Tourist knife: which one to choose for survival in the forest and taiga

First, let's define the concept of a budget knife. I agree that everyone has different financial capabilities, as well as willingness to spend a certain amount of money on their hobby. And for some, 2000 for a knife is “what a waste of money!”, but for others, 60 thousand is a completely acceptable amount for F95 from MBS, for example.

A budget knife, in my understanding, is a knife that you can afford to buy without going into extreme debt, with one or two salaries, without killing the family budget. Therefore, we classify budget knives as those that cost up to 5,000 plus or minus a bast shoe.

Types of knives and their purpose

Based on the far from complete list of tasks on a hike, we can already conclude that it will not be possible to find a universal camping knife. Experienced tourists usually have two or more knives for different tasks: one “table”, others for rougher work. For kitchen purposes, thinner folding travel knives are often used, but for serious tasks it is worth choosing a high-quality fixed knife, especially if the blade is integral with the handle, which increases its strength and safety during use.

And it’s also worth paying attention to multifunctional knives, which can come in handy at the most unexpected moment. The recognized leader in this segment are knives from Victorinox.

Folding tourist knife.

Fix or fold?

There is an opinion that a tourist knife must have a fixed blade, that is, not a folding blade. I partially agree with this; fixes are more reliable because they do not have moving parts. For heavy work, it really makes more sense to use a fixed blade. In turn, folding knives are conditionally less reliable and more susceptible to contamination due to the presence of cracks in the handle. But these are minor things. At the same time, folders (folding knives) take up less space, they can be carried in clothing pockets, which, you see, is more convenient than a sheath on a belt.

But our hikes do not always involve the harsh use of a knife; much more often, a camp knife is a grocery knife.

Ontario Ranger Karambit EOD

Price: $115

The Ranger Kerambit EOD karambit style knife from Ontario Knife Company has a razor-sharp blade measuring 8.9 cm long (out of a total knife length of 19.1 cm) and 6.6 mm thick, made from 5160 steel with a black powder coating. The green micarta handles provide a good grip. And of course, the knife has a finger ring characteristic of karambit at the end of the handle. The knife comes with a Kydex sheath.

How to Choose the Best Camping Knife

To begin with, let’s once again pay attention to the basic principles of choosing a camping knife for a tourist:

functionality – what and why you are buying this or that model. If there is no goal, then you will take it, rather, for beauty and “to be”;
average thickness of the blade so that it does not break during use;
simplicity - both in the shape of the blade and in the handle;
high-quality scabbard;
bright color so that it can be easily found on the ground, in thickets or in the snow;
A tourist knife is a useful tool, a lifesaver, so it shouldn’t be too expensive, but should be...see the first point.

Next, let's look at the details and components of the hiking tool.

Blade

The best weapons for a hike are models with a thick butt. The tasks that sometimes arise on a hike can be incredibly tough and blades of normal thickness, as the practice of many tourists show, simply cannot withstand the load. The most common blade thickness is considered to be 5/32″ – 1/4″.

Blade shape

The most common shapes for tourist knives are:

Concave (finish-shaped) blades have a thin tip that is great for digging and prying. The curved section can be sharpened at the top, which upgrades it into a hunting knife;
Spear-shaped - the line of the butt decreases, as in penknives. This shape is quite durable and has an excellent cut. Models of this shape are poorly suited for delicate work, but for many others they are very functional.

Can be roughly divided into two areas: knives for fine work and for rough work. Decide for yourself in which direction you will most often work and make your choice. But, as mentioned above, it is better to have 2-3 models for different tasks.

Sharpening

The method of sharpening depends on the purpose of the blade. It is necessary to clearly understand what operations will be performed by the cutter. Touring knives are multitasking, and no one knows what he will have to do today. Travelers often choose a universal sharpening method. But different types can be useful:

reducing the thickness of the cutting edge from the butt to the tip in the form of a sword. Quite a popular method of sharpening, it is easy to edit the blade;
complex sharpening is characterized by thinning of the very edge of the cutting edge, an almost lens-shaped cross-section;
traditional smooth symmetrical sharpening of the blade is a universal option;
the concave profile is one of the most complex options; the descents in longitudinal form tend to each other. Razor sharpening, but quite difficult to edit;
convex slopes, used for chopping tools: axe, machete, survival knives;
one-sided sharpening in the form of a chisel, one edge is beveled.

Professionals prefer to sharpen tourist knives in the traditional way, or with convex bevels. The angle should not be small; its degree must be kept in the region of 35-40. This is the best option, suitable for chopping and slicing sausages.

Shank

The tang is the extension of the metal part of the blade that goes into the handle. Some companies make their travel knives with hollow handles, arguing that they can store some necessary little things. However, due to their lower strength, it is not recommended to buy such models, since many tourists have experienced their unreliability during tough tasks.

The shank should run the entire length of the handle, organically turning into a single structure with it. But in any case, based on the strength of the products, it is worth purchasing models with a full shank.

Steel

There are two main types of steel that are best suited for camping knives:

stainless – have a high degree of corrosion resistance, but are more fragile, dull faster and are more difficult to sharpen;
carbon – a tougher steel with excellent sharpening. The main disadvantage is the greater susceptibility to corrosion.

Hiking knife made of stainless steel.
The best types of steel for camping knives are stainless steel CPM 154 and carbon A2.

Handle

Materials for making a handle today are represented by a huge number of options: wood, carbon fiber, rubber, bone, stone, leather and much more. Hornbeam has excellent characteristics. In addition to the tasks, your choice is also influenced by your personal preferences and the seasonality of your trips.

For example, leather and wooden handles require more care, but modern plastic is quite durable and does not require special care.

But the main thing is its ergonomics. It should fit your hand perfectly, since sometimes you will have to work quite a lot with the tool. One-sided anti-slip protection is more valuable as it allows you to use the product with different grips.

Sheath

A high-quality sheath is made of durable material that ensures dryness and tightness. The handle must be equipped with a strap that will be attached to the sheath and prevent the weapon from accidentally falling out.

Which knife should you not take?

Definitely don’t buy a model made in the best traditions of American action films. After all, on a hike you are not Rambo or Commando, and not a representative of special units. You have completely different tasks and the weapon must correspond to them. Very large bayonet knives and beautiful souvenir specimens will not suit you. They are not functional on a hike and only take up space in a hiking backpack.

Rating of the best universal knives

If you want a high-quality product with excellent steel, we recommend that you generally turn your attention to Japanese tourist knives. So that you don’t get too distracted when choosing for the first time, we have identified the best, in our opinion, models that will definitely benefit you on your hike:

Benchmade bushcrafter. Model with a fixed blade 234 mm long. Stainless steel, grade CPM S30V with a hardness of 58-60 HRC. The handle is made of synthetic material G10. The weapon comes with a sheath made of rawhide. Production - USA;

Benchmade bushcrafter knife.

Buck vanguard. A classic hiking instrument. Sometimes it takes place in the hunting class. The handle is made of stabilized wood with impregnation, which improves its properties especially for tourists. The tang extends to the end of the handle, making it one of the most reliable weapons. Steel – stainless steel 420 HC;

Buck vanguard knife.

Gerber blades big rock. An excellent product for hiking and hunting purposes. Suitable for use in the widest range of travel applications. This is a fixie with a length of 241 mm. Stainless steel 440A. Blade type: drop point. Quite a light product weighing 179 g;

Knife Gerber blades big rock.

Victorinox Swissamp. This model contains 33 tools, and even more list functions. An excellent, lightweight and multifunctional multitool for tourists that will cover a wide range of tasks on a hike. It seems that everything is on it, except, perhaps, a lantern. This is an excellent folding camping knife, the tools of which are not clear when they might come in handy;

Victorinox swisschamp knife.

Spyderco endura 4. This is the fourth version of the popular model from a well-known manufacturer. This is an excellent folding knife made from high-quality Japanese Takefi VG-10 steel. This is a very light and durable model. The blade, 96 mm long, is triangular in shape with a finger hole for easy opening/closing. This is exactly the model that is perfect as a tool for performing various cutting functions on a camping trip.

Spyderco endura 4 knife.
The versatility of the cutter plays a significant role on a hike.
Give preference to cutters with a wide range of applications. The more there are, the fewer knives you will have to carry with you.

Fixed blade knife ESEE 6P-B – the best

Pros: unsurpassed performance Cons: still trying to find at least one If we were choosing the perfect survival knife, the ECEE 6 would be the first contender for this title. Designed in America, this model features an ultra-sharp blade crafted from 1095 high-carbon steel and a comfortable thumb grip. The handle is made from a shockproof gray Micarta sheath with a lanyard hole, and can be removed if you prefer to use your own paracord for the handle. The blade is 16.5 cm long, and the entire knife is 29.8 cm. Included with the knife, each ECEE 6 model comes with a black molded polymer sheath for easy and safe transportation. Not only was this screwed-in full head knife built for the job, but it also looks beautiful when it comes to aesthetics.

Price: 9600 rub.

The best camping knives by purpose

As mentioned above, the versatility of the product is its best quality in field conditions. But it happens that it is not possible to collect all the characteristics in one product. The traveler evaluates the upcoming conditions for spending time. And knowledge about tourist knives for specific purposes will be quite useful.

For tourism and survival

In these cases, an ordinary folding knife is not enough. In serious circumstances, a reliable weapon is needed. Digging the ground, skinning prey, chopping branches and twigs, for all manipulations you will need options for knives specifically designed for this:

Tom Brown Tracker. The cutter is designed to perform many tasks. The cutting edge is sharpened unequally along its entire length, which allows the knife to chop and cut. Notches halfway up the butt from the point. Wide blade 160 mm long. An ergonomic handle with finger cutouts and its corrugated surface will not allow the product to fall out of the palm;
KA-BAR Becker 22 Campanion. The cutter was used by the US Army. The total length of the product is 260 mm, the drop-point blade is 160 mm long. The ergonomic rubberized handle has a finger rest at the blade. The pommel at the handle is a continuation of the shank, and a beautiful glass breaker came out of it;
SOG SEAL Team. The original shape of the blade attracts many lovers of dangerous journeys. Double bevel of the butt, and serrated from the handle to almost the middle of the cutting edge. A hole for a lanyard and finger grooves on the handle will prevent you from losing the cutter. Stainless steel and anti-reflective coating give the blade excellent qualities.

It is necessary to understand that not all cutters are capable of the described manipulations. Digging and chopping requires a blade with a spine of at least 3-4 mm.

Touring utility knives

The versatility of a camping knife is really very useful both in the forest and on a picnic. There is no need to carry multiple products with you. Examples of station wagons:

Ahti Puukko Kaato. A small Finnish knife with a traditional Karelian birch handle. Good carbon stainless steel blade, 90 mm long. The mounted method of mounting the handle securely fastens the parts of the knife. The shape of the blade is classic, with an even spine. The barrel-shaped handle fits comfortably in the hand;
Gerber Blades Big Rock. Fixed product of small dimensions of 240 mm. Drop-point blade of small size with serrated sharpening. A convenient cutter for picnics and more serious tasks. Ergonomic handle with a pattern and a clear finger cut-out, fits nicely in the hand;
Cold Steel Outdoorsvan Lite 20 PH. Large product with a length of 280 mm. This does not prevent them from cutting sausage and cheese, or doing chopping work to set up a camp. The polypropylene rough handle fits perfectly in the palm. The steel hardness of 58 HRC and the thickness of the butt of 3 mm allow the cutter to be used as a tool.

The list does not end with the listed products. Universal blades are made by many knife companies. You can definitely choose a cutter.

For tourism and fishing

A cutter of this type must have some versatility. A blade is required: narrow, sharp and well resistant to corrosion. Comfortable, non-absorbent handle. The catch will definitely have to be cut up. The following cutters have these qualities:

Morakniv Allround 749. It looks like a simple product with a clip-point blade and a blade length of 205 mm. The steel grade used for manufacturing is Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. Installation of a horse-drawn handle. The hardness of steel is 56-58 HRC. The handle is made of rubberized plastic. The blade has a spine of 2 mm, with a total weight of the product of 182 grams;
SOG Fillet Knife. A fillet from the SOG company is useful for cutting and smoking fish when fishing. The product is quite large - 300 mm, its blade is 191 mm. A narrow, long and bendable blade will do an excellent job of cutting. He can also do the usual manipulations of cutting food;
Opinel VRI Folding Slim Bubinga. French folding tourist knife from Opinel. Traling-point blade with a length of 150 mm made of Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. Folding lock type – Viroblock. The hardness of the product reaches 58 HRC. The handle is made of bubinga.

The knives in this group are presented in the form of fillets. But they are intended not only for filleting fish; they can quite easily perform a lot of other tasks. The cutters are not strictly focused on fine cutting.

Knives for going to the forest

For a short getaway in the woods, there is no need for a survival cutter. The knife should perform simple household operations: peeling potatoes, opening a tin can, cutting food for lunch. Also, getting some wood chips to light a fire or sharpening a peg is a necessary functionality of a camp knife. You can find such features in products:

Gerber Bear Grylls Grandfather. A small multi-tool with wide functionality, like all products from Bear Grylls. It contains five functions: a file, a screwdriver, a bottle opener, a corkscrew and a regular 69 mm blade for cutting food;
Opinel Stainless Steel. Another tourist folding knife from the French with an additional accessory in the form of a corkscrew. The total length of the cutter is 230 mm, the stainless steel blade is 100 mm. In addition to the usual drop-point blade, there is a folding corkscrew. The handle is made of wood with impregnation that protects against moisture;
Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara 2. Folding tourist knife with a back-lock type of lock. Partial serrated sharpening of the blade and a hole near the handle itself give the cutter versatility. The total length in working condition is 210 mm, the blade is 95 mm. Rough surface of thermoplastic pads, fits comfortably in the hand.

For a short trip to the forest, a small folding bag will do. If the product is made reliably, then it will cope with all tasks.

Camping knife

Simple, all-purpose camping knives are suitable for camping. Lightweight, ergonomic cutters are suitable for kitchen and household needs. Products of this type are easy to find:

Marttini Arctic Circle. A small cutter with a length of 200 mm and a blade of 90 mm. Copes perfectly with everyday household tasks. The handle is made of birch, which does not slip in the palm and does not rub calluses. Stainless steel copes with rust with a bang, the product is equipped with a leather sheath;
Rapala RCD Folding Fillet. A camping knife with a long, sharp and thin blade and a narrow handle made of corrugated rubber. An excellent folding camping knife, suitable as a fillet cutter. The length of the blade of the product is 125 mm;
Morakniv Bushcraft Forest. Fixed wedge 109 mm long, Klip-point type. The handle is mounted in a mounted manner and is made of thermoplastic with a rubberized coating. The knife copes well with cutting food and with tougher materials around the house.
Read also: ORIENTATION ON TRAILS, methodological development on the topic

Camping cutters are designed for everyday tasks. They are easy to cut wood chips and branches for the fire, and they will certainly help the housewife in the kitchen.

Travel folding knife

Cutters differ in their design; there are: folding and monolithic. It is quite difficult to answer unequivocally which item is more suitable for a hike. Folding travel knives are multifunctional and can perform many operations. They are made with several blades for different purposes.

Useful items such as a fork, wire cutters, an awl, a bottle opener, a corkscrew and even a file are often placed in a storage unit. And believe me, not all possible attributes are listed. Travel folding knives are small in size. So, the product is more convenient to carry with you.

Multifunctional folding tourist knife.

But it should be borne in mind that the cutter will not be able to perform such operations as: cutting a cable, chopping a branch, or acting as a small crowbar. In such cases you will need a clumsy - fultang tourist knife. A more reliable cutter will come in handy for long-term travel or survival situations.

Knife blade shape

For a tourist knife, the blade shape should be universal. The time-tested form with a straight spine is best suited. You should not chase elaborate forms such as tanto or skramasax; this will only be a hindrance in your work.

The following blade shapes are often found:

Clip point or finnish;
Spear point, spear-shaped blade;
Drop point, with a lowering of the butt line;
Various tantoids (Japanese or American tanto);
Trailing point – with a raised butt (perfect for cutting fish).

Everyone can choose the form that suits them. If you want a serrated blade, remember that it is almost impossible to sharpen it in the field.