Used to use an RD6, now I carry the R.A.K. Either one will do you well. The R.A.K. is easier to choke up on if you need to do anything that requires a bit more control over the tip of your blade in the field. If you go this route, make sure you take the hard plastic insert out of the nylon sheath and boil it, then re-mold it around your blade and reinsert it into the sheath. I didn't feel that the fit was tight enough for carry.
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5-7" Fixed Blade Backpacking Knife Recommendation
- Thread starter Benaiah
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 1,976
You realy can't go wrong with the Cold steel bushman. Very tough, cheep, it begs to be modified and beat up. 1 bushman, a pice of kydex to make a costom sheath, and a mora and your still under $40.00. and 2 lbs.
I would make your weight limit 12 oz. max for knife + sheath. That rules out any Ranger or Becker. Generally you should be able to do it for under 10 oz. Mora 2000 seems like a good contender (although a little less than 5" blade) as well as some of the Cold Steel knives.
A knife I did not see but is worth consideration is the Benchmade Fixed Griptillion. 4.5" 154CM blade. I own almost all the knives mentioned. The one I carry also has not been mentioned. The RAT-3 in D2. It wont chop but it will cut and baton. And it is lite. If a more serious batoner is wanted the best going for under $100 if you can find one is the CS Recon Tonto in Carbon V. Seven inch, flat back, 9 +/- oz.
Ron Athay
Ron Athay
Guys, thanks for all the input.
Will, I agree with you on the 12oz max for the knife and sheath.
Anybody know what the weight of a Ranger RD6 is? I emailed Justin and he said for around $20 extra he could make an RD6 out of 3/16 stock.
What do you guys think about a glock field knife? I like the sheath, the 7.3oz weight, and the $30 you can get them for. They seem to get mixed reviews.
Will, I agree with you on the 12oz max for the knife and sheath.
Anybody know what the weight of a Ranger RD6 is? I emailed Justin and he said for around $20 extra he could make an RD6 out of 3/16 stock.
What do you guys think about a glock field knife? I like the sheath, the 7.3oz weight, and the $30 you can get them for. They seem to get mixed reviews.
No clue what the weight is on the stock RD6, but I suspect the 3/16 stock would put you in the ballpark of your 12 oz. max. If it were me, I'd have Justin do an RD5 in 3/16.
I'm pretty fond of my Glock knife. Some folks have issues with the design, but it's all in the perception. It's no chopper for sure, but it is very handy and IMHO, comes with one of the best production sheaths out there....secure and indestructable. I'm able to keep a good edge on the blade, and mine has stood up to some pretty fair abuse. Yep, for $30 it's a beater, and well worth it.
jav200dc, thanks for the feedback on the glock knife. I'm starting to lean towards the glock as it's the cheapest and lightest of the knives I'm looking at and has the best sheath. I rarely use a knife when I backpack, so I hate sinking alot of cash into a knife.
RAT-7 in 1095, i can't say enough about this knife i have used and abused the hell out of it and it keeps on cookin. If you play ebay right you can snag one for about 85.00. I have a kabar and as soon as i got my RAT-7 the kabar took backseat and i haven't used it since. (the kabar is a better fighting knife, but the RAT is perfect for camp and backpacking chores). Once again for the money this is the best knife out there. the RD7 is nice too but the RAT has a way better factory sheath that wont let the knife slip out. hope this helps good luck
To make weight a non-issue, Your knife is the most important tool you can carry. if you can't carry a 7inch knife because of weight then you shouldn't be out in the woods 
. If you're trying to cut down your overall weight load take it from your other supplies not your knife!
. If you're trying to cut down your overall weight load take it from your other supplies not your knife! I can carry a 7" blade, but I don't need to. My experience and the experiences of many other backpackers have shown a Swiss Army Knife capable of meeting the vast majority of backpacking needs.
I backpack to have fun. "Fun" to me is having as light of a load as possible consisting of the bare essentials and getting to see as much of the great outdoors as possible.
I backpack to have fun. "Fun" to me is having as light of a load as possible consisting of the bare essentials and getting to see as much of the great outdoors as possible.
As an avid backpacker I fully agree. I large fixed blade knife is not in the least bit an important tool, let alone the most important. It is more of a toy. Besides, most popular backpacking places do not allow the types of things you would use such a knife for, ir fire and shelter building. Every ounce in yopur pack counts, and you really feel it and notice a difference backpacking.
The original post asked about knives suitable for backpacking and camping. If just for long distance backpacking on maintained trails where campfires are prohibited, then I'd agree - a SAK is all you need.
But for general camping where you may make a fire every night... a bigger knife becomes more important.
But for general camping where you may make a fire every night... a bigger knife becomes more important.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2007
- Messages
- 220
Well, in that case, I think that a Mora would be the best way to go. Cheap, some of them are under 3 ounces, and pretty good as well. That would be my first choice.
Hartsell, my original application range of backpacking and camping is too broad. I narrowed it to backpacking only. Thanks for pointing that out.
GroovyMr1337, you might be right. I've got a couple Mora's that I'll be taking with. I don't have a lot of confidence in the sheath. I've got a Frosts 780 & 760. Anybody have any long term experience with these sheaths?
GroovyMr1337, you might be right. I've got a couple Mora's that I'll be taking with. I don't have a lot of confidence in the sheath. I've got a Frosts 780 & 760. Anybody have any long term experience with these sheaths?
Exactly, thats what i was saying, just backpacking on regular trails you don't need a larger knife. but camping for multiple nights and fire building are much easier with a larger knife
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2005
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- 2,983
12 oz max for a serious piece of equipment seems silly to me.
I'm reminded of my severely overweight friend bitching about one knife weighing 4 oz more than another one, making it "too heavy."..........
He's carrying around an extra 200 POUNDS, but complains about a knife being 4 oz too much................
I'm reminded of my severely overweight friend bitching about one knife weighing 4 oz more than another one, making it "too heavy."..........
He's carrying around an extra 200 POUNDS, but complains about a knife being 4 oz too much................
jarlaxle, sorry about giving too broad of an application range in the beginning. I've removed the "camping" part from my first post.
Daved E, in the example you provided shaving oz's is silly if you can shave pounds. Although it is much easier and more fun to buy new gear to loose weight than to eat better and exercise more.
My situation is different....okay so I have a few winter lbs to burn off...but my winter pack weight minus food and water was 16lbs and 5lbs of that was my overweight tent. Reducing my pack weight while not compromising my saftey is a fun challenge to me. I just moved from MI to CO, so I'm rethinking my gear needs. In CO there is more risk of terrian related injury, animal attacks, and weather induced problems thus my knife question.
Any more knife recommendations?
Daved E, in the example you provided shaving oz's is silly if you can shave pounds. Although it is much easier and more fun to buy new gear to loose weight than to eat better and exercise more.
My situation is different....okay so I have a few winter lbs to burn off...but my winter pack weight minus food and water was 16lbs and 5lbs of that was my overweight tent. Reducing my pack weight while not compromising my saftey is a fun challenge to me. I just moved from MI to CO, so I'm rethinking my gear needs. In CO there is more risk of terrian related injury, animal attacks, and weather induced problems thus my knife question.Any more knife recommendations?
