Small camping fixed blade

jefroman

jefroman

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May 17, 2001
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I'm looking for a good camping fixed blade. I want the blade length to be between 3 and 5 inches. I want the price to be around 150 dollars. I've been looking at various doziers.

Thanks!

Jeff
 
Get a Dozier!!! You won't regret it. Although they are not made for hammering, chin-ups, etc., they are the best "cutters" out there. PLus, if you ever manage to dull it, they are a breeze to touch up. Every one comes with a top quality kydex sheath, but I like the smaller horizontal cross-draws the best.
On top of all that, I have yet to deal with better customer service!
I would suggest, for an all around camp knife, his new Wilderness model. But for a little less cash, the Pro Guide is perfect.

Go Dozier or go home!

Jet
 
As for the Dozier, I would go with either size Elk Hunter. Man, those are some slicing sumbitches!
 
but the best buy is the Spyderco Bill Moran Featherweight. I have one with the drop point and it is one of the sweetest little knives that I have ever used. If I could figure out how to carry a fixed blade with a 3 7/8" blade as an EDC, this would probably be the one, it is that nice! Short of heavy chopping, I cannot think of any camp job that it cannot do.
 
In additional to Dozier I would suggest you take a look at the Running Dog Knife Company :

http://www.runningdogknife.bigstep.com/

For production, the Deerhunter from A.G. Russell.

These are high performance cutting blades, for a slightly more stout blade, the F1 from Fallkniven would be a good choice.

-Cliff
 
If you could find one, the Ed Schott small camp knife looks to be a fantastic bargain at $100.
In fact, if you do find one, let me know so I can buy it myself :)
 
My two favorites for camping are my Dozier K-4 and my Marbles Fieldcraft. The Dozier is really a great design, but to tell you the truth........ I think I prefer the Marbles for everyday camp chores. The Dozier has a very thin grind, meant more for skinning than tougher camp chores. The Marbles blade, with its convex grind, is just so much more durable. I've never had it chip once, and I've pounded through wood, hammering on the back of it. The Marbles Fieldcraft is an absolute steal for the price. I do things with the Marbles that I’ve never dream of doing with my Dozier. And being carbon steel, the Marbles is a whole lot easier to field sharpen than a Dozier.

The Marbles Fieldcraft constantly amazes me. I have a raft of knives that I’ve purchased, but the Fieldcraft is one of the ten that I actually prefer and trust in the outdoors. I can’t say enough good things about it. Okay….. one more good thing. You can pick up a Fieldcraft for $80.00!!!!!

I’ve never had anybody try my Fieldcraft that wasn’t totally amazed by its performance.
 
Dozier would be an excellent choice, as would the already mentioned Spyderco Moran. Another good choice would be the Fallkniven F1.

I believe I would go with the Dozier though.
 
Don't over look the Camillus CUDA CQB Jr. While that CQB may be supposed to stand for "close quarters battle" you'll find this four inch thin blade extremely useful for all light camp chores. It comes with a kydex sheath and Tek-Loc fastner.

I have both it and the Spyderco Moran and it's hard to decide which one to take on the trail.
 
Here is a link to a review of some knives. They all have blades around 7", but most of the companies make smaller models in the 3" to 5" range using the same style and steel. This would give you a good idea how the edges would hold up in different situations. If you find one you like you can check out the company and see what model they make has the smaller blade. It was very valuable in helping me decide what to get for my camping knife. I got a 7" blade though.

Blade Test
 
Many fine blades have been recommended and I think any of them would make fine camp knives, particularly those enthusiastic nods to Dozier blades.

Let me nominate the Busse Basic 5 as a great all-around smaller camp knife. The 5" blade is at the upper limit of your spec. They are made of incredibly tough M-INFI steel with Busse's asymetrical edge, which stays sharp for a very long time. I find the Busse Basic handles to be extremely comfortable, YMMV. 1SKS has the Basic 5 for $150. http://www.onestopknifeshop.com/store/busse.html

I also recommend one of Eric Noeldechen (Normark) of OnScene Tactical's kydex after-market sheaths for it at only $33. http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel/

HTH,
Greg
 
www.pe.net/~thrblade/Knives/ttkk.htm

My thinking on small camp knives:

This is an all-arounder, so I want a versatile knife. Drop-point gives all-around blade shape, controllable point, plenty of belly. For performance, I go for a full flat grind and 1/8" blade. Because a lot of your camp knife jobs will be food prep, I go with a "drop-blade" format instead of a classic guard. The classic guard gets in the way of food prep, the drop-blade, like all kitchen knives, enhances food prep. Handle has a single finger groove, palm swell, and bird's beak, for excellent security and control while providing a lot of comfort.

Lastly, go with a true custom maker, so if you disagree wtih me about something -- choice of steel, blade thickness, handle shape, whatever -- you can get it tweaked.

Sheating is incredibly important. Trace has a number of options. I find that for camp use, nothing beats a swinger sheath, so that's the option I go with.

I realize the price is a bit above what you specified, but it's worth a look nevertheless.

At much cheaper than what you specified, I'd recommend looking at this: www.agrussell.com/agrussell/agdh-8a.html

The AG Russell Deerhunter, in 8A or ATS-34. The blade is incredibly thin, and will perform like you won't believe. comfortable handle, awesome swinger sheath system.

For this knife, the blade is so thin that you won't be doing any prying or anything like that. If you want pure performance at a cheap price, this is the one. If you'll be prying and using the knife for non-cutting jobs, then it won't work as well.


Joe
 
Dozier's hunting knives are in the $150 range but his "survival knives" which tend to be a little thicker and longer (the 5" blade you are looking for) are quite a bit more. I'd have a look at Newt Livesay's Mod 131 "Air Assault" at least. My favorite camp knife. Cuts well (hollow ground) and 3/16" thick, pretty indestructable, at the same time. http://members.tripod.com/~Newt_Livesay/index.html
 
Boy none of the choices people have named are bad.
The spyderco Moran is really nice, a marbles would do, but with a lousy sheath I would not trust, The AG Russel Deer Hunter is an awesome slicer, but not an especially "tough" knife, its a slicer and slicer alone. I bought the Dozier Slim Outdoorsman for dressing game and general cutting chores in a small blade. Also a Chris Reeve Sable IV or Shadow III or IV would work nicely. A bit more expensive, but first class blades. Depends what tasks a camp knife for you has to preform.
 
Like Mike said, all the ones mentioned are good choices...wait a minute...does that mean I'm agreeing with Cliff!?!

I guess I have to...I have two knives from Michael and Del at Running Dog, interesting, well made working knives with great kydex sheath systems. One is in BG-42 (heat treat by some guy named Simonich), with a little file work by Del that came in - in your price range.

Why buy production? :)


Steve-O
 
Hi. I have a D2 semiskinner I am working on currently, 5" blade. I also have an O-1 drop point with padauk handles I am going to try to finish up tomorrow. Email me if you are interested in either.
 
Do a search for R.W.Clark under the "For Sale- Makers" forum to see some very nice examples of what your looking for. I just received a Model 10 Camp Bowie and it is superb. Very nice grinds, fit & finish is top rate and his sheaths are simply fantastic. Give him a look, you won't be sorry.
 
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