Recommend a good knife for hiking and camping

H

hannism

Joined
Jan 24, 2006
Messages
88
Hello all,

I went on an attempted geocache adventure this weekend. I couldn't quite get to where I needed because the underbrush was way too thick.

I've been thinking about getting more into hiking/geocaching, but I think I need a good blade.

I've got a couple of ideas on knives so far.

Cold Steel Machete of some kind. Cold Steel Laredo Bowie (SK5), Himalayan Imports British Service Model Khukuri.

I will probably be carrying a backpack, and I'll need to devise a way to attach them to Molle gear.

The other thought I had is if I go to a public hiking ground, would having a knife like that cause unwarranted attention?

Thanks.
 
I dont generally think of a machette as a hiking/camping knife, but other may disagree. In my leave no trace view of nature I don't go slashing through the brush that might be protective cover for animals. I just go around.

If you want a wonderful camp/survival knife check out http://www.equipped.org/rsk_mk3.htm ... which is generally know as the "fixed Rittergrip".
$165
Ground-up designed by Doug Ritter
(BM latter patterned the Fixed Griptilian after Doug's design)
Manufactered by Benchmade
Portion of $ goes to Equipped To Survive Foundation
S30V 4.5" blade
0.140" thick high-grind blade - GREAT slicer
G10 CNC machined full tang handle
Ballistic nylon MOLLE-compatable sheath w/ hard liner

Light weight enough for backpacking due to its moderate blade thickness, but still plenty tough for camp and reasonable survival use.

I've been looking at lots of fixed blades lately and I simply have yet to find a comparable fixed blade with moderate blade thickness (0.140"). The Fallkniven's, Cold Steels, Rangers, RATs, Beckers, Gerber LMF, have MUCH thicker blades in the 0.180" to 0.25" range. Even the Benchmade Rant has a 0.175" thick blade. Thicker knives are heavy. Heavy knives are less likely to be carried (in my view). Knives that aren't carried aren't used. Knives that aren't used are very sad.

If you don't have the money for an Mk3, in a Shot Show report Doug Ritter points out that the Gerber Big Rock Camp Knife is well designed, fairly lightweight, 4.5" long, moderately-thick blade knife (0.16") that would make a good low-cost substitute for the Mk3, but he also points out that with the 440A steel, the knife will spend plenty of time with the sharpener ... compared to the Mk3's S30V blade.
 
I'd go with some machete. Try to find one with 1095 carbon blade steel. 1095 will hold up very well against abuse. you can get them pretty cheap, but it would be hard to rig it to a molle type pack.

For shorter bushcraft blades, I reccomend

Becker BK9: https://www.kabar.com/product_detai...Id=1,2,3,7,8,9&categoryName=Military/Tactical

KA BAR Cutlass: https://www.kabar.com/product_detai...d=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Product Search Results

KA BAR Kukri: https://www.kabar.com/product_detai...goryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical

KA BAR Camp Knife: https://www.kabar.com/product_detai...goryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical

Becker BK7: https://www.kabar.com/product_detai...Id=1,2,3,7,8,9&categoryName=Military/Tactical

P.S.= all of these are under $100
 
If you're hacking away at brush then a machete is good.
So are knives in the 7+ range. And they can also be used as knives (not
that a machete can't mind you, they just aren't as nimble)

I have a Becker BK7 for the price (and even way above it's price) it can't be beat.
Also, RAT cutlery makes some mean knives in various sizes.

If you want something a bit cheaper try Ontario or Kabar products.
They have some larger knives in their line for a reasonable price.

Then again if a Matchete fits the bill it's hard to beat it.
Besides Cold Steel checkout Ontario's Machetes.

I think the Laredo Bowie may be a bit pricey for beating around the bush.
Besides if it went head to head with a 20"+ machete it would probably loose
in a brush busting competition. (but maybe not in all out coolness)
 
I have found machetes a poor choice for North American hardwoods ,multiflora rose and other tough woody plants .They work good on horseweeds , catails , cane ...
 
I respect the "leave no trace" philosophy, but I have used machetes to clear multiflora rose, as well as rubus and smilax on poorly maintained trails. I believe the hacking also serves to alert potentially unfriendly wildlife (snakes, boars, bears etc.) to my approach.

That said, if you are geocaching, and looking for an existing cache, then someone managed to get there before you. Find their trail. If the cache hasn't been visited in a year or so, I think you can justify doing a little "trailblazing".

I would suggest a short (12") Ontario or a longer (18-24") Tram or Corneta or Condor. I have some Cold Steels, but the edge quality is dicey, and you will have to touch up your edge often hacking woody stems. I've used the 18" Ontario, but it is a little heavy and can wear you out faster than the others I mentioned.

Good luck! :)
 
I usually carry a couple or 3 knives when I'm in the woods:D
I don't know how much $ you want to spend so I'll try to keep it at a low $ range w/ good quality ;)
For a large knife/Machete try one oe these -
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?A=&Brand=398&Mode=Brand&range=11&SKU=CTK1032S
for a small Fixed Blade try one of these -
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?A=&range=51&Brand=16&Mode=Brand&SKU=BU5753
& a good pocket knife -
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?A=&range=191&Brand=117&Mode=Brand&SKU=V53964
With these you should be able to do what ever you need ;)
 
TINGLER said:
First off, I agree with you to a degree...however...

What easily carried tool would you recommend? A chainsaw?


I believe the machete to be the most versatile, easily carried cutting tool out there.

Multiflora roses and oak trees are difficult for any tool to tackle.....but I can take a 6" diameter pine tree off at the base within a minute with my Ontario or my Cold Steel machete. Not so much with a Tramontina as they are super thin and lighter....but they can still do it.

For chopping a person wants thick. The Ontario in this video is a 12" traditional machete. It's got a 12" blade that's 1/8" thick. Watch it go through this big cedar log....I admit a chainsaw would be better, but who carries a chainsaw on a camping trip?

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcN3ODAmUN0

You are right that a machete isn't the ideal tool for cutting American hardwoods and Multiflora roses, but it's the best tool that's also easily carried. Again, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I dont have an answer for tough woody plants. All Ive ever done is work my arms off trying to hack them out of the way. Maybe I dont have the proper machete, technique ... For hardwoods I like a hatchet.

Im not in disagreement. I dont know the nature of the brush he was trying to traverse. If its multiflora rose or that red vine with the tiny thorns,,, good luck.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify things, I wasn't looking to chop trees with my tool, just cut off branches and brush that were in my way.

Based on the responses I've got, I have more leads on what will be suitable for that purpose. Thanks everyone.
 
First off, if you're geocaching you should not disturb the area vegetation or create trails - it gives away the location.

Second, if you're in thorns and multi-flora roses, I would suggest not chopping at it. All of those thorned branches whipping around... they're better off attached to the ground. Instead use a shovel or something to hold the thorned branches to the ground, wear briar-proof clothes, and/or wait until winter when the vegetation dies back.

If you really do need to clear out thorns from your property, burning works well. Machetes and knives can work - use a rake to pull the branches aside.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top