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Good knife for exploration

Q. I need a good knife for exploring a forest. I want a knife that either unfolds or stays open. Any suggestions?
—Matt the Explorer, Kent, Wash.

A. Exploring a forest, huh? Sounds fun. I think your best bet is a folding knife like the new Gerber Mini Swagger ($27; gerbergear.com). It has a 2.8-inch long fine edge stainless steel blade that locks open so it won’t fold back on your fingers while you’re using it. The Mini Swagger is pretty compact and weighs just 2.9 ounces so you can stash it in your pants pocket or pack, but it’s still plenty big to handle any kind of cutting jobs you’ll encounter out there on the trail. Plus, with its jet black color and machined handle, this knife looks super cool, like something a Navy SEAL would carry!


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14 Comments on Good knife for exploration

  1. U should try dis!

  2. buck 110 folding hunting knife its nice to but it has to wore on a belt

  3. I like leathermans because they have a super long warranty and they really work.

    • KnifeFanatic // July 16, 2011 at 3:50 am // Reply

      Overall I think that the Leatherman WAVE is the best, it has all the right tools you’d ever need and the quality that never fails. I think their around $50

  4. I’ve had a Swiss Army knife for 2 years now and i love it.Its perfect for any kind of use. The blade is stainless steel and is 2 and 3/inches long.I love it get a Swiss Army knife for sure.

  5. Ninjas with knives // June 6, 2011 at 8:21 pm // Reply

    M16 13dsfg all the way! For $60 on the manufactuars web site, they may seem a little intimidating. Fear not! On amazon theyre like $40. As my second columbia river knife and tool knife, i feel it will last me a life time. Also an epic flip knife. Check it out.

  6. You should get a Columbia River M16-10KZ – Tanto – Designed by Kit Carson knife. It is a great folding knife that is very safe with its double locking feature. I have owned one for over 4 years now.

  7. Johnny boy // May 29, 2011 at 6:48 pm // Reply

    I would say, if your parents are okay with it, go for a survival knife, such as the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate survival knife. It’s not the cheapest thing around, but it will get you out of a bind if you get stuck in a pinch.

    • that survival knife is pretty expensive, but there is 1 called the scout that is cheaper and good for scouting

    • KnifeFanatic // July 16, 2011 at 3:52 am // Reply

      Bear Gryll’s knife has been having quality issues and has been having the Butt end break off alot.

      For a desent sized fixed blade I would go with the Becker BK2 Campanion its 5 inches long and 1/4 inch thick!!! its around the same price as the “ultimate” survival knife but its impossible to break.

      Another good Fixed Blade is a Buck Special its around $40 at walmart or amazon.

  8. happy jonn=) // May 26, 2011 at 2:17 pm // Reply

    nope leather man crater all the way

  9. Webelo 247 // May 25, 2011 at 7:05 pm // Reply

    you should use swiss army knives, they are really good and small

    • skinny willy // June 3, 2011 at 1:13 pm // Reply

      Webelo 247 I’ve had a Swiss army knife for 2 years and I think it’s very reliable not just for scouting, but also for hunting too.

  10. just go to some tackle shops and look for cabella brand knifes

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