Please recommend me a good fixed blade for camping

R

rrpalma

Joined
Nov 27, 2005
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Hello, this will not be my first knife ... I've been collecting (and EDCing) folding blades from Spyderco and Benchmade. However, this will be my first fixed blade, and will primarily be used for camping.

I think a 6" to 7" blade should be adequate, and was thinking about VG-10? Should this be OK? My budget is around $150.

Saw the Military Survival from Fallkniven, and the Military Classic from Cold Steel... waht do you guys think? How about other choices?

Thanks!!
 
For a hard use outdoors knife I prefer carbon to any stainless.

If you are looking for an off the shelf knife both Rat Cutlery and Becker are great choices in your price range

If you have the time to wait, there are some talented knife makers on this forum within your price range as well.:thumbup:

Some of their wares are also ready made and for sale in the Makers forum here.
 
RC-6

I just bought this knife for the same exact reason you are. Camping/backpacking/Survival. I did a lot of research, and what I liked was seeing it in action. Look for videos on it. If you want a bit smaller go for the RC-5 or 4 I think in hindsight I might have gone with the RC-5, but this knife rocks.
 
Kabar Short Heavy Bowie would do it all and not blink.

Benchmade Rant is a nice knife with a leather sheath that is classy too.
 
Fallkniven S1, A1, or A2 depending on what size you want. :thumbup::thumbup:

BRKT Bravo 1 or 2, Fox River, or Fox River Magnum.

I just received a RAT RC4 a couple days ago, I think it is a solid enough knife, but so far hasn't really impressed me, ergonomics are not great for my hands. Dye has leached out of the leather sheath into the handle after just a few hours, which won't affect the use of the knife, but certainly suggests the handle material is susceptible to absorbtion and staining.

I haven't used the knife yet, and my impression may change after I do, but my initial impression is mediocre.

Kevin
 
Thanks for all your replies. You've helped me to narrow it down to either the Fallkniven S1 or the RAT RC-6. I think it all comes down to VG-10 vs 1095? This knife will be used for light wood chopping and the occasional prying ... yes. I know, knives are not for prying.
 
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What is camping to you? Car camping? Survival type camping without even a tent? Backpacking? When car camping, a kitchen knife is best as all you are likely to use a knife for is food preparation. For survival type camping, you'll probably want a stout knife that can be used for fire preparation and shelter building. Therefore, the answer varies depending on what camping is to you.
 
pvicenzi said:
What is camping to you? Car camping? Survival type camping without even a tent? Backpacking? When car camping, a kitchen knife is best as all you are likely to use a knife for is food preparation. For survival type camping, you'll probably want a stout knife that can be used for fire preparation and shelter building. Therefore, the answer varies depending on what camping is to you.
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Thanks for reading. Very good point. I wouldn't call it survival camping --- I do carry a tent, and no need for shelter building. I will probably use the knife mostly for fire and food preparation.
 
pvicenzi said:
What is camping to you? Car camping? Survival type camping without even a tent? Backpacking? When car camping, a kitchen knife is best as all you are likely to use a knife for is food preparation. For survival type camping, you'll probably want a stout knife that can be used for fire preparation and shelter building. Therefore, the answer varies depending on what camping is to you.
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Exactly :thumbup::thumbup:

If I were looking for a 6-7" knife that can do food and fire prep (light chopping, maybe batoning, shaving and scraping), I would prefer knives on the stouter side like the RC6, BK7/9, BRKT Bravo-2, RD6/7/9 or Fallkniven S1/A1. You could also spend $10 more and get a Mora for finer cutting tasks as well.

Having some experience with BRKT, RAT, and Fallkniven (Bravo-1, RC4, F1), I'd say you probably couldn't go wrong with any of those. And I've been looking to pick up a BK7 or 9 myself; they look like excellent all around camp knives.

Definitely check out the makers section if you have time to wait a little. I have a NWA Sierra Scout coming in that looks to be a great all-arounder for me. There are other favorites amongst the W&SS crowd like JK knives, Koster, and Koyote just to name a few. They'd be willing to make one to your specs, and it's not as expensive as you'd think.


ETA: Whoops, just saw your post above. If it comes down to those two, I would go with the RC6 myself just because I tend to prefer the feel of micarta handles, and 1095 is arguably easier to sharpen. As for corrosion concerns, the RC6 is coated; I've spent days on the beach with my RC4, and haven't observed rust (though I do clean it when I get home). Even if you do get some rust on the edge, it would come off with a little use or sharpening. And I think occasional prying is ok with a knife (part of my inclination for stouter knives), I believe there are times when the ability to pry is useful in the woods. Prying open vaults and car doors is a different story though :)

ETA2: I prefer the convex grind of the Fallkniven, and some say it's better for batoning and splitting as well. The RC6 is flat (but you can reprofile the edge into convex if you wish).
 
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RAT RC-6, with the exception of the steel, 1095, I think it covers what you want it to do, with a great warranty.

EDIT: the steel (rust) shouldn't be an issue though, just oil it every once in a while.
 
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Dag-nabit said:
Dye has leached out of the leather sheath into the handle after just a few hours, which won't affect the use of the knife, but certainly suggests the handle material is susceptible to absorbtion and staining.
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Derrick at KSF just e-mailed to tell me it is not the dye coming out of the sheath but rather it is the waterproofing soaking into the handle.

He tells me it should wash out with soap and water, so I will be giving this a try.

Still means the handle material is susceptible to absorbtion, something to be aware of, but nothing that would detract from the capability of the knife.

Kevin
 
Dag-nabit said:
Derrick at KSF just e-mailed to tell me it is not the dye coming out of the sheath but rather it is the waterproofing soaking into the handle.

He tells me it should wash out with soap and water, so I will be giving this a try.

Still means the handle material is susceptible to absorbtion, something to be aware of, but nothing that would detract from the capability of the knife.

Kevin
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Thats just micarta. Expect the handles to get much darker when you actually use the knife. Mine have gotten almost black and almost shiny, just from the oils in my hands.

1 minute of dawn dishsoap and an old toothbrush and they look brand new.

Can't be too worried about the looks of a user blade, IMO.
 
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