Quality camping / hunting knife

[kcscout]

Looking to utilize some gift cards and finally get a 'nice' / quality pocket knife for hunting /camping, etc. Right now some of the ones that are higher on the list are the Benchmade knives that I have looked online at that I see at most of the hunting / camping sites.

Serrated or not serrated?
folding versus fixed blade?
Brand?

Usually general purpose for when I go camping as I stopped carrying a pocket knife a long time ago with the thought of accidentally showing up to the airport and forgetting it I would not want to lose a good knife. :-P But a good knife is always handy to have around besides for just camping. I also saw online some of the Bear Gryls survivor knives and although some survivor knives look pretty cool, I have heard the Bear Grylls knives are cheap chinese crap. Don't know as I haven't had one.

Let me know your thoughts / experiences...

[tplife]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

Jim Parker and my dad were close friends. If Case & Bulldog were good enough for them, they're good enough for me!

[yogiyoda]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

Hi KCScout, there are lots of great knives out there. But which is right for you depends on how you want to use it and how much you want to pay. Do you plan on prepping firewood wood and skinning animals with it? Or is it more for cutting twine and opening potato chips? Do you need it to be lightweight for hiking? What kind of money where you thinking about spending? Will it be used in rainy and wet environment or dry desert conditions? Are you the kind of guy who wants to sharpen and care for his knife or do you want it to last longer without sharpening and then replace it?

[kcscout]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

I figure a good knife should be good for skinning if necessary although I rarely get a chance to hunt much anymore. And a knife that can be cared for and kept for the long term would be good too. like I mentioned... I have had plenty of cheap knives over the years... and a few good ones.. the latter I typically keep around and hang on too and the 'cheaper' knives usually break or get lost over time. Granted I would hate to blow money on an expensive knife and lose it. My initial thought was in the $100 range and less than $200 So e.g. I had seen some that were $150 that I might consider, but I also had a recommendation for the old classic Buck knife which was closer to $50. I think there is always some trade off with how much you get for the money and the fact that like everything you can spend a ton of money and not necessarily have something worth the extra money.... I have seen some knives listed for multiple hundreds of dollars and at that point I would be afraid to take it camping because it would be too expensive of a knife that might get lost. :-P I think the ability to do some whittling / cutting of wood is always good too.

[yogiyoda]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

Not sure it will meet your needs, but you may want to consider the Fallkniven F1. Here are some links:

http://www.amazon.com/Fallkniven-Swe...dp/B006HC9XXA/

http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Survival...ws/B001JA9Y66/

http://www.fallkniven.com/en/shop/de...ary-knives/f1l

It's a smaller, good-valued, all-purpose, "survival" fixed blade in your price range capable of doing some heavier duty tasks like skinning animals and light wood work. One of the reasons I purchased it myself is that it holds up to wetter environments better than your high-carbon blades like Bark River. There are lots of reviews online including video reviews.

But depending on your needs, you may be happier with a folding knife or larger blade like the Fallkniven A1 etc. In reality, the knife I use the most is my Victoronix Swiss Army knife which I keep on my key chain.

Victorinox Swiss Army Signature Pocket Knife
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FNFXRC/

This knife gets used multiple times per day. But I do have to remember to take it off my key chain before heading to the airport :^(

[Old Time Camper]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

I purchased a Buck model 110 back in the 70s. It is a classic and has never let me down. I imagine my grandson will one day be using it.
I also have a few "Frosts Mora of Sweden" carving knifes that are super sharp and tuff and reasonable priced that I used in my woodshop.

[Mike]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

I like sheath knives for most uses, but a multi-tool pocket knife with a can opener, screw driver, tweezers is so functional, they are hard to leave behind.

If I had to choose only one knife, it would be a Victorinox (Swiss Army Knife) Swiss Army Hiker model. I have had one of these knives for over 33 years and it is as good as the day I got it despite being on countless camping, fishing, and hunting trips. The serated wood cutting tool literally saved my life once and proved indisposable many times.

Other than that, I would look for a hand-made sheath knife by a knifemaker who does NOT use stainless steel. Most marketed knives today are stainless steel which is hard to sharpen and does not hold an edge. Many good hand made knives are about the same price as branded production knives.

My friend is a custom knife maker. He hand makes beautiful and functional sheath knives. I give them as gifts on the most special of occassions. If you are intereted in buying a hand-made knife, contact me through these forums and I can introduce you.

[yogiyoda]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

Multitools are great. I use my Victorinox and Leathermans more than my Fallkniven. By the way, Victorinox and most Leatherman blades are stainless. Although stainless generally doesn't hold an edge as long, it is usually easier to sharpen and more rust resistant.

http://www.swissarmy.com/us/app/cont...wissArmyKnives

http://www.leatherman.com/10.html

There are good stainless knives. The F1 uses VG-10 which is a high-carbon stainless:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VG-10

If anyone is interested, here' some more info on blade steels:

http://www.knifeart.com/steelfaqbyjo.html

http://www.bladehq.com/cat--Steel-Types--332

From the second link:

"VG 10 Steel - This is another type of steel that gets referred to as super steel. It is a very high end stainless steel. It has vanadium which gives it extra toughness. This steel holds an edge really well. It is also very rust resistant. It has a carbon content of 0.95-1.05%."

[ppine]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

Tthere are many great custom knife makers out there. I used to run into them a lot at gun shows in places like Wyoming and Colorado, any place with lots of hunters. The joy of using a well-made knife is something all outdoors people should experience.

I like the smaller blades, drop point, carbon steel with antler, bone, or wood handles. The grind on the blade is very important. I like the full sheaths, and prefer to carry them on the left side for cross-draw. I got in the habit of carrying a knife that way when I used to ride horses and mules a lot. You never know when cutting a rope can save someone from a bad wreck.

Swiss Army knives and multi-tools are useful tools, but not what I would consider "quality knives."

[yogiyoda]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

The serated wood cutting tool literally saved my life once and proved indisposable many times.

Oh, I forgot to ask. How did the mini-saw save your life?

[yogiyoda]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

Just to clarify, I don't have anything against carbon steel or custom blades. Many of the best blades out there that are not stainless, and knives from smaller manufactures can be works of art. I know lots of knife lovers get great pleasure in their high quality, unique and beautiful knives.

I just wanted to express that in my opinion you don't need to rule out stainless steel. Also, although considering QUALITY is important when making a purchase, I usually take it one step further when making practical purchases. I bring cost into the equation and look at VALUE. And for my situation; Victoronix, Leatherman, and Fallkniven are great values.

[tplife]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

Companies like Puma, Buck (or Case or Bulldog) offer a wide variety of style and purpose-built knives that are ideal for use camping, hiking or hunting. My definition of a custom knife is one that is disassembled, stripped of handles or sheilds, and its blades are hatched and engraved. Precious or rare materials like mother of pearl, ivory, mastodon, or woods are used as new handles and the knife is reassembled. I've never seen anyone using a "custom" knife in the field, they retail for several hundred dollars and up.

[Oldcoyote]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

KC

My current favorite pocket knife is the Benchmade Griptillan from Cabela's. It opens with one hand and is made with D2 steel.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bench...h-All+Products

If you want to wallow in knifecraft, check out this:

http://www.bladeforums.com/

Tplife is right about custom knives. I have one of these Al Mar knives:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AL-MAR-BUZZA...item27d5508529

I am afraid to take it out of my closet!

[MacGyver]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

I have one of these Al Mar knives:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AL-MAR-BUZZA...item27d5508529

I am afraid to take it out of my closet!

For $500 it should come with someone to guard it (and maybe even someone to open it and close it for you!)

[kcscout]

Re: Quality camping / hunting knife

One that I really like is

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bench...RI%3BIK-516108

Been waiting all week to have time to get out, but hoping to have time this weekend to get out and finally check out some different knives. I think it is nice to get a chance to view in person and get a feel for how they feel, weight, etc. The one above seems a bit expensive and I might look at something without the extra gut hook on the knife, but this one was cool too for the glass break/survival tool too.

Has all of the main things that I'm looking in for a camping/hunting all purpose knife, just a bit pricey.