Pocket knives: function, features & brands – Swiss folding knives put to the test

Pocket knife – Experienced campers know that you often need a functional tool when camping in the great outdoors.
Whether it’s a knife, saw, bottle opener or scissors – when hiking, during leisure activities and on the campsite , there are always situations where you could really use a tool.
A Swiss army knife combines all the important functions and is therefore practical in many ways on any camping trip with a roof tent, tent trailer or camper.
But what are the best pocket knives, which ones are allowed and approximately how much does a pocket knife cost?

Swiss Army Knives: Victorinox, Boker & Co.

A pocket knife is part of the standard equipment of passionate campers.
Although it is compact and very handy, it impresses with its wide range of functions that will help you in any situation.
Whether you need to cut, repair or open something or even make firewood – the multifaceted tools can be used flexibly and as required.
You can even use your pocket knife to quickly prepare food on excursions!

That’s why you should have a pocket knife with you

Your helper in every outdoor situation – a pocket knife is a practical and useful companion when camping in the great outdoors!
Due to its low weight, you can always carry it with you in your rucksack and have a complete small toolbox with you that takes up hardly any space and can be used at any time.
The many functions guarantee you numerous advantages on excursions and on your vacation and can be used as you wish so that nothing stands in the way of your outdoor camping adventure.
A pocket knife guarantees you the following advantages:

  • Compact pack size
  • Wide range of functions and tools
  • Handy and lightweight
  • Flexible and can be used at any time
  • Practical on excursions in the great outdoors
  • Robust and stable

Basic pocket knife equipment: the most important tools

Depending on the design, brand and price range, a pocket knife can have different functions and combinations.
The basic equipment usually includes a small and a large knife, scissors, a bottle opener and a screwdriver.
However, this can be expanded as required.

Functions at a glance

  • Small knife
  • Large knife
  • Scissors
  • Can / bottle opener
  • Corkscrew
  • Saw
  • Tweezers
  • Screwdriver
  • Nail file
  • Pliers
  • Magnifying glass
  • Toothpick
  • Chisel

From knives and scissors to a can opener – with a pocket knife you have a complete small toolbox!

What are the best pocket knives?
Brands in the test

Which pocket knife is best suited to my camping vacation?
Here you will find the best pocket knives that are ideal for trips in the great outdoors and all impress in terms of quality, functions, handling and value for money.

  • Victorinox: Unbeatable winner in the quality test
  • Spyderco: Robust, high-quality and unmistakable
  • Boker: Quality from Solingen
  • Leatherman: Numerous tools for every outdoor use
  • Real Steel: Impressive price-performance ratio

Whether at the campsite or on a hiking trip – a pocket knife should always be with you!

Which pocket knives are allowed?

In general, you may legally use pocket knives with a two-handed operation and fixed blade that do not exceed a blade length of 12 centimeters.
Folding knives may also have a longer blade.

Tip: If you want to embark on a real outdoor adventure, a survival bushcraft knife is recommended!

What you need to look out for in a pocket knife:

  • Two-handed operation and fixed blade: blade length of 12 cm
  • Folding knives also longer

How much does a pocket knife cost?

A pocket knife can cost different amounts depending on the model, brand and size.
You should therefore consider in advance what you want to use your folding knife for and how often, and which price range is appropriate.
A Swiss army knife, for example, costs between €10.00 and €1,200, depending on the features.

  • Swiss Army Knives can cost between 10,00 and 1.200,- Euro

Carving with a pocket knife – Video

Carving with a pocket knife – want to learn how to become a professional carver?
Whether it’s practical everyday objects or perhaps gifts for the family – with a little practice, you can carve anything your heart desires and impress your loved ones with ease.
And all you need is a pocket knife!
In this video, you will learn all the tips and tricks you need to know to learn how to carve with a pocket knife and also get a complete overview of the pocket knife as a useful tool with a long tradition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPFUqoo0mVg

How do you clean a pocket knife?

After direct use, you can usually wipe the tools of your pocket knife carefully with a cloth.
Coarser dirt and stubborn grime usually needs to be soaked first.
To do this, you should first unfold all the functions of your knife and place the whole thing in a container of warm water.
It is best to add some washing-up liquid and leave it to work for around half an hour.
This is how you clean it:

  1. Wipe off coarse dirt with a cloth
  2. Unfold functions and place knife in warm water
  3. Add detergent
  4. Allow stubborn dirt to soak first
  5. Wash everything and clean with a cloth if necessary

How is a pocket knife made?

The pocket knife guarantees you a relaxed and carefree time on your vacation thanks to its many functions that can be used at any time.
But where does the pocket knife actually come from?
Approximately how much does it cost?
And how is it made?
Take a look at this video to get to the bottom of these questions and find out more interesting facts about the pocket knife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpnH7AWZBqk&pp=ygUadGFzY2hlbm1lc3NlciBoZXJzdGVsbHVuZyA%3D

Reading tips! Tools for your camping vacation

In addition to a pocket knife, you often need other tools for any situation.
Alternatively, you can find informative articles here on helpful tools that can definitely be used from time to time on a vacation in the great outdoors.

Tools: basic camping equipment

First of all, a basic set of functional tools is useful to be prepared for anything at any time.
Whether you’re pitching a tent, converting a caravan or going on an excursion – useful tools such as a hammer, cable ties and a ratchet set are definitely an advantage when camping.
Here you will find a good overview of suitable tools for your camping trip:

Tent fastenings: Material and tools

Every camper has probably experienced it: it’s getting dark, it’s getting cold, the wind is coming up and you still have to pitch your tent.
Pretty much the worst time ever to forget the instructions.
Before you go camping, you should know how to pitch your tent to avoid time-consuming efforts at the campsite.
Here you will learn how and where to pitch your tent:

Can and bottle opener

People often pack a basic supply of long-life food in the form of tins at the start of their vacation.
Once you arrive at the campsite, however, you need to be able to open them if you want to cook a meal from them.
That’s why you should definitely think about a suitable can opener.
Here you can find out everything you need to know about can and bottle openers when camping:

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Offroad
Raised and extra stable for road and off-road… What do you do if you are traveling in regions with poor roads or drive an off-road vehicle or SUV whose dome height does not fit conventional trailers? The solution: the off-road tent trailer from CAMPWERK – specially developed for extreme conditions. This unique model impresses with a raised and particularly robust AL-KO chassis that can withstand even the most demanding off-road routes. The entire body is made of lightweight but sturdy aluminum, reinforced with durable stainless steel components. So you are perfectly equipped for any terrain.
Black / Silver
Available now: The CAMPWERK Offroader in the exclusive Black/Silver Edition CAMPWERK is expanding its range and now also offers the popular off-road tent trailer in the coveted Black/Silver Edition. The high-quality aluminium body is completely anodized in matt black, while the mudguards are powder-coated in elegant “Gun Silver Metal”. An absolute eye-catcher on any road and in any terrain!
The off-road trailer from CAMPWERK impresses with its lightweight construction: Thanks to the aluminum body, the base only weighs around 300 kg when empty. With a permissible total weight of 1.5 tons, it offers an impressive payload capacity of up to 1.2 tons – ideal for small excursions, transport and even larger expeditions.

Visually, the trailer blends in perfectly with the appearance of an off-road vehicle or SUV with its coarse-tread MT tires and robust, full-length aluminium mudguards. The mudguards are also designed in such a way that they are ideal for the safe transportation of petrol and water canisters or gas bottles.

To ensure flexibility, the off-roader’s tyres can be individually adapted to the towing vehicle on request, so that only one set of spare wheels is required. The standard ball head coupling can also be optionally replaced with a DIN or NATO eye.
T-drawbar or V-fork ?
Thousands of trailer drivers know the problem of tight spaces only too well: if you drive into a narrow lane and have to turn, it is important to back your car as far as possible against the trailer in order to get around the bend without any problems. With a T-drawbar, you can utilize the maximum steering angle. This is precisely why we at CAMPWERK rely on this tried-and-tested technology – for optimum flexibility and maneuverability, no matter how tight things get.
T-drawbar
V-fork
T-drawbar
V-fork
Chassis
Aluminum body
Wheels
Terrain values
Equipped for every situation thanks to the versatile accessories...

Raised dropside

20L canister

Towbar adapter for bike carrier with coupling connection

2-4 bike racks

Anti-drag clutch

Onroad

The perfect solution for your camping adventure:
Road trailer with tent
Imagine a first-class equipped road trailer that is ideal for camping trips in Germany and the surrounding countries.
This trailer comes with a sturdy holding device for a matching tent that can be set up in no time at all.
The result is your mobile home – ready for unforgettable tours!

Your decisive advantage: you are ideally equipped for your vacation in a particularly cost-effective way. And when you’re not on the road, you can use the trailer as a conventional utility trailer. We offer you the road trailer in two versions, depending on your needs: An unbraked version with a permissible total weight of 750 kg and the braked version recommended by us with a permissible total weight of 1,300 kg.
10-year guarantee
Our trailer base was not created in the laboratory – it was made for the real world. The robust construction is optimized for tough conditions. Oversized axles and virtually indestructible aluminum frames ensure exceptional durability. We are the only supplier in Germany to give you a 10-year guarantee on this unique quality!
T-drawbar or V-fork ?
Thousands of trailer drivers know the problem of tight spaces only too well: if you drive into a narrow lane and have to turn, it is important to back your car as far as possible against the trailer in order to get around the bend without any problems. With a T-drawbar, you can utilize the maximum steering angle. This is precisely why we at CAMPWERK rely on this tried-and-tested technology – for optimum flexibility and maneuverability, no matter how tight things get.
T-drawbar
V-fork
T-drawbar
V-fork
Chassis
Aluminum structure
Equipped for every situation thanks to the versatile accessories...

Raised dropside

20L canister

Towbar adapter for bike carrier with coupling connection

2-4 bike racks

Anti-drag clutch

Material and processing.
The tent fabric of our trailer tents is made from a high-quality, 450 g blended fabric, also known as canvas. This unique combination of cotton and polyester combines the advantages of a natural fiber with those of a modern high-tech material. The result is a robust, breathable fabric that impresses with its pleasant feel and high dimensional stability.

The tent fabric, which is also used by the military, is impregnated and particularly tear-resistant thanks to the ripstop process. In this special weaving technique, thicker threads are woven into the fabric at intervals of around 10-15 millimetres, giving the fabric its characteristic tiled structure and exceptional tear resistance. It goes without saying that our fabrics are opaque and therefore offer optimum protection and privacy.
The basis of our trailer tents is a robust stainless steel frame with a thickness of 3×3 cm. A 1.8 cm thick, water-resistant wooden floor panel is securely fastened to this sturdy frame with stainless steel screws. The frame of the trailer tents is also made of galvanized steel tubing and special stainless steel components that ensure maximum stability. The modern surface finish not only offers a high level of corrosion protection, but also gives the material a pleasant feel and ensures a durable, weatherproof construction.
We rely exclusively on yarn from the German market leader Amann. Thanks to the combination of a cotton core and a high-tenacity polyester core, this yarn is characterized by a particularly high tensile strength and excellent water resistance.

On contact with water, the cotton coating swells and closes the seam holes created during sewing. For additional protection, all seams in the roof area are fitted with a transparent sealing strip to ensure maximum waterproofness.
Less is sometimes more.
We are often asked: What about the water column? For tent fabrics, the impermeability of the fabric is specified in the form of the water column. For cotton tents, this value is usually around 300 to 400 mm. However, our tent fabric offers an exceptionally high water column for cotton fabric of around 750 mm. This means that theoretically more than 75 cm of water can stand on the material before the first drops penetrate.

A major advantage of cotton as a natural raw material is its ability to swell when it gets damp, which provides additional waterproofing. In contrast, synthetic fabrics, which cannot swell, must have a much higher water column (between 3,000 and 10,000 mm, depending on the material) in order to achieve comparable waterproofness.
Good night.
The comfort sleep set consists of a high-quality visco foam mattress that adapts perfectly to the individual body shape, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. The set is complemented by the innovative Froli bed spring system, which guarantees an exceptional sleeping experience. Perfect sleeping comfort in a well thought-out overall package.
Premium mattress.
An excellent mattress is the basis for healthy and restful sleep. Just as every person is unique, their mattress should also be individually tailored to them.
Our premium mattress adapts perfectly to the contours of the body and promotes orthopaedically correct positioning of the spine. Thanks to targeted pressure relief, back muscles and intervertebral discs can relax optimally. The innovative construction and high-quality materials create an ideal sleeping environment.
There are no compromises at CAMPWERK: We rely on flexible visco foam with memory function. The unique combination of supportive foam core and relieving visco foam topper ensures maximum sleeping comfort.
Suspension.
Good ventilation is crucial for your well-being and sleep hygiene. To ensure maximum sleeping comfort, we combine our mattress with an innovative Froli slat base. The flexible spring elements form a comfortable slat base with individually adjustable firmness zones. This combination ensures orthopaedically correct positioning of the body and provides targeted, pressure-relieving support. This effectively prevents tension and one-sided strain. The open, air-permeable cells also enable optimum ventilation and create a healthy sleeping environment.
Are you allergic or do you have special health requirements? No problem! We cooperate with a renowned German mattress manufacturer to offer customized solutions. Simply contact us and together we will find the ideal mattress for your needs.