Camillus has been in business since 1876 and is well known for their quality knives. Recently we’ve been testing the Camillus Cutlery 18513 to see how this affordable knife stacks up to some pricier folding knives on the trail.
Pros:
- Ergonomic handle. This knife not only looks good but it feels good! The notches on the bottom of the handle plus more on the top of the blade allow for a more secure grip.
- Carbonite titanium blade. The blade is made of carbonite titanium, which is ten times harder than regular steel and stays sharp ten times longer. In our tests we found that it cut through branches and rope quite easily, and was excellent at cutting one of my favorite trail snacks…salami 😉
- Good value. The Camillus Cutlery 18513 is a high quality knife for the price…it can be found for $43.99 on the Camillus Cutlery website, plus it has a lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Liner lock is stiff. We found that the liner lock on this knife is stiff, and is challenging to close one-handed.
- Weight. Even though it is only 5 ounces, there are other knives that are good for trail use that are less than half this weight.
- Need to double check that it is locked! Be sure the blade clicks twice when opening (it then locks open). Otherwise the blade could come back on your fingers.
Specs:
- Overall Length: 8 inches
- Blade Length: 3.25 inches
- Weight: 5 ounces
- Blade Type: AUS -8 steel
- Price: MSRP $43.99
- Other features: Pocket clip.
For a budget minded hiker who is willing to carry a few extra ounces, the Camillus Cutlery is a good option. The blade is of good quality and the price is reasonable!
Happy trails!
