What to look for in a good camping knife
Posted by HH on 2nd Aug 2023
Out of hundreds of bushcraft blades, how do you decide ‘Yes, that’s the one I want?’ What makes a good camping knife? What are the benefits of a camping knife? We’re here to help at Heinnie Haynes with our expert guide on what to look for when it comes to camping knives.
You want to be happy with your purchase of a good bushcraft knife and confident that you’ve made a good choice. It’s one of the essentials for camping and the survival kit collector. But with such a range of bushcraft knives available and many features to think about, which one might you go for?
A good camping knife for bushcraft is essential for many tasks including hunting, field dressing, clearing bush, building a bushcraft shelter, cutting kindling, opening tin cans, and preparing and cooking dinner.
At Heinnie Haynes, we stock a wide range of fixed blade knives from high quality brands. In an outdoor survival situation, a fixed blade knife is a reliable and long lasting tool to own. The chances of a fixed blade breaking from pressure are very slim as it’s a solid piece of metal.
Let’s look at some of our favourites, perfect for bushcraft.
Fallkniven F1 VG10 Wolf
First up, is the Fallkniven F1 VG10 Wolf (priced from £145.95 - £164.95) perhaps the best outdoor knife the world has seen? Its full tang stainless steel blade has higher levels of tungsten than ever before, which elevates this incarnation of the classic Fallkniven F1 to a new level.
A staple of bushcraft gear, this light, strong and versatile knife tackles bushcraft tasks with ease. If you’re looking for a first time blade to carry on your bushcraft journey or a replacement blade, consider this modern and updated classic knife every time.
This beautiful too lhas a satin-finished blade, a convex grind, an overall length of 21cm and a weight of 150g. It’s available with elegant leather or zytel sheath options. The zytel sheath is newly upgraded, practical and washable.
Reviewers recommend this highly effective knife as a ‘stunning example of a great, reliable tool with an upgraded steel - without breaking the bank.’
Discover the full specification for the Fallkniven F1 VG10 Wolf.
The Fallkniven F1 VG10 Wolf is frequently bought together with the Fallkniven DC3 and Fallkniven DC4 whetstones.
Real Steel
We’ve raved about the Fallkniven F1 but you also can’t beat the Real Steel Bushcraft knives. Quality, well-made, razor sharp and easy to clean, these range from £74.95 to £101.95 - representing real value for money.
Staying with blades that have a convex grind and full tang, let’s look first at the Real Steel Bushcraft Plus Fixed Blade, priced at £84.95. A convex grind enhances a knife’s cutting prowess and assures longevity, making it another staple for the survival kit collector.
This no frills, no fluff, no-nonsense knife is the ultimate survival companion. Our experts are always impressed with its strength, durability and reliability. Here are some of its key features:
- G10 handle
- overall length 24cm
- satin-finished blade
- BESS sharpness 123
- weighs 190g
For a similar but more economic alternative, how about the Real Steel Bushcraft III Convex? At £74.95, the Bushcraft III Convex with a thick D2 carbon steel blade, G10 handle, full tang and a leather sheath represents excellent quality and value. ‘A real steal!’ according to a reviewer.
The convex grind is sharp and well ground. What also stands out about this one is its modest and straight design, making it particularly suitable for the survival kit collector.
Now, next up is the Zenith at £101.95. You have a choice between the Real Steel Bushcraft Zenith Flat Grind and the Real Steel Bushcraft Zenith Scandi Grind.
Similar to but in many ways different from the Real Steel Bushcraft Plus, the powerful Zenith is a modern reimagining of the classic bushcraft knife. It has a sleek contoured G10 handle, large flat head screws, full tang and a hidden lanyard. Designed by Ostap Hel, this very tough tool really pushes the boundaries of outdoor survival knife design. It also comes with a Kydex belt sheath. Get the Zenith in your kit bag!
Looking for a small survival knife?
For finer things like chopping fruits, cutting cooked meat or foraging for mushrooms, the small fixed blade knives by Mora or Hultafors are ideal. Also, a smaller survival knife is generally lighter and easier to carry around. Mora and Hultafors are just two of the great producers of fixed blade knives that we stock at Heinnie Haynes, and at the pricepoints, it makes sense to grab a couple, one for your pack and one for home..
Heinnie Haynes is the premium source for the hardest kit on the planet and is the UK’s most trusted supplier of fixed blade knives. If you have any questions, our expert team are here to help on 033 0300 0400 or support@heinnie.com.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of a stainless steel blade?
Stainless steel is rust resistant, so a knife with a stainless steel blade is a wise choice. This is particularly true if you plan on travelling for a long time or find yourself in the rain.
What is a tang?
The ‘tang’ describes how far the blade extends into the handle of the knife. Don't forget, a full tang can make the knife’s handle much stronger and balances out the knife, meaning it’ll be easier to carry.
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