Hiking/camping/EDC knife?

[sparky2016]

If you can stand the extra weight, I'd go for a Manix. The M2 just feels beefier than the other knives mentioned here, don't get me wrong, the PM2 and Stretch (haven't used an Endura and Delica might be too small for an all-around camp knife) would probably hold up just fine, but my money would be on the Manix in a hard use situation.

I take it you haven't seen the youtube videos of guys batoning wood with a PM2.

ZesT, I've found some of the youtube videos to be fun to watch and informative if you want to think about how you might use a knife like this. gideonstactical, Late Boy Scout / KnifeHQ (interesting but tends not to be critical) are a couple to look for. Obviously you have to filter it all some for BS and decide what matters to you, but no more so that posts on a forum.

[awa54]

If you can stand the extra weight, I'd go for a Manix. The M2 just feels beefier than the other knives mentioned here, don't get me wrong, the PM2 and Stretch (haven't used an Endura and Delica might be too small for an all-around camp knife) would probably hold up just fine, but my money would be on the Manix in a hard use situation.

I take it you haven't seen the youtube videos of guys batoning wood with a PM2.

ZesT, I've found some of the youtube videos to be fun to watch and informative if you want to think about how you might use a knife like this. gideonstactical, Late Boy Scout / KnifeHQ (interesting but tends not to be critical) are a couple to look for. Obviously you have to filter it all some for BS and decide what matters to you, but no more so that posts on a forum.

Never said the PM2 wasn't a capable knife, but be honest here. which tip is stronger M2 or PM2? Batoning can and has been done with all sorts of knives, I'm sure you can baton with a UKPK if you want to and use care, personally I find the current craze for baton-worthy knives quite baffling, some folks really need to go get hatchets, or get better at finding dry twigs to start their fires with

[bearfacedkiller]

I assume people who bring batoning into the conversation when discussing folders don't have any practical experience. Unless you were in a honest life or death situation I just do not see why you would do that and in that situation you could baton with a SAK if you had to. Sure it is fun and informative to see someone on YouTube test a knife beyond what you plan to do with it but anybody with a modest amount of pragmatism and some real world experience would see it as nothing more than a torture test and would realize that of all the attributes to be looking at the ability to baton is actually quite low on the list.

For this same reason I do not see needing a tough steel as a requirement. I have done plenty of wood processing and fire prep with ZDP and S110V without toughness being an issue but this did not involve batoning. This was mostly making wood shavings and feather sticks for fire starting as well as skewers for cooking and making some tent stakes. Other than that it is just cutting some cord or doing a little food prep (mostly opening packages :) ) These are what I carry a folder backpacking for. Just for fun I have done some batoning with an S110V mule without issue and some of that was very dry apple wood which seemed quite hard. Toughness has not been a factor for me but I am not very abusive to my knives.

This has been my experience when choosing a hiking/backpacking folder. I have been backpacking for decades. If you are car camping or camping in a situation where you can lug a lot of gear to your site then this is not applicable. In that case fixed blades, hatchets and saws should be in the mix.

So basically if I cannot lug a bunch of gear to my site then I am probably backpacking and my main criteria are that it is lightweight and easy to sharpen in the field. Being a bright color and being very stainless can also be great attributes.

Disclaimer: this is all opinion but it is based on my experiences. :D

[sal]

Hi ZesT,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[Ankerson]

Interesting thread.

Not sure why ones normal EDC wouldn't do the job in reality for short hikes and or camping trips.

When I was younger and used to be in the woods more than not I carried a Medium Stockman or a Barlow and never found that I needed more than that.

That said I don't see why something like a Military, PARA2, Native 5 etc wouldn't handle it. :cool:

Although for longer trips and more serious camping etc I would recommend a fixed blade along with an ax or a saw.

[Joris Mo]

My first thought would be a Military, or if you really want something more compact a PM2.
The SE Pacific Salt would also make a great combo with your Sage I think.

[Surfingringo]

Interesting thread.

Not sure why ones normal EDC wouldn't do the job in reality for short hikes and or camping trips.

When I was younger and used to be in the woods more than not I carried a Medium Stockman or a Barlow and never found that I needed more than that.

i was just thinking the exact same thing Jim!

I find the current craze for baton-worthy knives quite baffling, some folks really need to go get hatchets, or get better at finding dry twigs to start their fires with

And I was thinking this too. :D

**That said, my inner kid still loves trying to decide what will be the best camping/survival/hard use/fishing/whatever knife. Ideally one that I don't already own so I can convince myself I need it. :cool:

[Ankerson]

Interesting thread.

Not sure why ones normal EDC wouldn't do the job in reality for short hikes and or camping trips.

When I was younger and used to be in the woods more than not I carried a Medium Stockman or a Barlow and never found that I needed more than that.

i was just thinking the exact same thing Jim!

I find the current craze for baton-worthy knives quite baffling, some folks really need to go get hatchets, or get better at finding dry twigs to start their fires with

And I was thinking this too. :D

Lance,

I know right. :D

Now a days people need a pack mule just to carry their pocket brick folder or pry bar. LOL

A very smart Lady gave reference to needing a wheelbarrow to carry those fixed blades.

Jim

[skers95]

Agree with an orange or brighter colored Delica or Endura if you want to go with a bit cheaper option that is still totally functional and stands out when in the woods. Ounces do count for sure but I usually carry an orange Mora (lightweight) in the side pocket of my pack if I do need a fixed blade and then have a Delica or Endura clipped to my pocket for standard tasks and easy accessibility. I often have my girls with me so figure having 2 blades and one a fixed blade makes sense in case one is lost or something. I have a gray Delica (that is also used for EDC so went a more subdued color) and a blue Endura. I might trade the blue Endura for orange for the reasons stated above and also cause I love orange. :) Welcome to the forum!

[ChrisinHove]

Native 5 LW forum knife. With some bright yellow cord tied to it. S90v and 40% off at the SFO.

Or the Ray Mears WolfSpyder ...

[Xplorer]

Hi ZesT,

There have been some really good recommendations here. I have a bunch of PM2s and a few Manix as well. Both great choices. I am a backpacker as well, and although I prefer to take a fixed blade along with a folder or sometimes 2 folders ('cause I'm a knife nut)....there are times that I go to places where I cannot have a fire above 10,000', and I've brought a stove and a tent. In which case, I won't need to process wood for shelter or fire so my knife will only be used for cleaning a fish, cutting paracord and opening freeze-dried food packages....and, of course, potential emergency uses. In these instances, I will opt for just a folder for the sake of weight. BUT....if I'm going to rely on just ONE folding knife it has to be ultra-reliable in every way. Tough handle, tough blade material, tough construction and has to stay sharp. For this I choose to take either my Stretch 2 in ZDP-189 or lately, (perfect for your price-range) I take my Bradley 2 folder in M4. If you're counting on a folder to get through whatever you throw at it ZDP-189 and M4 (although not stainless) are blade materials you should strongly consider. If stainless is important I suggest looking at knives made with CTS-204P or M390 (which are basically the same steel from 2 different companies). Good luck in your search!

[sparky2016]

I assume people who bring batoning into the conversation when discussing folders don't have any practical experience.

No need to be rude. The guy who did it knew it was a stunt, but it was still fun to watch. Anyway, it was shorthand for - the PM2 is plenty tough. You'd think that would go without saying, but apparently not.

The point - The PM2 is an excellent option, suitability for "heavy use" isn't a practical differentiator in meeting the OP's (or lots of other people's) needs.

[sparky2016]

Not sure why ones normal EDC wouldn't do the job in reality for short hikes and or camping trips.

It depends what you EDC, and where. You do probably need a different knife in Boston than in northern Maine.

[bearfacedkiller]

I can be blunt. I did not intend to be rude. If it came across that way then I do apologize. I still think what I said is true.

[awa54]

The point - The PM2 is an excellent option, suitability for "heavy use" isn't a practical differentiator in meeting the OP's (or lots of other people's) needs.

My takeaway from the OP was that a "one knife to do it all" was being sought... so in my mind toughness would be an important factor. It seems to me (no I haven't broken the tip off a PM2, but I have resharpened one for a friend who snapped the last 1/4" off the tip of his tan/s35vn PM2) that the weakest part of the PM2 is the tip, since the taper in both thickness and height is more extreme than the M2s. If the knife might be required to do light prying (or even batonning) then I would personally put my trust in a blade with thicker stock at the very tip.

Which brings me back around to the Native 5, which in LW trim is by far the lightest *and* has the stoutest tip of the three.

But everyone will have their favorites you won't catch me getting rid of either my M2 or PM2 any time soon!

[ZesT]

Just pulled the trigger on the EDC Forum Moonglow Manix 2 XL, it's a little bit big, but I think I'm gonna like it. Thanks for all the help guys!

[JD Spydo]

The winner and still champion for outdoor type Spyderco blades in my most humble opinion is still the TEMPERANCE 1 model :cool: I know that some of you have never gotten the chance to ever test drive this older generation Spyder but it is still the one model I always pack up first whenever I'm involved in any outdoor type ventures. With that being one of the very few fixed blades that Spyderco ever offered in PE & SE both it just makes perfect sense to consider this past icon of Spyderco evolution for a serious Sprint run ( in PE & SE both).

A close second to that would be the Southfork and the STREETBEAT models. They are both great designs that would be great for any outdoor/sporting activity. Now in the sector of folders I would seriously consider the C-36 Military, C-60 Ayoob or just anything you're very comfortable with. Folders are kind of a wide open sector and it really depends on what you are going to encounter in your outdoor activity. With a folder it really boils down to whatever you use that you're comfortable with >> because a lot of people are not comfortable with a big folder>> and a small folder would be A-OK if you have a really nice fixed blade for all your serious knife work. But do consider the two folder models I just mentioned because you couldn't go wrong with either one of them IMO.

[Doc Dan]

Frankly, a lot of people who have no woodscraft take waaaayyyy too much gear into the woods. If I were camping I would choose a simple fixed blade that is not heavy. A heavy knife weighs you down. Now, if you are 16 years old and don't care, that is one thing. But, as you get older and smarter you tend to only take what you absolutely need.
Having said that, the OP asked for a folding knife, so I recommend the Endura and some have said Pacific Salt, which are both about right for camping and hiking with a folding knife. They are light and reasonably strong. No person who is really knowledgeable is going to baton with a folding knife and I question the need to do so with a fixed blade. I have never batoned with a knife and I have hiked and camped from Florida to the Arctic Circle.
Normally, what I take is a small fixed blade of not more than 4 inches in blade length and about 4 oz in weight. I include a pocket knife of some sort, like a SAK or Stockman, though sometimes a small lockback. That is all I need. If I need to chop wood I carry a small hatchet that is designed for hikers.

[vivi]

great post, doc

[LewK2]

Get the Manix 2 XL, you will love it. Locks up like a small fixed blade and is useful for pretty much any outdoors task, around the house and at work. S30v is easy to sharpen and stays sharp longer than any other pocket knife I have ever owned. I am late to the Manix knife discussion. You know how it is, get a knife and stick with it till it wears out or I just can't stand it anymore. I wish I had upgraded long ago and am very happy with my M2XL. The upcoming Sage 6 with compression lock also looks promising, If it comes with G-10 and S30v or even S35vn I will get the Sage 6 for sure.