Best All-Around Outdoor Knife?

[cmj685]

Yikes! I had no idea we were talking about his kind of money! I looked at a Bravo-1 and it was running in the mid-$200's. Who'd of thunk?

[JoeH]

Buy a basic, inexpensive folder and let your own experiences guide you. A drop point with a ~3.5" blade will skin an Elk and do regular cutting jobs. Spend about $50.

[Norsesmithy]

I've got a Buck Vantage Folder, and while I haven't killed anything since I bought it, it looks like it will be a wonderful cleaning knife, and the mechanism looks simple and easy to clean.

[Grandpa Rex]

+1 on the folding Buck line. For an everyday carry a Hunter (3.75") or a Ranger (3") is a good choice. $40 to $60 (shop around and wait for a sale) and many years of service. I have had three in the past 25 years and one got loose on me, one I broke the tip being stupid, and the third has been hanging on my belt daily for 10+ years.

These would be a good starters to figure out what you like.

If you need a more dedicated tool, there are obviously a host of options.

The Gent is a great small pocket version for dressier occasions ( I carry one all the time).

Bucks take some getting use to to sharpen but they keep an edge very well.

For me they are a good ballance between cost, durability, and utility.

[EJSG19]

Yikes! I had no idea we were talking about his kind of money! I looked at a Bravo-1 and it was running in the mid-$200's. Who'd of thunk?

Hence why I mentioned price range. I have no doubt that the $200+ knives are sweet.

But, the $40 Gerber I use holds an edge for weeks the way I use it. They all need sharpening, I haven't seen the need to spend more on a knife yet, although I have no doubt there are better ones available.

One small note. I love the half-serrated blades, but only if you spend the time with a round file/steel of the correct diameter, to keep them sharp. When they get dull, they suck, plain and simple.

For ease of sharpening, I'd go with a plain straight edged blade no question.

[westberg]

A lot of good examples of knifes mentioned and to consider, plus a boat load more have not been mentioned. Don't expect any one knife to be everything you need in the back forty. There are some great little hatches, Gerber is one manufacture that you can carry on a belt or in a day pack. A machete is also handy for when your walking trails and cleaning over hanging branches.

[EJSG19]

A lot of good examples of knifes mentioned and to consider, plus a boat load more have not been mentioned. Don't expect any one knife to be everything you need in the back forty. There are some great little hatches, Gerber is one manufacture that you can carry on a belt or in a day pack. A machete is also handy for when your walking trails and cleaning over hanging branches.

You might also see the brand "Fiskars" on those hatchets ron is talking about. Same company makes them. Lightweight handles that are very strong (better than wood) too.

Fiskars tend to be black and orange if i recall, and gerber tends to be all black. Same tools, inexpensive and good quality.

Edit: color descriptions were the same, fixed that

[1911fan]

For more reasonable prices, I have bought several knives from this place and have been very happy.

https://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?Pa ... 235&Page=1

I find a good knife is like any good tool, you will often regret not buying a top line one, if you buy a budget knife. This does not mean you have to spend 200 bucks on a knife, but buying a good one will make you a lot happier than buying a cheap one several times.


If you want a low cost, but very good knife as a starter, this one is worth every penny and then some.. https://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?Pa ... odID=52208 this is the current norwegian issue army field knife, its meant as a general purpose all around knife, its not too big, its a very good piece of laminated steel blade and its not finely finished as some of the other knives mentioned are. Laminated steels give you soft and tough skins with a very hard and durable central cutting edge that would be almost impossible to sharpen if the whole knife was made of it.

[FJ540]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/36672-1.html

I have found Cold steel knives to be durable tools for not too bad of a price.
I've used the model in the link for many years with good service.

I've had 2 Cold Steel SRK's and the only reason I don't have the first one is because I sold it to my roommate when I joined the Army. I bought it's replacement from the PX.

https://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?Pa ... odID=27653 <-- SRK at a reasonable price.

Having said that, I keep it in the truck because it can peel you out of a car without dulling. It's got a good edge on it, but it's a little thick for fine slicing.

I really like my SOG seal pup for carving deer guts, but I've heard they've off-shored production on some of their blades; been a decade since I bought it.

Another of the larger brute knives I'm incredibly impressed with is my D2 tool steel K-Bar. D2 is some serious *Profanity Removed*, and makes one outstanding knife! However, it's a beast of a blade for finer tasks. But like the SRK, you can open a can with it and not affect the edge you started with. We used D2 for die punching .015 316 stainless at one place I worked. It's an excellent material for a blade.

*MOD Edit - Do not bypass the language filter. It is there for a reason.*

[thunderoussilence]

Tom Brown Tracker, Ute small size, works great for skinning. 5yrs old and still work great, downside expensive.

[Joe Camo]

Best All-Around Outdoor Knife? Wow, a loaded question if ever there was one. Ask 100 people and you'll probably get 200 different answers. Everyone will have their own opinions & reasons.

Hard to choose a single best all around knife, I doubt it exists, I sure haven't found it. No way one knife/blade can do it all.

Criteria: Would have to be good for gutting, skinning, general camp chores, chopping, carving, slicing & pounding. Would have to work as an offensive & defensive weapon. Able to lash to a pole for a spear (yes, there I said it!). Comfortable handle with a secure, non-slip grip for safety, chopping and extended use even when wet, muddy or bloody. Heavy, durable blade of high grade (high carbon) steel or stainless to hold an edge yet be reasonably easy to hone sharp. Point of blade should be sturdy (like a drop-point style). Thick spine with a razor sharp edge. Blade long enough to do all of the above but not so long it becomes unwieldy, heavy, cumbersome or tiring to use (probably between 4.5 - 6.5" blade length, 10 - 12" overall). Simple construction (no pivots, locks, hinges, etc to break/fail ... guess that means a fixed blade). easy to clean. Full tang blade. Don't forget the sheath - it must securely hold the knife, be able to lash to your belt or other gear (in any position preferably) and be sturdy. Must be able to easily and quickly remove knife from sheath. And on and on ...

I guess if I had to choose a single knife it would look similar to the Gerber LMF-II, good mid-size blade, design & features for both knife & sheath. There are many other knives similar to it at varying prices so compare & take your pick in your price range.

Disclaimer: I don't own a LMF, but have used one and found it much to my liking. Someday I'd like to get one, or something similar.

JC

[Pinnacle]

For more reasonable prices, I have bought several knives from this place and have been very happy.

https://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?Pa ... 235&Page=1

I find a good knife is like any good tool, you will often regret not buying a top line one, if you buy a budget knife. This does not mean you have to spend 200 bucks on a knife, but buying a good one will make you a lot happier than buying a cheap one several times.


If you want a low cost, but very good knife as a starter, this one is worth every penny and then some.. https://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?Pa ... odID=52208 this is the current norwegian issue army field knife, its meant as a general purpose all around knife, its not too big, its a very good piece of laminated steel blade and its not finely finished as some of the other knives mentioned are. Laminated steels give you soft and tough skins with a very hard and durable central cutting edge that would be almost impossible to sharpen if the whole knife was made of it.

I looked at that site and well, the prices are great. Mcusta knives are just works of art and I met the guy that owns the company at the SHOT Show a couple of years ago - sharpest best made knives that I have ever seen. These are "Best in Class" Knives for the $$$$.

Rarely does one tool do it all - there are applications for a larger knife for camp chores - a hatchet or short Axe is a good investment (Gerber makes a reasonable one) and a good smallish folder for detail or fine work is always recommended. I would spend the most on the Smallest of your knives - as this is the one that you are going to use the most.

I am go

[bullets]

CMJ, regardless of the knife you choose, I have always been satisfied with the service http://www.yourcornerstore.com and their knife prices are hard to beat. My favorite EDC is a Kershaw Ken Onion A/O chive - I do not have a favorite fixed blade outdoor knife as I have several that I use for different purposes...

[jp2]

I don't have any experience with any of the knives others have already mentioned. I do have, what I have found to be a perfect outdoor knife. It is the Cliff knife made by Idaho knife works. http://www.idahoknifeworks.com/cliff.htm
I have used this knife over the past eight years, if I recall correctly, on a number of canoeing / camping / hiking trips to cut rope, split wood for kindling, cut shavings for fire starter, open pita bread and spread peanut butter. I have also used the knife to clean grouse and pheasant.
The knife is a funtional piece of art and definately worth every penny. It is made out of spring steel, has a full tang and keeps a razor sharp edge.
The owners are a dream to work with, I will be ordering from them again in the near future. Oh by the way I am in no way related to or in any way compensated by the company.

[jooz]

Best All-Around Outdoor Knife? Nice to hear that, I want to have that soon...Sounds interesting.