Camping + Knife = Survival
If your lips just curled into a smile, read this article and let's go camping.
"But I don't know anything about how to use them or the different types."
For you, we'll clearly explain the benefits of using a knife, as well as recommended types and materials for beginners.
Now, let's put a knife on your hip and head out into the field.
Benefits of Having a Knife or Chef's Knife for Camp Cooking
I wrote "survival" earlier, but we're not in a Rambo movie, so survival knives usually aren't needed. (It's different if you want to do bushcraft, creating things with wood.)
For family camping, a thin, compact knife is easy to use.
A thin-bladed knife makes it very easy to cut vegetables and meat, feeling just like the chef's knife you use daily.
Also, if you're using a chef's knife, you don't need to specifically prepare one for camping; you can just bring the one you use at home.
When you're a beginner and not used to it, a household knife can actually be easier to handle, and it helps keep initial costs down.
Bringing a familiar knife not only makes cooking easier but also helps prevent injuries that can arise from unfamiliarity.
Why You Should Separate Knives for Cooking and Bonfires
You should separate your cooking knife from the knife you use to split firewood (called batoning) for a bonfire.
The reason is it's unsanitary.
Nowadays, it's easy to sanitize with disinfectant wipes.
However, it's unsanitary to use the same knife for firewood, which might have unknown insects on it, and for food that will go directly into your mouth.
Separate your cooking knife from your utility knife.
Recommended Materials
| Pros | Cons | |
| Carbon | Sharp edge | Prone to rust |
| Stainless steel | Rust-resistant, easy for beginners | Many inexpensive products |
| Ceramic | Sharp edge Doesn't rust |
Brittle Lacks atmosphere |
Knives come in carbon steel and stainless steel materials.
Carbon steel is very sharp, but it dulls with use and needs to be sharpened.
It's also susceptible to rust; if not properly cared for after use, it will rust quickly.
While there's joy in "nurturing" it, it's more suited for advanced users.
Stainless steel is rust-resistant, and after use, a quick wipe is all it takes to prevent rust.
Its sharpness lasts longer, and even when it dulls, two or three passes with a home knife sharpener will restore it.
It's a material perfect for beginners.
There's also ceramic.
Ceramic is very hard and extremely sharp.
Due to its material properties, it does not rust.
At first glance, it seems perfect for camping, but in terms of appearance and feel, it has a definite "convenience gadget for home use" vibe, which doesn't quite fit camping.
While I mentioned earlier that bringing household items is fine, atmosphere is also important for camping.
8 Recommended Knives and Chef's Knives for Camp Cooking
- Material: Stainless steel
- Blade length (cm): 10.4
- Overall length (cm): 21.9
- Blade thickness (mm): 2.5
- Weight: 84g (knife body)
This is the product I recommend when asked, "What should my first knife be?"
It's a classic knife that every camper, from beginner to expert, will pick up at some point.
While it's a bit tough for batoning, it handles both cooking and crafting.
If you have this and a secondary knife, you'll be ready for any situation.
- Material: Stainless steel
- Blade length (cm): 14
- Overall length (cm): 28
- Blade thickness (mm): 2
- Weight: 90g
This is a product you'll want to have as a cooking knife in addition to the Morakniv mentioned earlier.
While it has a feel similar to a household knife, it's very comfortable to use, allowing you to prepare delicious meals just like you would at home.
It can cut rope, but avoid rough handling.
- Material: Stainless steel
- Blade length (cm): 9
- Overall length (cm): 21
- Blade thickness (mm): 2
- Weight: 65
Introducing Opinel, a classic folding knife.
The #9 has a handy blade length, making it easy for beginners to get used to and handle skillfully.
It's not suitable for batoning, but it's the perfect size for peeling fruit or cutting vegetables.
When deploying or retracting the blade, simply twist the ring at the base for an easy and secure lock, enhancing safety.
- Material: Stainless steel
- Blade length (cm): Unknown
- Overall length (cm): Handle length 13.6
- Blade thickness (mm): 16
- Weight: 162g
A folding knife that is convenient to carry.
While workability is reduced, the blade can be stored inside the handle, providing peace of mind even if children accidentally touch it. (It's a blade, so use it under adult supervision.)
It might struggle with tough fish bones, but it performs well enough for cutting meat and preparing vegetables.
Another great point is its high safety, as the case won't detach during transport.
- Material: Stainless steel
- Unfolded size (cm): 36*23.6*3.4
- Folded size (cm): 36*11.8*3.4
- Weight: 850g
It looks like a household item brought along.
However, it's not just a Snow Peak brand; it has excellent safety features, such as a non-slip surface on the cutting board.
I personally like the gimmick of the cutting board folding in half to store the knife inside.
- Material: Stainless steel
- Blade length (cm): Unknown
- Overall length (cm): 9.1
- Blade thickness (mm): Unknown
- Weight: 81g
Large blade, small blade, corkscrew, can opener, small screwdriver (3mm), bottle opener, large screwdriver (6mm), wire stripper, reamer (punch), keyring, tweezers, toothpick, scissors, multi-purpose hook, sewing eye.
It has 15 functions. Can you master them all?
However, this product offers an overwhelming sense of romance.
Victorinox, a brand you'll surely hear about when you start camping.
Its multi-tool is one of those items everyone wants to get their hands on at least once.
It's also reassuring to have for emergencies.
- Material: Carbon steel
- Blade length (cm): 10.9
- Overall length (cm): 22.9
- Blade thickness (mm): 3.2
- Weight: Unknown
Made of carbon steel, this knife is more than capable of meeting the needs of advanced users.
While it requires care against rust and occasional sharpening, it also fosters a deeper attachment.
It might seem intimidating for beginners, but you'll learn how to sharpen it as you use it, and caring for it to prevent rust is not as difficult as it might seem.
You can enjoy the pleasure of growing as a camper alongside your knife.
- Material: Ceramic
- Blade length (cm): 14
- Overall length (cm): 27
- Blade thickness (mm): 20
- Weight: 90
Lack of atmosphere. That's this product's weakness.
However, other than that, there are no apparent weaknesses; in fact, ceramic is a very superior material for outdoor use.
The tendency for hard ceramic to chip has also been improved from conventional products, giving it even more flawless functionality.
Knife Laws
The Metropolitan Police Department's website states the following:
Article 22 of the Act on Control of Possession of Firearms and Swords stipulates that "no person shall carry a blade with a blade length exceeding 6 centimeters, except for business or other legitimate reasons." Violation of this is punishable by imprisonment for not more than two years or a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Website
It also states the following regarding legitimate reasons:
This refers to cases where there is a socially accepted legitimate reason, such as purchasing a blade from a store and taking it home.
Carrying it for self-defense in entertainment districts, etc., with reasons like "I don't want to get into trouble," is not considered a legitimate reason.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Website
From this, using a knife for camping and outdoor activities can be considered a legitimate reason.
However, actions such as taking it out and showing it to a friend while heading to a campsite do not fall under this, and its use is strictly limited to the campsite itself.
Furthermore, when traveling by public transport, it is necessary to exercise caution, such as placing it deep inside a backpack so that it cannot be easily removed.
In any case, a blade is both a necessary tool and a weapon.
Be mindful of safety and use it carefully.
