Advice for a knife to take on hikes?

A fixed blade (like a Mora or perhaps something a little more substantial) is always my first choice for hiking and EDC use. Also a multi-tool will be very handy in case you are in a situation where you are not out of the woods as you had planned, and you must improvise/survive. Folding knives should only be carried in circumstances where you have no other choice. I happen to own a bunch of folders, and use them every day. This includes some very high end ones. I like them, I think that they are very cool, but if my life depends on it and I have to survive in the woods, I want a fixed blade option. Something in the 4 to 4.25" with a blade thickness of around 5/32" range would be a nice balance of strength, weight and utility. The one I use for casual hiking is the Survive GSO 4.1, but others have had some good recommendations as well. If you are on a tight budget, Mora is an exceptional value and available on Amazon Prime with knife, sheath and free shipping for under $20.00. However, these will rust. So care is required here.

As many have said, a knife will give you no protections against dangerous game (any size, shape or cost knife). I do take satisfaction in knowing that if I am fatally wounded by a bear, that the bear that killed me is going to bleed to death because of the wound that I gave it with my knife. If you want protection from a bear, then a 6" barrel Ruger Blackhawk in 454 Casull would be the smallest gun you could carry and have any hope for success. Watch the end of "Legends of the Fall.' "It was a good death."
 
sideways said:
Victorinox trekker
Mora clipper
Mora with firesteel
Opinel
Victorinox classic
Leatherman squirt
Full size multitool
Byrd cara cara 2 g-10

Forget animal defense as a selection criteria, if you are in big cat or bear territory prepare accordingly. Bring bear spray. Any one of those will do the trick. They all have their pluses and minuses. For most tasks the main thing is having a knife not which knife. If you bring a knife along with your 10 essentials (google it) you should be fine. Tell us a bit more about the kind of hiking you do and we can help more. If you are building fires a bigger knife makes things easier, if you are through hiking with ultralight gear the opposite applies. How remote? How far to walk? What else are you packing (saws and hatchets)? Will you be preparing lots of food? In general what will you do with it.

Get a knife that does the things you need it to do. Not what navy seals or bear fighters use.
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Sideways, the mora with firesteel is called a light my fire mora knife. At least I think.
 
Personally I prefer a Mora #1 for my hiking trips, they are good reliable inexpensive knives that can do most anything. Pick a knife that suits you best and is within your price range. Another option could be a small machete especially if you ever need to defend yourself from mountain lions etc. or do any chopping or heavy cutting, I have found they work just as well as a small hatchet and clear light brush quickly and effectively.
 
A neck knife might be worth it, you can wear it around your neck, on your belt, in your pocket even.

I've got a Becker Necker that I love, $30 and some paracord makes for a nice and comfortable little knife. Those Moras do look nice, though. I have one of their carving knives and man do those things come sharp.
 
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