Backpacking Knife Specs

[VorpelSword]

That's a good way to look at it. From everyone's great comments, I see that a lot of people consider a small belt knife to be an ideal backpacking knife.

In my experience actually carrying a pack for miles on a multi-day trip, any knife worn on a belt interferes with the load carrying hip belt of the pack. Any knife I carried was stored away, but accessible, in or on the backpack itself. At times,I carried a pocket knife . . .in a pocket.

I suppose that things are different depending on whether the trip is a day hike or a multi day trip.

 

[Andersonbushcraft]

In my experience actually carrying a pack for miles on a multi-day trip, any knife worn on a belt interferes with the load carrying hip belt of the pack. Any knife I carried was stored away, but accessible, in or on the backpack itself. At times,I carried a pocket knife . . .in a pocket.

I suppose that things are different depending on whether the trip is a day hike or a multi day trip.

I've ran into that issue many times myself, I find the kydex/leather sheaths of Lt wright/bhk to be great at getting the knife low enough to clear a belt for smaller knives and for choppers, I really like RMJ mad straps on a kydex plate to kick the sheath off the body a little bit and drop it low.

 

[Deino]

I think that I'm just echoing the sentiment now.

If you plan your trip in advance, knowing the terrain and weather, you can pack accordingly. "Backpackging" is not a classification, it is an action with a board sense and variable.

Chopping is also an action, but it is a more tasking focus. Chopping with a knife less than 6 inches doesn't give you much levage, therefore bigger knives are easier to do such task. Fillet and skinning are in the same sense, anything can do, but they are more specialized. I backpacked axe and machete for winter (machete is used as snow knife).

"Backpacking" is becoming a marketing term nowadays, general described as a small-medium general purpose knife. It is like the "bushcraft", "survival" and "combat" term before it.

 

[VorpelSword]

Whatever the situation, day hike, weekend camp out or thousand mile trek, the likely hood that a hiker with a pack will need to deploy a knife of any sort quickly or on short notice asymptotes towards zero. The knife may be packed in the backpack. Belt carry is not a necessity and any sort of drop-lg thigh rig is counter productive to efficient walking.

In each case, the controlling issue will always be tolerance of weight.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Thanks. My wife loves Glacier National Park

Glacier was the most gorgeous place I have ever been. Yellowstone was ok, but Glacier simply had my mouth agape the entire trip.

Yellowstone is educational. Glacier is inspirational.

 

[Andersonbushcraft]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments! Good stuff! It definitely seems like a backpacking knife is a marketing term and will be entirely dependent on location and use. It does seem like a small 3 to 5 inch belt knife is the prevailing size though haha.

 

[flexo2]

for me same pair as for bushcraft a pukko+sak, and if i know what is coming a billhook (impressive but cheap camp knife) a hatchet or machete. without forgetting the opinel i forgot i had in some pocket!

 

[Alberta Ed]

In my experience actually carrying a pack for miles on a multi-day trip, any knife worn on a belt interferes with the load carrying hip belt of the pack. Any knife I carried was stored away, but accessible, in or on the backpack itself. At times,I carried a pocket knife . . .in a pocket.

I suppose that things are different depending on whether the trip is a day hike or a multi day trip.

Same here. It's a lot harder to lose a knife tucked away in your backpack.

 

[Monofletch]

There is a great thread……

D

Photos Thread 'Blades on Hikes'

Dec 2, 2022

Take your knife (or ax, machete, etc.) on a hike and share it here! Whether it's behind your house or the Grand Canyon, it'd be great to know the location. Past photos are welcome

I went to Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, CA. with my Vic Classic and MAM Operario

• dogstar
• Replies: 1,488
• Forum: General Knife Discussion

• 
• 

 

[sgt1372]

On a hike, I don't need a knife.

On a backpacking trip, I'd only bring a basic SAK, which still isn't absolutely necessary, but useful to open freeze dried food packs.

The only eating utensil that I need on a backpacking trip is a spoon because I only carry freeze dried food which I "cook" with water boiled on the stove that I carry.

I also carry matches & a wire saw, just in case, but I could use the stove to start a fire if need be & I could start & maintain a fire just with dead wood. if any is available above the tree line.

On a car camping trip, I can bring anything I f*cking like. Axe, hatchet, a 10" bowie, all of my CPKs &/or a chainsaw . . . .

It doesn't matter because it's being carried in the car/truck &/or 4x4.

LOL!!!

 

[Seedy Lot]

 

[scdub]

Would you ID this knife please? Thanks!

Sure thing. That’s a “Kogatana” e.g. utility blade by Shosui Takeda. I did the handle wrap myself. They also come with a handle wrap from his shop and are called the “Tokyo Knife” in this configuration.

The blade is laminated Aogami “Blue” steel and it carves wood beautifully.

Unfortunately he isn’t making as many and the prices have gone up considerably.

Here it is with another of his knives called the “Seiryu”:

 

[Blue Sky]

^^^Thanks, very nice, You have good taste in knives.

 

[bdmicarta]

I can envision several different kinds of backpacking. I have done a lot of backpacking and the kind that I do is probably what most backpackers do- travel light, cook with a backpacking stove, sleep in a tent, IOW no wood cutting or chopping is required. I normally carried a knife similar to a Delica and at most cut open a package or trimmed a piece of moleskin. However someone on a hunting or fishing trip might have the need to cut some wood or build shelter and something like a BK7 might be more useful.

 

[RousingRabbles]

my backpacking trips are typically 5-15 miles a day with 1000-3000’ of elevation gain. There is no way I’m taking an unnecessary heavy knife on that kind of trip. Lightness balanced with highly functional is key for me. CRK Backpacker, TRC Classic Freedom, Mule Teams have been my go-tos, but I have too many other fixed blades waiting for a turn as well.

 

[sabre cat]

A few years ago, I bought a Benchmade 162 Bushcraft knife for when I was out in the field. I was going to conquer North America with that knife at my side! I still have to use it camping or on a walk, but it has seen some use in the yard.
Right now, it is quietly collecting dust with most of my other fixed blades.

Weight is becoming an issue anytime I have a pack on my back. If I am camping in a state or national park, I probably would have a full-size Griptilian in my pocket. It seems to be with me anytime I travel.
I have enough SAK Spartan knives for a squad of troops, so one of those can just stay tucked away in my pack. I do have a lightweight saw in my Cherokee, so that can come along if needed. I think it is a 21" Sven-saw.

So, there you have it. One SAK in the pack, a Benchmade Griptilian in my pocket, and a backpacking saw if needed. What could go wrong with that combo?

 

[DangerZone98]

Another unofficial criterion I would add to the backpack knife is reasonable durability. Ideally you should have more than one knife, but if you’ve only got one on your bacon, it better dang not break.

For that reason, I’m a bit biased towards fixed blades even though I like folders too. I would not feel underknifed with my trusty Mora, Cold Steel SRK, and kukri from Kailash.

 

[junglefighter]

As a medic in the military and having gone through the Jungle environment survival training in the Philippines 3 times, I would recommend a machete sized edged tool for the big work and survival needs.. I would also back it up with a smaller fixed blade for the light work.. But for backpacking and weekend trips, I would not pack the machete due to the extreme weight, but would recommend a pocket saw like we used to pack in the aircrew survival kits when I was active duty . These were multiple use tools which could also be used as snares for small game and used for other methods when the rings at either end had paracord loops for additional length.. I carried one with me when deployed to korea and elsewhere when on field conditions.. The version we had was a lot different that this example, but this would point you into the right direction

 

[Drop bear]

I carry a 4 max in my back packing bag.

Which is probably a bit heavy.(even for its comparable fixed blade)

I use it mostly for day trips and food prep. And so the food will often be fresh. (I treat myself to a little picnic)

And the idea choosing that was. I wanted a knife big enough to chop with if I had to. But compact enough to conceal.

So I can make a walking stick or a stretcher, mabye a digging stick. Simple tools.

Or big enough to handle tropical fruit.

If I go out longer. Then I Basically don't knife. All my string for my tent is cut, the food is in packets. I cook with a stove.

I will still take the thing out, just in case. But as a security measure rather than a need.

 

[jfk1110]

For me, a backpacking knife has to ride on my pack like it’s not even there. Be big enough “just in case”.View attachment 2966884View attachment 2966885View attachment 2966886

Love Glacier!!!

Glacier was the most gorgeous place I have ever been. Yellowstone was ok, but Glacier simply had my mouth agape the entire trip.

Yellowstone is educational. Glacier is inspirational.

Volume of people and traffic too is a lot less.........Used to love the speed limit signs out in Montana too.....Night 75\ Daytime - Reasonable and Prudent!!?!!! I had asked a trooper in Bozeman how many speeding tickets has he written.....Only 2! The Mercedes -Benz test.crew both times at 190+.... ......That's pretty damn cool...