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