Hard duty "camp" knife?

[entoptics]

Had a Smith and Wesson Search and Rescue Bowie (CKSUR6), which cost me around $35 when I got it. I was very pleased with the grip, balance, heft, and sharpness. It chopped like a machete and split like maul (with a baton of course), and held it's edge admirably.

Unfortunately. The handle snapped off at the guard after a couple of sessions with a baton. No full tang = don't hammer on something with a log. You get what you pay for I suppose

Anyway, I need a replacement. Unfortunately, my budget (or more appropriately, my wife's budget) hasn't increased enough to get into the higher end stuff like a Cold Steel Recon, RAT, etc.

Does anyone make the following knife for $75 OTD or less? More than that = no knife, as this is a "luxury" item in many ways. I already have a hatchet, and smaller knives.

Duty will be occasional car camping (few times a year). Trimming branches, kindling splitting, possibly food prep in a pinch, and one time emergency uses like shelter, digging, spear point, self defense, etc, etc.

Do Need

• 7.5" - 9" blade (3/16 or greater thickness)
• Full tang (obviously)
• Bowie or spear point design. No tanto, kukri, etc. Relatively straight edge with a nice curve to the point.
• Lanyard hole (could drill one myself if the real estate is there)
• Tough steel. Edge retention and corrosion resistance are not important, chip/snap resistance is. Needs to take an edge nicely though.

Do NOT Need

• Fancy sheath (no sheath is fine if it's reflected in the price)
• Light weight
• premium handle material (paracord would suit me)

Any good suggestions? As mentioned, this is a luxury item, so I can't go outside my budget. I'd just like a good workhorse knife that won't break from infrequent beatings (and isn't hideously ugly).

 

[ASheep]

It is a little under some of your specs, but the Glock model 78 field knife has served me very well in the past year. It's taken a fair beating, with only cosmetic damage to show for it, even after heavy batoning.

It is fairly light for its size, so doesn't chop as well as a khukuri or axe, but is very useable. I have chopped quite a lot of firewood with it, mostly in testing, as when I'm in the bush I carry a 12 inch Khukuri.

Steel is 1095, so tough as nails, but still able to take an edge. Blade length is close to 7 inch. Rust-proofing is reasonable due to a phosphor coated blade, mine has been dunked many times, and has come out fine after oiling.

Mine cost $100AU about a year ago, they can be found online/in the US for far less.
Hope this helps.

 

[workingmids]

Agree with the Glock knives being a solid choice, not the most fun to baton with.

Ka-bar Becker makes very tough knives that fit your criteria and price points; the only thing the lack is a textured grip which can be easily modified if that is a preference. The 5" comes with a kydex sheath and the larger sizes with a nylon.

They are once again readily available (used to be Camillus Becker before that company fell on hard times) from many reputable online sources, and there are a fair number of you tube videos reviews that would provide you with a solid overview.

P.S. Though I haven't yet had an issue, the Becker handles have recessed hex nuts and bolts that should have a drop of Locktite to prevent them from wiggling loose (reported by some); inside the handles can house survival kit contents. I wrap my handles with Coban (tennis or bicycle tape also good), to provide a better wet weather grip.

 

[entoptics]

I think the Glock is on the small side. I've heard great things about it considering the price (and nice sheath).

The KA-BAR Becker Combat Bowie and Combat Utility look outstanding. Thanks for the tip. Amazon.com has them for very near my budget (MSRP is a bit on the ludicrous side).

So far, in my uninformed searching, the 9" appears to have leapt to the top of my list. I'll do some more research, but 1095 steel, decent blade shape, simple construction, pounding pommel, thumb grip, and reputable brand name are promising.

Of course, nothing's perfect. They offer a 7" and a 9" and I would prefer something right in the middle. My S&W (8.75") was a bit on the large side, and 7" is almost certainly too small. Otherwise, for the price point, it looks very good. The 7 incher might land itself on my "portable" camp knife list in the future though.

Thanks so far, and keep the info coming. lovecpf

 

[Meganoggin]

Magnum by Boker make some interesting camp type knives, they do a 'Camp Bowie' that has a 5-6 inch blade and a compact machete that looks similar to the Becker one but at lower cost.

I'm not sure if they are readily available in the US though. If not, I would go for the Becker

 

[Screwball]

Another vote for Magnum knifes I have had a trial run with the camp bowie it's a brute takes a beating and comes back for more .They have other versions including a chopper that may be more what you are looking for .
In all they are worth a look the only minus for me is that the handles are chunky and only really comfortable for shovel handed chaps
Good luck with the search

 

[Meganoggin]

The handles on the Magnum knives are just bolted on, so you could modify them or make yourself some nice thinner orange scales :devil:

 

[Screwball]

Possibly if I had the skill but it was easier to buy something that is more suited to my stubby paws

 

[entoptics]

Did a fair bit more research, and settled on the KA-Bar Becker BK9. It was the final compromise, and seemed to be the best for my budget.

Now that I have it in hand...

Pros

• Anvil simple. Full tang, removable grips, hammer pommel, no frills
• BK-13 included. Tiny little bare "neck knife".
• Fearsome hacking ergos. Massive blade and thick grip.
• 1095 steel should handle anything I throw at it.
• VERY sharp out of the box. Not a scalpel, but it will shred paper and pop arm hair.

Cons

• Too damn big. BK7 is too small, but they don't make a BK8. BK9 is even bigger than a scaled up BK7 would be since the tip is so blunt. I'd prefer the BK9 in the BK7 blade shape.
• Sheath is weak. Not a priority for me, but I wouldn't mind a smaller, plastic job.
• Handle is slick enough to almost certainly require modding. Skateboard tape? Paracord? Sandpaper? Easy to do since it's detachable.

Conclusion?
If KA-bar would make a BK8 with a textured handle, it would be my ideal camp knife. Simple, robust, good steel, good price, and the BK13 is a nice little bonus.

 

[redleg155]

You could search for a factory "second" CS TrailMaster. This one is in the old carbon v, and it's a brute knife. The kraton handle replaced with black canvas micarta for durability. I reprofiled the edge and it really does most chores easily. The new handle is attached with super epoxy and sealed with same.

For larger chopping tasks made easy, that is if an extra 35 ounces doesn't bother you, this one in hand forged 52100 steel makes almost every task easy.

 

[Hamilton Felix]

Since your definition of "camp knife" is in line with mine -- big stout knife that's barely small enough to do routine cooking chores if your smaller knife vanishes, but is big enough to chop, split, dig and make a creditable effort at replacing a hatchet -- I'd say you'll have to spend a bit more than you did on a Smith & Wesson.

It's to the dissapointment of many that the current owners have pimped out S&W's once good name to all sorts of cheap merchandise -- and it's no consolation to me that Harley Davidson is even worse in the name-prostituting area. BTW, I've seen some really cheap SOG knives advertised lately in catalogs, so watch out; SOG may be going the same route.

Becker Knife and Tool has a pretty good reputation for value received. One of the first hits I saw was here: http://www.knivesplus.com/BECKER-KNIVES.html I don't know if those are the best prices, but it will give you and idea.
Their 9-1/4" bowie, 1/4" thick, for about $75 might suit you.

Personally, I bought a straight handled Busse Steelheart II in 1999 (delivered in 2000, you know Busse and schedules). It cost just under $300 at the time, and is worth about twice that last time I checked. It's about as close to indestructible as you can come.

Don't forget to check for super deals on Cold Steel on Lynn Thompson's Special Projects http://www.ltspecpro.com/ . That's where I got my City Stick, a couple of nice heavy duty Recon I folders, and Kathleen's OSS (she loves fighting knives, but especially black ones; finding that old Camillus manufactured black OSS on eBay is another story).

We also grabbed a couple of inexpensive Barong style 12" machetes for general "survival kit" use. I like to keep a machete (short enough for camp work and digging) along with small bolt cutters (never know when you'll need to make your own offramp and go through a fence) and some other tools in each vehicle).

If you know well enough what you want, you might try auction sites like eBay, but you need to know the specific item described. I wouldn't bid if I had not handled one and possessed familiarity.

I see ltspecpro wants about $190 for a Trailmaster in SK-5. You might do better on eBay or at a show. The Recon Scout at 7-1/2" just makes your size requirement, but at 5/16" thick, it's really stout. They want about $152 for it. You might check their video there. BTW, in the Specialty Items section, their "special forces shovel" will do anthing their "bad axe" will do, can still dig, and does not look like a weapon.

There's an interesting article on choosing a survival knife at http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/how-to-choose-a-survival-knife/

Frankly, I know I'd be well off with a smaller general purpose knife, backed up by a light axe or good hatchet. But I LIKE big knives... :thumbsup:

I always enjoy the outspoken Warlord (aka Trip Williams): http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/skandaccy.htm

Maybe you will get lucky and find and old Gerber BMF for a decent price.

Don't forget to look at Columbia River Knife and Tool. They deliver pretty good value, and they do have to big choppers. http://www.crkt.com/

Just face the fact that you get what you pay for. There's no such thing as a cheap, yet really durable and dependable knife.

Good luck. Enjoy the hunt!

 

[chenko]

I would look into Becker ka-bar or Ontario knives.

 

[entoptics]

Must not have been clear in the above post, but I actually purchased a BK9 Ka-bar becker. As mentioned, it does fit my bill in every case except size. An 8 incher would have been absolutely perfect.

I certainly would love to get a Cold Steel Trailmaster or Scout, but they are just too darn expensive for me right now. They also miss my ideal size like the Ka-bar BK9 and BK7. No one makes a brutish 8" knife in for under a c-bill that I know of.

Feel free to continue the discussion though. I love knives, and always like to keep my fingers on the pulse.

I'll update the thread when I get some use experience with the BK9, and hopefully I'll snap a few pictures.

If it lives up to it's specifications (namely full tang, 3/16", 1095 steel), I'm guessing it's gonna be a superb camp tool at an excellent price point. From the heft and feel, it should chop like a chainsaw and split like a maul (at least for a BFK).

 

[Hamilton Felix]

OH. Saw you'd "settled" on that BK-9, but it didn't sink in that you'd bought it. Duh... .

That would seem a good choice for the money. For now....

Remember: Col. Cooper said "One cannot have too many books, too many wines or too much ammunition." That goes for knives and flashlights, too. :twothumbs

 

[tjloeb]

The Ontario knives GEN II SP-46 IS OUTSTANDING. At $53 with sheath at Knife Center it is a bargain. And Made in the USA.

See Nutnfancy's review on YouTube.

 

[BikerBob]

Hi!

Just been through a search for 'extra hard duty camp/survival knife'... see my post here for my selection. SOG Seal Team Elite. Also, while searching youtube, found a mention of 'a good camp knife' in reference to this knife's little brother 'SOG Seal Pup' in a review here ( the reviewer is active military, and reviews as a knife 'consumer', looking for value ) He also mentions a few other blades, along the same size and capabilities.

Just sharing my research.
...Bob

 

[entoptics]

I'm a big fan of Nutnfancy. In fact, I watched his review of the BK9 and BK7 (original Becker version) while I was shopping around. His reviews are outstanding in their thoroughness and he's generally pretty honest about his opinions. Just wish he'd speed things up sometimes. He gets to rambling about philosophy of use, unrelated equipment, and tends to repeat himself a lot during the course of a review. Even with that, he's one of the best reviewers I've seen on YouTube.

If the SOG Seal series was a bit bigger and came in a plain edge, it would have been a front runner in my search. By all accounts, they are awesome knives at a very good price.

 

[Hossanator]

Sounds like the BK9 fits the bill perfectly!!!

 

[~UB~]

Hard to beat the Mora of Sweden knives

 

[applevalleyjoe]

Hard to beat an Ontario RD 9...9" blade, very thick blade for splitting wood, great balance, and good price. :thumbsup: