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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 20:17:00 GMT
(I didn't know if this was the right forum or not)
I'm throwing this out in the hope you can have some fun with it as I haven't seen many discussions on this topic before: I'm looking for a good knife. For camping/backpacking primarily - something reliable to carry around and use in need. If it can take down a bear or a zombie or two that's all to the good. I may hardly ever use it, but there's something comforting about having a sharp object at hand, to cut and whittle wood or chop carrots if nothing else. I could just go out and buy a run-of-the-mill utility knife from the hardware store, but what would be the fun in that, when I could ask y'all first?
So tell me what kind of knife you use/would use. Not just for my benefit but for anyone interested in knives.
For me personally, I prefer a fixed blade. I know folding is more practical and I don't rule it out, but to put it bluntly, knives with sheaths are cooler. So maybe a bowie, or a small tanto? You tell me! I've never looked for a knife before. ;D
And I don't want to pay much for it. $20-30 would be great for me. Feel free to mention more expensive knives though!
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 6, 2009 20:23:14 GMT
I was with you right up to the $20-30 part. A medium-sized bowie should be good, a kukri might be a bit much but it's what I'd take camping. Anything smaller than 5-6" won't be doing much heavy work without a lot of effort and time, but anything over 8" will be awkward for finer tasks. $20-30, though...I dunno.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 20:31:14 GMT
It doesn't have to be the best knife in the world for me, as long as it's decent and solid. I could get something like an S&W, Gerber, or a small KABAR for that, I think. I don't know if those are recommended or interesting though. A kukri...hmmn. looks interesting. Looks awkward too, but I assume that's not true.
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Post by genocideseth on Aug 6, 2009 20:41:08 GMT
Kukris are not at all awkward. Forward heavy yes, but not awkward. They are very fun to use and have a ton of chopping power. I would suggest one, as if you can use it properly, it could do a ton for you.
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 6, 2009 20:41:22 GMT
Eh, depends on the kukri. Most of them handle better than one would think, though. My typical carry fixed-blade is an old Kabar 1232 I got from my grandfather, who found it in his shed or something. It's a little different from their current model (first google link goes here: www.tomarskabars.com/1232_INFO.html ) in that it has a groove on either side of the blade, and is darker in color, though that may be part of its age. Not a bad little knife, it'd be good for small bits of carving, skinning, and general defense, as well as handling meats, fruits, and vegetables, but I'd not try any wood with it. The site in that link sells 'em right at $30, so maybe worth a look?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 20:49:06 GMT
Can you be more specific about what you want to do with this knife?
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Post by genocideseth on Aug 6, 2009 20:51:41 GMT
Herberwest makes a good point. As does Random. I was thinking along the lines of brush hacking.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 20:55:31 GMT
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 6, 2009 20:57:39 GMT
That thing is not a kukri.
That aside...perhaps a tad big for what he wants?
Which brings up a point that a lot of these knife threads tend to overlook...what are the laws where you live? Here in VA I can't carry anything over 3.5" unless I'm hunting with a license. Camping may be an exception, but general carry is pretty strict. Granted, I tend to ignore this and stick with about 4.5" being the smallest I'll go, but who's going to measure at that point?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 21:06:04 GMT
I like the look of that Kabar, Random. Seems to be affordable as well, if I can find one around here, but I'm also looking at the intriguing kukri's. Wish I could be more specific about the use. On one hand I'd like a knife for more passive activities like whittling or cooking, but also have it available in unforeseen emergencies along the trail, whether that be self defense (rabid squirrels, lol?), or survival. Simply stated, I'd like something more solid than the Swiss Army knife I have now. Those are great, but what I want is just a knife, that I can pull out in a hurry without hassle.
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Post by sicheah on Aug 6, 2009 21:06:43 GMT
Might wanna be a bit precise. Do you want a fixed blade or a folding knife? Is it for everyday carry (edc) or for defensive purpose? How heavy do you want the knife to be (below 4 ounce or above 4 ounce). Do you want it to do light task or some pretty heavy task that could be accomplished by a machete? Good folders in my opinion around $30: spyderco tenacious, ontario rat 1. Sorry don't know much about good fixed blade knife around that price range Edit: Sorry did not read your previous post. Can't go wrong with a Ka-bar (though its around $50)
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Post by genocideseth on Aug 6, 2009 21:07:01 GMT
A bowie or tactical knife gets me vote.
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Avery
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Post by Avery on Aug 6, 2009 21:17:34 GMT
A good Bowie or a Kabar. I carry both while camping, amoung other things.
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Post by hotspur on Aug 6, 2009 21:26:32 GMT
A basic stright knife such as the K-Bar type is really a great way to go for the money. Another very ueful alternative while camping is a good small hatchet and then even as small a knife as you might be wanting. heck, I'd go with a couple of regular kitchen kives and a hatchet if it ws a planned trip. One very useful knife I had adopted as a pretty much everyday pocket knife is a slim drop point fixed blade with just over four inches of edge and in a kydex sheath that fits right in a pant's front pocket. I can neither endorse nor deny what any might want to carry for whatever purpose, as I have worn many over the years. Thinking in terms of defense, as far as one will acknowledge it is fair folly, plan on at least 6" of blade on a straight job. I had just yesterday and the day before replied in a thread in the Japanese section here and there are at least monthly thread regarding knives here. Anyway, here are some fairly used utility knives I have carried over the years. The slim fixed blade is the one mentioned above. As mentioned if camping, that and a small hatchet would be fine by me but a planned trip would probably include a large and smaller set of kitchen knives. The drop point as pictured is actually a good all around woods/hunting knife. There are the tales that South American guide can do it all with a machete and I don't doubt that. For other possibilities, I have this table I take out to talk knives with folk in a public venue. Some of my thoughts from yesterday are just as valid today and there is information and some links I had posted there in the katana room. A basic K-Bar is a great all around alternative. I have always wanted one of the older 225Q or P-3 named knives as a good chunky all around. I'd rather find an old one in good condition and they still surface at less than $100. www.gr8gear.com/catalog/Knives-Sharpeners/Knives/Ontario-Knives/Ontario-P3-US-Army-Quartermaster-Knife/Cheers Hotspur; no knife threads in here? lol
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 21:26:34 GMT
(thanks for all the quick responses!) That Cold Steel one is a bit big for me. I'm in Ontario. I don't know the laws precisely, and I hope no one takes my word for this, but the way I understand it, you're allowed a have a knife as long as it's not capable of "popping open" suddenly and is not concealed. You may also need to be over 18 to buy certain/any hunting knives at a store, but they are certainly available (I see a 9" blade Bowie for sale at Canadian Tire). Heck, I think I read you're allowed to wear swords in public here too, but who would be stupid enough to unless it's at a Ren Fair? When camping with a fixed blade, it's probably best to not wear it till you get to your location. And when taking knives outside your homeland you'd better check the laws first. It's a VERY good point at any rate, Random. I can't see myself wearing the knife around with me unless I were on a camping or hiking or other similar trip. So you could say everyday carry when adventuring. I'd like fixed blade, I think. But I'll look at all options. I prefer light weight, but if I can wear it on my belt the weight won't be a great concern. Length is - anything longer or close to a foot long wouldn't be practical for edc. I can't expect the knife to replace a machete, but if it has some chopping power, that's all to the good. So, what's a good bowie or kukri?
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Avery
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Post by Avery on Aug 6, 2009 21:31:53 GMT
So, what's a good bowie or kukri? That just opened a can of worms. I'm not a real big fan of cold steel, but some of thier stuff is growing on me. The biggest thing I like is the lifetime guarentee. They have a nice Bowie knife, I'll see if I can find a pic.
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 6, 2009 21:32:39 GMT
I'd be anxious to try some of the less expensive kuks on this page: www.thekhukurihouse.com/search/index.php?mode=size&mi=5&ma=7That's sorted their entire product catalog to blades 5-7" long, which I figure best all-around camping/hiking knife size, and granted that it's a kukri in this case, it should be more than sufficient. Bowies I'll leave to others who know better, but most good bowies start around $50+ I'm afraid.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 21:33:29 GMT
Thanks, Hotspur, that's a great post - seems you've seen these questions before. I guess I didn't use the search feature proficiently, as I couldn't find many threads for my questions.
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Aug 6, 2009 21:34:21 GMT
A tanto wouldnt be too practical. A medium to small bowie would be the largest I would personally take, but that is personal preference.
Look up Ed Fowler. He is a bladesmith belonging to the American Bladesmith Society. He writes articles for blade magazine. In my opinion, his knives represent the ultimate in "user" knives for working in the outdoors. He is very opinionated on what makes a good working knife. He is also very talented, and has done lots of work and research to support his claims.
For your budget, look for a Ray Mears style "Woodlore" knife. A scandanavian style blade by a company like Karesuando or Brusletto would be good too.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 21:36:38 GMT
Good bowie, clip point hunter (there is a difference), or skinner for fixed blades. Kabar is a good option. For folders go with spyderco, buck, or spend the extra for a cold steel. If you want something for daily carry out of the woods, keep the blade 3" or less to avoid legality issues and don't carry into schools or federal buildings. Combine you daily carry blade with a decent machete and hatchet/hawk and you have all your outdoor bases covered.
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