Backpackers! How heavy is your knife?

The older I get, the less stuff I find myself taking on backpacking trips. I simply don't like to carry unnecessary items so I find that I mostly use a SAK or my Benchmade mini barrage. If I bring a fixed blade, its usually some sort of Mora. They are inexpensive, lightweight and are effective slicers/carvers. I really like their handle comfort and the light-my-fire model has a built in fire steel. But truth be told, even they are "wasted" weight in the summer months on established trails when I have shelter, food and cooking utility items in my pack. Hell, even Andrew Skurka only brought a mini SAK on his cross tour of Alaska which is way more off the beaten track than I go.
 
Bob W said:
I wouldn't really consider that "backpacking." Although it technically is, it's not the common use of the word. I would call it just ordinary "camping" or "sleeping outdoors."
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It's a common use of the word here in Indiana. We don't have miles and miles of trails or vast wilderness areas. If we hiked 30 miles a day in Indiana, we would probably pass through a McDonald's parking lot. To me, backpacking is backpacking regardless of miles hiked - it's still "a house on your back", as Colin Fletcher says. Setting up a tent at a state park is camping.
 
Around here in some areas you must be at least a mile from the road to spend the night. Roadside 'camping' is not allowed; they have campgrounds for that.

But anywhere, unless in a campground, it's considered common courtesy and basic outdoor etiquette to sleep far enough away from roads or trails that your campsite isn't visible to other hikers. Aside from etiquette and minimizing impact, I do it for my own personal privacy and protection. :)

I haven't spent much time outdoors in Indiana, but I did once attend an outdoor education conference at Bradford Woods, the outdoor facility for Indiana University.
More recently I visited the Hoosier National Forest and posted a quick write-up here (non-commercial link): http://placesandpics.com/locations/united-states-indiana/hoosier-national-forest/
 
TAH said:
To me, backpacking is backpacking regardless of miles hiked - it's still "a house on your back", as Colin Fletcher says.
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Yep. Miles hiked to backpackers is tantamount to how much you chop in an outing to knife guys just like how light your pack is to ultralighters. Elitism. If you don't do "this" then you're not a real backpacker, outdoorsman, bushcrafter...etc. Meh.:rolleyes:
 
Shotgun said:
Yep. Miles hiked to backpackers is tantamount to how much you chop in an outing to knife guys just like how light your pack is to ultralighters. Elitism. If you don't do "this" then you're not a real backpacker, outdoorsman, bushcrafter...etc. Meh.:rolleyes:
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I wonder...does it counts if I walk 30 miles around the city (while wearing a backpack), then stay in a Holiday Inn? :D
 
Well, I purchased the Bark River STS-4 (7.7 oz.) and a separate Kydex sheath. The Kydex sheath is very nice, but surprising fairly heavy, so I purchased a leather sheath, which weighs next to nothing and really lightened the package. Anyway, here it is with G10 scales and both sheaths. Great knife and beautifully made! :thumbup:


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When I bring a fixed blade, it's usually a Mora with the red, barrel shaped handle and a four inch blade. Not sure of the designation. Works pretty well, and light as heck.
 
Getahl said:
When I bring a fixed blade, it's usually a Mora with the red, barrel shaped handle and a four inch blade. Not sure of the designation. Works pretty well, and light as heck.
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That's the Mora No 1. Classic. It weights 2 3/4 ounces. Great knives and can be had for $14. Every knife and/or outdoor enthusiast ought to own one.
 
These days I usually have the GSO 3.5 in pack. Just under 4oz for the knife and around 6oz with the sheath. Depending on the trip the GSO 10 comes with, that's about 20oz. Like all good knife knuts, I don't think there is an upper limit. Just carry what you'll use and enjoy!

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Just to add a bit of backpacking stoke to the thread.

From this past weekend. Kids asked (really) to do a Presidential Traverse. We did the half version, Rt 2 to Pinkham. Second day was 10 hours of trail time. Full packs. Ounces matter. Pointless here to make fires. Spreading peanut butter on bagels to keep the kids' feet moving was more important. Carried my faithful Opinel Inox #9.

Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr

Ski tracks still visible in Tucks.
Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
nice :) I'm headed to the Crazy Mtns for a long run/hike Saturday, think I'll take this- 2.4 oz

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Folder in the pocket, Junglas in the backpack.
You never know when you need a knife like the junglas :3
 
One of these three Bark rivers: From left to right, Scandi in CPM3V, Bushcrafter in CPM3V, Gunny in Elmax. Scandi is about 5 oz., Bushcrafter 6.5 oz., Gunny about 5.5 oz. I love my fixed blades, and often when I go backpacking, I bring way too much steel because I love to play with blades. Plus, the extra weight on my pack means extra weight shaved off of my body weight by the end of the trip. :)

 
I have also never used a knife hiking or camping... I always bring one, but never gets used other than a photo shoot.

Even when my father used to take us on 2 week long camping trips in the middle of the Forrest, he only brought a small hatchet.
 
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