife? What else (tools) do you bring? Personally (not that you may care), I use a different knife based on whether I have a saw, hatchet, two or more knives, etc. Do you both carry a knife (allowing for two totally different options)? I'm not trying to be obtuse or picky, but I'm wondering if you are asking "if we only brought one knife for ??? what should it be. In which case, I have only a few of the DOZENS of suggestions you will get. If I missed your point, sorry. (post 6 is of particular interest)

 

[JJ_Colt45]

For your price point you may want to check out some of our forums supporting custom makers and let them help you design excatly what you want and most well within your price range.

That being said I can say the Esee 4HM or if you want a bit more blade the Esee 6HM ... great knives and the HM series new handles are very comfortable.

Im not sure what uses you have in mind but the Esees will do anything the Beckers will ...

From there you step up a little to LT Wright ... they have several models and styles ... the Bushcrafter a kephart style is nice ... the GNS a versatile knife and offered in both high carbon 01 or A2 or some in 3V ... and in AEB-L if you want a stainless blade.

I will tell you to check out the Bradford Guardian 4 ... with the New 3D Micarta Scales ... it surprised me just how much I love the knife ... you can get it in M390 or 3V and in Full Flat Grind or Saber Grind or even a false edge blade.
The Full Flats cut like lasers and so do the Saber grinds with just a bit more behind the blade if you plan on being a bit rougher on the knife. It's great for shaving wood and general chores like food prep.

Fiddleback Forge has several in your price range you might like.

And if you haven't tried a Mora ... you may want to for under $20.00 you can try one and they are surprisingly great camping knives ... and unless you need the thick brutes the Moras may fill all your needs.

 

[19-3ben]

Most of our camping has been drive up to site, set up tent, maybe some hiking to get to the site (less than 3 miles, but we are expanding our camping horizons each year, and it gets a little more primitive). Probably just looking for a general camp knife, probably not using it for chopping, yes feather sticks and that kind of stuff. Definitely dont want something big enough to use as a walking stick hahaha. No shelter building right now, but maybe in the future.

I was looking at the GSOs, too.

Perhaps an ESEE 4. The 5 is just a sharpen crowbar. The 3 is too small for my liking. And the 6 might be more knife than you really need.

Yup. ESEE 4 was going to be my suggestion. IN fact, you can even go to theknifeconnection.com and build your own using blade blank, you pick the scales and the sheath you want, so you get exactly what you want and it's still under your $200 budget.

 

[chiral.grolim]

Here's an HRLM next to a BK16 - I really like the handle on the HRLM and it was built to be very durable, but the BK16 edge-geometry could cut circles around it

I prefer the RMD to the HRLM, here's one in a line-up of some other production fixed blades:

Here's another line-up with a lot of the same knives:

And here is another RMD cuz it's a great knife. This one has been modified to improve the edge geometry and cutting performance:

But if you head over to the maker's section, you could get something like this beauty within your budget:

 

[trevitrace]

REK "fix" that RMD?

 

[22-rimfire]

I'd go with a LionSTEEL M5. Good size. Good everything camping knife. Hard to beat the Kabar Becker BK-16. Don't forget to toss in a Mora for odds and ends cooking. There aren't a lot of practical limits to what you bring along. I actually used to bring electric lights with me to hang in one state park that had electricity at each site. I got tired of Coleman lanterns (the gasoline type) and they took up too much space with the gear.

 

[chiral.grolim]

REK "fix" that RMD?

No, not this particular one, it isn't THAT awesome Still better than stock cutting performance though, and it looks great

 

[Gradyw]

Most of our camping has been drive up to site, set up tent, maybe some hiking to get to the site (less than 3 miles, but we are expanding our camping horizons each year, and it gets a little more primitive). Probably just looking for a general camp knife, probably not using it for chopping, yes feather sticks and that kind of stuff. Definitely dont want something big enough to use as a walking stick hahaha. No shelter building right now, but maybe in the future.

I was looking at the GSOs, too.

some will disagree but you can't go wrong with a bark river gunny... it is more on the smaller side for a camp knife but it can handle a lot and for what you are doing I think it will be perfect... you can choose it in a few different steels too and if your not going to beat it up I think elmax would be perfect but those start at a little over 200...if the knife is too small look at the bravo lt or the bravo 1.25 lt in cruwear!
Ps... all bark river knives come with a lifetime, no questions asked warranty. Hard to beat that.

 

[SALTY]

The BK2 has been great, but its a little bigger than I need, I think...which is why I was considering the BK16.

If you like the BK-2 but want something a little lighter, try the BK-10.

That said, Uncle Ethan has been known to say that if there's dirt under his shoes - there's a BK-16 on his belt. I've seen him many times with his beloved BK-16. Now, here's a man that can carry anything he wants and certainly has enough knives to last several lifetimes - and he carries a BK-16.

 

[Therom]

I had a similar dilemma when I was looking for a compact camp knife
At the end I was considering the bk16 and the Esee4
I took the Esee4
It is a great knife and the sheath is just as good
The 4" blade can be too short for hard use but for basic camp it is great as it make the knife very easy to carry

My only complain is on the length of the handle
I wear medium size gloves and the handle will be better if a bit longer

I am happy with it and won't change it since so far it works good for what I do but I think the GSO5.1 shall have better ergonomics

 

[extrastout]

Lon Humphrey Knives: Sterling - Black Canvas Micarta
Specifications:

• Overall Length: 8 7/8" (225mm)
• Blade Length: 4 " (101mm)
• Thickness: .21" (5.35mm)
• Handle Thickness: .584" (14.87mm)
• Weight: 5.8oz

A Hand forged custom made knife, built rugged, built to last a lifetime for 199 with Micarta handles. He has stainless and 1095 steel options. More handle options too. The handles are not small, they are a great size for a user. Comes with a leather sheath.

I have the scout in 1095 and its all around great! The Sterling is a little smaller (get the impression you want to downsize from the BK2). They are available on Knives Ship Free

 

[thewrathofraf]

Thanks for all the input everyone!!

I have had a few ESEEs...the 5, 3, Izula, Izula 2, and the 6. I found the 6, as someone mentioned, too much for my needs. The 5 and 3 I never really used for anything because I didnt like the handles...5 was too blocky, 3 was too small. The Izulas were cool as EDC fixed blades, but I always found that my ZT0350 got used in almost every situation.

Seems like the BK16 is a popular choice, and even with the handle scales, its still pretty well priced. Just wasnt sure if there was a better option in that price range. I like the size of it a lot.

Thanks for all the pictures Chiral. Very helpful with size comparisons between the RMD, GSOs, and BK16.

As far as what we do with the knives...just regular knife stuff? Food cutting, feather sticking, shaving smaller branches off bigger branches. We bring a shovel and a hatchet, so no need for chopping. Its pretty light, regular knife kind of use I would say.

I like the idea of having something made. I will check out the makers forum and see what thats all about.

Thanks!

 

[upnorth]

Yup. ESEE 4 was going to be my suggestion. IN fact, you can even go to theknifeconnection.com and build your own using blade blank, you pick the scales and the sheath you want, so you get exactly what you want and it's still under your $200 budget.

Ya. I've had/have many Becker's, they are good tools, I even had a 16. But I rescaled my ESEE 4 through TKC, and it's a preferred carry now. Barely know it's on your hip.