Camp Kitchen/Chef Knife ?

[AngryScientist]

I have a cheap POS chef's knife i keep in the camper. It's dull now and does not take/hold an edge well.

I seek something inexpensive, but decent quality. Weight not a concern, this is for car camping, or in the camper. Prefer something <$40 or so, easy to sharpen and hold an edge and pretty durable/corrosion resistant. Another plus would be an included sheath/blade guard.

Uses: Cutting up veggies, chopping meat, etc - basically one knife at the campsite for all kitchen/food cutting needs.

Something like this from MSR, but better:

Suggestions?

[Bobonli]

How important is “easy to sharpen?”

I have a couple $15 ceramic knives that I got from Bed Bath.... that we take on vacation or to relatives’ houses (my wife’s family doesn’t believe in sharp knives) when I need to do prep work. In fact I keep one in my desk at work. Kuhn Rikon. I’m not sure they can be sharpened or just discarded when dull or broken. Wicked sharp though and they come with a sheath.

[AngryScientist]

I've thought about that, but I'd rather a traditional steel blade i think.

[dgaddis]

https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Fi.../dp/B008M5U1C2

^^That and done. Or, if you want a fancier German-style handle, I have some of knives from this line and like them a lot. They're basically a chinese made version of Wusthof's Classic knives - same steel, same handle materials and design, forged blade. The Wusthof's are nicer, they have a better taper from the handle to the tip, the Mercer's spine stays the same width longer, but they do have a full flat grind. And the Mercer's are a way better value - their 8" chef knife is $38 vs $150 for the 8" Wusthof.

The Victorinox is America's Test Kitchen's favorite chef knife. I have a Victorinox filet knife and love it. The big Fibrox handle really fills the hand and is nice and grippy, something I like with the filet knife. But it's not quite as versatile in different grip positions IMO.

EDIT to add - as for the guard, whichever knife you get, Mercer has some effective and inexpensive guards in a variety of sizes. I've got a long skinny one to use with either my slicing knife or my bread knife. Here's one for a typical 8" chef knife :: https://www.amazon.com/Mercer-Culina...dp/B005P0OSTO/

FINAL EDIT - I've found these guys typically have better pricing than Amazon when it comes to kitchen cutlery - WebstaurantStore: Restaurant Supplies & Foodservice Equipment

[AngryScientist]

bingo dustin!

that victorinox gets great reviews and the price is right. i think we have a winner here. thanks!

[Shoogs]

How important is “easy to sharpen?”

I have a couple $15 ceramic knives that I got from Bed Bath.... that we take on vacation or to relatives’ houses (my wife’s family doesn’t believe in sharp knives) when I need to do prep work. In fact I keep one in my desk at work. Kuhn Rikon. I’m not sure they can be sharpened or just discarded when dull or broken. Wicked sharp though and they come with a sheath.

Small Santoku Knife COLORI(R)

pretty happy with this exact doing what you describe @AngryScientist

[guido]

I'm a big Victorinox fan. Their Santoku does amazing things...

[rydesteel]

I have the Forshner version of the Victorinox (fleabay) it was a razor out of the box, and is easy to maintain.

[giordana93]

a little late, but I would have suggested..... the Victorinox.

I would also add, though I hesitate to schill for an internet site, that you can get great deals at

Cutlery and More | Kitchen Knives, Chef’s Knives & Cookware from Wusthof, All-Clad, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Le Creuset

[slwrnu]

Victorinox knives are pretty good and excellent value for money. But if you are lucky and have a relatively local artisan, support him/her. It will cost quite lot more but you will have something unique in your hand.

[AngryScientist]

thanks for the replies. went with dustin's rec.

it is a lovely knife, the price is too good. we have a lot of $$$ knives in the kitchen butcher block, and they may have more elegant materials and hand feel, but this one is probably going to hold its own fine functionally, especially for camp cooking.

knife.JPG

[caleb]

Good choice.

For people who find this thread later and want a legit backpacking kitchen knife, the MSR isn't as bad as you might think.

[JoB]

Nice. their 3.5inch 'pearing' knife is in heavy use at my house as well. they're slightly serrated, very sharp, and if you're traveling with one in a backpack, comes with a pointy end or a rounded over tip. highly recommend.

thanks for the replies. went with dustin's rec.

it is a lovely knife, the price is too good. we have a lot of $$$ knives in the kitchen butcher block, and they may have more elegant materials and hand feel, but this one is probably going to hold its own fine functionally, especially for camp cooking.

knife.JPG