Equipment Roundup: Best Camp Knives for the Money

1- RAT-7 in 1095 steel by Ontario Knifeworks. This is probably the best deal on the market right now. The blade is a great all around compromise as a camp knife. The micarta scales are incredibly sturdy and comfortable, the blade is basically a thick wedge of steel that allows you to batton larger pieces of wood where they are too thick to chop easily.

2- RAT-3 this in D2 steel makes a great all around pocket knife. The D2 is more rust resistant than the high carbon 1095, and although it makes for a more brittle steel, in a knife this short it is not a consideration unlike the larger Rat-7 above.

3-Swedish Mil. Mora Knife this is a wonderful utility knife that is great for all the lighter camp duties if one does not have the Rat-3 above. It's also incredibly cheap. The steel on this knife can take and keep an incredible edge. Very high carbon steel means it'll rust in short order if not dried after use. Or, one can use anything with a light acid content such as a potato to give it a patina that will protect it from further rust.

4- Gurkha Kukri's are knives from the east that no matter how you chop with it, it always presents a slicing edge. Absolutely wonderful style of knife. Also Kukri's need not be expensive however.

5- The KA-BAR  is the USMC fighting/survival knife that is the standard to which all others compare. A good solid choice for a knife.