So I’m going to spend 4 months mostly outdoors, and despite having five different fixed blades, I feel like I still need a „proper“ fixed blade so I can enjoy it the most.
Options:
White River Knives Ursus 45 MagnaCut
115 mm blade, 225 g, 3.6 mm thick
Never experienced MagnaCut, but I think it would be great for the task.
LionSteel M5 CPM 3V
115 mm blade, 220 g, 4.5 mm thick
Not sure about 3V. It’s a great steel, but I have one knife with it and I’m always looking for oxidation and constantly cleaning and oiling it. Not sure if it’s the best option if it gets wet a lot and isn’t cared for.
TRC South Pole MagnaCut
115 mm blade, 4.4 mm thick
Same steel as the Ursus. Not really sure about the handle for carving tasks. The finger choil looks really substantial. I’m worried it might not be good for longer carving sessions.
Which one would you pick?
by Tia-Mumma
5 Comments
Probably that first one. Handles without finger grooves are good for lots of different cutting tasks. That being said, the other things to consider are thickness at the edge, what kinds of tasks you’ll be doing, etc.
Magnacut has excellent corrosion resistance. Sharpen it up well before you leave, and it should treat you well. Not sure about commercial heat treatment, and if those manufacturers are heat treating their steel a bit soft or not like many do, but magnacut is a great steel and those drop point shapes without all the frills are good outdoor knives.
Depends on the type of “outdoors”, humidity, how much you are going to use it, and all that. Any of these should be fine, but magnacut would greatly reduce the chance of rust.
No matter what you pick tho, a sharpening stone would be my priority for 4 months of usage.
I’ve used morakniv’s for any outdoor tasks in my younger days, and they work fine. And they are replaceable. Recently purchased a dirt cheap Ruike in 14c28n (because why not) and I honestly can’t say I’ve had any other knife fit as well in my hand. Is it a amazing steel? Not really. But it stays sharp, is easy to sharpen, and cheap enough to never care if it takes a beating.
Personally I would pick 2 “cheaper” (yet still good quality) knives for 4 months outside. 1 for beating up, and one you keep clean, for food prep etc
Trc
What kind of outdoors?
If you’re through-hiking, then I’d recommend a small folding knife like a Swiss Army Knife.
If you’re going to be out surviving 4 months, I’d recommend a saw, hatchet/axe, 4″ Scandi, and another 3″ full flat grind knife for general use.
If you’re doing something in-between, I’d recommend something in-between.
Ursus all day.