Advice for a knife to take on hikes?

pinnah said:
Stan,

Of the predators in the US, the most likely to attack humans are the grizzly and mountain lion. This said, they are very, very rare. When I last visited Yellowstone (a few years ago), they emphasized that bison injure more people. When I lived and hiked in the Big Sur region of California, I never saw a mountain lion (although my bud swears one ran in front of the truck one evening as I dozed on the way out). In New England, where I live, moose are among the more dangerous animals in terms of injuries. More broadly, animal attacks all totaled are much less common that more mundane backcountry threats like hypothermia, getting lost, falling, and heart attacks. And of course, the most likely way to get killed or injured from a backcountry trip is during the drive to and from the trailhead. Strongly suggest reading a good general backcountry book like Colin Fletcher's "The Complete Walker", creating your own version of the "10 essentials" (my list is here and it includes a knife: http://home.comcast.net/~pinnah/DirtbagPinner/essentials-list.txt) and driving safely.

Regarding knives... I prefer to carry a knife with a blade in the 3" to 4" range. I like flat ground blades as they work wood well, which is handy when making fires. I also like a knife I can carry on my person even when I'm wearing a pack. For me, this means a folding knife.

Of all the animals discussed above, the only one that would make me change my knife selection (I carry an Opinel) would be the mountain lion. It appears to be the only animal for which it is suggested that you actively fight back. If I were hiking solo in known mountain lion terrain (I have in the past), I would be thinking about the same things from a knife that fighters think about; namely the ability to deploy it quickly under duress and the ability to stab. For a fixed blade, I would want a finger guard. I would also think about a "dangler" style sheath that could be used with a pack hip belt so that I always have it with me. For a folder, I would want 1 hand opening or assisted opening. Of these two styles, I would go with a tactical style folder.

I must emphasize that with all wild animals, knowledge is much more important than a knife. If you regularly hike in mountain lion terrain, you should read everything you can get your hands on about them and learn how to hike in a way that minimizes the chances of being attacked. Solo running is probably a bad idea.
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Black bears warrant a fight. And if a .357 magnum is not available, the largest knife possible works.
 
pinnah said:
Stan,

Of the predators in the US, the most likely to attack humans are the grizzly and mountain lion. This said, they are very, very rare. When I last visited Yellowstone (a few years ago), they emphasized that bison injure more people. When I lived and hiked in the Big Sur region of California, I never saw a mountain lion (although my bud swears one ran in front of the truck one evening as I dozed on the way out). In New England, where I live, moose are among the more dangerous animals in terms of injuries. More broadly, animal attacks all totaled are much less common that more mundane backcountry threats like hypothermia, getting lost, falling, and heart attacks. And of course, the most likely way to get killed or injured from a backcountry trip is during the drive to and from the trailhead. Strongly suggest reading a good general backcountry book like Colin Fletcher's "The Complete Walker", creating your own version of the "10 essentials" (my list is here and it includes a knife: http://home.comcast.net/~pinnah/DirtbagPinner/essentials-list.txt) and driving safely.

Regarding knives... I prefer to carry a knife with a blade in the 3" to 4" range. I like flat ground blades as they work wood well, which is handy when making fires. I also like a knife I can carry on my person even when I'm wearing a pack. For me, this means a folding knife.

Of all the animals discussed above, the only one that would make me change my knife selection (I carry an Opinel) would be the mountain lion. It appears to be the only animal for which it is suggested that you actively fight back. If I were hiking solo in known mountain lion terrain (I have in the past), I would be thinking about the same things from a knife that fighters think about; namely the ability to deploy it quickly under duress and the ability to stab. For a fixed blade, I would want a finger guard. I would also think about a "dangler" style sheath that could be used with a pack hip belt so that I always have it with me. For a folder, I would want 1 hand opening or assisted opening. Of these two styles, I would go with a tactical style folder.

I must emphasize that with all wild animals, knowledge is much more important than a knife. If you regularly hike in mountain lion terrain, you should read everything you can get your hands on about them and learn how to hike in a way that minimizes the chances of being attacked. Solo running is probably a bad idea.
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When I was stationed in Alaska with the military, I received some wilderness survival training and was taught to fight back if attacked by a black bear. It was recommended that we strike the bear on the nose with a log or shovel or fist. Sometimes this does little more than speed your death, but other times it discourages the bear with the result that it runs. Needless to say, a gun is best, but if that's not an option, then you work with what you have to survive. Frankly, when I'm in the woods, I'm more concerned about two-legged predators.

As for knives, I agree with those who've recommended a two-knife approach consisting of a folder and a fixed blade. For a folder, you can't go wrong with a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, especially one with a saw; however, any good folder will be fine. I love my Ontario Rat 1 and my Cold Steel Voyager. For a fixed-blade, a Mora would be a great place to start. If you don't mind spending a few extra dollars, then check out the Ka-Bar Becker BK-16. It's a good all-around knife that will do most anything you need a knife to do. Personally, I love the Ka-Bar USMC. It's very light, yet very capable.

If for some reason you have to choose between the two, I recommend that you opt for a fixed blade. A fixed-blade has a lot more to offer, especially if you plan on doing some bushcraft while you're in the woods. It will also serve you better if a hike-gone-awry turns into a survival situation.
 
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Let's review some of last year's animal attacks in North America EDIT and yes I am aware more people get killed by lightning, but they are just as dead.

March 16: 3 shark maulings in 3 days [Martin Co. Florida] and a Longwood Fla. woman Terri Gurley was bitten by a black bear

March 29: polar bear got shot in Newfoundland Canada after going on a rampage

April 16: a so-called "killer" swan attacked a Des Plaines Illinois caretaker until he drowned
Agressive raccoons at Kiwanis Island park on Merritt Island Florida terrorize visitors with fang and claw attacks

April 20: a rabid bear attacks 2 men in Royal Orchard on Afton mtn. in Virginia [Patrick Thompson and Bobby Bryant who described the attack as "unreal"]


May 5: a pet Lynx attacked a Bellvue WA woman

May 7: an Aurora IL man was bitten by a coyote in his yard

May 16: a coyote attack in Cape Breton Canada

May 19: bear attacked a woman in Trinidad Colorado

May 31: bear attack at a campground east of Payson AZ

June 22: another bear attack near Payson, possubly by the same bear


June 26: coyote biting in Sun City, CA


July 1: mountain lion attack on a man camping NW of Nevada City, CA

July 11: Tallahassee Fla 17 yr old boy got munched on by a gator

July 31: shark attack on swimmer at Ballston Beach in Truro, MA

August 3: otter attacked a woman swimming in Aitkin Minn, 2nd attack in a month, other one was in water near Duluth

August 26: Denali Nat. Park, Alaska a bear killed a California man shooting photos of the bear

Augiust 28: a woman was attacked by a mountain lion who entered her house

Nov. 26: an elderly couple fends off a bear in BC Canada

Nov 29: the Big Bend attack

http://www.cougarinfo.org/attacks4.htm
 
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A big cat followed one of our dogs back to camp a few years back and then wouldn't leave. After an hour or so we finally broke camp, taking turns packing up while the other kept an eye on it. I then read up on other attacks and how unpredictable a cats behavior can be. I've always carried a gun strong side and a folder on the other but added bear spray for the mountain lions as the research indicates that it is probably the most affective (and safer for everyone involved).
 
Schrade makes a fixed blade with a hollow handle, that might be more up your alley if you are thinking about a spear it is a more conventional drop point can be had serrated and comes in 5 or 7 inch blade.

One post earlier said that only mountain lions are fightable with a knife. I don't agree with that as there are several folders which are ferocious if used right but with the above the other bases will definitely be covered.
 
Hi all - My first post. I've spent years doing multi-day backpacking trips in the white mtns of NE and mostly in NH. Weight vs functionality is the ever present trade-off for those type of trips. Esp on rugged terrain. I always carry a small to med size fixed blade and a multi-tool to help with possible equipment failures (backpacks, tents, stoves, zippers on sleeping bags, and etc). I stopped carrying a folding knife because I found my knife was used for a bunch of messy kitchen duties like spreading peanut butter, or stirring my messy soup or mixing oatmeal. A fixed blade is super easy to clean off and I don't have too worry about yuck getting into the hinges and etc. It's also real easy to strap it to the outside of a pack for quick access and storage as opposed to fumbling around a backpack compartment and grabbing the same lighter 5 times before you get your folding blade ;-)
 
Steve6387 said:
Hi all - My first post. I've spent years doing multi-day backpacking trips in the white mtns of NE and mostly in NH. Weight vs functionality is the ever present trade-off for those type of trips. Esp on rugged terrain. I always carry a small to med size fixed blade and a multi-tool to help with possible equipment failures (backpacks, tents, stoves, zippers on sleeping bags, and etc). I stopped carrying a folding knife because I found my knife was used for a bunch of messy kitchen duties like spreading peanut butter, or stirring my messy soup or mixing oatmeal. A fixed blade is super easy to clean off and I don't have too worry about yuck getting into the hinges and etc. It's also real easy to strap it to the outside of a pack for quick access and storage as opposed to fumbling around a backpack compartment and grabbing the same lighter 5 times before you get your folding blade ;-)
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Totally agree and also not a bad idea to carry a backup folder in your bag.
 
Ok I'm assuming that you're not a knife guy for now.

If I had to start all over I'd get a swiss army knife that has a SAW. Get the model you like.
I'd get an inexpensive fixed blade like a mora.

FWIW I usually take either a Case trapper or Buck 110 and my BRKT Aurora.
 
If you want a good knife for hiking then you dont really want a folder just sayin. Pick up a Mora( any model is fine). Easy to sharpen, holds a decent edge for a decent time and is dirt cheap for how nice of a blade it is. 15 dollars
 
jobasha11 said:
If you want a good knife for hiking then you dont really want a folder just sayin. Pick up a Mora( any model is fine). Easy to sharpen, holds a decent edge for a decent time and is dirt cheap for how nice of a blade it is. 15 dollars
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Stainless or carbon?
 
Mora - no guard on it. No stabbing.

Ok, I will not stab anything like ice, wood, or mountain lions.
 
klute said:
because of peanut butter you dolt! cant you read??

[i'm just messin around ;)]
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That peanut butter is only going to attract lions, tigers, bears, and zombies. Hello. Survival 101.

:D

I would be interested in jobasha11's reasoning beyond "just sayin'". :confused:
 
klute said:
Mora - no guard on it. No stabbing.
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Wrong.
classic-moras-with-guards.jpg

40-39.jpg

511.jpg

Stab away!

Guy killed a Mtn. lion with a 110 in the article I referenced earlier. No guard either. I guess you do what you need to survive.
 
Wow. I'm WRONG....I mean I WAS wrong.

This is a first..... :D

anyway, thanks for "updating" i appreciate that, now i know more about why Mora is useful / good etc. I appreciate it. ;)
 
So if you encounter a bear, and if a bear will kill you anyways, might as well fight back instead of dying like a coward..


what about rhose blades that is bullet propelled?
 
The best advice I can give you is to read. There is a wealth of information here from some very knowledgeable folks. Research, find out about knives in general, and then decide for yourself what best suits your needs/desires. There are many suggestions from folks here based on what works for them. Read this forum, and make your own decision on what is best.
 
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