Recommendation? Camping and Hiking Knife

J

justchilling

Joined
Oct 13, 2017
Messages
2
Hi All,

I'm new and I've been doing some searching on the forums for recommendations for a nice camping knife. I'm going to be using it for general camping tasks, taking on long hikes (weight pretty important) and maybe a bit of practice for bushcrafting. I don't plan to use it as an EDC or anything like that.

Based on searches I've done here, I've been looking at Bark River. I like the look and weight of the snowy river in Elmax
https://www.knivesshipfree.com/bark-river-knives-snowy-river-elmax/

But I'm wondering if the blade shape will be ok for things like batoning and light wood chopping or if I should go with something like the Gunny or Bravo.

I'm also looking at Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 or maybe even something custom made from these forums (though I know nothing about the knife makers here).

Some people have recommended a Mora, though I'm wondering if a knife that cheap will last.

Thanks!
 
My two main camping/hiking fixed blades are an Esee 3 and a Tops BOB. I'd recommend either of those depending on the weight you're going for.

The Esee 3 is probably the best all around camp knife I've had.
 
The Bark River you mentioned would handle most tasks you mentioned ... but at under 4" inches blade it would be on the small side for batoning wood.

If you are set on just one knife and want to breakdown wood with it you may want to look at something around 5" or a bit longer.

My preference is a smaller knife 4"or so and a folding saw a Bacho or Silky folding saw and a light hatchet or small axe for any wood splitting ... but most of the time other then shavin wood for firestarter or splitting small wood for tinder ... I can get by without splittin any wood ... find dead wood and just put the end in the fire and slide forward as it burns ...as long as you're there to keep an eye on the fire.

The Moras are great knives for the price ... but not made for batoning or heavy uses ... the EseeHM series are good camp knives very strongband one of the best warrenties in the business.
 
Tops Brakimo. I just got mine a couple weeks ago. The same excellent modified scand I grind, longer than the BOB, better handle. Fantastic sheath!
The sheath on my BOB rattled and had iffy retention, the Brakimo sheath fits perfect, and the clip allows a bunch of carry options.
You can keep it touched up with a strop.
 
Generally what sort of environment, and what style of camping do you do?
I'd go for a mora to start, get really comfortable with that, then drop the coin on a knife that you like more.
One of the things you need to also consider is what steels and blade shapes you are comfortable sharpening, as that might also play a greater part of the decision making process, depending on how you sharpen now.
Another thing that will help with advice, What do you currently carry for an EDC and what do you like/dislike about it?
 
Take a look at Gollik knives. I have 3 Elmax blades of his and one Sleipner. Amazing prices for a custom, and quick to be in your hand. Both are surprisingly tough, even the Elmax. The Sleipner, with the HT he uses, is super tough and better corrosion resistance than I have seen/used on other Sleipner knives. Another plus is the knives I have from him have pry tools/large flat head on the end of the handle, which has come in handy a lot.

You could get almost two of his knives for the price of a BRK. And the quality is very good for a tough woods knife! I use my Gollik knives the same amount than my Carothers, Busse, and Survive! knives. His knives have excellent blade geometry, even the super thick stock blades!

A fella who I have bought a few knives from is Shannon Steel Labs, "Collin Shannon". He uses Peter's Heat Treat, and even with the few weeks it takes to send to HT, he gets his knives to you quick. Plus you can choose your steel and design your knife.
There are some great makers on the knife maker forum like you mentioned. If you don't find what you like, you will probably be able to find someone that can make one that you would like.

Another good, but even cheaper option is a Real Steel Bushcraft Plus. I got mine in a full flat grind, but comes in Scandi as well. 4.5 inch blade, 14C28N steel, with a great HT for that steel, very user friendly and holds a good edge. Good knife for the price.
Benchmade knives are good, their fixed blades are well priced, Buck makes good knives, and their S30V steel is well done!

Oh, almost forgot Bradford knives! Amazing knives. He just put out some of his Guardian 4's with a HT from Peter's. I ordered one, and should be here tomorrow, so I can't say anything yet, but I have one of his G6's, and it is awesome!! Take a serious look at his knives. The Guardian 4 with the Peter's HT would be a great all around field knife.

Good luck man! Lots of great knives out there.
 
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I wouldn't sweat the weight so much. Trim a few ounces off of your kit in other areas and get a great blade- especially if you intend to use it for camp and bushcraft usage. This is coming from someone who is an avowed ultralight hiker. But carrying a knife at all is not really needed in most backpacking applications so I carry one as a luxury.

If your considering knives in the custom price range, I'd go with Fiddleback Forge or Adventure Sworn. I have an AS Mountaineer that I take on my backpacking trips. It's not exactly lightweight but for woods use, it's pretty close to perfect. If you want to commence to drooling, check out the Fiddleback subforum. Andy Roy and crew make amazing knives.
 
A bit of comparison on weight of a few in different sizes since you mentioned that it's a factor.

Victorinox Explorer Plus (SAK)
3.6 oz

Mora Companion Carbon MG
2.7 oz (3.9 oz with factory sheath)

Cold Steel Master Hunter (Carbon V)
6.5 oz

Swamp Rat Jackmandu
10.8 oz

Kabar/Becker BK7 (Handle wrapped)
13.6 oz

Kabar USMC Mk 2
11.2 oz

Busse SARGE 7
15.1 oz

Weights were taken on my scale without sheaths included (except where noted) because some are in aftermarket sheaths (sometimes with a pouch with stuff in there) and some I've had long enough that the sheath I have is no longer what's being offered, so a lot of the sheath weights are meaningless to someone trying to pick something.
 
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If you are considering custom I agree with rswanson above on checking out Fiddleback Forge. They really do make incredible knives that perform great. Andy also taught Dylan Fletcher of Fletcher knives and Allen Surls of WA Surls Custom Knives. Another custom maker to consider is Todd Hunt of TM Hunt Custom Knives. All have threads on here in the custom makers section. If the price on any of the Fiddleback, Fletcher, WA Surls and TM Hunt custom knives is more than you want to spend, check out LT Wright Custom Knives!


One of my favorites but probably a bit bigger than you are looking for, is the Fletcher Knives Hatchulla 3. I just like the way it feels in my hand and it is plenty big to handle all the task I need it for!

https://flic.kr/p/YeC8yj https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

I also love my Arowana from WA Surls!

https://flic.kr/p/XtjYiihttps://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
 
Oh and I meant to comment in my first post, do not worry about a Mora "lasting you" for a good while. They're proven thousands of times over. While the standard models aren't full tang construction they're plenty tough for nearly any camping and hiking application. They're pretty lightweight to boot and so cheap they're always a good beater option. Having inadvertently left a few expensive pieces of gear out in the woods, I will suggest that inexpensive knicknacks have their place in hiking kit.

I'd say just buy a Mora Companion and use it while you mull over more exotic options. Like many, many people you may not find the need for anything else than a Mora.

Since Whitty went there, here's my Adventure Sworn Mountaineer!

IMG_3787.JPG
 
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I am saving up for a Bradford Guardian 5 or 6 for my hiking/camping blade *, based on how happy I have been with my Guardian 3 as an EDC knife. This summer, I did a fair bit of camping with my Guardian 3 and a small hatchet, which worked well, but there were times I wanted something more substantial in my hand. With a bigger knife, I'd probably swap the hatchet for a folding saw.

I also have a few Moras floating around in different bags, fire kits, and one next to the fireplace. They are not sexy, but they can do 90% of the jobs a heftier full tang knife can do. I have no problem batoning smaller chunks of wood with them, using the heel of my hand instead of a big stick (and occasionally needing to hold a cold drink in my hand to ice it).

Enjoy

* - Of course, there may be purchases that interrupt or slow down the process.
 
whitty said:
If you are considering custom I agree with rswanson above on checking out Fiddleback Forge. They really do make incredible knives that perform great. Andy also taught Dylan Fletcher of Fletcher knives and Allen Surls of WA Surls Custom Knives. Another custom maker to consider is Todd Hunt of TM Hunt Custom Knives. All have threads on here in the custom makers section. If the price on any of the Fiddleback, Fletcher, WA Surls and TM Hunt custom knives is more than you want to spend, check out LT Wright Custom Knives!


One of my favorites but probably a bit bigger than you are looking for, is the Fletcher Knives Hatchulla 3. I just like the way it feels in my hand and it is plenty big to handle all the task I need it for!



I also love my Arowana from WA Surls!

Click to expand...
That Arowana looks mean.

I van camp so I have the luxury of bringing whatever I want. I use a Karl Anderson fighter for batoning and a granfors bruk wildlife hatchet when necessary. In my day pack I have a 3V big Chris EDC while the big guys get left at camp.

I think it's a testament to the level of competition and quality of fixed blades these days that every knife suggested in this thread would preform admirably. Get whatever knife fits you the best.
 
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I got this from Knife Center. It was pre ordered for a couple weeks. The weight is what you would expect from a .20 thick almost 12" blade. The sheath is the one that comes with it. All for under $70!!
This will end up being the "best buy" of the year.....for me.
 
The 5" nessmuk from Lucas Forge would be my recommendation

Bacote-Woodsman-Nessmuk.jpg
 
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