Now here's an easy one!!!!!!! Right. How many opinions can dance on the head of a pin? Easier to contemplate. Everyone has their own opinion of what consitutes an all around knife in the camp/general purpose category. I can tell you what I made/use for myself, but these are what work for me in the mountains of central Pa; hunting, hiking, camping, canoeing etc,
A. General purpose/all around carry knife #1: 5" Ats-34 clip point full tang blade, flat ground from 5/32" Stock. Brass bolster/exhibition grade briar scales, loveless bolts holding it together. Blade is 1 1/2 " wide. The "Clip" starts almost at the ricasso and moves forward at a fairly gentle ange. A reasonable amount of distal taper was employed in grinding it. the Blade is doubletempered and cryogenically heat treated to Rc of around 60-61. Made it 5 years ago. Weighs 10 oz.
B. Same category(my newest Knife for myself) #2: 6" A-2 Tool Steel drop point, full tang blade. Flat ground from 5/32" stock with a LOT of distal taper to it. No bolster. Handle is black canvas micarta, fastened with loveless bolts.
The blade is cold blued. Rc on it is probably 58. Tough steel, tough knife. Weighs 7 oz and is also 1 1/2 inches wide.
Of the two, I like B the best...but I still carry A sometimes. They both will handle a lot of chores. A little large and clumsy for field dressing a small deer(so I shoot large ones). Still, not THAT clumsy; although after testing them on that score, I went back to using my regular hunting knife(5" 154CM blade, but narrower....1",stick tang, and from 1/8" stock). Both of them will separate a deer into smaller pieces for fun...no saws required. Also cut meat well. They both will do some reasonable chopping, but the A-2 blade, which is ground to a thinner blade geometry, chops better(like a machete). The Ats-34 hold an edge a bit better, and will handle pounding chores better. The weight really is immaterial to me...being full grown and all. Neither of them has a guard that hangs out beyond the blade...just don't like guards like that. LIke them both, but REALLY like that A-2 Steel. Don't care if it does stain or rust.
As to who manufactures a good one in that category....it still boils down to personal concepts of functionality and aesthetics(which are important). I haven't bought a fixed blade knife in years, but just looking at them and reading about them in field tests, my choice would be Either Chris Reeves or Fallkniven knives. I have handled,but not used, some of the other ones, Such as Cold Steel, Sog etc., but Really dislike their blade geometry. But there are also other makes out there, and many, many people swear by either companies knives. Handle a few(that's important)---don't just buy out of a catalog, if you can help it. Sometimes, you can't help it.
