The perfect outdoor cooking knife doesn’t exist

📙Free eCookbook: eepurl.com/iyHl0M
Finding the perfect outdoor cooking knife is a forever quest.
I've come close with the opinel, but it's not quite there!
In this video I look at some of the knives I own to talk about what would make the perfect knife for the outdoor cook.
In short. A flat, wide blade made out of carbon steel. A handle that is ergonomic and easy to clean. Well balanced and although not tiny, small enough for the average hiker. It's not a big ask for an outdoors chef! Right?
🧑‍🍳GERBER COMPLEAT: amzn.to/3vY71Kv
Whitby Knife: amzn.eu/d/dXDXMWe
Opinel: amzn.eu/d/bseUZ5a
#outdoorcooking #camping #hiking

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

What’s your ‘go to’ cooking knife?

[@itsonlyrobjones]

I’m on the Opinel no.8 …. I remember being in Fiji with no money but a tin of tuna and a bag of rice and no tin opener but the knife made short work of the can and I didn’t starve AND the knife kept its edge. Still got the same knife now 20 years later

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I love my opinel. They just work! It’s going to take a very special knife for me to replace it.

[@davidhakes3884]

Hands down if I can have one knife for everything outdoors, winter and summer it IS The Yakut knife. Best cooking and bushcraft knife I have ever used.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

This video was a mistake. It’s going to cost me a lot of money!!! Thank you so much for the recommendation.

[@philippevillemaire502]

I have the same quest then yours looking for the best camping knife. Food prep is an important criteria. I also love the opinels. I’m seriously considering getting the victorinox venture knife. Seems to be a very versatile all around camp knife that is also great in the kitchen. Love the shape of it’s blade.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I had also seen the venture knife. I’d also like it to fold which is why I love the messermeister. If only it was a bit smaller!

[@nickchurchman6815]

Opinel all the way 😊.

[@lizclipson]

To be honest I generally use my Gerber straightlace but it's fair from perfect.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Still a lovely little knife!

[@DavidWilliams-oz7rv]

Up until a few week ends ago I would have gone Opinel 7. Problem is that in any damp weather the handle swells and pinches on the blade. I agree they are fantastic knives I just find the pinchy blade bit a bind. (no pun intended

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I find the same thing. But I may well have found a contender.

[@jpriddle]

Well, I came here with my recommendations, but looks like they’re already here! Going ultralight and need a weather resistant option always with you? Victorinox Little Vicky Pairing knife (comes with a sheath). I prefer the serrated version. Still going light but know you’re going to do some finer meal prep? Opinel 6-8. There are videos on how to fix the handle swelling issue as well. Heading out for a luxury camp and cooking experience? Firebox Folding Chef’s Knife. Hot tip: they occasionally have a “factory seconds” sale because the owner is super picky about quality control. I picked one up for a little more than an Opinel.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Some great suggestions there. And thanks for the Firebox tip!

[@davew5583]

I used to use an Opinel, I never liked the idea of stuff getting in to a folder. Now I use the “Victorinox Swiss Classic Paring Knife. It’s great but need to make/get your own sheath.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

You’re not the first to mention this knife to me! It’s a sign.

[@natkreatur]

Thanks for the Böker recommendation in the newsletter (the Magnum Cuisine III)! Looks really good and can be carried on to shorter trips. When the need is only simple cutting and slicing (while saving some weight) I still go with either my stainless Opinel 8 knives with lanyards or my Opinel 9 carbon. The 9 is actually quite large and slicing feels quite easy, although not as good with a ”real” chef’s knife. And I think stainless is the way to go when it’s snowy and wet and you know you can’t take proper care of your knives. Otherwise carbon. But maybe the Böker is the best upgrade 👍

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Agree with all of the above! I’m really impressed with the blade shape on the Böker. But more so with how it keeps it’s edge. And a great price point too for what it is.

[@natkreatur]

@@OffTheBeatenPot You’re right. Seems to be surprisingly cheap for a quality knife.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

And with a rose wood handle!

[@torreyself]

I am part of the Opinel cult and love the no8 carbon. It fits perfect in the Trangia 27 and very easy to sharpen. But I am a gear junkie and cannot help buying and testing 😊

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Haha. Same same!! The No.8 carbon is amazing. And yet I want to try more more more

[@BarnabyNutt]

That thing is huge! I like my Opinel but it got wet once and the wooden handle swelled up making it tough to open and close. I have a Fox knife that I use for camping. Casstrom for bushcrafting. And a Böker for EDC

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

That’s the main downside to the opinel. Once it swells it’s a bugger. Love those Böker knives.

[@SnowyAspenHills]

Have you checked out the Firebox stoves chefs folding knife? I use the FS knife an Opinel (I prefer Stainless steel for food prep and have not had issues with sharpness, easy to resharpen if necessary) Other knife I use is a school of wok chefs knife, looks like a chopping knife but much thinner, use it at home and when camping. It needs resharpening occasionally but I don’t find that an issue.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

That’s a great tip. Thank you. I’ll check it out! I’ve ordered a magnum outdoor cuisine which looks pretty good. But thank you for telling me about Firebox. I wouldn’t have considered looking at them for knives!

[@twowheeledadventuresuk2739]

I've got an Opinel No9.Carbon in my kitchen bag, I'm sure it was only about a tenner from Decathlon (just had a look, £11 from Springfield's currently) you can't complain at that, great value. My only gripe with it is it looks a bit grubby. Bought a Coldsteel Finn Wolf recently and I love that, scandi grind and nice for chopping, very easy to clean and soooo sharp out of the box. But because at 51 I'm now living out all my childhood dreams and I can't stop buying knives, got 3 in the post at the mo (Gerber Zilch, Ka-BAr Dozier and a cheapo one from Amazon!), there's just something so tactile about a good knife and thankfully the perfect knife doesn't exist, or there'd be no need to buy a new one!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

That’s a great sentiment. If the perfect knife existed we’d only get the joy of buying it once. I agree. A good, tactile knife is something to be enjoyed. I have a lot of knives. And they all have something to add.

[@gemmawills483]

I have a CRKT Ripsnort II. It’s a little on the heavy side, but I love everything else about it, so I’ll suffer the weight.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I know chef corso uses this knife. It looks great except I’m a sucker for a wooden handle. It’s nice to ‘meet’ someone else who has used it though!

[@gemmawills483]

Much like yourself I was looking for a knife specifically for food prep. I love a clever blade (that’s my most used knife at home). After spending far to much time “researching” (watching KZbin) I settled on the CRKT. I like the fact that it doesn’t have a wooden handle, I can keep it cleaner!!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@gemmawills483 check out the biker magnum cuisine 3. I got it after a recommendation from this video on insta. Fancy!!

[@gemmawills483]

@@OffTheBeatenPot reminds me of a cutthroat razor!! Decent price point, look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I was actually going to do a follow up Video from this one. But… spoiler alert, it’s amazing. So far.

[@moormesday]

If you're looking for a wideish carbon steel knife with a flat grind and easy clean handle perhaps check out the Svord Peasant knife?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thanks for the tip! This video is going to cost me a fortune.

[@moormesday]

@@OffTheBeatenPot the peril of summoning knifetube :)

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@moormesday I just looked the Peasant knife up. VERY COOL! I think I’ll (one day) get the kit and make my own handle.

[@pierremuller8005]

Hi Thom, I'd love to read your ebook, but the link seems broken :-(

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Oh no!! Where did you get the link from? This video? My post on community tab or elsewhere? I’ll be sure to rectify that and send you a fresh link

[@pierremuller8005]

The link on this page, first line of the video's description. thanks!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@pierremuller8005 I’ve tested that link and it’s working here? Try this. eepurl.com/iyHl0M

[@pierremuller8005]

I managed to subscribe finally, the page was just very slow to load on my browser. Sorry for the trouble!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@pierremuller8005 it’s no trouble!

[@joehunt1980]

Controversial answer.. Kiwi No.503

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

That is out there. But a good knife for cooking none the less

[@BinManSays]

Right I've just found you today man. I've got an opinel slim/N°12f and a boker cuisine 3, you should look them up you might like them but to be fair the opinel is a filet knife

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Welcome! Since this video was made I have purchased a boker. It’s a lovely knife

[@JonnyLOFI]

Opinel 7 for me 👍 Have you seen the firebox folding chefs knife?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I have. And I raise you a magnum outdoor cuisine 3. Since this video I got one and it’s such a dreamy knife I use it at home every day.

[@JonnyLOFI]

@@OffTheBeatenPot oh - that looks nice!!!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@@JonnyLOFI it’s very nice. If you’re tempted at all. They gave me a code to use. I was going to put it out in my next video but if you feel the urge. Lemme know

[@awatt]

Opinel no 8 Nothing else comes close

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

So far, I agree. It’s an incredible knife. Maybe I should stop looking?!

[@awatt]

@@OffTheBeatenPot Where's the fun in that? I was given a tiny keyring Swiss army knife which has a very thin blade and it's ideal for finely slicing garlic and chilli. You never know until you try.