Perfect Camping/Hunting Knife???

S

savageman

Joined
May 27, 2005
Messages
149
Hey guys, I am looking for the perfect fixed blade "do it all" knife for hunting for big game and doing small camp chores. I would like the blade to be about 4-5" in length and have a plain edge drop point shape. When I say hunting I mean be able to field dress deer, moose and bear and when I say camp chores I mean whittle and food prep and light battoning.

I like to have a good quality leather belt sheath to go with it too. Now as far as carbon steel vs stainless steel I need your opinions. Would I be ok with a coated carbon steel or is it best to go with a stainless for these needs. What would be the perfect steel for these type of tasks?

I have L/XL size hands and I have owned a Bark River Fox River and a Becker BK-16 and I did not enjoy the handles on either one. I need a beefier handle for comfort and one that doesn't get really skinny around the index finger like the two above.

I have a budget of about $150 US maximum for the knife and the sheath. Let me know what you guys recommend. Thanks
 
My choice would be the 5" Blackjack 125 (edited that, thought it was 5.5" from memory). I honestly think I will prefer the Blackjack 124 (4.1" blade), but the handle on the 125 is longer and a little thicker. The low end price is around $150. Price range goes from about $150-$250 depending on handles.

Comes with a pretty nice leather sheath that is very useable. I however would not call it perfect. But it is not bad if you want something a little bigger than the typical 3.5-4" drop point. I would also keep the batoning light with the 125. I would hate to break it.
 
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I personally use a Mora Bushcraft Black for your listed purposes. The sheath it comes with is no good, I spent the money to get a custom leather sheath that actually cost more than the knife, but its worth it in my opinion.

A lot of people want "more knife" than the Mora, and if thats the case I would go with a BK16. I personally do not need a knife that heavy, but if you want strong it doesn't get much stronger than that.
 
No such perfect "do it all" knife. Any "do it all" Knife is a compromise in design. For your everything'"do it all" knife as required in your OP I'd look at the Swedish, Finnish, or Norwegian knives. Look at what Mora offers or at some Finnish puukkot.
 
Here is a few great choices for your needs listed from least to most expensive.

1. Esee 4 in your choice of carbon or Stainless(1095 or 440C). Larger G10 scales are available from The Knife Connection if the handle is too small for you as well.

2. Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter or Saddle Mountain Skinner. O e better for batoning and is better for skinning and field dressing.

3. Survive GSO Series in your choice of CPM 3V or 20V.
 
My continued campaign to convert Yanks to slaughterers skinners
Svord Curved Skinner. 5 3/4" blade, L6 steel, differentially heat treated. Economy, Deluxe or Master Cutler.
Svord%20Curved%20Skinner%20-%205.75%20Inches%20-%20Mahogany%20Handle%20Model%20%20677BB%20copy.jpg

http://www.svord.com/index.php
 
Go Custom! JK Knives, he primarily works in O1 but he also has some stainless. Check out the link in my sig for a shortcut to his area.

You can have Your knife made for You, or pick from his catalog on his site. Take a look at his pictures thread in his subforum.

Regarding carbon vs stainless. Unless you are neglectful of your knives, carbon steel will treat you just fine. They used it for many more years than both of us were alive combined. Rinse it with fresh water and oil it after usage and you will be fine. Keep in mind, for ease of transportation, chapstick will also work and is generally food safe.
 
In my opinion, your best bet is to contact one of the knife makers here on bf. The two I really like are big Chris customs and jk handmade knives. I don't think I'll buy any more production models as long as there are guys around that will make awesome knives.
 
The custom or handmade knife is a good suggestion. There is no such thing as the perfect knife. One works great for all the chores you mentioned, but might not be a good camp knife. I would avoid batoning anything unless I have to. It usually is not necessary.

Whatever you choose, you should still carry a folder with you for more detailed tasks.
 
savageman said:
Hey guys, I am looking for the perfect fixed blade "do it all" knife for hunting for big game and doing small camp chores. I would like the blade to be about 4-5" in length and have a plain edge drop point shape. When I say hunting I mean be able to field dress deer, moose and bear and when I say camp chores I mean whittle and food prep and light battoning.

I like to have a good quality leather belt sheath to go with it too. Now as far as carbon steel vs stainless steel I need your opinions. Would I be ok with a coated carbon steel or is it best to go with a stainless for these needs. What would be the perfect steel for these type of tasks?

I have L/XL size hands and I have owned a Bark River Fox River and a Becker BK-16 and I did not enjoy the handles on either one. I need a beefier handle for comfort and one that doesn't get really skinny around the index finger like the two above.

I have a budget of about $150 US maximum for the knife and the sheath. Let me know what you guys recommend. Thanks
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Ontario Afghan has thick handles. I have medium sized hands and I don't like small grip knives. I do better with handles I can get my hands around without my fingers being able to over lap in the palm. I have an Ontario falcon and it's smaller but with a big grip, really like it. The Ontario knives are well known to have thicker handles and if you don't like the BK16 grip, you'll like the feel of the Afghan.
 
For the hunting chores use, the smaller knife works best. You add in camp or all around use and for me it pushes the length up to 5" or perhaps 6". But I find a 6" or longer blade a bit cumbersome for hunting chores.

Of course you could go with a folder for all of it (except batoning or pounding tent stakes) and get the job done nicely; my folder choice would be a GEC #23 traditional. This knife will do 95% of what needs doing with a knife. I used a folder for years hunting and never really wanted a fixed blade. Fixed blades are a relatively new thing for me. I carry one of each now, but use the GEC #42 Missouri Trapper instead of the larger #23.
 
The Bark River STS-3; it's on sale for 156$ (Reg. 270$) here:

http://www.dlttrading.com/sts-3-black-canvas-micarta

A 4" blade of 154CM steel, canvas micarta handle, 7.2oz, and the STS-3 has a pretty stout handle.

brk-sts3-bcm__76323.1413320154.1280.1280.jpg


The Bark River Bravo 1 in A2 steel sells for 170$, also at DLT Trading, 4.24" blade with micarta handle scales, 7.35oz. I think it has a thicker handle than the Fox River.

bravo_1_a2_black_canvas_micarta_239_95__71452.1437068572.1280.1280.jpg
 
Ohhhhhhh I just got a good look at the Cold Steel Master Hunter 3V, wow that looks like it might fit the bill perfectly!

Can you guys please tell me more about this knife and the steel used. It looks to have a thick and long handle that may work very well for my big hands. Is this knife a full tang?
 
Just as a thought, have you considered making larger handle scales for your BK16? For some, simply adding liners under the stock handle scales is enough to make them the perfect size. If that's not enough, you could just make custom scales (if you still have the BK16).

Myself, I found the handles on the 16 too small as well, but after adding the handle liners it feels just fine (I add liners to my full sized Becker knives as well). Anyway, just a thought.

And not sure on the Master Hunters tang, but I know that 3v is a great steel. Its super tough, holds a good edge, and is nearly stainless as well. I've looked at the Master Hunter before, and it does look like a great value. I have just decided I don't need 3/16in thick spines on a knife that size. If they'd made it 5/32 or 1/8 of an inch thick and out of 3v, I'd likely own one already (as the toughness of 3v should give it strength similar to a thicker 1095 blade, but then with the better geometry it would cut better).

Good luck with the choice :D.
 
savageman said:
Ohhhhhhh I just got a good look at the Cold Steel Master Hunter 3V, wow that looks like it might fit the bill perfectly!

Can you guys please tell me more about this knife and the steel used. It looks to have a thick and long handle that may work very well for my big hands. Is this knife a full tang?
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3V is great steel if it is heat treated properly. While not stainless, it has some corrosion resistance(somewhere in between A2 and D2) and is a very tough steel. It has similar wear resistance to A2 or 440C. I am not a fan of polymer handles/scales like on this model though. They are never as durable in the long run from my experience.

Cold Steel is a mediocre made in Asia company with terrible advertising that hurts the knife industry as a whole imo though so, I would go with something else myself. There are nicer knives from a lot better companies made here in North America. And, you can't buy them at every outdoor store so, it will be more unique(not every Joe blow has one), have better resale value, and you will like/appreciate it more in the long run from my experience.
 
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I don't own one of the master hunters, but I suspect you'll have the same handle size issue you mentioned as one of your conditions.
 
Buck 103 "Skinning Knife"
Condor "Kephart" (or "Nessmuk")
Old Hickory "Buffalo Skinner" or "Sheep Skinner" (or 7 inch butcher knife, shortened and reshaped to suit your needs.)
Folding: Buck 110
 
Tachead01 said:
3V is great steel if it is heat treated properly. While not stainless, it has some corrosion resistance(somewhere in between A2 and D2) and is a very tough steel. It has similar wear resistance to A2 or 440C. I am not a fan of polymer handles/scales like on this model though. They are never as durable in the long run from my experience.

Cold Steel is a mediocre made in Asia company with terrible advertising that hurts the knife industry as a whole imo though so, I would go with something else myself. There are nicer knives from a lot better companies made here in North America. And, you can't buy them at every outdoor store so, it will be more unique(not every Joe blow has one), have better resale value, and you will like/appreciate it more in the long run from my experience.
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Such as what??? I need some examples please.....
 
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