A traditional, minimalist load-out for your Appalachian Trail thru-hike

You know, this all reminds me of a social situation I encounter from time to time. There's one guy here, who frequents some of the same social circles as I do. He's fairly intelligent, helps with a lot of electrical projects and events that we put on, always willing to lend a hand and a decent problem solver. But, there's something "off" about him. He carries around one of those huge, black, tanto-point fixed blades, the kind advertised with guys jamming them into rock crevices and standing on them; always eager to pull it out and expound on his right to carry it. Lately, he's gotten VERY into handguns, and bought a Glock 45, which he open-carries here in the city of Philadelphia. He obeys all the rules, wears his card on a lanyard outside of his shirt. But, there's just something about him... his demeanor is quite unsettling. Always all-black clothing and gear, the kind of guy who in many ways seems very immature (in his mid-20s, he sometimes wears little metallic slip-on fangs...??), very loud all the time. Recently, he got into an argument with some cohorts because he refused to leave his pistol home when they went to a music festival. Same type of vibe, I guess, as those unsavory folks hanging around the AT... Lots of people, I'm very comfortable being around when they have their tools or weapons. But some... Well, this guy just seems like he's hanging on by a thread, may come unhinged. I'm in favor of exercising one's rights, and often I carry a sheath knife, but still... Time & a place. And attitude, and demeanor, and... a level of respect and maturity. A sense of decorum. (It's what we're about here, in the Traditional forum, I think, to a degree.)

Buuut... If I were to pack for a lightweight through-hike, I'd still want to carry a nice traditional. Probably a trapper pattern, or a toothpick. That would be my only non-compromise. :D
 
From what I have read, a small SAK classic is plenty for the AT. With all the shops, and towns, I'd imagine that your Mastercard will fix anything through the in-between areas. If your needing the knife to open food, and make small repairs with, I'd shoot for one that has tweezers and scissors. From what I gather, the ticks can be a problem, same with hangnails and moleskin, lol. Sounds like fun though! :cool:

mnblade said:
I'm thinking Opinel 6, SAK Classic, and a P-38 can opener.
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Yeah, That Opinel 6 sounds good too, or they made a robust Mora recently. I need to remember to get myself a Mora; I hear their laminated blades are nice. I saw a few guys making handles for those around here and other places.

I'll let you go, but I do have more interest in this topic. :)
 
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HYOH sums it up best :thumbup:

A while back I read the story of Andrew Skurka who traveled 4,700 miles around the Alaska-Yukon territories in 7 months. On his site with the story he also has his gear list in which he lists his knife. He carried a Victorinox Classic penknife and in his pre trip comments he said "All that I've ever needed; mostly use scissors". The gear list then has a post trip comment category and he wrote: Remains "all that I've ever needed". The knife threads on a backpacking forum I frequent usually get heated so to speak, non knife people are very pushy about their belief's from my experiences but I can see their side. Its just a tool to most and for the long distance hiker its something that is not really needed. They have a few packages to open here and there, loose strings to trim and maybe some peanut butter to spread or some cheese to cut. I have read thru-hikers blogs and individuals experiences certainly vary. From my research one can sleep in a motel quite often along the journy(and a lot do), HYOH is certainly enacted here ;). So with the convenience of convenient stores, a lot of knife is just not used and arguably not needed at all. Would the knife you carry change if the thread title was "Hiking for two weeks to places never seen before by a walking human"? I dont think it would for Mr. Skurka :)
 
rockgolfer said:
HYOH sums it up best :thumbup:

A while back I read the story of Andrew Skurka who traveled 4,700 miles around the Alaska-Yukon territories in 7 months. On his site with the story he also has his gear list in which he lists his knife. He carried a Victorinox Classic penknife and in his pre trip comments he said "All that I've ever needed; mostly use scissors". The gear list then has a post trip comment category and he wrote: Remains "all that I've ever needed". The knife threads on a backpacking forum I frequent usually get heated so to speak, non knife people are very pushy about their belief's from my experiences but I can see their side. Its just a tool to most and for the long distance hiker its something that is not really needed. They have a few packages to open here and there, loose strings to trim and maybe some peanut butter to spread or some cheese to cut. I have read thru-hikers blogs and individuals experiences certainly vary. From my research one can sleep in a motel quite often along the journy(and a lot do), HYOH is certainly enacted here ;). So with the convenience of convenient stores, a lot of knife is just not used and arguably not needed at all. Would the knife you carry change if the thread title was "Hiking for two weeks to places never seen before by a walking human"? I dont think it would for Mr. Skurka :)
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And you sir, have hit on the one single over riding reason we differ on knife choice. It's between the non knife people and the knife nut. The so called 'normal' people, and us, the afflicted and obsessed. Mr. Skurka, like Colin Fletcher, does not really care about a knife other than it's use as a cutting tool for opening packages, cutting a small piece of moleskin for a blister, or other small duties. For them, a Vic classic is perfectly adequate for a back packing trip where you are carrying all you need with you. To us however, the obsessed knife nuts, we can think of a half dozen situations where we'd need a much bigger or a selection of cutlery. That's because we're all here on a website called Bladeforums. To the rest of society, we're weird. Even my better half of more years than I care to think about, sometimes looks at me getting ready for one of our outdoor adventures, and asks me, "Aren't you going overboard a little?" I'll look at the two pocket knives, a bowie knife, ax, and Viking broadsword, and tell her " You're right, I don't need two pocket knives." Okay, I'm exaggerating a little. At my age I'm leaving the Viking sword home more often.

But given the nature of non knife nut people, combined with the nature of the run of the mill nature loving back packer, and the almost suburban park crowding of the A.T. during the hight of the summer trek, a sheath knife is seen as a affection rather than a needed item. So the person carrying it is also seen as somewhat suspect. Our society breeds a group mentality when it comes to popular things that become trendy. Harley people all wear the Willie G. motor clothes, bicyclists all wear the stretch lycra of the sport, and back to nature back packers tend to all wear the trendy North Face clothing with the logo on front and back so they get more advertising from you coming and going. This tendency bleeds over into what in their minds are the 'right stuff' to have along. It's a rigid code, those who don't 'fit' in are looked at sideways. So if four trendy back packers are at a shelter, all wearing the approved logo stuff, making dinner over their little stoves, using their Swiss Army knives, and a guy shows up wearing black 5-11 gear, and a large unneeded tactical looking sheath knife on his hip, the hen's will start clucking like a fox was in the hen house. No, it's not right, but there it is.

But really, it all comes down to the 31 flavor ice cream choice. If there was not that much demand for different flavors, they would sell them. Same thing for knives, lots of opinions, and they are all correct because that's the way the person feels. And I think it all depends on what stage a person is at in their life. I used to be the big sheath knife guy, now I'm a small pocket knife guy. Somewhere between my 30's and my 60's I turned into my dad. Of course the other stuff I now carry in my pockets that I never carried as a young man takes up more room and adds weight, so some compromise must be made. I just wish the RONCO pocket defibrillator would be made a bit more compact. But I still always carry two pocket knives, and sometimes a third if I know I'm going somewhere I'm going to be doing a lot of cutting, like making dinner at someone else's house. Then an Opinel gets carried too. But then I'm one of the afflicted and obsessed, who spends time on a knife oriented forum that the non knife people will never understand. My dad would never have understood. He was a non knife guy, so if he hada knife, he ddn't need another knife. Same with the non knife people in back packing. They see a Vic classic as perfectly adequate to open a foil pack of freeze dried chicken al la king, and cut moleskin, so why weight themselves down with what is not needed. Being non knife people, they think the sheath knife on the hip is silly, while a knife nut will think it's good for the 'just in case' whatever.

But with the obnoxious behavior of some people on the A.T., I can see having a Viking broadsword on hand.

Carl.
 
already carry a mini trapper knife, chapstick, zippo with fuel canister (one of best inventions for a zippo owner on the go), electrical tape, little swiss tool with pliers, handkerchief. all of that is hardly noticeable in my pockets. to go on a grand journey as such might not even require a bag but a belt pouch with string, a esbit stove with fuel tabs, metal cup, water bottle, some packets of cream of wheat, and a rain jacket or poncho to wear when weather gets drizzley. not more then a few pounds total for a nice long walk to escape from the family.got all that stuff packed up and ready to go, just let me grab some little cigars and my hat and will be on my merry way.
 
Carl, good point about the needs of knife knuts vs normal folk. I wouldn't hike without at least my Opinel 8. I mean, who wants to sit by a stream whittling with a Vic Classic of Leatherman Squirt? Just silly really.

Generally I never think of personal self defense on the trail. But there's discussion on the hiking forums right now about a creep who is leaving sexually violent messages in AT logs. He's supposedly in the VT/NH area currently. One super disturbing post from a woman hiker. This goes beyond knives, really.
 
pinnah said:
Yes, yes. This is where I am too. Ditto on traditional folders. I think most non-knife people get nervous about fixed blades, traditional or not. That's why my traditional H-15 rides in the pack.



I think a large amount of this is about context. Another part of it is about actual design.

In terms of context, a 12" flat screw driver in my tool box, it's a tool. In my back pocket in an alley in Boston at 2 a.m. and it becomes a "burglary implement".

Here's another traditional knife from one of our sponsors...
BU119.jpg


At deer camp, it's a tool. On my belt at a hiker's lean-to on the AT, where, just to make the point very clear it is not needed in any way shape or form for 3 season weather with modern hiking equipment, it becomes a weapon.

In terms of design, it's good to remember that some traditional designs were designed first and foremost as weapons. The Bowie knife is a weapon, not a hunting tool and not a woodcraft tool but a weapon. And bowie-style hunting knives were designed and carried as dual purpose tools and weapons. IMO, there's good reason why most people find the Buck 119 or Ka-Bars frightening. They're smart enough to recognize a weapon when they see one. There's a good reason why the Buck 119 features so prominently in slasher movies. Same reason.

This isn't limited to fixed blades. The Buck 110 was the favorite knife of biker gangs for many years. Still see it on bikers occasionally. It's not there because they're likely to field dress a buck with their Buck! Tactical folders are designed to be more effective fighting weapons. Non-knife people understand that.

All this to say, I don't think we can have it both ways. We can't design and buy knives that have fighting and self-defense as a part of the goal and expect that people won't react badly when they see them.

It's one reason why I carry a drop point Opinel. It's a folding kitchen knife and the only person it has scared is my sister-in-law who, frankly, lives scared, so that doesn't count. :D
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Not that it makes a difference on the AT. Not that anybody but a knife nut would care.

But the original Bowie was a hunting knife. It was custom made for Rezin Bowie. Rezin loaned the knife to brother Jim after Jim got into a fight with Major Norris Wright. That’s the knife Jim carried at the Sandbar fight, which made the Bowie knife famous. We have this on the word of Rezin himself.

The first Bowie knife was made by myself in the parish of Avoyelles, in this state (Louisiana), as a hunting knife, for which purpose, exclusively, it was used for many years. The length of the blade was nine and one-quarters inches, its width one and one-half inches, single edged and not curved. Rezin P. Bowie, Planters Advocate: August 24, 1838.
 
SweptEdge said:
From what I have read, a small SAK classic is plenty for the AT. With all the shops, and towns, I'd imagine that your Mastercard will fix anything through the in-between areas. If your needing the knife to open food, and make small repairs with, I'd shoot for one that has tweezers and scissors. From what I gather, the ticks can be a problem, same with hangnails and moleskin, lol. Sounds like fun though! :cool:



Yeah, That Opinel 6 sounds good too, or they made a robust Mora recently. I need to remember to get myself a Mora; I hear their laminated blades are nice. I saw a few guys making handles for those around here and other places.

I'll let you go, but I do have more interest in this topic. :)
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To set the record straight I carry 2 slipjoints, a Letherman Wave,and a Spyderco Endura daily, But I add a small fixed blade for hikes. I was trying to answer in a "minimalist load out" manner ;)
 
I really want to thank you folks for sharing your thoughts on this thread. Very, very thought-provoking.
Now, I will share some thoughts as well.
First, I know very little of the AT; from what I've learned, it's quite an organized hike, which used to be one thing long ago and is quite anothe thing now. Landscape doesn't change much, but hiking inside of it can change pretty much with time. I live on an island that, in spite of being relatively small, offers vast wild areas where people (even from abroad) come to hike and climb. I would bet that most of those people only carry a SAK of some sort, and get away with it just fine. Lately, I've found myself carrying a small fixed blade along with a folder or SAK. I'm not sure if I need it (and probably don't), yet I like to carry it (we're knifenuts after all - I know of a guy who carries 2/3 flashlights on day hikes just because he likes them).
As for the looks you can get, I can't relate cause I don't know the area nor the people there. I do know, however, that attitude and behaviour have alot to do with the people's reaction to any knife.
I'm not sure whether it's "fair" to compare a few days' hike on an organized trail (like the AT appear to be) to Fes' months' hunting outdoors life. And this relates to knives as well, and mixes with personal preference and taste.

Fausto
:cool:
 
quattromori said:
I'm not sure whether it's "fair" to compare a few days' hike on an organized trail (like the AT appear to be) to Fes' months' hunting outdoors life,

Fausto
:cool:
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Remember, my original post referenced a "thru hike," not just a few days. Most folks who hike the AT from one end to the other -- a thru hike -- take about six months to do it!
 
I don't know what was going on in the instance earlier in this thread where the guy with the large sheath knife got the stink eye and people left, but I have been in situations where I didn't want to be around people with a big knife.

Just imagine you are hanging out at camp with your buddies and some guy walks up alone, drunk and/or high and he has a large knife on his belt. Add to that an odd, abrasive personality and not too many people are going to want to hang around, knife or not.

EDIT: I didn't see Puukoman's post at the top of this page until after posting this...but yeah I agree with Puukoman! :)
 
mnblade said:
Remember, my original post referenced a "thru hike," not just a few days. Most folks who hike the AT from one end to the other -- a thru hike -- take about six months to do it!
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Thanks for correcting me (fortunately, I had stated that I know little about the AT - Sure I didn't know it was so long :rolleyes:).
Yet, no matter the distance or length, the kind of trail you're in affects the "knife thing" (can you hunt? fish? process wood? and so on...)
This whole thing is pretty interesting :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
quattromori said:
Thanks for correcting me (fortunately, I had stated that I know little about the AT - Sure I didn't know it was so long :rolleyes:).
Yet, no matter the distance or length, the kind of trail you're in affects the "knife thing" (can you hunt? fish? process wood? and so on...)
This whole thing is pretty interesting :)

Fausto
:cool:
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Hi Fausto. The A.T. regulations forbid any camp fires at all while on the trail, and all cooking is done over whatever small back packing stove the person b rings along. If you reach one of the designated shelters, there is a fire pit and a fire can be made there, only. There is no processing of wood except for gathering downed deadwood. With the numbers of people using the A/T. in prime season, this is a very remote possibility of finding enough dead wood laying about to build a fire large enough to roast a fillet of mouse. So, there is no need for a wood cutting tool.

There is no hunting, carrying of firearms, and in some of the National Parks I've seen signs prohibiting the carry of knives with over a 3 inch blade. Since the A.T. is 2,000 miles long, it passes through many different jurisdictions, and you have a patchwork of local laws to deal with, especially up in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

As you can tell, control is very tight, with a lot of regulations dealing with every aspect of the trail, and human behavior. With as many people as there are using this trail, it it needed, and even so, there are still everyday crimes like robbery, and even murder.

You'd think that with 2,000 miles of trail, it would not be affected that much by the through hikers. And it isn't. But from May to October, the weekend backpackers descend on the trail like grasshoppers on a wheat field. Only a few weeks ago we spent the weekend at Karen's cousins place in the mountains, just off the Blue Ridge parkway. The A.T. is only a 20 minute file up the mountain from her property. We walked up, and got to a parking lot where the day hikers and weekend back packers were setting out. My God!

The parking lot was packed like a sardine can with cars, and droves of people with back packs. Red packs, yellow packs, pink packs, blue packs. So many people that General Patton could have started a whole front with that many people. And then there were the motorcycles. On any nice weekend, the urban Harley bikers cruise out to the Skyline drive and Blue Ridge Parkway. Every few moments the deep rumble of many motorcycles fills the air as the go by in groups like marauding P-47's at low level. And the A.T. is very close to the parkway for 500 and some miles.

Mankind has done a good job of killing the wilderness in the area of the A.T. with his love of it. Anytime something becomes popular, it's domed. So in reality, you could set off with a Vic classic and a Gatewood sack of a few things, and do the 2,000 miles of the A.T. in fine style. It's a walk in the park, literally. And if you run out of food, that's okay, you'll be coming out to a road and a store of some kind in a day or so.

Carl.
 
jackknife said:
... there are still everyday crimes like robbery, and even murder.
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Sorry for being an editor nerd here, but I think it's important to point out that Carl means there are common crimes such robbery -- not that they happen every day. And that there have also been murders on the AT. Though not that many -- and they're certainly not an everyday occurrence.

-- Mark
 
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Mark,
thank you for the picture. I wasn't aware of a good half of the trail :p
I assume all those changes are quite natural, considering the "fame" of the trail, and the fact that many parts of it are easily accessible from parkways and such.
As for crime, one thing that I've learned in my life, is that the more people wander inside an area, the higher the crime rate will be; this applies to cities, but also to suburban places as well...and to woods sometimes.
Back to the original question, I still think I would bring a small folder or SAK, and a small fixed blade.

Fausto
:cool:
 
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