If you're looking for an extremely solid budget option, you really can't go wrong with the Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade. Can't get a better knife for that price.
Honestly, the entry level Mora is a great all-around fixed blade. I have one on my desk that I've had for almost 6 years, and a couple others kicking around in my gear.
Not sure what exactly your looking for or it's intended purpose, but for the money it's hard to beat a Morakniv Under $20 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion-Stainless-4-1-Inch-Military/dp/B004ZAIXSC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Morakniv&qid=1606968774&sr=8-3
Check out Morakniv knives on Amazon
skinned multiple deer with it, no issues. $20
We live and learn, OP. Here, try this one:
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife with Sandvik Stainless Steel Blade, 4.1-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZAIXSC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_J3Z5582227KYTSVZZJGT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I've got this, the Craftline Pro S and the Eldris. Mora won't let you down.
It will be a lot of work without power tools but you can salvage that.
You should ask yourself if you should though... https://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion-Stainless-4-1-Inch-Military/dp/B004ZAIXSC/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mora+stainless&qid=1605493583&sr=8-2
The Kansbol is one of the fancier version. The generic mora is one of these:
They are both great knives, just different styles.
Thanks!
Is this the Mora Knife you are suggesting:
Is a multi-tool even necessary then?
Also, based on what you said, and based on the fact I'll be hiking for a week, do you think it would be better if I just carried the titanium bowls, or would the kit be better?
I was going to link you to /r/CCW but it sounds like your too young to carry a gun or a knife depending on what state you live in.
My advice to you is to carry a decent fixed blade knife on your belt that can easily be removed from the sheath until you are old enough for a gun. I know it sounds a bit extreme to some but its something that you should consider especially knowing that there are predators in your area.
It doesn't mean you have to stab someone, I actually had an instance where 3 homeless men tried to corner me at my car after I went fishing, they left after I had moved my shirt to the side showing my knife, never even took it from the sheath.
In terms of legally carrying a knife, comply with your local laws but also keep in mind that if the police see you with a fishing pole, tackle box, and any knife that doesn't look like a fucking Rambo knife on your belt... they probably wont glance twice at you. my suggestion morakniv
Remember, the people that do this are cowards, they may hate you but they probably don't hate you enough to get stabbed.
or just carry pepper spray if you like.
In terms of them having a gun you are pretty much shit out of luck after they get the drop on you, at that point just give them what they want, if they hit you just go fetal and protect your head/neck and scream to attract attention.
The best thing for this is situational awareness, if you see a group of people or even a single person that makes you uncomfortable don't feel bad about going somewhere else, your personal safety isn't worth making some random guy/girl a little mad because you crossed the street.
best of luck to you bud, hope you heal quickly.
This is the knife you want (I leave a multitool to you). Consider going with orange (very hard to lose).
Get a Mora. They can be made very sharp and they are very durable. I have literally beat the crap out of mine and it holds up fine, even though it is not a "full tang" knife. It you use it sensibly and take care of it, it will last you forever. This is a great fixed blade to start out with and learn to use.
Stay away from the "hollow handle" knives, as they are considerably weaker than others (these are obviously not full tang) along with anything that has "survival" or "Rambo" in its name.
Serrated blades are great for cutting through cordage, but for most uses in camping, are not needed.
I am not a fan of any of the paracord wrapped knives as these tend to collect all kinds of dirt and grime. If you field dress a deer with one, the cord will get soaked in blood and goo. The only way to clean it is to take the wrap off, clean it and replace the wrap. Just carry a hank of 20 feet of paracord or make a paracord bracelet.
Steel is steel mate. You can go with the expensive stuff, or with the cheap stuff - We're talking expensive at several hundred and cheap as under 20-50. I've seen 20 dollars knives made just as well as the 600 dollar knives, they just dont have the name brand. It's a chunk of steel, treated so it stands up to specific conditions and holds an edge better. It looks to be full tang - not sure what is up with the holes in the blade, or the design near the MT-5 logo. I found pictures online, looks like the steel comes out a bunch there? No idea what this design is or what purpose it could have - looks sketchy. And the holes in the blade...I mean I've seen the 5 dollar walmart knives with holes so you can create a makeshift spear but..Other then that, no idea why they are on this knife, and they cause more harm then good. You can use it for basic bushcrafting tasks but I'd be careful batoning, I've personally never heard of the brand - it could be name brand and be great, but it has some weird designs.
​
Really, steel is steel - all the fancy features cause more harm than good.
That is a 12 dollar knife, and you really won't ever need more, but there are better options. The 12 dollar knife has a thinner blade and isn't suitable to as heavy duty work, but is a great beater knife for doing anything.
And their top of the line knives are
There's a carbon version and stainless steel version. I'm gonna be honest...for the most part, they all do the same thing, but people want different things and fancier things - the garberg is the only full tang out of the bunch, but even their half tang knives are bulletproof, they hold up incredibly well and I've batoned with him countless times without issue. Mora, IMO makes the best knives - I have several other brands, and there are some I like better for ergonomics - but that's not the point, the point is any knife will work, steel is steel. Just find what you think looks and feels good, learn how to sharpen it and what you like, it depends on the what materials/types of trees you are working with, and what type of work you do. I prefer convex and Scandinavian grind (V Grind) knives, the Cudeman MT-5 looks to be a full flat grind - which I mean..AFIAK is mostly used in like chef knives and stuff, it's incredibly sharp but it's not durable, hitting hard objects is gonna cause knicks and it's gonna be brittle. This is all from experience, it's not like im an expert - but to be fair, I'd just keep trying different ones and see how you like it, but I wouldn't go spending crazy money, the $300 knives you see all the fancy bushcrafters use...these are what I call wall knives..They use them in the videos cause they look good but most people would just keep them at home and keep using their beater knives, because we are hard on our equipment and honestly, they work just as wall, all the fancy scalings and what not make them expensive, but they don't make them better.
TL;DR: Steel is steel. Get a cheap knife, in a better grind suited for the work your doing. All depends on what work you do, and what tress you have, soft woods, hard woods ETC.
​
Edit: Definately don't have to go with Mora, I've just always used them and they've done me well.
Se cerchi un lama-fissa piglia il Mora Companion Stainless Steel... vai sullo stra-sicuro, e con 17€ sei a posto:
https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B004ZAIXSC/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza
...Ma se ti serve un coltello "da trekking" ti basta in realtà un ben più compatto e leggero Opinel n.8 o n.9 inox, oppure un Victorinox Camper o (se sei minimalista come me) un Victorinox Waiter ...più di fare la punta ad un bastoncino, tagliare un cordino e tagliare pane&salame non hai bisogno
Morakniv is inexpensive and works.
Morakniv makes some great budget fixed blades, some are quite small and most have a general utilitarian use. Here's a model for less than $17 and these have built a really good reputation for value and hard use.
However, maybe that isn't quite what you're looking for. Maybe you want something thicker, more substantial? Continuing with fixed blades is the ESEE 4P which before shipping is $99. Another option would be the Ontario Knife Company's RAT-7 for currently $63. Being an avid knife collector, I have maybe 150 total knives total. That said, I think if I had only 1 knife to take out with me and feel secure in doing so, the Kabar/Becker BK7 would be it. For ~$78 new on Amazon, it's just a big hunk of steel (1095 steel specifically) that can tear through almost anything you put in front of it from wood to meat to a car door panel lol. I would recommend looking into some customization for it for a couple for reasons. The black plastic handle scales that it comes with are not so great. This can be resolved by using a bike tire inner tube mod OR just grabbing those ~$40 micarta scales that the link suggests below the photos of the knife itself. The sheath is definitely serviceable for your needs, but you may eventually want to upgrade it to a kydex sheath, or even a leather one if you really like leather. Finally, the coating that's on all of the Becker knives has the benefit of protecting the blade very well but the cost is a lot of friction and eventually that coating will wear off and it'll look different. Many modders just strip that coating off and blue or force patina it and frequently oil after use. Or go the other route and spend hours up front polishing it to a mirror polish and now you have a knife that will look really Bowie-ish.
Fixed knives are much stronger than folders, especially at that price range. Unless you really need a folder, I'd suggest a $15 stainless Mora and a $20 small folding saw. I'd trade any folding knife I own for that pair, if I was stuck in the weeds somewhere.
They are each about 9" long, not sure how big your pouch is.
I take the Mora Companion camping. It works well for $20.
https://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion-Stainless-4-1-Inch-Military/dp/B004ZAIXSC
What is your budget?
If you want a good knife on a budget the Mora is very good value.
However you mention defending yourself.
If you can spend the money I really do reccomend a Lionsteel T5.
It is very durable and comfortable to use for many different tasks.
I have videos of me using it for Bushcrafting and cooking tasks on my Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT2gxgAzjlo&t=59s&ab_channel=BushApe
I bought the Mora 106... and it was duller than dirt. Had to put in a couple of hours to make it usable.
But I also purchased their 'outdoor knife' and that thing gave me a clean shave right out of the box. A little bit big for small carving work... but for $20 you might be hard pressed to find a better bargain.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ZAIXSC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If money is of no object then i would recommend the Bradford Guardian, if you are on a budget i would recommend a Mora Companion, i would also recommend the Condor Terrasaur.
What about this one?