Backpacking Knife Specs

Monofletch said:
Glacier is nice because there a lot of hikes. Most people flock to the west side with all the “modern amenities”. The east side has all the good hikes. Many Glacier is magical.
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We couldn't get to Many because of the massive road work being done. We were staying on the other side of the Park, and we couldn't get a day pass to get through. Even going after 3 or so, it was no-go :( We were also hoping to get up into Canada, but the closest border crossing point was closed. But you are absolutely right about the hikes, and I really wanna see the parts we couldn't get to. My wife and daughter loved Avalanche Lake. My personal favorite was Sun Point. Not a hard hike but it wasn't even remotely crowded and even the pictures I took don't do the sheer scale of what you see there justice. We hope to get back there in the near future while our legs can still carry us :D
 
Steely_Gunz said:
We couldn't get to Many because of the massive road work being done. We were staying on the other side of the Park, and we couldn't get a day pass to get through. Even going after 3 or so, it was no-go :( We were also hoping to get up into Canada, but the closest border crossing point was closed. But you are absolutely right about the hikes, and I really wanna see the parts we couldn't get to. My wife and daughter loved Avalanche Lake. My personal favorite was Sun Point. Not a hard hike but it wasn't even remotely crowded and even the pictures I took don't do the sheer scale of what you see there justice. We hope to get back there in the near future while our legs can still carry us :D
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I agree. My favorite hike is Iceberg Lake and Ginnell Glacier trail. Avalanche is right up there though.
 
I used to backpack and hike with my friends quite a bit. A lot actually. We were even sponsored by an organization that paid us a full time living wage to do so, and in return we had to wear their clothing and logos. It was sort of a marketing/advertising contract type of thing.

Anyhow, these three knives accompanied me on every single hike and backpacking trip I took across four continents. The Spyderco was my backup and rode in my butt pack. There was always a primary folder de jure along, as well, but they varied year-to-year. I always carried a folding shovel and a wire saw, too.

I bought the Spyderco around 1990 - my first knife with one handed opening and a pocket clip. Grandpa gave me the Leatherman for Christmas in 1993. I bought the Ka-bar November of 1995.

I broke the can opener on the Leatherman in Iraq in 2004. Mailed it in once I got home and they fixed it for free.

Happy trails!

Semper Fidelis,
Culprit99

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vnvman said:
I think by most people a backpacking (very loose definition of anyway) knife can be anything that is no longer considered EDC (which is another very loose definition by itself). For me it would be any 3.75/4" fixie that can go with a small to medium size saw (170mm to 240mm Silky saw for example) coupled with something like a Wenger MSK. Of course if one plans on making huge shelters and make a huge camp fire and such (but who does that regularly anyway) maybe one could throw in a compact, hunting sized hatchet.
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Do you wear the msk in pocket or belt? Good for an edc type blade as well?im very interested in one of these.
 
Depends on what "backpacking" means to you. IMO, the best backpacking and EDC knife is the Victorinox Rambler. It will do 99.9% of what you will ever need a knife to do while backpacking or in your every day life.
In the modern world of "Leave No Trace", you shouldn't actually need a knife, at all, while backpacking, but just in case, pack a Rambler. It has everything you actually need, and nothing you don't.

www.victorinox.com

Check this out: Rambler

Victorinox Rambler - 0.6363 ++ Explore the world of perfect Swiss quality online ++ Home of the Original Swiss Army knife ++ Find a store close to you ++
www.victorinox.com www.victorinox.com
 
fuyume said:
Depends on what "backpacking" means to you. IMO, the best backpacking and EDC knife is the Victorinox Rambler. It will do 99.9% of what you will ever need a knife to do while backpacking or in your every day life.
In the modern world of "Leave No Trace", you shouldn't actually need a knife, at all, while backpacking, but just in case, pack a Rambler. It has everything you actually need, and nothing you don't.

www.victorinox.com

Check this out: Rambler

Victorinox Rambler - 0.6363 ++ Explore the world of perfect Swiss quality online ++ Home of the Original Swiss Army knife ++ Find a store close to you ++
www.victorinox.com www.victorinox.com
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I too am a big fan of the Rambler as a very capable tool for modern backpacking and daily world needs. I carry one everyday on my keychain. The fact that the blade and scissors open “away” from the key ring makes this model so superior to the much more popular Classic. I am mystified why more people don’t choose the Rambler.

Phil
 
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I carry a smaller knife typically esee 3 size but I also carry a hatchet and folding saw so there's that. I manage to keep my pack under 35 pounds with food, tarp for shelter, and sleeping bag for winter including a 3/4 axe and folding saw water filter, food for 2-3 days.
I've also spent entirely to much money and years putting my kit together.
 
waynemanning74 said:
I carry a smaller knife typically esee 3 size but I also carry a hatchet and folding saw so there's that. I manage to keep my pack under 35 pounds with food, tarp for shelter, and sleeping bag for winter including a 3/4 axe and folding saw water filter, food for 2-3 days.
I've also spent entirely to much money and years putting my kit together.
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I've found a kind of comfort in that. They come out with something lighter, tougher ,"better" but once you have a great setup you've put a lot of time into you can spend more time on enjoying the outings and less time on prep and OCD blockages. Stick to your own personal system and just roll with it.
 
waynemanning74 said:
I carry a smaller knife typically esee 3 size but I also carry a hatchet and folding saw so there's that. I manage to keep my pack under 35 pounds with food, tarp for shelter, and sleeping bag for winter including a 3/4 axe and folding saw water filter, food for 2-3 days.
I've also spent entirely to much money and years putting my kit together.
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I hear you there, I've spent way too many years tweaking my standard kit. Hasn't really changed much in the last 5 years though, except my knives haha. I mainly carry a 10 inch chopper with a backup small knife most of the time. If im doing a day hike in well traveled areas, I normally only take a belt/field knife. I tend to change out knives on a regular basis. Normally pick a new chopper every year to try out.
 
Sorry, I am the opposite. I’ll carry my big ass knife on my pack just in case. I carry water but I bring a Lifestraw just in case. First aid kit just in case. Extra socks just in case. Sometimes a .45 just in case. It also depends on where I’m hiking.
 
For an occasional weekend trip, about anything can be hauled along, including a machete.

For serious backpacking, weight is the controlling factor. Chris Reeve makes a light weight fixed blade they call "Backpacker". the tang is skeletonized and the Micarta scales may be moved.

Through trekkers on the Appellation trail in the East and The Pacific Crest Trail in the ?West often bring along only a pocket folder.
 
VorpelSword said:
For an occasional weekend trip, about anything can be hauled along, including a machete.

For serious backpacking, weight is the controlling factor. Chris Reeve makes a light weight fixed blade they call "Backpacker". the tang is skeletonized and the Micarta scales may be moved.

Through trekkers on the Appellation trail in the East and The Pacific Crest Trail in the ?West often bring along only a pocket folder.
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I think it really comes down to what the individual defines as backpacking. For camping along the PCT I could see not really needing a large cutting tool. But to me, backpacking is roughing it in the backwoods, off the beaten path. Sleeping by a fire or staying in an improvised shelter for the night. Roughing it in the woods with nothing but the gear in your backpack. In that situation, I find a large knife to be an invaluable tool. If something goes wrong, getting back home comes down to what you have with you. I've spent a lot of time in areas where there isnt much of a trail, and you're lucky to see another person for the entire trip.Upload-DSC03611-RS.jpg
 
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^^^

Well that is pretty much what I meant to say in that post.

I guarantee that whatever he buys, it won't be the last fixed blade to come into his life . . . .right?

There is no "best" of anything.

My path in life has never been a one-and-done thing, but an evolution.

In the world of large format film photography I started out with a genuinely junk or franked-camera that had limitations. My tripod was a
Wallmart Special from a thrift store and I stuffed my 4x5 kit in a kid's book bag filled with sheets of army surplus sleeping foam cut out to hold the gear.

After several years (decades) of trying this nd that in terms of geer, I now use a really nice, but vintage Zone VI I camera, several quality lenses and associated support gear in a LowePro backpack deigned for photography. . . .but I am still looking around.

My advice, at root, is to try out stuff as one's interest in backpacking evolves. Never consider that the kit is complete or finalized.
 
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I always question what our load out was in the Army. I never understood why I needed a shelter half being a tank guy.
 
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