OKC Air Force survival knife, SOG seal pup, gerber prodigy/LMF2, or the OKC MK 3 navy

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ScottyNel

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Jul 26, 2013
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Hey I'm looking to buy my first knife, I'm basically looking for a great camping/hiking knife. I don't plan on doing any battoning, or chopping ( I have my hatchet for that) but I will be making pegs and such. I don't know too much about the quality of steel and such but I do live in Canada and I will be doing a few winter camping. So far I have the OKC Air Force survival knife, the SOG seal pup, OKC MK3, gerber prodigy and LMF 2 in my sights. If you can give other suggestions that would be great. I'm really only looking spend 100 bucks or so. I was thinking of having the OKC Air Force survival knife paired up the the gerber prodigy, good combo or is that an overkill?


Thanks guys.
 
Hows None of them?? None.

A mora 511 or stainless option (546). I don't see the value of an ESEE 3 for carving pegs, those Moras are virtually weightless and have an optimal grind for wood carving.

That will run you about $10 USD

If you start look looking to do more than utility cutting/carving/skinning chores with hour knife, then look at ESEE or Beckers.
 
The Ontario AF is a $50 knife, while the LMF can be had for ~$75. I own both, and each are excellent values. I would opt for either of them over anything else on your list. If I had an extra $100 to spend, I would go with a Becker.
 
+1 on ESEE 3 or Becker 11 or 14 if you want smaller, handle scales available too for them. If you want larger, get a Becker 15-17.
 
Thanks for the input guys, I love the ESEE blades but I can only find them online and the cheapest one i could find is 120 CAD (knifecentre.com), then I'm also looking at another 30 for shipping. If I were to pay that much for a blade, would it be worth it to dish the extra 20 and get the ESEE 4? Little more blade only for 20 more or is the 3 enough blade for the common use.
Also I've read the ontario rat 3 is basicly the same knife, but quite a bit cheaper. What's the main differance between the two?
 
Thanks for the input guys, I love the ESEE blades but I can only find them online and the cheapest one i could find is 120 CAD (knifecentre.com), then I'm also looking at another 30 for shipping. If I were to pay that much for a blade, would it be worth it to dish the extra 20 and get the ESEE 4? Little more blade only for 20 more or is the 3 enough blade for the common use.
Also I've read the ontario rat 3 is basicly the same knife, but quite a bit cheaper. What's the main differance between the two?
 
I have to agree that a mora...any model but I prefer the companion mg...is light years better for your needs then any of the other knives in this thread.
 
Check out the Kabar Mark 1. Great bushcraft and general purpose knife, great balance, stronger than the typical fighter/utility model, and good looking to boot. Full flat grind makes it an ideal cutter. Around $50-70.
 
ScottyNel said:
What's the main differance between the two?
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I think the main difference with anything from ESEE is warranty, and I don't own either but I prefer the 3 to than the 4 for general utility. Don't forget Becker exist, plenty off people have mentioned them in this thread for a reason.

Shotgun said:
I have to agree that a mora...any model but I prefer the companion mg...is light years better for your needs then any of the other knives in this thread.
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:thumbup: get a mora, get a mora, get a mora
Silverbullet951 said:
Check out the Kabar Mark 1. Great bushcraft and general purpose knife, great balance, stronger than the typical fighter/utility model, and good looking to boot. Full flat grind makes it an ideal cutter. Around $50-70.
Click to expand...
KA-BAR Mk1 is a classic example of what I think of as a sheath knife, its just got that blade shape to it.

Again, KA-BAR F/U knives put noticeable weight on your hip with that steel pommel. Still, my favorite knife company, I have several different F/U models.
 
I suggest the Air Force knife. I am not a knife expert like some folks...but I got one when I was 13 or 14 and used it to immense standards on my grandpa's farm. Everything from cutting open bags of fertilizer, busting open frozen ammo cans, and chains, cutting back brush, digging up various flowers and produce to check for ripeness or clearing a jammed AR-15. Also its a great thrower to. For the money its hard to beat if you want a knife you can abuse over and over and over again.
 
Just picked up a Mora Companion. Pretty nice knife, especially for the cost. It would work for you. I like it better than thinner blade versions and it is cerainly a lot tougher. It would do everything you need done. I am not enamored with the plastic sheath, but what can you expect for $15-$20?

Kabar Becker BK-16 (4") or BK-7 (7"); very good knives for the money. You would like either depending on the size. I just looked at a BK-7 the other day in a store, and that's one I think I'm going to buy. Have the BK-16 already.

Condor Kephart or Bushlore. Good knives for the money and great leather sheaths. The Bushlore is fairly heavy and uses a thick blade stock. Very tough knife. Kephart is lighter and would have similar uses as the BK-16.

SOG Seal Pup Elite; good knife if you like the handle. I've had one since they came out and have been quite pleased with the plain edge version. The SOG Field Pup is another one that you might like but it is not as big as the Seal Pup. It would be similar to the Mora.

Not familiar with the Gerber or Ontario. Have gotten away from Gerbers since they were sold to Fiskars. I used to carry a Gator folder in the woods a fair amount. But have moved to depending on a smaller folder and a fixed blade of my choice.

Added: Include a Victorinox SAK of your choice to your camping arsenal. That might allow you to feel comfortable with a larger blade since you can do the detailed stuff with it. So many choices available that work.

ESEE 4 is a very good knife. (Got one.) It is a much stronger knife than the ESEE 3. I like it but have gavitated to the Kabar Beckers of late for general woods stuff.
 
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I'd take the ESEE-4 over any of the other knives you list. I've owned the LMF II and USMC and didn't like them for 'bushcraft'/camping chores, and have handled a couple of Prodigys and am not drawn to them either. I do own an ESEE-4 though (far prefer it over the ESEE-3) and it's my go to camp blade for everything from chopping and fuzz sticks to chopping up chicken for the stew.
 
Appreciate the help guys, I think I'm going to go with the bk17 and the mora companion (for 15 bucks may as well eh)
 
ScottyNel said:
Appreciate the help guys, I think I'm going to go with the bk17 and the mora companion (for 15 bucks may as well eh)
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The BK-16/17 is hard to beat. I feel the same way about the Mora Companion. You made good cost effective choices.

I find that I use the 4-5" bladed knives the most and am most willing to carry them in the woods. I am a bit enamored with the BK-7 right now and will probably buy one in the coming month or so. I just can't bring myself to buy a BK-9 since I feel pretty sure that I won't carry the longer blade.
 
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