# Best folding knife for camping/hiking **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 23, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-folding-knife-for-camping-hiking/648138 "2013-01-23T19:02:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-folding-knife-for-camping-hiking/648138/21 "2013-01-24T05:20:10Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > My work knife is also a Kershaw, and what I’ve notice is that the larger models (like the Leek that I carry now) never open accidentally in my pocket, but the smaller model (I think it was a Chive) that I used to carry did once or twice. YMMV. It’s the smaller model 1600 that I have that opened in my pocket. If the larger ones don’t then the auxiliary lock may not be necessary. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-folding-knife-for-camping-hiking/648138/22 "2013-01-24T05:42:12Z")
my EDC - and bought specifically for the OP purpose is the [SOG Trident](http://www.amazon.com/SOG-Specialty-Knives-TF-1-Trident/dp/B000PIE2I8/ref=pd_cp_hi_0) Walmart had them for awhile under 50$ - ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-folding-knife-for-camping-hiking/648138/23 "2013-01-25T18:28:19Z")
> [@echo7tango](#): > > The most important feature to me is a locking blade. Spyderco and Kershaw make good value knives. When I was in the USMC a lot of guys carried the [Marine Corps Ka-Bar](http://www.gunwarrior.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/KA-BAR-USMC-Fighting-Knife.jpg). While a good knife, it’s overkill for many daily needs - unless you’re in hand-to-hand combat daily, that is. Yes I have Ka-Bars but I preferred carrying a Swiss Army Knife in my pocket when I was in the field, specifically the [Victorinox Nomad, in black, with the tweezers and toothpick](http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/write-review-victorinox-nomad-swiss-army-knife-black.html). Another plus is that it has a corkscrew. Gotta have some wine, right? > > I also like [Emerson knives](http://www.emersonknives.com/ekTheKnives_Tact.php), the CQC-7s, but they’re on the pricey side. If you might lose the knife, don’t carry that. I like the Emerson’s “wave” feature that opens the blade when pulling it from a pocket. I usually carry both the Nomad and my Emerson, one in each front pocket. If it were one and only one knife I’d carry, it’s usually the Nomad. > > I agree that a multi-tool is great, but find one with a locking blade. My Gerber multi-tool has locking blades & tools. > [@simster](#): > > my EDC - and bought specifically for the OP purpose is the [SOG Trident](http://www.amazon.com/SOG-Specialty-Knives-TF-1-Trident/dp/B000PIE2I8/ref=pd_cp_hi_0) Walmart had them for awhile under 50$ - I really don’t think I’d want to whittle with a knife with that type of grip. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-folding-knife-for-camping-hiking/648138/24 "2013-01-25T18:40:29Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > I really don’t think I’d want to whittle with a knife with that type of grip. I’d go with the Buck Cross lock then. The extra blade is a saw. Great for camping and removing excess material when whittling. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-folding-knife-for-camping-hiking/648138/25 "2013-01-26T05:00:15Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > My Gerber multi-tool has locking blades & tools. > > I really don’t think I’d want to whittle with a knife with that type of grip. I didn’t think I would either - but it doesn’t slip and it fits into my hand nicely - The assisted opening and positive locking mechanism makes it a strong knife. ---
**Author:** ![ExcitedIdiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ea5d25/32.png) [@ExcitedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExcitedIdiot)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-folding-knife-for-camping-hiking/648138/26 "2013-01-26T16:19:54Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Unless you are slicing up a storm, dressing deer, or really using the knife for true wilderness survival a Victorinox Swiss Army knife or a multitool will be vastly more useful overall in the field than a folder. > > [As locking folders go the Ken Opnion Kershaw knives are good and well priced.](http://www.kershawknivesdirect.com/kershaw-scallion-assisted-yellow-nylon-handles-plain-edge-p-8886.html?osCsid=3441ed298f7557cced0f8f7d6a208c69) I came to recommend these. The main selling point to me was the weight/strength ratio. Mine is 8oz I believe, and it takes major abuse and still feels like new today. It’s a solid knife that holds an edge for a long time. Kershaw also will sharpen their knives for life. ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-folding-knife-for-camping-hiking/648138/27 "2013-01-26T22:05:40Z")
Benchmade Griptilian series knives all the way. They are affordable, and you can get them in 2 different sizes, different blade steels, blade shapes, etc. Choose black coated blade or plain stainless, serrated or non-seratted. These are American made knives, and they are an outstanding design. **Magiver** perfectly described the positive attributes of the Axis lock. Neatest of all is the ability to [build your own, straight from the Benchmade factory](http://www.benchmade.com/customize/default.aspx). You can specify what handle colors you want (left and right can be different), the blade steel, blade shape, coated or non-coated, plain edge or serrated, custom laser engraving, black or shiny screws, pocket clip design and color. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-folding-knife-for-camping-hiking/648138/28 "2013-01-27T06:15:10Z")
> [@toofs](#): > > Neatest of all is the ability to [build your own, straight from the Benchmade factory](http://www.benchmade.com/customize/default.aspx). You can specify what handle colors you want (left and right can be different), the blade steel, blade shape, coated or non-coated, plain edge or serrated, custom laser engraving, black or shiny screws, pocket clip design and color. I love that website. The knife changes as you choose your options. You could even have one side of the knife a different color than the other. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-folding-knife-for-camping-hiking/648138.md?page=1)