Camping Knife Advice?

manuel palmer

manuel palmer

Newbie
I’m planning a couple of outdoor trips this year and realized I should probably upgrade my camping knife. My current one works, but it’s nothing special and struggles with tougher tasks like small wood prep.
While browsing around online I came across some beautiful collectible knives at Noblie, which got me thinking more seriously about quality and craftsmanship in knives.
That said, I’m mostly focused on practicality for camping. Do you guys prefer a sturdy fixed blade or something lighter and folding for general outdoor use?
Any advice would be appreciated.
 
There's a lot of what if's there. My EDC is a folding box knife, utility knife. Rarely do I need to do anything that requires more than a good sharp razor blade. I open boxes with abandon, and worry not about staples and the natural dulling action of cardboard. The blades cost pennies, and you're at most 30 seconds away from a 100% new edge. But this is "edc"

If I want something more traditional, then a Kirshaw Brawler is my go to now. However, If I could find one I'd love a Balckie Collins (RIP) Bolt Action (Gerber sold in the 80s and it is my favorite knife overall)

Now, your question -- camping knive. If I'm thinking wood processing and general around the camp site kind of things -- I love my KaBar tanto. The steel holds an edge better than anything else I've owned, has a stiff spine and a robust handle. The tanto is personal choice without seration. Seration to me seems like more work to maintain than the benfit it gives.
 
Firewood prep - definitely fixed! I however am using a large Sven Saw and a “boy’s” size axe of 28” and a 2.25 lb. head for splitting. Every price level is out there! Both of these can live in the tongue box of a CI…

Batoning with a large knife does look very manageable for splitting, I’ve just never done it. I don’t think people were doing much of that when I was learning campcraft skills.

Around camp I tend to use a fixed Morakniv Companion. Only a 4” blade but super sharp and is very heavy duty for its size. There’s a stainless steel version for fishing/boating.

Around everywhere I quite like a Leatherman Wave Plus multitool, with some extra bits. Great blade, great pliers, great small file, good small scissors, ok screwdrivers; it can do a lot.
 
For more than 10-years now I’ve carried a Leatherman Skeletool CX. This is smaller and lighter than other Leatherman tools I have but has one of their best blades, good light duty pliers/wire cutters and interchangeable screwdriver bits. The included bits are #1 & #2 Phillips bits as well as 2 straight bits however they do have an add on set that includes many hex, torx, Phillips and flat blades one would typically need.

I’ve lost a couple of these over the years and switched back to my other Leatherman or Gerber tools when that happens. However, I always end up replacing the Skeletool because it is so ideal for EDC. None of the bulk for a ton of tools I just don’t need or use.

Oh, the ‘biner also works as a bottle opener if that is important.

Not a big knife for splitting wood, but perfect for shaving kindling to start a camp fire.
 
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