I’ve pitched tents in the rain, sliced salami on tree stumps, and chopped kindling by headlamp.
Through it all, these three knives have earned their place in my camping kit. In this post, I break down the combo I trust in the backcountry—plus some “don’t even pack it” mistakes you can skip.
1. Fixed Blade Workhorse
I carry a full-time fixed blade for heavy jobs. Mines the Cold Steel SRK Compact, it’s short enough to handle, but thick enough to baton with or dig out a stubborn tent stake. No nonsense, just sharp steel and a solid grip. It’s the knife I reach for when something needs to be done quickly: splitting kindling, clearing brush, or slicing into a stubborn food pouch.