October 5, 2020
When considering the best pocket knife for camping versus the best for survival situations, there are certain key factors that must be weighed in.
First and foremost, you won't likely be depending solely on your pocket knife in a camping situation for survival. Rather, it will be more of a support tool. That means, for instance, that it isn't necessary that your pocket knife be carbon steel, because you won't necessarily need to rely on it for fire making. The difference is that stainless steel will not strike a spark against a piece of flint, where carbon steel will. But... carbon steel is susceptible to rust and will not hold the edge that stainless will, while being more easily sharpened than stainless. Do you see the conundrum?
There are many great and viable options out there. And I have used many multi-purpose knives over the years with great success. Like so many of my era, I started with the Boyscout knife and went from there. My first Boyscout knife was pretty basic and didn't have thing like a corkscrew in it. Honestly, I have never used a corkscrew to pull a cork, I have used it however, when I needed to attach a handle to a piece of wood for easy carrying. Here are my favorite camping pocket knives, in order:
1.Victorinox Hunter . A large Swiss Army Knife series, this one has everything I need and is stainless. I don't have to worry about keeping it oiled and I don't have to worry about getting it sharp on a creek stone.
2. Case Hobo Knife. These don't have any of the bells and whistles, however, they are made of carbon steel, are extremely well crafted and they have a fork!
3. Traditional Boy Scout Knife. The only issue I have with this knife is how bulky it is and uncomfortable to carry. It would be fine in a pack, but we're talking about pocket carry.
4. Boker Brand Executive Boy Scout Knife. Same problem as above and just way too expensive for actual use. Well crafted though.