Backpacking knife advice

N

NYSportz

Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
4
Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on a quality backpacking knife. I'll be out west in several parks over a 9 week span this spring/summer, and would like to have something I can rely on for general use during that time (and beyond). I'm thinking a folding knife with a roughly 3" blade. I like the look of the Griptilian, CRKT Ken Onion Eros (maybe a bit fragile for this purpose?), and Doug Ritter RSK Mk1 - but I'm completely open. I'll likely carry a multi-tool or mini-saw in addition to the knife.

I'd like to keep it under $150 if possible, but I can stretch this a bit if need be. I don't have any other criteria that I can think of, but let me know if I'm leaving out anything important.

Thanks!
 
My favorite backpacking knife (years ago) was an Opinel 7. Light weight, locking blade, easy to sharpen, and took a very sharp edge. And very inexpensive.
 
If your going to pack a multi tool,have you considered a small fixed blade.I believe they are more useful and definately stronger.Something along the lines of an ESEE 3 makes an awesome pack knife.Just food for thought.
 
Buck 110 is a lot of knife (about 3 3/4" blade) but all you'd need. If weight's a consideration (110 can be heavy if that's an issue), it comes in a 110 Ecolite version. I like and own them and both are good deals for the cost, which includes a belt sheath. You can do fancier, but I carry them (in the old days I carried a Schrade LB7 when they were made in the US - essentially the same as the Buck 110, but I had a New York bias then...) often.
And Welcome to the forum.
 
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If you have a multitool, you already have a folding knife. Why don't you get a small fixed blade like ESEE Izula? A fixed blade is more reliable (especially the Izula) than a folder. If you're willing to go slightly larger, you can get ESEE-3 or Fallkniven F1.
 
Good luck this spring/summer,sounds like a lot of fun. Well I am a folder guy myself and rarely carry a fixed blade. It works ok for me and covers my needs which are really just day hikes and edc chores. Your mileage may vary.
I have used the Buck 110 a lot,currently using one as my edc, and agree with what Gargs had to say. I am also a fan of Kershaw black colt 2.
Another good choice imho is the Spyderco native. Mine is comfortable in multiple grip positions, very comfortable to carry and very well made at a reasonable price.
And lastly how about a traditional trapper pattern slip-joint. Over the last couple of years a trapper and a sak have been my go to pair most of the time. It's a very comfortable, classy and useful folding knife but I realize they are not for everybody.
Jim
 
I hike alot also. I usually carry whatever edc in my front pocket. In the pack I keep a Mora and a small stone. I like the heavy duty type knives like fallknivens, esee's, but dont want the weight.
 
I would choose the Cold Steel ultimate hunter. strong, solid lock-up, good handle and grip design,
 
A fixed blade is typically more reliable. I caught one of Ray Laconico's Bushcraft/Utility blades around that price. 3.5" of pure utility.

However, if you have to have a folder, the Buck suggestions are good ones. You might also look into some of Spyderco's knives with polymer handles.

Those tend to really pack light. I have an old model Spyderco Calypso that is light as a feather (well, not really, but it's light).
 
I like the Benchmade 580 Barrage in a folder,,,,but like everyone else mentioned,,with a multitool, a small fixed blade would better round out your kit.
 
I normally carried two knives; one Finnish puukko, 4.5 inch with a Lauri PT blade strapped to my pack and a Sak mechanic in my pocket tied on to my belt with a lanyard.

Rich S
 
Sep said:
If you have a multitool, you already have a folding knife. Why don't you get a small fixed blade like ESEE Izula? A fixed blade is more reliable (especially the Izula) than a folder. If you're willing to go slightly larger, you can get ESEE-3 or Fallkniven F1.
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+1 for the Izula, you can't go wrong with a $50 knife backed by ESEE. The Izulla II is .5 inch longer in the handle for a bit more money.
 
I agree with the combo many mentioned already: a multitool (with a saw) and a small fixed blade.
 
I think the Doug Ritter RSK Mk1 is a great idea. I own Sebenzas, SNGs, tons of Spydies, and all manner of knives. But when it comes to backpacking, the only tactical folders I ever carry are the full-sized Ritter Grip and the Spyderco Military. Both are awesome knives for backpacking, when accompanied by a multi-tool or SAK.

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NYSportz said:
...I'm looking for some advice on a quality backpacking knife. I'll be out west in several parks over a 9 week span this spring/summer, and would like to have something I can rely on for general use during that time (and beyond)...
I'll likely carry a multi-tool or mini-saw in addition to the knife.

I'd like to keep it under $150 if possible, but I can stretch this a bit if need be. I don't have any other criteria that I can think of, but let me know if I'm leaving out anything important.
Click to expand...
Backpacking overnight for multiple nights in forested country? Environment (including weather conditions) & duration of stay, as well as the number of people accompanying you, are all significant factors in selecting the appropriate equipment. Also, how far do you intend to travel by foot per day, and how many hours of light will you have to accomplish this?

I've never hiked the desert reaches or swamp-country, but in the Midwest USA, BWCA, and in the Pacific NW, my main tools included a mid-sized fixed blade of good quality (e.g. Cattaraugus 225Q), a pack-saw (bahco), and a multitool (leatherman) or SAK + pliers.

If you are bringing an SAK or multitool, you are already equipped with a folding knife for smaller work. The mid-sized fixed blade is your fuel-processor (i.e. chop, baton, strip wood for a fire) - do not count on finding proper fuel just lying around, others may have passed that way before you and used all the easy stuff, or wet-wood may need to be stripped to access the drier core material, etc. In hostile conditions (wet, cold, hungry, dark, etc.), the faster you can supply yourself with appropriate resources like fire-wood, the better. Bring the fixed blade, even if you do not end up using it.
 
In my ever so humble opinion, back packing in parks and trails such as the AT, have become more like a walk in the park.
You will need a knife to open your Mountain House pouches, and whittle a stick. In settings like that, a small Swiss Army Knife will do it all.

Now, if you are out in a wilderness area, then you need a real knife. :rolleyes:
 
I always carried my Leathman and a small hatchet, on my backpacking trips. Sometimes I'd use a machete, but fire restrictions in NM negated the need for wood processing tools.
On the other hand, one time my backpack fell off a hillside. I became quite aware that I just lost all my gear. I got my stuff, but learned right then, to always carry a fixed blade on your body.
Plan for all your gear to fail. You will need to build a shelter and start a fire. Maybe this is why so many fixed blade sheaths also have a ferro rod tube on them.
 
I'm partial to the Spyderco Paramilitary 2. Like many others, I have lots of knives and have done a lot of camping over the years.

The basic Para2 is the best hiking/camp knife I've ever used - hands down. Strong as an ox, good blade shape, tough steel, not too big to comfortably carry in your pocket, but big enough for tough camp tasks.

TedP
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. That was a pretty tremendous response.

I like the idea of a fixed blade in addition to a SAK. I actually just picked up a Victorinox Farmer today. The Izulla looks really nice. For the price, it definitely seems worth checking out. If anyone thinks there's something else I should go with in that range instead, please let me know.

To answer questions about the trip: I'll be doing 9 weeks in parks like Bryce, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Sequoia, Olympic, etc. Average trip length will be 5-7 days. There will be two of us, with one of us packing a stove (but we'll be equipped to use wood in a pinch). We'll face a variety of conditions, from desert heat to falling snow at elevation. Depending on the day and conditions, we'll travel 10-15 miles on an average day. Most of this should be during daylight, given the time of year we'll be out.

Thanks again for the insight and advice!
 
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