Best knife for long-term camping?

Some great choices here. Am waiting to see the new fixed blade Sog Aegis FX for a camping knife. Close to 4 inch blade and like that sheath with the tension adjusters.
 
jay1992 said:
I aim to take 3 blades, one for around the camp (batoning kindling, cutting cordage, general use) the second for skinning and butchering meat, and a third as a backup. Along with 2 pocket knives, one multitook and two drawblades. Id rather be over prepared haha, i dont exactly want to have to be in the world often.

Jay
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campandtravel, calling campandtravel.
 
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Assuming you're still around and not on the trip;
For the big knife I'd go with one of:
Condor Hudson Bay (I really like this one honestly, as long as you check the heat treat)
BK-9
The Terava Skrama seems cool

Sheath knife:
BK-16 (my personal favorite knife when stripped and convexed)
Mora Garberg
Cold Steel SRK in AUS-8A or 3V (the new SK-5 one has a hollow grind, and has had some other issues I won't bring up--wouldn't bet my life on it)
Cold Steel Master Hunter in 3V

Some Mora carving knife

Backup knife:
Mora Companion Stainless, not the HD version. It won't break as long as you use your brain. And it's light. That's all that matters if you're going in the bush for this long.

Sharpening system:
Worksharp Guided Field Sharpener and a Falknieven DC4 and/or CC4 as a backup. Maybe get the others that will be joining you to carry some of the stuff lol.

A small bottle of Balistol would be a good thing to bring too.

I will also say, the Cold Steel Drop Forged Survivalist is probably the best one-tool knife I have found going. If I brought that, I wouldn't bring the "big knife" or the "sheath knife." I would just bring it and a Mora Companion or maybe the Garberg and a small carving knife. The Survivalist is a very, very good tool and criminally underrated. The tip is a little thin, but the steel is very, very good and tough.

There are also cool knife blanks from CustomBladesEU on Etsy. I haven't used any of them, but they're a good steel at a good price. Again, I cannot vouch for their quality personally.

It would be great if you did a writeup whenever you're back to see how the tools you chose fared. Good luck, and bring a good gun lol.
 
If you just have 1 knife, it will be a compromise on smaller (or bigger) tasks and also depends on the environment (e.g. jungle is different to boreal forest.)

By class I'd be looking at:

Axe / Machete depending on environment - I like my custom Kailash Mutiny as a machete/chopper but for specialised axe, I'd take a Gransfors Bruk Scandinavian Forest Axe (or Small Forest Axe for compactness)
Folding Saw - I have Fiskars but for longer term use I'd take a Silky or a Sven with replaceable blade. The saw is probably most useful for prolonged camp tasks like building furniture.
Fixed Belt Knife - I'd be happy with my Mora Kansbol as it makes a great food prep and general woodworking knife. Or my Bark River Aurora LT for something more heavy duty.
Multi tool for fixing stuff and extra tools - Victorinox Swisstool Spirit X

Optional extra would be a small detail / carving knife like a Mora 120.

A 10 inch blade belt knife doesn't have the chopping power of the axe, and it's usually so big and heavy it's not great at the usual tasks finer tasks like food prep - it can be done but vastly inefficient.
My 15" blade Kailash Mutiny is a thin light blade that will chop and is 85% of a machete.

Still... that's a lot of cutlery when you think about it!!
 
jay1992 said:
Hey yall. I have an opportunity to go on a very extended camping trip. (6 months to year, year and a half) I've posted in the axe n hatchet forum for ideas on a good long term camp axe; now its time for knives!! So, based on yalls testing and experience, what are some good choices? Thanks in advance!! I should also add money is not an issue, i will be testing multiple knives and gear for about a week or so in my properties woods before i make real decisions, keeping the items that pass.


Jay
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I'd say it depends upon the environment you will be operating within. Eg coastal, desert, alpine, tropical etc. Water easily available for cleaning etc. ? I've been on over one month camping trips in the tropics and had to most times only use water from coconuts to drink and cook with with and therefore no water to waste washing knife baldes and other gear (meaning clothes as well-they got washed in the ocean) most people don't go on such long trips in total wilderness expecting to "survive" off the grid without adequate tools and other essential equipment. How far from the nearest road? Airport, hospital? Why I'm asking this is that whatever u chose to take you must be able to easily sharpen it, unless u want to make life difficult with the old stone out of the creek business to sharpen it but that won't happen with some HRC60 knife, trust me, only for arm chair survivalists.
 
FCCBCT said:
I'd say it depends upon the environment you will be operating within. Eg coastal, desert, alpine, tropical etc. Water easily available for cleaning etc. ? I've been on over one month camping trips in the tropics and had to most times only use water from coconuts to drink and cook with with and therefore no water to waste washing knife baldes and other gear (meaning clothes as well-they got washed in the ocean) most people don't go on such long trips in total wilderness expecting to "survive" off the grid without adequate tools and other essential equipment. How far from the nearest road? Airport, hospital? Why I'm asking this is that whatever u chose to take you must be able to easily sharpen it, unless u want to make life difficult with the old stone out of the creek business to sharpen it but that won't happen with some HRC60 knife, trust me, only for arm chair survivalists.
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I apologize if Im taking the thread off course with this post. F FCCBCT - If im not mistaken -You have done some some amazing videos reviews. Just wanted to say I seriously appreciate the content you put out. Ive watched a ton of reviews you have done - Zero BS / excellent content.
 
I've been watching this YT channel of a guy in remote Vietnam on a farm he has built up.
His #1 used knife appears to be a 10"-12" machete/golok style blade with a wooden sheath. Everything from making shelter to being his primary kitchen knife.
I note he did use a saw for processing some wood, and in some videos he also uses an axe.

 
jay1992 said:
Hey yall. I have an opportunity to go on a very extended camping trip. (6 months to year, year and a half) I've posted in the axe n hatchet forum for ideas on a good long term camp axe; now its time for knives!! So, based on yalls testing and experience, what are some good choices? Thanks in advance!! I should also add money is not an issue, i will be testing multiple knives and gear for about a week or so in my properties woods before i make real decisions, keeping the items that pass.


Jay
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Car Camping: Becker BK 9 (wood processing)
Hiking: Real Light fixed blade... Spyderco Mule Team in Magnacut Or
White River M1 Pro in Magnacut.
I am partial to chain saws and equipment for processing large amounts of fire wood.
Silky Saw would make a good pairing with a BK9 for typical camp use.

jay1992 said:
Hey yall. I have an opportunity to go on a very extended camping trip. (6 months to year, year and a half) I've posted in the axe n hatchet forum for ideas on a good long term camp axe; now its time for knives!! So, based on yalls testing and experience, what are some good choices? Thanks in advance!! I should also add money is not an issue, i will be testing multiple knives and gear for about a week or so in my properties woods before i make real decisions, keeping the items that pass.


Jay
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My load-out would contain the following, choose which area you need to fill best.
1. Silky Big Bow folding saw - All wood cutting
2. 19"ish ax - splitting, notching, small felling
3. ESEE 6 or similar - large camp knife
4. Fallkniven F1 or similar - always on me fixed blade
5. ESEE Izula/ ESEE3/Bird & Trout or similar small/light fixed blade - Small game processing, traps, and backup knife
6. Leatherman Wave - Everything else not covered above.

I've never done more than a week, but I'm sure others here who have done longer time could consolidate this list down to 3 or 4 depending on their preferences and the specific tools they choose. If it's not a constant hike/packing trip, but instead a hike to static location, I'd opt to take more, take longer to get there, have more than I need and know I have all basis covered, than be without for a few more lbs and time.
Good luck!
 
jay1992 said:
I aim to take 3 blades, one for around the camp (batoning kindling, cutting cordage, general use) the second for skinning and butchering meat, and a third as a backup. Along with 2 pocket knives, one multitook and two drawblades. Id rather be over prepared haha, i dont exactly want to have to be in the world often.

Jay
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I realize this thread is a little older and the op may have already made a pick or be on their way, but I feel the need to add something. For a “long term” survival/sustainability scenario I would definitely NOT use your knife for batoning kindling. For a good example of what you should take you can look to the supplies and use of them in the Lewis and Clark expedition. They took many knives, which were used for general cutting tasks, processing wild game, and food preparation. They had a bunch to give as gifts as well. But when it came to processing wood or carpentry they had appropriate tools for that (axes, saws, etc.) I am pretty sure they didn’t saw logs and beat their knives through them while the axes stayed on the boats 🙄
If in an unexpected survival situation you have to do what you have to, however I would not “plan” on batoning wood with my knife. There are much better tools for splitting wood. Going out to live in the wilderness without proper preparations and supplies is foolish and dangerous
 
V vinprom
Did you decide on a knife?

Where will you be spending your time outdoors? You'd be okay with a smaller knife in the desert, but will need a bigger one in the woods.

Choose a high quality knife with a comfortable handle, practically shaped blade, with a blade length 5-6 inches would be my choice for the woods.
 
Gil P. said:
V vinprom
Did you decide on a knife?

Where will you be spending your time outdoors? You'd be okay with a smaller knife in the desert, but will need a bigger one in the woods.

Choose a high quality knife with a comfortable handle, practically shaped blade, with a blade length 5-6 inches would be my choice for the woods.
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I have visited some brick and mortar stores and did not worm-up enough to fixed blades to purchase any. Same is with the modern ones. Looks like I will remain a slip joint guy for the time being. For camping I doubt I will even get one of my Mora Classic, and I even have Mora Classic #3
Douk Douk is my choice, the 3.5" one, and Case Seahorse Whittler just for fun. Frankly, with the Douk Douk I do not feel I need a fixed blade, even though I realize this sounds silly, but it's just a feeling.
 
vinprom said:
I have visited some brick and mortar stores and did not worm-up enough to fixed blades to purchase any. Same is with the modern ones. Looks like I will remain a slip joint guy for the time being. For camping I doubt I will even get one of my Mora Classic, and I even have Mora Classic #3
Douk Douk is my choice, the 3.5" one, and Case Seahorse Whittler just for fun. Frankly, with the Douk Douk I do not feel I need a fixed blade, even though I realize this sounds silly, but it's just a feeling.
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Most stores won't have nice fixed blades. I think if you really want one you'll have to take a chance and buy from the internet. The good news is they are fairly easy to sell if they are undamaged and un sharpened.
 
jay1992 said:
I aim to take 3 blades, one for around the camp (batoning kindling, cutting cordage, general use) the second for skinning and butchering meat, and a third as a backup. Along with 2 pocket knives, one multitook and two drawblades. Id rather be over prepared haha, i dont exactly want to have to be in the world often.

Jay
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Hey Jay,
I hope you’re on your trip and having fun with knives. On the off chance you’re still deciding (or for other folks with the same question), I’ll add a vote for Bill Siegle.
luethge said:
Siegle

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Bark River

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Busse

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Gossman

Anything from these makers will do. A folder and something more appropriate for wood processing would be helpful as well.
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cbach8tw said:
The Siegle for sure. Find a 4 to 5 fixed blade a good folder and you are set. I assume you have the ax or hatchet 🪓 already taken care of too.
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I read tons of great reviews, etc. before I decided to get a Siegle, and I couldn’t be happier with it. Mine has a great thin grind, a super comfortable handle, and a tough edge which has handled a good deal of chopping hard wood very well.
4DCC85BD-161D-4390-8D1B-D6FEEFA03583.jpeg
 
4304B9FE-BE09-43AF-BD60-D714E77E0F84.jpeg

Siegle knives.

No bells or whistles, no fancy box, no advertising, no catchy logo, not available in stores..

Just.. time tested, one of a kind, handmade, tough as nails, fair prices, excellent heat treatment, from a maker who spends more time using his knives than most. Very humble tools. You would be hard pressed to find a better knife for the money (or a better knife in general).

Users.
 
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