Quality Camp Knife ?

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Bond-BailBond

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Mar 5, 2003
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I'm in the market for a quality all around camp knife. Something I can use around the camp as well as skinning chores. I'm thinking around a 4 inch blade or so. And under $200. Any suggestions ?
 
Define "around the camp" usage. I mostly use a camp knife for light work and cooking. Other people want to use their camp knife in place of a hatchet and saw. I consider a Cold Steel Master Hunter a very good compromise camp/hunting knife. At a 4.5-inch blade it is a little short for a camp knife and on the long end of the hunting knife spectrum. If you want a knife that you can also chop with you might look for something heavy like a Camillus Becker Campanion. This has a heavy 5.25-inch blade.
 
Bond-BailBond said:
I'm in the market for a quality all around camp knife. Something I can use around the camp as well as skinning chores. I'm thinking around a 4 inch blade or so. And under $200. Any suggestions ?
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For productions under $200 I'm not sure that Bark River Knife and Tool can be beat.

Alot of people are going to suggest sharpened pry bars, but they will be less then ideal at skinning and will only outperform thinner and better geometry blades in choping.
-Kevin
 
Swamp Rat Knife Works has a few knives that would fit your bill.

Howling Rat or Bandicoot are sharp and strong, but might qualify as "sharpened prybars" to some as they are 3/16" blades that are 4" long.

The Safari Skinner is a purpose-built skinning knife in 1/8" D2 steel, and runs around $128 or so.

Were it me, and with the choices you've listed, I'd get a howling rat for a one-size-fits-all since a few of the guys that have them swear by them for all-around camp use. On the other hand, at $89 for the HR, you could get one of those for general use and a Safari Skinner and only be slightly over your $200 ceiling.
 
wlifter123 said:
I'd recommend checking out some of the knives from Bark River Knife and Tool.
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Seconded. (Thirded?) In any case, I agree. Bark River is the way to go, in my opinion. They're sharp as razors, and if you get a Highland or one of the other langer-bladed models, you can split wood with it using a baton.

James
 
Just wanted to chime in that as far as Swamp Rat goes, the Bog Dog would also be a contender. I truly do love my Safari Skinner, though...
 
You can max out for a Dozier Pro Guide at $195.(the top knife in my avatar-comes standard with a black "tough as nails" micarta handle and a wonderful kydex sheath) .They do not come any better-D2 steel,60-61RC and a wonderful feel in hand. The Cold Steel Master Hunter is a reasonably price alternative and sometimes you can even score a factory second.
 
Ok, if we are going to start talking customs then by all means get a Dozier. :D I love the K1 and K7 but they might be just a hair short for you.

If we are going to stick with productions though Bark River...
-Kevin
 
y'sure y'wouldn't like something a bit bigger for all around camp/skinning use?

seems to me that you already know pretty much what you'll be using it for, i'd just hate to see a knifer in a position where they decide they wanna chop some saplings but only have a light 4" blade to do it with!

so i ask purely outta concern for your knife/camp enjoyment!
 
BlindedByTheLite said:
y'sure y'wouldn't like something a bit bigger for all around camp/skinning use?

seems to me that you already know pretty much what you'll be using it for, i'd just hate to see a knifer in a position where they decide they wanna chop some saplings but only have a light 4" blade to do it with!

so i ask purely outta concern for your knife/camp enjoyment!
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3.5"-5" is all that is really necessary for a camp knife. Almost all tasks (especially skinning) can be more easily done with a smaller fixed blade then a larger one.

Larger knives just tend to add weight, and make precision cutting less possible. Choping is the only plus of a large blade, but a small blade can chop by a process called batoning. (That is taking a stick and hitting the spine of your blade to knock it through the wood. VERY effective. Works with folders too.) Or you could carry a 3.5"-5" fixed and a small SAK w/ Saw and avoid choping altogether.
-Kevin
 
Bond , check out BRK&T . They have a new model coming out called the North Star (info can be found at Knifeforums) that will be an excellent camp knife (the Highland is great as well) .
 
Man, this is tough without more info. I can think of several very different styles that would work great for you depending on what kind of camp chores you're talking about, what your local terrain is like, what (or if) you're hunting, fishing, etc. Granted, I always think two separate knives would be best- one larger fixed blade for big chores, paired with a smaller multi blade folder for smaller stuff. I dunno, but I always seem to find a lot of uses for a larger blade than what is being recommended here. Six to eight inches is about right for a "general purpose" knife for me. I also like more of a point on my general use knives.

Could you give us more info on your intended use?
 
Morgoth412 said:
3.5"-5" is all that is really necessary for a camp knife. Almost all tasks (especially skinning) can be more easily done with a smaller fixed blade then a larger one.

Larger knives just tend to add weight, and make precision cutting less possible. Choping is the only plus of a large blade, but a small blade can chop by a process called batoning. (That is taking a stick and hitting the spine of your blade to knock it through the wood. VERY effective. Works with folders too.) Or you could carry a 3.5"-5" fixed and a small SAK w/ Saw and avoid choping altogether.
-Kevin
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well sure, my personal camp knife is a Benchmade Nimravus 140 (4.5" blade), but it's got some heft to it (over 6 ounces)... it's my personal opinion that a light blade isn't practical for camping (or batonning)... i mean, weight's hardly ever a real concern... i also wouldn't reccomend batonning with a folder, unless you have to, but you're right, it'll work...
and another personal preference, i'd rather baton anyday than use the saw on a SAK... they're too small for me.
 
Morgoth412 said:
3.5"-5" is all that is really necessary for a camp knife. Almost all tasks (especially skinning) can be more easily done with a smaller fixed blade then a larger one.

Larger knives just tend to add weight, and make precision cutting less possible. Choping is the only plus of a large blade, but a small blade can chop by a process called batoning. (That is taking a stick and hitting the spine of your blade to knock it through the wood. VERY effective. Works with folders too.) Or you could carry a 3.5"-5" fixed and a small SAK w/ Saw and avoid choping altogether.
-Kevin
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While batoning is certainly do-able in a survival situation, it's not very effective, especially compared to a good hatchet or large knife. I can take a small khukuri (HI BAS) and be through a 3-4 inch log before you can find a suitable stick for batoning. Yes, it works, but it's not nearly as fast or as controllable as a large blade. Now if you're talking jungle, that's a whole 'nuther issue.

For a small camp knife, I like the Queen 4180 Hunter, or the Fehrman Peacemaker. Great edge holding on both!
 
I'd take the advice of my good people here and look at Bark River and Bob Dozier. Many other knives mentioned here may be fine for camp use, but would proably be far too thick at the edge for good skinning. Both Bark River and Bob Dozier make knives with uses such as skinning in mind. The Dozier PGK is regarded by many experienced outdoorsmen as the ultimate camp and game knife, and has been proven many times over in the field. Bark River is a new production company, but has the experience of one of Marbles best former men at the helm, and convex edges that make most other knives look downright dull.

I own both brands as well is MANY others, and have nothing better in the field than a Dozier or BRK&T. They are near perfection for real-world outdoor uses.
 
Why limit yourself to just one sharp toy? ;)

wallymuk.jpg


The smallest Dozier of the three has served me well on many camping trips.
[Along with a saw and an ax :) ]
dozier3.jpg
 
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