Belt carry knife size for backpacking

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Polamalu

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I'm interested on knowing whats the general consensus of what knife size people carry on their belt when backpacking. I usually carry my bravo 1.5 or esee 4 but what if you encounter some sort of a wild animal? I don't carry a gun and my chopper is in my pack. What's a good size of a knife I should carry.

Opinions for minimalist and non minimalists are open.
 
If you encounter some kind of wild animal, avoid it.

But 4" should be quite enough to hit vital spots on any living creature, more than enough in most cases.

If your looking for a new belt knife that's heavy duty on the light side check out some of the Becker tweeners (15,16,and 17), I'm even seriously contemplating dropping down to a Becker Necker (BK 11) for my belt knife and there's the similar Es'Kabar (BK 14) that's the same with an Izula handle; that model also available in D2 steel (BK 24 I believe)
 
ok I know that tons of people are going to say avoid the animal or just carry a gun . but answering your question at hand cuz shit happens and you cant always have the perfect life so prepare for the worst to enjoy the best . I carry a Ontario sp10 marine raider bowie when in bear country just in case .yeah a small belt knife is nice and light but if your strolling along looking through your pack and bam theres yogi eating a picnic basket what would you rather have to defend yourself a 10 in 1/4 thick blade or a 4 in 3/16 thick blade to scrap with yogi.
 
I have a fixed Kershaw Skyline on my pack's shoulder strap and an Endura or PM2 in my pocket. My larger blade is usually in my pack unless I have a reason for it to be out, like the one time I saw fresh bear tracks
 
you ever tried to pepper spray anything outside in the wind ? unless you have to stream spray type it sucks and you get it to . besides blades are more fun just saying
 
Diesel1983 said:
you ever tried to pepper spray anything outside in the wind ? unless you have to stream spray type it sucks and you get it to . besides blades are more fun just saying
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Yeah blades are way better. I tried carrying bear spray but I feel like it's too bulky and plus the one that I had was faulty. There was little pressure, I got it from REI
 
Diesel1983 said:
ok I know that tons of people are going to say avoid the animal or just carry a gun . but answering your question at hand cuz shit happens and you cant always have the perfect life so prepare for the worst to enjoy the best . I carry a Ontario sp10 marine raider bowie when in bear country just in case .yeah a small belt knife is nice and light but if your strolling along looking through your pack and bam theres yogi eating a picnic basket what would you rather have to defend yourself a 10 in 1/4 thick blade or a 4 in 3/16 thick blade to scrap with yogi.
Click to expand...

I have a grasso bolo 3 but man that thing is huge and heavy on my belt. I hope I can get my hands on the GSO 10 since it's a little bit shorter,lighter and slimmer. I wish I got before when guy was offering $160 for it now it runs for about $350
 
A wild animal like a chipmunk? You gonna wrassle a bar with yo' knife?

Carry whatever folder or fixed blade you like. Mine are in my pack save for a small pocket knife in my pocket. I like the Griptilian, Buck 110 and 119, Moras, and Fallkniven F1.

If you want something with a little reach that's something not enough hikers use, carry a carbide tipped hiking staff. I use an earlier version of this one. I don't use two like some people but one like this, a little paracord and a tarp or poncho makes for a fast shelter in inclement weather. I almost never hike without it.

http://www.rei.com/product/847813/rei-hiker-shocklight-staff

I should add that I do backcountry/wilderness SAR so that gives you a little background and the perspective I'm coming from. I also *always* carry a sidearm but live in a place where pretty much everyone else does too.
 
Go to the zoo and have a look at their bears. Then go rethink your plan. :D

Bring just enough knife to cut the things you need to cut. No more.
 
I normally take a 4 inch blade give or take an inch. If I feel the need to take a larger blade (which is rare) then I'll grab one of my Leukus (Wood Jewel or Stromeng).
 
As far as pepper spray goes... Those new pyrotechnically propelled types like the Kimber PepperBlaster are windproof and don't lose pressure. Apparently bicyclists really like them for dogs, so I imagine they'd probably be all right for a lot of other critters.

I say whatever knife you're comfortable with carrying is the one you should carry, because carrying some huge blade with the idea of surviving some animal attack is ridiculous in my opinion. If you can't carry a sidearm and you're REALLY worried about it, then carve a long and sturdy stick into a spear. Honestly though, the tried and true tradition of being loud and scaring animals away if they get too close has always worked for me--I have heard of people using air horns too. Other common sense things apply... Stay away from juvenile animals of any sort, and know when the rutting season is for any kind of large herd type animals like Elk or Moose--there's far more deaths from encounters with these types of animals than from predatory animals.

Realistically you have to keep all that in mind even if you do have a sidearm in my opinion. No kind of weapon will save you from the snake you didn't see. Not to mention I think there's greater risk in the woods of falls or mechanical injuries than of animal encounters...
 
I agree with Kenny.
But, if you just want a large knife for fun-and there's nothing wrong with that, assuming you don't mind the strange looks you'll be getting on the trail- I would go with the Condor Discord machete. I mean, c'mon... look at it! :D
IMG_4675.jpg


... might be a bit large, though. And heavy.
 
I have hiked in bear country a few times. Actually saw a grizzly once. It was about 100 yards away standing in the middle of the trail eating.

We yelled and it saw us and turned and tore up the side if the mountain.
That was the fastest big brown ball of fur I have ever seen, and I was thankful that I had a large can of bear spray that might have been able to slow it down when it was still a few yards away versus trying to stab it in a vital organ while it had its full weight on my body and it's mouth wrapped around my skull.
 
CSG said:
A wild animal like a chipmunk? You gonna wrassle a bar with yo' knife?

Carry whatever folder or fixed blade you like. Mine are in my pack save for a small pocket knife in my pocket. I like the Griptilian, Buck 110 and 119, Moras, and Fallkniven F1.

If you want something with a little reach that's something not enough hikers use, carry a carbide tipped hiking staff. I use an earlier version of this one. I don't use two like some people but one like this, a little paracord and a tarp or poncho makes for a fast shelter in inclement weather. I almost never hike without it.

http://www.rei.com/product/847813/rei-hiker-shocklight-staff

I should add that I do backcountry/wilderness SAR so that gives you a little background and the perspective I'm coming from. I also *always* carry a sidearm but live in a place where pretty much everyone else does too.
Click to expand...

+1
I hike with a Bk16, or a Ratmandu, or something similar on my belt. I also have a 5 1/2' walking stick made out of a 1" diameter piece of osage orange with a brass ferrule and a sharp carbide tip. I don't plan on slaughtering a wild animal with either one, but I'm pretty sure I could keep the animal farther away with a 5 foot stick than I could with a 4-5" blade.
 
On my belt when I go backpacking is some sort of 4 1/2" blade. A GSO 4.1 or my CKC Trailblazer Proto.
I carry a big knife, Himalayan Imports Ang Khola, Villager knife, Bill Siegle etc, on a paracord sling.
I don't leave it in my bag that way and have extra cordage. It's much more comfortable than having a 32 oz knife on your belt :p
 
Yeah, a bear, moose, or hacked off deer should stop for a knife.... Big or small, a knife ain't gonna save your hide unless it's a raccoon or possum. Turn around and hightail it away pronto. Best plan ever. Stand and fight, and you lose. Even packing heat isn't gonna help if it surprises you, as you won't have time to get off a good shot.
 
I felt awkward bringing my kukri (15" blade) so I ordered a japanese field knife and possibly ordering a strider fixed.

knifeart_2264_202657174
 
BTW, probably 99% of hiking/camp chores are easily taken care of with a knife the size of the Vic Farmer or Soldier knife or a Benchmade Grip or Mini-Grip. Doesn't mean you shouldn't carry something larger, just that it's almost never necessary. I use my Mini-Griptilian far more often than any other knife in the outdoors.
 
I've backpacked a lot and usually carried a Gerber LST. I didn't hike in bear country but I was more worried about people than I was wild animals.
 
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