3 nights backpacking - which would you pick???

I've been in that same boat and went with the RatManDu, and wasn't sorry. Its moderate in weight and easily handles all camping chores, but can be put to tough use if needed.
 
I like the Idea of the Muk for food prep and small chores and then the DSF for bigger chores.
Your not planning to chop so the bigger blades aren't needed but since you want to impress I say baton the shiat right outta that DSF and show a "hard use" blade!!!
Maybe it's not the best chopper but at that blade length you can baton sections and then split them as well!!!!
Enjoy your trip no matter what you choose.
 
I don't think I could pick just one. If I had to, I'd probably go with the DSF or the ASH if it's .22 or skinny. If it's .32, I'd go DSF. If it were me, I'd probably go with either the Ratmandu or the S5 on my person, readily accessible and one of the Mistresses in my pack.

GregB
BaconBeavers
 
I've backpacked there many times. It a pretty good trail, but sometimnes can have a few more people on it than I like. The trails are so used you won't need a knife for any clearing at all.
I don't think a huge knife will scare em,lol, but you really won't need one. A small, and/or, medium sized knife will be all you need. If camping you may need a large knife for chopping, but I would go as light as I could for backpacking, but thats just me.

Have a great time, and the weather should be great:thumbup:



BTW- If your family has never backpacked in Cohutta wilderness(NW side of state) tell them to check that out if they ever get the chance.
Its very rugged, but some of the best backpacking bar none.
 
I'm usually torn between my Sarsquatch and CGFBM (and RW), it depends on how much chopping you envision yourself doing. Flip a coin... or buy a HHFSH. :D
 
Hey - wow thanks for all the responses!!! I posted this morning but for some reason I guess I lost my connection...

Anyway, sittin in the atlanta airport waiting for my future sis and bro inlaw to pick us up.

After stressin about it for such a long time I went back to my old faithful NMSFNO - it's just a comfort thing i guess and the one I always grab. I agree w a lot of the posts here that there will be enough wood of all sizes on the ground to not have to worry about harvesting - I actually rarely cut limbs from trees. I know the NMSFNO is a bit on the heavy side but it'll be attached to the molle waistbelt on my Kifaru mollex so I don't think I'll even notice it. Brought my muk along too for food and fuzz sticks :D

Another big concern of mine was worrying about sticky fingers of the baggage handlers - I would hate to lose a busse. It's unlikely I know but I've actually had a letterman and rat cutlery stolen before. I know it's easy enough to replace my NMSFNO - my DSF or skinny ash or mudsnake, not so much.

I was going to bring my BWM just to show off but my fiancé said I had a 9 inch limit so i don't scare the crap outta her family (btw shes carrying a pink izula and purple ffg delica). She also said my DSF was too "stabby" lookin :) It's ok though bc I know my NMSFNO is just right :D Really can't wait to have some kids bc then I can just let them use my knives and not have to worry about some going unused :) if I had a few kids coming along, well then I could probably had 5 busses on the trail w us ;)

@ken44 - I think well be back in GA later in the year to camp again - I'll def look into cohutta - appreciate the rec. Her fam is in FL and were in NY so GA is our meeting point.

Hoping the bugs aren't bad - convinced her to sleep under a tarp and lose the tent :D

So thats that - Thanks again fir the help and good wishes and pics will be comin when I get back! HAVE A FUN HOLIDAY!!!
 
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Have a good time. :thumbup:

Co-worker here spends a week on the AT every summer. He packs very light, and his only knife is small Gerber folder. Typically, he never even opens it. I'm given to understand that if you spend any time on backpacking forums, you will see they don't go much for knives.
 
resinguy said:
Have a good time. :thumbup:

Co-worker here spends a week on the AT every summer. He packs very light, and his only knife is small Gerber folder. Typically, he never even opens it. I'm given to understand that if you spend any time on backpacking forums, you will see they don't go much for knives.
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Most backpackers (in my experience) never leave the beaten path, carry in all their pre-processed food and have all sorts of expensive equipment so they never need to process "wild" food, not even process grocery store food, build a shelter, build a wood fire (even if it was allowed), clear a trail, cut a walking stick, anything. Since you have to carry it, why bring it if you don't need it.

Personally, I would not backpack with a really large knife like a BM because there is nothing I need to do with a BM that I could not do with a smaller (but big enough to baton) or lighter (machete if you really need to clear trails) knife. One reason I like the DSF is because you get some blade length without all the extra weight. But I'd be ok with my BA3. :)
 
resinguy said:
Have a good time. :thumbup:

Co-worker here spends a week on the AT every summer. He packs very light, and his only knife is small Gerber folder. Typically, he never even opens it. I'm given to understand that if you spend any time on backpacking forums, you will see they don't go much for knives.
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This is true but we are not just hikers! We are Busse Hikers where it is more important to represent with a big knife than bring a water bottle!:D:D

NMSFNO is a great choice and still IMO the best all-a-rounder knife Jerry ever made!
 
busse hikers should respect the land just like everyone else. overuse and high impact is why the at looks like a highway and not a trail
 
wyattT said:
its not too much fun to arrive at what you think is a secluded location only to see some tree hacked on or carved in by some careless camper for no reason. leave no trace.
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I agree that LNT is the way to go, but I also like to have a campfire. First, scrape a 3 ft diameter fire pit down to mineral soil so you won't burn vegetation. Then use your larger knife to chop up and baton some dead wood you've gathered from the forest into thumb-thick pieces. No need to hack up huge dead trees or anything like that. Once you get your fire going, a more or less parallel firelay is most efficient for warmth or cooking. Once you're done let everything burn up completely. Dump lots of water on the fire to put it out completely. Then use a rock to crush up the coals into dust and scatter them about.

This method is a little more work but worth it to have a LNT campfire.

You really could get by with just the Muk, but I'd probably grab the SOD for a dynamic res-c duo!:thumbup:
 
Bring the Muk and buy a hatchet or small camp axe. My personal preference is my SAR5 and Wetterling small axe.
 
Wolfdad to trailwolf........wolfdad recommends that you bring them ALL.... and mount them in different variations on your person like the guy in the new movie "machete`". You never know what your going to run into out there in the woods. A wolf never leaves any of his wolfpack members at home alone and he never splits up his pack. Don't worry about what your friends think, they will thank you if some "deliverance" guys jump out of nowhere and surround your camp. Yes, bring them all..... And take a picture of yourself when you have them mounted to post on here.;).........What? you think I'm joking?........nice collection by the way!!!!
 
I actually like the Squatch for this situation because it's light enough for a hard steep hike yet big enough to handle most chopping, or at least enough to make a baton. Weight is SUCH a huge issue when I hike. Just did a one night camp from 4,000 up to 10,000 ft w/ a 35 pound pack on a very steep trail. The more efficient you can be with less gear, the more you'll enjoy the hike, imo. Although, it sure is a pleasure to munch logs with a NMSFNO, lol. I feel like the butt on the squatch is more useful as a "tool" than the NMSFNO skull crusher for a hike. Have a great time on your hike man!
 
umm...the more I read the responses, the more I have an urge to get a SarSquatch again....The SFNO is another fav of mine, enough meat to do anything with it, agree on the more usable butt of the SSquatch, tho'.
 
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