Camp

If you choose a camp knife, it is because you are necessarily looking for a versatile tool that is capable of performing several functions, including splitting wood, digging in the earth, slicing, slashing and of course cutting with precision!

The choice of this knife is particularly difficult because it must be very functional to perform all its tasks without taking up too much space. We generally start with a medium size blade (25 to 30cm) to allow you to make bâtonnage AND to cut your meal by the fire!

Many brands are specialized in outdoor and survival knives. The camp knife is one of them and many models of knives have been made to meet your needs.

Characteristics of the camp knife

Versatility of the camp knife

The camp is a place where everything has to be done: the task is varied, from making a shelter to sleep in, to splitting wood for heating, making your meal, setting up a hygiene area, etc... Your camp knife must therefore meet all your needs and be reliable because very often, in order to lighten your equipment, you only carry one knife.

Solidity of the camp knife

To be solid, your camp knife must be reliable. This will be the characteristic that we will put at the top of the list. Obviously, when we talk about sturdiness, we immediately think of the choice of steel that will make up the blade of your knife

Generally speaking, knife makers use either D2 steel, which is rather hard and tends to be brittle, but which has the advantage of not sharpening very much and which resists oxidation well. Or a 1095 steel which is a good compromise in term of solidity because it will allow you to resist to the shocks but will have the disadvantage of de-scaling more quickly. On the other hand, you will have the possibility of sharpening it by yourself very easily contrary to the D2. The 1095 has nevertheless the serious disadvantage of needing regular maintenance because it rusts easily. This is not always an option for a camp knife...

To be suitable for such a versatile use, the solidity of the camp knife also requires a "full tang" knife. The blade is held in the handle of the knife, which guarantees greater reliability.

Don't forget your paracord! If the handle breaks, you can simply wrap the paracord blade around it and you will have a perfectly usable knife again!

Ergonomics of the camp knife

The ergonomics of your knife plays a crucial role since it is the tool that you will use throughout the day. It is absolutely necessary to think in terms of safety and to ensure either a profiling on the blade, or a guard, or a handle in self-gripping material which will allow a perfect grip of your knife. Of course, if your knife has all three, it's even better!

Most of the major brands of outdoor or survival knives agree that the handles must be resistant but also designed in innovative materials to promote the grip. In this sense, micarta can claim to be one of the most convincing materials

Single camp knife or complementary blades

Some will opt for a camp knife with serrations to add extra "saw" functionality. While this approach is defensible, the camp knife is often not large enough to provide an effective saw. So, with the many folding saws available today and the evolution of their portability, we recommend that you supplement your camp knife without serrations with a small folding saw that will be really light for the job it will do.

Tellknives Cutlery in Switzerland is pleased to present its catalogue of camp knives and remains at your disposal for further information.