best camping knife ever if you have $20...

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Voland

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Last weekend my friends and I went camping in one of the Texas state parks. It was hot and kinda nasty all weekend but there was a bright side.

I decided to use my AK bayonet as a camping knife for this trip just to see how it did. I usually use my gerber folder but felt like screwing around. The results surprised me! First of all, it is sturdy as all get out. I was able to cut small branches by smacking it on the back of the blade with a small log, it worked amazingly well as a can opener, utility knife for opening packages or cutting string and (after a good wash) it cut chicken and stake like a charm. It stayed fairly sharp and took all the abuse I could throw at it...

I think I am going to pick up another one for the trunk at the next gunshow. Its cheap and does its job well...

When I get my JK handmade, I am sure that it will be no match but for the price, its hard to beat.

Thanks for listening! :)

V.
 
Bayonets...

far more often get used in wartime for all the things you mentioned, than they do in combat. They have to be rugged so as not to fail in combat, so they also work well as all-purpose knives.

I'm reminded of one of Bill Mauldin's cartoons from WWII. Mauldin's two "Everyman" G.I.'s are sitting idly, obviously not in combat at the moment. Willie says (bayonet in hand), "Hey, Joe, this can opener fits on the end of a rifle!"
 
I have what I discovered later to be a cetme bayonet. Got it for $5. was new surplus.

Sharpened it up. and the only real use it has seen was cutting a hole in a duct in the basement, so the a/c would blow into a room down there. Not as many features as other bayonets, but it sure is string.
 
1. Mora Triflex #780 for $11.
2. Rough Rider trapper $7.51 -or- SAK Classic for $6.00.

Having both will more than cover what you will need for campsite or on the trails.
 
Mora is the way to go. You can buy half a dozen for about $50 or so, make a functional sheath, keep the current one sharp as long as you can, then use another one.

I doubt anything is actually sharper than a $10 Mora...for 20 times the money even...and if you break one or chip the edge or just drop it out of your boat your heart will not be broken and your pocket will barely notice.
 
For 20 dollars, you can get a Frosts mora number 1 and a Tramontina 12 inch machete. A heck of a combonation to handle just about anything.
 
Tra-what?

That there word ain't easy for a dumb publik skooled suthern boy to say...

For twenty bucks, what is wrong with a Old Hickory paring knife and butcher knife?

I can spelt-n-sez them words.

*wink*
 
Deltaboy,

Yes I have heard of them, and read the reviews from folks I respect.
I have never handled or used one though.

The deal is, there are a lot of inexpensive, quality tools that are historically proven, and continue to prove themselves.

I am not the only one around here that feels we have a responsibility to pass forward various options to fit budgets, to members and those that just read THR , no matter where in the world they are, and what is available to them.

Tramontina, Old Hickory, Dexter, Victorinox, Mora...etc.
 
I used my Frosts Swedish Army sheath knife to field dress a deer. That stainless steel blade held it's edge well. The polymer grip can stand up to abuse and the sheath stays on securely for safe carry in a pack or pocket.
 
OP, I cant seem to get a good edge on an AK bayonet, no matter what I try. How'd you do it? BTW- Ive always heard that AK bayos are notoriously hard to sharpen, due to the type of steel. I sure haven't had any luck, and im pretty good with an Arkansas stone and diamond hone.
 
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