What knife should I buy

B

backpacker

Joined
Oct 2, 2000
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201
I have the knife bug again. I am interested in buying a knife to use as a general utility knife for backpacking. The knife will be used to cut,slice,clean trout and all other general camp chores. My first choice is the Dozier Professional Guides Knife. What do you think or suggest?

I do not what to spend more than $170.
 
The Dozier is definitely nice. My personal choice in this role is the Greco Green River Camp knife. It's the most comfortable knife I own, it's tough as nails, and keeps a good edge. It also comes in way under your limit (about $90) I think Bladeart.com has pics of it.
 
Consider the Busse Basic 5, along with the many other good mid-size camping blades out there. It should cost about $150, but is getting harder to find since the Basics have been discontinued. Busse's INFI steel & asymetric edge make for low-maintenance workhorse blades. As a general camp blade, I'd place the Basic 5 among the very best. If you're unfamiliar with Busse blades, they have a forum here on BF. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=713

Another couple of models to look at would be the Becker Campanion or some of the Fallkniven blades. These offer extremely strong bang for the buck and seem to consistently receive high praise from those who own them. Your consideration of a Dozier is also an excellent choice, albeit for a bit more cash than a Becker or Fallkniven. Dozier's blades receive raves for screaming sharpness out of the box & excellent edge retention from those who use them hard hunting & camping.

Bayou LaFourche (knifeworks.com) seems to have pretty good prices. While I haven't dealt with them yet, most postings rate them very high on customer service.
http://www.onestopknifeshop.com/store/busse.html
http://www.knifeworks.com/subcatmfgprod.asp?0=345&1=346&2=1096
http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?0=395&1=396&3=1003
 
The Pro Guide is a great choice, as would be Dozier's new Wilderness Model! I also have several Fallknivens and they are great.
Even though there are cheaper alternatives, Doziers cut the best and are impecibly made.... Great sheaths, too.

Jet
 
A Fallkniven A1 is as rugged a blade you can get for $110, but at 1/4" thick it may be too much for cleaning fish, especially with the new convex grind.
 
I take a different approach to a backpacking knife than I do to a camping knife. I prefer a light folding knife of medium size and I locate it on a lanyard around my neck. That knife, like my compass and whistle, on a separate lanyard, are never separated from me.

Some of my preferences include (and yes... I am partial to Spydies for backpacking) a Snap-It, Remote, Native, Delica or Rescue... each can be found between $35 and $75. I also like the 50/50 plain to serrated blades.

I've never found a backpacking knife task that required more than any of these any season of the year. With the advent of "leave no trace" backpacking you don't chop down trees or branches and do not light fires (carry a stove). Therefore most tasks include cutting; rope, tape, material, moleskin, bandages, blisters, and food. These knives will also filet fish (although not ideally as flexible as a filet knife), as well as protect you from wild animals and wilder humans.

Good luck whichever way you decide.

Stogie
"Remember... Size Does Not Matter (regarding backpacking knives)."
 
Check out the Himilayan Imports Kumar Karda. The knife costs around $60 and you get quite a bit of steel for that. Good scabard and a very nice carved handle.
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Matthew
 
I have to second the BK&T Camanion for a general camp knife. It was designed for it from the ground up. At that price and your price range, you can now look for a smaller knife (like one of the locking SAKs) for cleaning fish and the smaller chores. Plus, the little one is always with you.
Hope it helps
Doc
 
I do light fires, as long as it's not in a wood-scarce area. That's one reason I'd second the Busse, but in the Basic 7 size. I like the larger handle better than the 5's, especially when using it hard. I have an extra (I bought for a relative who couldn't take it) in the trade forum if you decide on a Basic 7. And yes, I'd recommend the Basic 7 even if I didn't have the extra.....
 
You definitely will not be sorry if you go with the Dozier The micarta scales on mine were a little slick when wet, but checkering cured that. And, tool steel does require a little more maintenance than stainless, but its so minimal that I probably should not have mentioned it.
 
If you think you *might* need big blade performance (i.e. survival), go with the Campanion. Very comfortable grip, and it chops like a much bigger knife should you need to feed a fire or build a shelter. At the same time, it isn't so huge that it pulls your pants down around your ankles. For the smaller chores you can get either a good, locking SAK, or a Mora fixed blade. Heck, for the budget you proposed, you could easily get all three and have all your bases covered, cutlery-wise.
 
Get a Dozier. Any Dozier. You'll be glad you did. Hovever you might find them to be smaller than you think. Doziers are superior to most others you'll ever run across.

I had a Campanion, and found the handle to be way too thick and bulky. It didn't have a good point, either. However Campanions are priced right, near indestructible, properly heat treated, and sharp as can be.
 
The tip on the Campanion IS too big to open up small game, but works perfectly on large game. I "piggybacked" a Schrade skinning knife to my Campanion sheath to handle small game chores. And the handle thing is subjective. For me, the handle is just about the most comfortable handle I've ever felt, and is definitely the best *production* knife handle I've ever had. It is big, but it feels great, and really lets you hold into the knife. And with the lanyard and the design of the handle, you can hold the knife with just 2 fingers way back on the grip and really get a good chopping stroke. I imagine that if you did the same thing with a Brute, you could chop down a Redwood. :~}
 
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