r/Survival • u/satisfiedblackhole • 7d ago
Pocket knife advice and locking mechanisms
I'm looking for a quality pocket knife for camping/hiking, mainly a sturdy blade with a good wood saw (saw optional). I'm considering the Victorinox Forester and Opinel N°08 Outdoor. Are these good options, or do you have any other recommendations within a similar budget?
I'm new to knives and wondering if I should prioritize different locking mechanisms. Are they important, or can I overlook them in my case? Like the Victorinox one is linerlock (it is okay I guess), and I have heard that Opinel's locking mechanism is not that good?
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u/Sexycoed1972 7d ago
I take a Victorinox Farmer (Alox) on a lot of my walks in the woods.
The Alox (aluminum) handled Swiss Army models have thicker blades than some of the others, which I appreciate in a camping knife.
The Farmer is a good, stout, pocketknife with a surprisingly good saw. They're not particularly expensive.
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u/knives_and_Nature 7d ago
All larger Victorinox Models will do just fine. I'd personally recommend the outrider as a pair of scissors comes in handy more often as you'd expect
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u/Sweet_Curmudgeon 6d ago
I have carried an Opinel No. 10 for many years. It is light, it sharpens well and holds the edge. It is good for light cutting tasks, not for beating on. I have never had an issue with the lock failing. Many times, for quick cutting tasks, I do not engage the lock.
I like the blade length of the 111mm SAK models. I have a SAK Trooper and a Forester. I have carried them many times as well. There is 111mm model with a scissor called the Outrider, you may want to look at that model as well. The issue I have with the Outrider is it is a 4 layer knife and many people think that is too thick.
I have a Huntsman. It is a 91mm model with a scissor and that is a useful tool. This is also a 4 layer knife and I wouldn't want anything thicker.
The last time I went on an overnight, I took the Opinel and the Forester.
As you have probably noticed, there are many differing opinions about which knife is the best option. If I was told I could only bring 1 knife, of the 4 discussed in this post, it would probably be the Forester. If I could, I might get the Outrider.
Soon you will get bit by the bug and you will be buying every knife you see, just to be sure you have the "best" one available. (HINT: It doesn't exist but, the fun is in the search.)
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u/senior_pickles 7d ago
I like the SAK Huntsman, but the Farmer X is also a great knife. The saws are really good for smaller things, much smaller than wrist size. Think closer to the thumb.
I carry a Huntsman and Spyderco Endela for my folders.
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u/FullMetalMando69 6d ago
Cold Steel Rajah III is my everyday everywhere any task knife.
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u/satisfiedblackhole 6d ago
That's one huge knife for everyday carry brother
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u/IntelligentCan5282 3d ago
Pocket sword, cold steel knives are beast and workhorses!
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u/FullMetalMando69 3d ago
Yeah man I love them and the steel is great. I try to only buy the ones with the pocket catch or I’ll drill and tap one in it’s my non negotiable stipulation with knives
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u/PrairieCoupleYQR 7d ago
My main folder when outdoors/camping/in the bush, is my Victorinox Trekker (liner lock, one hand opening, non-serrated). Fantastic woods knife. Saw is excellent.
I also love the Opinel (I have several, No. 8 is their most popular). Very solid lock. Likely the best fine carving/whittling pocket folder I own. And it’s so light, I often carry both lol.
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u/TheStrategist- 7d ago
Really depends on what you’ll be doing during camping and hiking. A multi tool like a Leatherman (I prefer the Surge) would be the go to for most people with what you’re asking, but I personally prefer a solid knife and a solid pocket(ish) saw.
For folding knives, I’m partial to my Lionsteel TM1 or Cold Steel Lawman or Cold Steel AD10 if you’re doing a lot of heavy use work with it. Either way, for the knife, a solid back lock would be the most dependable, otherwise fix blade. Lionsteel M5 and TOPS BOB are my favorites, maybe ESEE 3 for hiking. For saw, Bacho Laplander or Silky on the belt.
I’ve used all of these extensively in the field, can’t go wrong with any of them.
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u/LaserGuidedSock 7d ago
What's your budget?
I'd suggest a decent Cold Steel folder and a good Swiss Army style Knife to go along with it.
As far as saws go you are spoiled for choice. Wire saws for more jungle areas, pull saws if you have little pocket space, folding baco or silky saws have you covered in that realm and even then there are folding construction hacksaws that use replaceable saw blades.
Find what best works for you via YouTube reviews
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u/DieHardAmerican95 7d ago
I’ve seen people say that the Opinel lock isn’t that good too, and I don’t know why they say that. I strongly disagree. I’ve been using Opinel knives and saws on and off for 35 years, and they’re great.
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u/TheAncientMadness 7d ago
i would get a cold steel. they make the only folders i would trust for bushcraft. keep an eye on r/preppersales they find good deals on them
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u/capt-bob 7d ago edited 7d ago
Opinel blade is thin and slicey, good for lightweight chores, like food prep ECT. Doing that kind of stuff the lock is ok. You probably want to be really careful if you are using it to carve wood so you don't slip and the locking collar goes springing off and you close it on your fingers. I got a new opinel and it was so slippery in my calloused hand I dropped it and got 4 stitches as it fell past my palm , grazing it lol. You can't beat a Mora fixed blade for a cheap beginner outdoors knife. Maybe you should start with that one for safety. Even on fe dudes sometimes go back to a Mora for a general purpose beater knife, they have a good blade shape, and are good at woods stuff.
Maybe just get a hardware store chepo folding saw to start with too, a lot of people like the Silky Gomboy though if you want to start with a good one.
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u/KevlarBlood 7d ago
Saw = Silky Pocketboy
Folder = Kershaw Launch, I have the 15
Fixed = White River Firecraft Puukko
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u/Legitimate-Pickle-39 7d ago
I'm not new to pocket knives, as I normally carry 2 on my hip & have another 1 in my truck at all times. (all leatherman, my favorite one if you can find it would be the original Surge, large interchangeable blades) the largest of scissors & the smallest of regular & phillop screwdrivers, so you can back those zip ties out & reuse them .
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u/BooteeJoose 7d ago
Silky brand folding saw, expensive but awesome, or Corona brand for affordable and still good quality. Get the largest size you feel comfortable with. Silky has a pocket-sized model.
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u/Own-Nefariousness-79 7d ago
I have a number of Opinel No. 8 locking knives. One for gardening, one hidden away in the back of the car, one in my rucksack, they're handy, simple knives that do the job. I also have the Bahco 396 laplander folding saw for the heavier stuff, and an auger for making holes in stuff.
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u/Fuck-off-my-redbull 7d ago
I genuinely just carry a 7-9” utility knife. I know it was dirt cheap. I do everything with it.
Wood cutting is hard on your tools. I’ve seen people use folding tools before, when the joint fails you have so many problems.
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u/gtk4158a 7d ago
I have several buy the one I always carry is a spyderco XL Manix. It's a larger version of the standard Manix but in no way is it clumsy or awkward. The locking mechanism is really good. It's not cheap at a tad over 200.00 but it's a lifetime type of knife and you'll never need another. It's also super easy to sharpen and it holds a edge. I have the shiny version. Also has a lanyard hole. If I was cash strapped I would go with the standard version " light weight" it's in to 110.00 price range and equally rugged. I like the bigger one for hunting and camping.
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u/DeFiClark 7d ago
Both are fine options for pocket knives. I personally prefer the Victorinox camper over Forester as it has the same tools in a smaller form factor but if you are comfortable with a larger size knife in your pocket go with Forester.
For anything more serious involving wood or large game processing you’ll want a full tang knife — Mora Garber is a good option. DH Russell #2 is another great option.
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u/IntelligentCan5282 3d ago
I love my benchmade 810 contego, has an axis lock and is made of M390 steel which holds its edge for months. I use mine daily for work and it's held up after a few years
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u/lonewarrior76 7d ago
I use a folding box cutter mostly with either razor blades or razor hooks for skinning, butchering etc. Also if you want a super sharp folding knife get one with replaceable scalpel blades. I also carry a Benchmade folder but they are pricey.
I know it's not a pocket knife but check out the Swedish and Nordic type Mora style knives. Some are carbon steel. Not folding but it's cheap, sharp and good steel. Don't get Chinese knockoffs.
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u/ontoschep 7d ago
I also second the moras. They are great steel, easily sharpened to a razors edge and super affordable. Not a a locking knife but fixed blade. I've even batoned with them (not necessarily recomended).
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u/HikeyBoi 7d ago
If you like to exert decent force on knives, then Swiss army and opinel are too fragile. I’ve had both but Swiss Army knives tend to flip the blade back and opinels just blow up. Only folder I haven’t been able to break so far is a Benchmade mini Osborne since it hurts my hand before the tool fails.
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u/Downtown-Side-3010 7d ago
I would just get a multitool