Camp Knife recommendations - wrapped up (NGC)

[vstevens]

Recommendations for a good all around knife:
 Easy carry
Holds its edge
Good at a campsite
Not too big or too small


Too many options out there and I don't really know what to look for.

🏍

[sturgeon]

Fixed blade or folder?
Cooking or cutting wood?

[Guzzistajohn]

Swiss Army

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^^^ Yep.

[pyoungbl]

This one is issued to the German Army.  Made by Victorinox..origina lly made for Swiss Army.
http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-One-Hand-Trekker-German-Army/dp/B00D6LJR90

It's a bit large but sturdy and handy, without stuff you probably won't need.

Peter Y.

[Chuck in Indiana]

This one is issued to the German Army.  Made by Victorinox..origina lly made for Swiss Army.
http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-One-Hand-Trekker-German-Army/dp/B00D6LJR90

It's a bit large but sturdy and handy, without stuff you probably won't need.

Peter Y.

No corkscrew, a must for a camp tool..

[charlie b]

Leatherman, or similar.

If I need anything more then it is a fixed and longer blade.

[Perazzimx14]

Recommendations for a good all around knife:
 Easy carry
Holds its edge
Good at a campsite
Not too big or too small


Too many options out there and I don't really know what to look for.

🏍

In addition to sturgeon:

What is your price range?
What is too big?
What is too small?
Does it need to be multi purpose?
How or do you sharpen your knives?

Holding an edge has mostly to do with the metallurgy but also has a lot to do with the blade angle and how you want/need the knife to perform. Gleaned from Lansky's site:

17° Angle - A severe angle recommended for razor blades, scalpels or similar tools. Provides an extremely sharp but delicate edge.
 
20° Angle - A commonly used angle for higher quality blades and provides an excellent edge for kitchen cutlery and filet knives.
 
25° Angle - The recommended angle for most knives that need a durable, sharp edge. Ideal for hunting and outdoor knives.
 
30° Angle - An outstanding angle for knives that see the heavy use of cutting cardboard, wire or carpets. Recommended for heavy duty use.


If you don't, can't or are not comfortable sharpening your knives you can buy folding knived that use utility knife blade as replacment blades.

With all of the above said I am a huge fan of Benchmade knives. Quality product and priced accordingly.

[dibble]

No corkscrew, a must for a camp tool..

French Army Knives have corkscrews.

[Rotten Ralph]

Benchmade 4". Best knife I have ever owned. Not cheap but stays razor sharp and is easy to carry. Large enough for the outdoors yet small enough to carry every day (which I do).

[pikipiki]

Out of the house or garage the only sharp knife I ever found useful is a 4" Pruning Knife, so many uses. Am I missing something?

[yogidozer]

Leatherman, or similar.

If I need anything more then it is a fixed and longer blade.

I agree with Charlie. Leatherman, the Wave model is my fav.

[pikipiki]

I agree with Charlie. Leatherman, the Wave model is my fav.

I would call that a multi-tool, I think he wants a knife.

[cj750]

I'm a fan of the Mercator K55K. http://www.thetruthaboutknives.com/2013/07/gunknife-contest-entry-mercator-k55k-review/
It won't drive screws or open wine bottles, but as a knife it works very well. Big and sturdy enough to be useful, with absolutely minimal weight and bulk.
Relatively inexpensive, too.

[sign216]

French Army Knives have corkscrews.

Does it come with a French maid to open the wine?

Because that would be a welcome addition to my rally tent.


But to be real, I like the French Opinel knives.  The only folder whose lock won't fail on you.

[EldoMike]

Benchmade 4". Best knife I have ever owned. Not cheap but stays razor sharp and is easy to carry. Large enough for the outdoors yet small enough to carry every day (which I do).

What model Benchmade are you referring to?

[Zoom Zoom]

Some time ago now, I picked up a hobo kit from Knives of Alaska. It's titanium. there is a very sharp knife, spoon, fork, bottle opener. It does have a pouch but could be kept in a pocket.

But, as others have asked, what do you want to use it for?

John Henry

[Rotten Ralph]

What model Benchmade are you referring to?

The Mel Purdue 556.

[tris]

Mad isn't it. 25 miles away across the channel in the UK those are illegal to carry in public

From the HM Gov web site "Lock knives (knives with blades that can be locked when unfolded) are not folding knives, and are illegal to carry in public without good reason."


https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives

Folding knives are also limited to 3" long

[boatdetective]

I have a number of Benchmades. Sadly- the price has gone up and the build quality down. In general, they have good designs. It's hard to recommend a specific model if you do not offer a budget and precise use. My knives are more of the EDC variety- so max blade length 3".  In terms of edge retention, you might consider reading up a bit on blade steels. It does make a significant difference once you step up to the better grades. Another factor is sharpening. If you want the knife to perform, you need to commit to a decent sharpening system. I have a Spyderco triangle ceramic sharpener and it's pretty idiot proof.

As a rule- i don't like multi tools. The knife blade is usually pretty soft and the tools are small and ineffective.

[HDGoose]

Gerber multi-plier tool. Seems to be what I need while camping.

[Chuck in Indiana]

are illegal to carry in public without good reason.

Well, dang it.. I need a knife. <shrug> Seems like a good reason to me. 

[charlie b]

I would call that a multi-tool, I think he wants a knife.

Well, the OP said camp knife.  The multi-tool is the perfect camp knife.  But, since he hasn't responded to any of this we don't know yet.

I have a bunch of knives that sit in a drawer because I carry the Leatherman all the time.

[Sasquatch Jim]

Big enough to kill a bear,  small enough to clean your fingernails, sharp enough to shave with, tough enough to chop firewood,  handle should be something that can pound tent stakes.  Now were talking about a camp knife.

Before you laugh too much,  Yes I have one.  It is a medium size Tanto.  Yes, I once shaved with it just to prove that it could.  The chisel looking tip is very strong and yet can clean under my nails.  It can also be used as a chisel.  The spine of the blade is strong enough that you can pound on it with a club or other tool to chop through or split firewood or even be used like a fro to split shingles if you are roofing an elaborate lean to.
 It can do kitchen duty on meat , fish chicken veggies and fruit.  It is one of the few knives that can open a coconut.  I haven't tried to kill a bear with it yet.  I haven't had the need to but I think it could.  I can wear it on a belt or carry it in the pack.   There simply is no more versatile knife than a GOOD quality tanto.

[vstevens]

Late gettin back, but great replies, comments, and recommendations.

To answer s couple questions:
Primary use for camping... yeah, that's vague.  Everything from cutting tent stakes to beef steaks.  Likely not a multi tool.  Have had cheap versions and the tools are usually not too useful... Course, I've not had a leatherman... That may make a difference.

Fixed blade might be sturdier, and easier to keep clean.  I have a couple older folding pocketknives that are about 1-2 inch blades.  Too small for what I have in mind, I think.

I have an old USMC K Bar but the blade is notched and worn. 

Maybe a small camping axe might be useful, too.  But too much stuff is harder to carry on the V7.

Haven't been camping since my military days... and that wasn't very fun, lol.  Kind of burned me out on sleeping outdoors.  But reading Nick's books has me thinking about it, hence the search for camp knives and tools.

All suggestions are considered, especially those involving bears. 🐻

[Dogwalker]

[vstevens]

Wow... Now that's a knife!  🐊

[vstevens]

I'm a fan of the Mercator K55K. http://www.thetruthaboutknives.com/2013/07/gunknife-contest-entry-mercator-k55k-review/
It won't drive screws or open wine bottles, but as a knife it works very well. Big and sturdy enough to be useful, with absolutely minimal weight and bulk.
Relatively inexpensive, too.

That may be just the thing!  Thanks for the suggestion, I'd never heard of Mercator knifes before. 

[oldbike54]

 Advice re bears , don't make 'em mad , they will always win 

 Unless you are backpacking where weight and bulk are critical , almost any good quality knife will do, my favorite is the old standard Victronix Swiss Army model . A small folding axe/hammer will dig a decent hole , and cork screws , well who drinks corked wine while camping , sheesh 

 Dusty

[Dogwalker]

Wow... Now that's a knife!  🐊

The roncola is the multi tool with a single blade. It serves as knife, axe, hook, hammer and hoe. It can open cans, or cars for that matter, and any sane bear would shit himself only seeing it.
2000 years of uninterrupted usage can't be wrong


Roncola from Pompei.