Backpacking Blade set?

At this time, I carry my Victorinox Bundeswehr (trekker) SAK (most used), Mora 2000, Fiskars garden axe and a Fiskars sliding blade saw. All work very well for me and are great choices for carrying when day hiking or backpacking.
 
This is what I carried last year on backpacking trips:
KingsCanyon2009504.jpg


This year the folder assortment may be altered some (the trip this week it was a Buck Mayo), and the fixed blade will be one of these two, depending on the trip:
11-21-09007.jpg


11-21-09010.jpg
 
i daresay my Fallkniven WM1 and S1 will be my go-to outdoors knives when they arrive (hopefully, TODAY!!)

i've made very good use of a Leatherman and a Mora Clipper in the past.
 
It changes based on where I'm going, how long, etc. If I'm going to be in the high desert, there's simply nothing to cut (as far as wood processing goes), other than sagebrush. My Koyote leuku, Svord Peasant, HB Shawnee hawk and 14 inch Tramontina will come along. (Don't ask me why about the hawk-it's so lightweight I don't notice the extra pound or so it adds, it's just nice peace of mind and I rarely go anywhere without one nowadays)
If I'm going to be in canyonlands, where locust and cottonwood trees grow, or pine forests, I'll take the Condor Bolo or Khukri for more robust chopping and limbing power, and the Rodan/Hest combo for woodworking. Really it all depends on the mood, what I intend to be practicing, where I'm going, how far and how long.
 
I am an odd duck granted, but my set up this Summer has been 9.5" HI Chunk Munk and CS AK47 (the first model) this was in the Seqouias for 9 days...in the High Des walking I take the Rajah 2.

-zeke
 
buyer5207,
You may have already gotten the information that you need.
If not, it would be helpful to know some things about your travel plans.

-How many consecutive days of backpacking are you planning?
-How far are you planning to travel both each day and in total?
-Where and what time(s) of year are you going to be traveling?

I probably missed something. If I did, someone please chime in.
 
BRKT Kephart
Silky Extra Coarse Big Boy Saw
Busse AK-47 (machete/axe)
Leatherman Charge XTI

Haven't encountered a problem these 4 can't handle in the woods.
 
While backpacking, I always carry something more capable than a knife for fire making; usually a collapsible hacksaw or a pack axe. I'm rocking the Sawvivor and a Gransfors Bruks 19" Forest Axe lately.

Bladewise, I always bring something capable of light batoning, so no Mora's or anything like that (even though the clipper is my current favorite knife!). Right now I'm testing the Fiddleback Recluse made by BRKT, and really loving it. I've also recently acquired a 5" miniaturized USMC Ka-Bar that I can see being a pretty nice backpacking blade. I used to bring a RC-6 and then an RC-4, but I really hate the handles on those knives so I tend to shy away from them now.
 
When actual backpacking - from one point to another usually 5 - 10 miles one way and doing various 5 mile loops and such, Gerber clutch multi-tool and rat izula (yes, mine is a Rat not ESEE).

When bushing it, my hatchet, bk2 or usmc knife and gerber saw.
 
This is everyday carry for me.

On my belt is a vic Champ XLT, and a small fixed blade - it can be one of many.

In my pocket is an ancient Spyderco Delica.

In the bag is a NWA Scout in A-2 w/Green Micarta, a GB mini in summer or a Reeves Nessmuk grind double in winter, a Gerber sliding saw, and an old LM Wave.

The saw is soon to be replaced with a Silky 270 coarse and the Scout may bump up to a Sierra Scout. The Scout is a great knife, but I would like just a bit more blade.

I carried a Dozier WS for years, but I dislike trailing point knives. An odd choice that worked well for me for many years was a CS Master Tanto. Not really thought of as a woods knife, but it worked for me. Just goes to show you, what knives work for someone are as about as varied in character as those who carry them.
 
A smallish fixed blade, usually blade no bigger than 6", SAK Fieldmaster (saw & scissors), usually a benchmade griptillian, and a leatherman.
 
When I'm backpacking the most knife that I ever carry is some sort of SAK (usually a Vic Farmer). If I'm spending time in a single spot I'll bring more toys.

Jeff
 
when I am on the AT, or similar trail, I don't really need a pack full of blades. Leatherman and a SAK handle everything.

A walk in the park is not challenging.

I am more concerned when out in the National Forest or State Forest.
 
no "set" for me, my WM1 does everything I need done while backpacking- food prep, wood prep (I predominately use a wood stove and cleaning fish (and occasionally grouse when hiking early fall)

orangewm1kit.jpg


I do have one of these on order though that will likely replace the WM1, Charles May SP7 Hiker's Delight, 3/32" steel, hollow pins and a few extra holes in the tang add up to ~ 40% weight savings over the "normal" SP7

Image_Knife.asp
 
Sharp Eye said:
buyer5207,
You may have already gotten the information that you need.
If not, it would be helpful to know some things about your travel plans.

-How many consecutive days of backpacking are you planning?
-How far are you planning to travel both each day and in total?
-Where and what time(s) of year are you going to be traveling?

I probably missed something. If I did, someone please chime in.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking. I've done simple trail hikes to see a particular site and I've done hikes to remote locations for fishing. Sometimes, I'll get out and just hike in a 6-8 miles to set up a base camp and practice bushcraft or other skills with my son. It really depends on the distance, duration, terrain, time of year/season and what activities you plan on doing.

DSC03705.jpg


I will always have a folder and a fixed blade when hiking, even day hiking. Most times, I'll have either a SAK (Rucksack or Outrider) or my Swiss Spirit multi-tool. Even when backpacking, I really like and use a folding saw (Kershaw/Bahco or Silky are my top choices) quite often. For most seasons, I'll pack along my BRKT Golok if I plan to do a lot of wood work or feel the need to batten. It's not the best if used as a machete, but will still do a good job if I'm going to an area where I expect I'll have to clear out a camp site or make a trail to a lake or water hole.

I often carry more knives than I need, but if I'm going on a distance hike (which I haven't done this year), I really scale down and will take a very small fixed blade (like the Fallkniven WM1) and SAK. This is especially true if I'm using a stove and sticking to the trail, yet weight is a premium (although I'll still end up packing a "useless" Glock 23 or Bulldog .44 SPL:D).

To put it more simply; I carry more than I probably need but exactly what I want:D If you catching me bitching about the weight on my back, then I’m carrying too many blades, tools and toys! Honestly, it’s really about your hobbies in the backwoods, on the trails and what the goal of the hike really is. I’ve known some backpackers to be comfortable with just a small SAK and I’ve known some comfortable with a Khukuri…balance your need with your wants and know the consequences of the extra weight or limitations of your choice.

ROCK6
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top