Your Thoughts on the Best Camp Knife available

[Sswingle]

Hi all, Been a long time since I posted to AAPK... Good to be back!!!

I have put away my folders for the moment and am interested in a fixed blade knife for camping. Looking for a knife that I can carve with and do chores like batoning to prepare kindling. Interested in your ideas on best knife makes, blade length, steel type, etc.

If this has been discussed before, I apologize.

Also wanted to mention that I had my heart set on the Bark River "Hudson Bay Knife" but found out it was no longer in production. The reason I was interested in this knife was because I took my son and a handful of other scouts on a Northern Tier trip into the boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada - what an excellent time! Anyway, the knife used by the trappers and traders in those waters many years ago was known as a Hudson Bay Knife as it was produced by the Hudson Bay Company. Figured I could get a historic knife type that meant something to me as well as a great camp knife.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Steve

[rangerbluedog]

I like using the Ontario R-6.
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... t=+ontario
Either that or an old Air Force survival knife.

[313 Mike]

I just read a great review of the Tops Lite Trekker...I haven't handled it myself but if you are looking for something lightweight yet still sturdy with a full tang this might be one to consider...

http://www.woodsmonkey.com/index.php?op ... &Itemid=55

[robinetn]

This is probably the best outdoors knife in the world for the money !
Bob

http://www.oregonknifeshop.com/fallkniv ... knife.html

[junebug]

CONDOR KNIVES............ CARBON steel knives,wood handles....inexpensive.
i think they also make a knife called the HUDSON BAY ?????????????? can't member...


i have 2 condors me and my son use.........i will snap a pic here in a few minutes and add it here.

[tank]

For all around use the Bark River Bravo-1 is hard to beat. Really it's just whichever knife feels good to you.All the knives listed above will fit your needs perfectly. I see Hudson Bays come up for sale every so often, I'll try to give you a heads up if I run across one.

[junebug]

CONDORS I HAVE.......

[junebug]

CONDOR HUDSON BAY
has 2 diff finishes i guess....black coated or hammered finish.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Condor-Hudson-B ... 4d06bbb24b


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Condor-Tool-Kni ... 5d3a7c294b

[Sswingle]

Ontario, Condor and Topps knives are all on my maybe list.... I also looked at the Fallkniven line of outdoor knives but they appear more like kitchen knives (no offense to Fallkniven fans!). I know they have a big following but I can't get past how shallow the blade is.

Condor does make a hudson bay knife but I'm looking for something a little more finished. I guess that's why I'm drawn to the BRKs. I'm also leaning towards the tool steel knives rather than carbon steel.

[TripleF]

Hey Steve! You're right across the bridge from me!!

I am taking my grandsons out to a park in NPR this weekend and plan on giving this Utica Cutlery 6 3/4" Adirondack fixed blade a little wood time!

[tank]

Swingle do you like the looks of this one?
The specs are:

BRKCA 2012 SE
Trail Camp Bowie
Overall Length: 13 Inches
Blade Length: 7.75 inches
Blade Width: 1.63 inches
Blade Steel: A-2 tool steel @ 58rc
Blade Thickness: .200 Inch
Weight: 13 Ounces
Handle Material
Black Canvas Micarta
Sheath
GLLW Custom Fold Over
Black leather with Special Edition Black / Tan Custom Croc inset.
It's a whopper chopper.

[Sswingle]

TripleF - That's a beauty! Good to hear I have a AAPK mate across the pond!

Tank - That trail bowie is just where my head is right now. I've looked at a lot of BRKs but don't remember seeing that one. I was looking at the Trail Buddy III.

[jmh58]

Look at BHK!! Enough said!! John

[tank]

Scott that Utica is purdy. Reminds me of a PH-1

Swingle PM sent.

[pinnah]

Hi all, Been a long time since I posted to AAPK... Good to be back!!!

I have put away my folders for the moment and am interested in a fixed blade knife for camping. Looking for a knife that I can carve with and do chores like batoning to prepare kindling. Interested in your ideas on best knife makes, blade length, steel type, etc.

If this has been discussed before, I apologize.

Also wanted to mention that I had my heart set on the Bark River "Hudson Bay Knife" but found out it was no longer in production. The reason I was interested in this knife was because I took my son and a handful of other scouts on a Northern Tier trip into the boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada - what an excellent time! Anyway, the knife used by the trappers and traders in those waters many years ago was known as a Hudson Bay Knife as it was produced by the Hudson Bay Company. Figured I could get a historic knife type that meant something to me as well as a great camp knife.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Steve

This is really personal. Can only say what works for me...

I find general purpose use, including carving to be one thing and fire prep to be another.

For camping, I carry (in priority order):

1) A light folder in my pocket. Generally an Opinel #9. Small enough for general purpose cutting and just right for most food prep. I carry a knife like this all the time.

2) A folding saw. I'd rather have a cutter than a splitter as a priority. I carry this as emergency gear most of the time.

3) A large fixed blade for splitting wood. I'll carry this for wet conditions or if/when the trip lends itself to fires.

I prefer something with a 5" blade for carving feather sticks and splitting small wood. Lots of options.

I strongly prefer something with a flatter grind. I wouldn't buy anything with a hollow grind for this. Mine is an old Schrade.

Schrade-Walden H-15 by Pinnah, on Flickr


I could get by with something in 4" range if I *had* to go to a single knife. The Queen Drop point hunter would be on my short list.


The classic Hudson Bay knife is HUGE!! I don't see a need for that, but I suspect that depends more on the woods you travel in and how you camp.

[On Edge]

I picked up a used Fallkniven Idun from Barry last year, and it has become my primary camping/bushcraft knife.

Cannot say enough about how versatile and solid this blade is. Looks rather plain - its beauty shows when you start using it, and the edge seems to hold a looong time.

(not my pic, but wanted to show the knife)

~ Edge

[IMBand]

I agree with the suggestions that everyone has made.
Another fantastic camp/trail knife is the Benchamde CSK-II, if you are wanting high quality at well under $100.
Thet are manufactured overseas but I feel like BM does a good job on QC, I love my CSK and can highly recommend it.

IM


**You asked for the best, might be Randall.