Camping gear essential-a sharp knife  

No matter whether you're hiking, backpacking or camping you will need a good sharp knife with you.  A sharp knife has to be part of your camping gear checklist.  The importance of this piece of outdoor gear cannot be under estimated.   It really doesn't matter what type of knife you have as long as its sharp and is able to withstand the abuse that will be required of it.  A regular pocket knife will do, but there are alternatives.

There aren't many occasions that a side carry sheath knife is needed for the recreational hiker or backpacker.  These heavy knives, such as the Bowie or the military Rambo-style survival models, are mostly used by hunters/outdoorsman.  They can double as camp knives and are extremely strong and durable but for a person hiking or backpacking they quite simply get in the way.

Another alternative is the multi-use or multi-purpose knife.  Popular models that have been around for years are recognized as the Swiss Army Knife or the Leatherman.  These types of knives incorporate other features that can be handy when you're in the wild.  The Swiss Army style knives can have everything from a spoon to a can opener built into them and can perform many useful tasks.  The Leatherman type of multi-purpose knives are actually a multi-purpose self contained tool.  They have pliers, cutters, drivers and other utensils in addition to a blade that make them an excellent substitute.  Both of these can be as small as a pocket knife or so large that they require a holster.

No matter what you choose as your knife of preference, its important that it be sharp.  A knife is virtually worthless and is actually more dangerous if it isn't sharp.  Making a dull blade  cut requires more force placing stress on the blade and putting the user in a serious position even if all the normal safety precautions are taken.