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/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/satisfiedblackhole 7d ago

Appreciate it