Backpacking knife advice

Check out the KA-BAR BK11 too. Some people (like me) prefer the grip and/or blade on that to the Izula's. It is also a bit cheaper, and can open beer easier :)
 
NYSportz said:
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.
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The Farmer will be more than enough knife, but if you have your heart set on a fixed blade sidekick, the Izula will make a nice companion.

Jeff
 
I carry a Leatherman Ti with a 3-inch S30V knife blade. But a 3-inch backpacking knife is asking a lot out of a knife. I agree with others that a small fixed blade would be a better way to go. And for me, I'd carry a Cold Steel Rajah 3 if I couldn't carry a fixed blade. The Rajahs have a phenomenal lock up and a good cutting angle in the rain and the blade shape is very efficient.

Of course, any of the knives you mention would do well. People here have done some serious trekking with the inexpensive Byrd Cara Cara, which gives you an extra inch in blade length and can be easily stripped in the field. Another exceptional knife is the Buck Alaskan. Available through Cabelas, it is a strong folder with a leather sheath and a sharp S30V blade. Unless you're limited by law to a 3-incher, I'd go with something a little longer and, again, the Rajah is the strongest knife of its kind on the market and can be easily sharpened anywhere. They're also a bargain, and I routinely carry my 6-incher when I'm hiking trails here in the East.
 
For around $30 you can get a longer and more usable fixed blade at roughly twice the weight. Mora 2000 or any of the Mora Bushcraft line weighs only 5oz, yet you're getting a 4"+ knife with a grind very suitable for processing wood (among other things). Despite the modest price, a lot of people swear by these knives.
 
+1 for the Izula and the BK11 suggestions!Alot of cutting power in a smaller package.
 
I would personally go with a fixed blade. For $150, you can get any number of awesome fixed blades. My advice would be to hit the makers for sale section and get a custom. As for the Izula, I would skip it and get the Izula 2if you want a production knife. I have the Izula and always want that extra 1/2 inch of handle when I use it.

If you're set on a folder the Ritter is a great knife but I prefer the Spyderco Military. If the blade length is an issue go with the Paramilitary 2.

Lastly, visit the Wilderness and Survival Skills sub-forum. All we talk about is knives and hiking.;)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=692
 
+1 for a Mora knife. With a Mora and a SAK you will be in good shape. You can spend a lot more but don't be fooled by the low price of the Mora. It will do just about anything you need and is very light. I usually backpack with one or a combination of the following knives - Opinel #8, Mora Clipper, Gerber Prodigy, Cold Steel GI Tanto, Buck Paklite, CRKT Stiff Kiss, SAK, Buck camp axe, Sabrecut Saw or a cheap folding saw, Byrd Cara Cara, Byrd Meadowlark Rescue (rafting trips), Kabar USMC. The ESSE knives get a lot of praise and they are gorgeous but I usually take less expensive knives that are equally capable into the wild. I'd hate to drop a 150 dollar knife in a river or lose it on a hike, but that's just me. If I lose a Mora, meh, it's 12 bucks. It sounds like you've got some great adventures ahead this year! Good luck!
 
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One-hand trekker. Locking blade and screwdriver (prybar). Does anything. Maybe add a Classic for the small scissor and nail file.

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When I hike I like to pair a fixed blade and a folder. Helle Harding, Fallkniven fixed blades and an Opinel 8 works well.
 
2 more cents. Anytime your going into the wilderness don't mess around and underestimate what can happen, plan for the worst, hope for the best. I've spent years out in the mountains. Take several knives, a smaller folder like one of the Buck Vantage series (awesome knives), for the bigger work you COULD encounter, a small knife is useless so add an ESEE Junglas and an Esee 4. Between these 3 you'll be ready for ANYTHING.
 
NYSportz said:
I actually just picked up a Victorinox Farmer today.

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.
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Nice job buying the Farmer. IMHO, it's the best folding knife you could have in the field. Wickedly versatile.

It sounds like you'll be doing a lot of "leave no trace" style backpacking. Truth be told, lots of backpackers doing this style of camping often get by with just a tiny SAK Classic. The Farmer may be all you need. I personally wouldn't carry just a SAK, but I'm a knife nut. The reality is that on such trips, there just isn't a whole of cutting to be done.
 
Here's another vote for a light, small fixed blade. Tough to go wrong with a Becker BK11, BK14 or the ESEE Izula or Izula 2. They all rock and are all under your budget - some WAY under.

---

Beckerhead #42
 
Buzzbait said:
Nice job buying the Farmer. IMHO, it's the best folding knife you could have in the field. Wickedly versatile.

It sounds like you'll be doing a lot of "leave no trace" style backpacking. Truth be told, lots of backpackers doing this style of camping often get by with just a tiny SAK Classic. The Farmer may be all you need. I personally wouldn't carry just a SAK, but I'm a knife nut. The reality is that on such trips, there just isn't a whole of cutting to be done.
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Yeah, the Farmer is about the best SAK for the woods I've ever seen, as a compromise between weight, durability, capability and price.
 
Drover said:
2 more cents. Anytime your going into the wilderness don't mess around and underestimate what can happen, plan for the worst, hope for the best. I've spent years out in the mountains. Take several knives, a smaller folder like one of the Buck Vantage series (awesome knives), for the bigger work you COULD encounter, a small knife is useless so add an ESEE Junglas and an Esee 4. Between these 3 you'll be ready for ANYTHING.
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I agree with preparing for the worst but you're blade choices aren't the best for hiking. If you haul all that steel on 10-15 mile hikes a day for several days, good on you. However that weight is silly when an izula 2 can do all you need. If you were really worried, a 12 inch tram is considerably lighter and just as versatile as the junglas at less then half the weight and 1/20th the cost.
 
I'll second the Spyderco Para 2. The FFG Delica would also be good.

The Buck Vantage Pro would also be a good choice, and not very expensive.

If you have any questions about locations, trails, etc in Sequoia/Kings Canyon, I spend a lot of time in the high country there.
 
NYSportz said:
...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...
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10-15 miles/day at high elevation is an excellent estimate, depending on how practiced you are in backpacking. An ambitious trip like this suggests that you have at least some experience. Those locations are AMAZING, beautiful beyond words. I am particularly partial to Olympic - always green and you're never short of water :)
Some of the locations likely have fire-restrictions, so make sure to pack enough fuel for your stove... But I'm sure you've got all that covered already.

With the Farmer SAK, my personal opinion is that an IzulaII or similar knife is redundant - the SAK will accomplish the majority of cutting tasks required of a blade of that length (although your companion should also be carrying one). Your 2nd blade-tool should be larger, for heavier tasks like wood-processing. Now, your adventure may be less rugged than what I am used to... In previous excursions, I have had to split & strip wet logs to get at the dry core for fuel-use, and on one occasion I had to split a larger frozen oak log because that was the only fuel available in the near vicinity and I needed to get a fire lit in a hurry. A short fixed-blade (<5") was not as efficient at these tasks, but a 5" blade can beat out a hatchet when used with the correct technique. I also use this tool for digging and pounding tarp-stakes. This blade is a multitool - knife, axe/hatchet (coupled with a wood-baton), shovel, hammer, and more. You could each pack one of these knives instead of a hatchet and/or shovel and still find yourselves lighter.:thumbup: And if you never need to use the knife, at least you didn't waste the weight on a hatchet.:D

Mora2000, ESEE-6, Ratmandu, Scrapper 5, KaBar, BK-2, Catt 225Q, Buck 119, Fallkniven A1 or A2 are all decent choices, and there are many more such "survival" knives. Check out the various models, look for no-BS reviews (esp. criticisms), decide what you like about each of your options, and make an informed decision. If possible, try to get your hands on a knife before purchasing - user ergonomics are a major factor regarding preference.
 
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