Backpacking knife advice

Whatever you get, make sure it's light. A sturdy folder should do just fine. So should a Mora. One of my favorite FBs for backpacking is a Roselli Carpenter.
 
Another vote for the Izula or Izual II. Tough little buggers. They come sharp and are easy to keep sharp. Great sheaths. Easy to rig up for different carry methods (for me, when wearing a pack, it can be difficult to get a knife that's in a standard belt sheath). Get one with a 'kit' and you'll get a small fire steel and few other useful tidbits. The handles are a nice addition or you can paracord wrap it for a comfy grip. You can get all that stuff and be still be under $100.

Oh, and make sure you take lots of pics of your adventures to share with us when you get back :)
 
chiral.grolim said:
I'm confused by the bolded part above. I'm a backpacker, but only recently did I start bothering to carry any sort of stove, and what I carry is a simple homemade Penny-stove (out of Heineken cans) along with sufficient EtOH to boil water in my little pot in case I cannot find alternate fuel for a fire - i.e. the stove+EtOH is for emergencies (why carry all that fuel around? Waste of space and weight). My normal cooking is performed over a small fire composed of wood from the near vicinity, no stove involved. WHY would you bring a stove to put WOOD in??:( I don't understand.
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my stove can utilize esbit, alcohol or wood- I prefer to use wood when available as it reduces the amount of fuel I need to carry

A wood stove is quicker, cleaner and more efficient (but less picturesque :)) than a fire and can be used under a tarp in inclement weather

coffeebrewing.jpg


I don't carry any multi-tool or folder, just my small fixed blade- the exception is in the winter when snowshoeing where the multitool is carried for possible repairs
 
There was a long thread here about a PCT walk with lots of knives. One of the knivs that caught my eye was a Gossman UFK (Utility Field Knife). It had a wharnie blade with a rounded end. One of the forum posters said it was great at getting peanut butter from the bottom of the jar.
 
Good choice getting the Farmer. I hike almost every week around where I live in rural Sweden. For hiking I mainly combine and/or switch between a Victorinox Pioneer, dual density Forester, ESEE Izula, Mora 2000 and a Fallkniven F1.

As many others have said you don't need another folder since you have the Farmer which is an excellent knife. Most backpackers would be happy with just that. Personally I would take a fixed blade as well since you need that for doing any serious bushcrafting. I suppose you want something more fun than a Mora? Although the 2000 is a fantastic, lightweight knife I don't blame you for wanting something a little nicer.

The Izula with handles is nice and lightweight. Ignore warranty talk as warranty means nothing whatsoever when your out in the bush. Its good quality that matters. (which the izula has) Carbon steel.

Something I don't own but would easily choose over the Izula is the Bark River Ultra-Lite Bushcrafter. Longer blade and with a more versatile blade shape. Probably my number one recommendation.

If you want a larger heavy blade I would go for the Fallkniven F1 which is an absolutely incredible knife. Stainless laminated VG-10 steel, hard as nails, and cuts really well. I love mine and it's my favorite knife.

Carrying anything heavier than that on a long hike would be madness IMO. But total respect to the people that do. We're all in it for enjoyment so if you enjoy a 1.5kg sword then bring it! :)

With all of the above I would bring along a Fallkniven DC-3 sharpening stone. Diamond on one side and ceramic on the other. Really good.

edit: I forgot to mention that on a longer hike I usually take my plain edge Leatherman Skeletool CX as well. Pliers are very useful.
 
Another thumbs up for the izula 2, I am really liking that knife. The esee 3 is nice too, but for me in that size, I like res c handles more so I love my 2nd generation howling rat, scrap yard muk and a little bigger S5. Just more comfortable for me.
 
NYSportz said:
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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I just got an Izulu II on the mail day before yesterday and it is an awesome blade. It's what I like to call a little big knife. For its stature it is a really sturdy blade. I have hauled it to work the last few days and am super impressed.

I would not hesitate to drag it along on my next camp out. It is super light weight and carries easy but it is one tough little blade. I never can seem to narrow it down to one blade when I backpack or camp. I usually have a leatherman, SAK, Folder (paramilitary II), machete and fixed blade. Just covering my bases.
 
For Backpacking I carry a SAK of some sorts and a good fixed blade. I usually carry a Bark River Bravo-1, but also have taken my RC-3, RC-4 and Fallkniven F1. Any of those are a great choice.
 
For a larger fixed blade(6")that is lighter than most,the Buck 119 Special is hard to beat.
 
We need a little more knife porn! some of my favs- Fiddleback Lady Finger, Howling Rat, Koyote EDC, Scrap Yards Weiner Dog and S5.

IMG_2888.jpg
 
mtwarden said:
my stove can utilize esbit, alcohol or wood- I prefer to use wood when available as it reduces the amount of fuel I need to carry...
A wood stove is quicker, cleaner and more efficient (but less picturesque :)) than a fire and can be used under a tarp in inclement weather...
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:D Thank you for the picture!:thumbup: From what you show, what you call a "stove" I call a "windscreen" (hence my confusion), although your windscreen appears sturdy enough to double as a pot-stand when stakes are used - what material is it made of? Steel, titanium, or simply aluminum? Did you buy it or make it yourself? If homemade, where did you harvest the sheet metal?
 
Man that sounds like a blast bro:thumbup: I'd definitly go with something bigger, at least a 5" blade. plenty of options. Heck CS makes a GI Tanto for bout 25bucks that will take a heck of a beating.....Check out the knife test on youtube....
 
Hattori #HA6-2L All Purpose II, Leather
check out Japanese knives direct

What[/url] is that second one down from the top?[/QUOTE]
 
My go to woods bumming/hiking/backpacking/canoeing/snowshoeing knife as of the last while has been a SOG revolver. It is one of the older models (AUS8) vs. the newer ones. I was on a snowshoe trail last weekend and there was a small tree in the path. Saw worked great. It is light weight and a sheath that makes it easy to attach to a bag.I don't think the new ones have the same sheath though.
 
I hear very good things about the Canadian Special by Bark River. Or if you are looking for something smaller the Woodland Special would do really well.

If ultralight is a concern you can go even smaller to a Northstar Companion.

IMG_7985small.jpg
 
I would go with to knifes, one with fixed blade as a field knife (and food prep) and one smaller folding knife for lighter tasks. Two knifes that I think fills these rolls are: Fällkniven S1(or F1) and Spyderco Delica FFG.
 
Depending on terrain, environment and length of trip I alternate between a BRKT Bravo-1, ESEE RC-4, BRKT Gunny, and Fallkniven F1. I've also been known to carry my first fixed blade a Buck 119 "Special".
 
Your hiking trip sounds great. I've never been in America, but it seems there are a lot of great hiking areas there.

I think the Farmer is an excellent choice. I love hiking too and I always carry a SAK in the pocket and in the rucksack I carry an Opinel for food processing. Opinels are inexpensive, but great knives for the price and very light. For a fixed blade, I've only used Mora's and they serve me well. But of course my choices are made for my style of hiking and camping; I don't do real wilderness/survival camping with hunting and building my own shelter.

For preparing wood for a camp fire a fixed blade knife can be useful, but the saw on the Farmer works well too. I usually don't use very big pieces of wood for a fire, but collect small wood that can be cut easily with the saw on the Farmer (or other SAK). But I don't need the fire to keep warm, since I always camp with tent and sleeping bag. The fire is handy for cooking and fun. For me a camp fire is an important element of the camping experience.
 
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