The three best and most affordable camp knives

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
Messages
4,453
I keep hearing about the Swamp Rat camp tramp. And then, there's the BK9 and BK7.

What are the ones that are above average as well as affordable?

Let's narrow the category to those below $70.

I am talking about those that have been tried and tested, and live up to their reputations.
 
I think that the BK9 and BK7 are great knives for the money.I have both and have been very pleased with them.
 
Camillus/Becker BK7.
Spyderco Temperance.
Cold Steel SRK.
 
BK Magnum Camp which I don't have but "need", BK7 Utiliy and BK9 Bowie which I do have and therefore don't need anything else. For something really different try the BK Campanion, and to go out on a limb, the BK Crewman. I think they have the value market about wrapped up. I do have another, the S&W HRTDR which is a nice design in 440C about 6.25" for under $50. So so sheath and handle. Also, the Buck Nighthawk, but it is more tactical than utility. Still nice.
 
I'll chime in with my love for the BK-5. One heck of a design, you have to use it to really appreciate it. I have one, and am seriously considering getting one of the "seconds" while they are available. I had Mr. Fisk put his famous convex edge on mine, and it is screaming sharp!:eek: Guess I gotta go do some camping now, huh? This knife does see kitchen use too, very versatile.
 
Though our friends at Becker Knife & Tool and Cold Steel make better knives, you can get some pretty nice butcher knives at a dollar store that will be pretty serviceable as cooking/camp knives. Some are even full tang. Sure, you won't know what type of steel they have and, sure, they'll bind if you use them to hack green saplings, but you can get decently outfitted for camp by buying a dollar butcher's knife and a cheap machete.

OTOH, Ka-Bar makes a sweet Bolo for about $55 and some gent is advertizing a new type of Americanized tanto field knife in Tactical Knives magazine for about $45 called "The Desert Pig" that should serve as an intermediary between a machete and butcher's knife. And with both knives in 1095 steel, I don't see you going wrong with either (unless you store your gear in a tub of brine).
 
Fallkniven F1 - $75 at 1SKS (http://www.1sks.com/store/fallkniven.html#3066)

f1blue.jpg


Blade is 4", 4mm thick, full convex grind.
 
BK7 and SRK, have them both. Good value and great knives. I seem to be able to get my SRK to a better sharpness than the BK7 but the Bk7 is more versatile for me.
 
Thom, Give us some more information on "The Desert Pig" if you would please - a scan of the advertisement would be neat or a web address.
 
Something to consider ... with a 9" blade like the BK9, you have a lot more options for using the knife with two hands: for example, using it like a drawknife for removing bark and shaping/planing wood. 6"-7" class blades aren't nearly so useful or versatile, IMO.

The Becker handles are also very versatile; when choking up on the knife, the thumb can be placed very comfortably and securely on the wide, rounded front of the scales.
 
The following is my list of the three best reasonably priced (Approx $70.00) camp knife.

#1. Grohmann R1S Original Design. The original D.H. Russell design. General Purpose fixed blade camp knife.

http://www.covecutlery.com/item.cfm?ItemsID=58

#2. Knives of Alaska Bush Camp Knife. The knife is designed for rugged bush camp field-dressing and cook shack duties.

http://www.covecutlery.com/Category.cfm?CategoryID=50

#3. Marbles Woodcraft, Safe Grip (to stay in the price range).

http://www.covecutlery.com/detail.c...ndCode=MARBLES&Family=Woodcraft&CategoryID=43

There are quite a few great values in the $50-100 range that would make a fine camp knife. I have to give honorable mentions to the Buck Special (Mdl#119), Benchmade Outbounder, Boker Arbolito Fixed Blade, and Gerber Harsey Hunter.
 
As much as a rave about the BK-5 I guess it's obviously one of my very favorites out there. it's capable of EVERYTHING that you can ever ask of a camp knife, with the one exclusion that it aint no wrecking bar, if you're into that kinda thing. for everything else you'd be hard pressed to find a more capable and efficient cutting knife. If that one were tragically lost, I'd replace it with a BK-9, even though I don't imagine it would cut half as efficiently or carry as nicely. Conversely, my wifes favorite is the BK-10.

The 7 just doesn't appeal to me personally. I guess lotsa folks call it versatile, but I call it either too big or too little for everything.

The new Kabars seem pretty darn nice, and I'd hate to go without mentioning the umpteen knives that Ontario puts out. (take your pick!)

When it comes to a smaller knife, I think the Spyderco Moran is in a class by itself, although Fallknivens are always worth a look, as well as Camillus.

If there's still any Grecos out there under $70 those have a fantastic reputation as well.
 
SOG Field Pup or a blade or two from Buck? For me it would be my newly acquired Emerson PUK. :) Luv the knife and after its first very successful assignment in cutting up a t-bone steak, its coming up assignment would be going to the forests in Algonquin with me later this Fall!!! :) Just deciding on what should this little pal be wearing by then: the original condura with kydex insert outfit or it's new "suit", the concealeax sheath from Survival Sheath Systems. :D :cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top