Best Backpacking Knife Under $100

Bob W said:
I can't imagine anyone wanting to carry a Khukri backpacking. I suppose some folks do though. Not only are they large and heavier than heck, they aren't very good at the things that backpackers need a knife for - opening food packs and picking splinters.
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I wouldn't want a kukri as my only knife on a hike, but I like to have one in my pack. It serves as both a machete and a hatchet for me, and also sometimes as a shovel. And now that I think about it, if it has the traditional side knives, those wound be fine for most of the things that you would need a smaller blade for, so I guess maybe you could get by with just a kukri. I do agree that they tend to be heavy, but I personally don't mind a little extra weight since I usually go pretty light on everything else, and besides I think they're versatile enough to make up for the extra weight.
 
Leatherman supertool and Spyderco Endura. If I wanted a small fixed I'd take a Browning 815. If I wanted a large fixed I'd take a Buck Nighthawk.

Scott Gossman sells a PSK knife in the Knifemakers forum. I don't know how many will be available and there is probably a lot of names on the list but you can see his offering and email if you want to be on the list for the next ones done.
 
Fastfwd- I don't think anyone noticed this was your first posting. In any case, let me be the first to say "Welcome to bladeforums!"

What (some) others HAVE already said--- a Swiss Army Knife (SAK) Add a plastic handled Mora if you feel you need a fixed blade. Both for under $50.

Your next question should be,"What's the best SAK for backpacking?"
 
Fastfwd said:
I don’t know anything about knives to be honest. I am here for your advice on what would be a great backpacking knife and I am new to backpacking as well so I can’t really define just what that will mean to me. Security would play a role to be honest even if it were only psychological. I have decided to spend as much as $100 on a knife, but I don’t necessarily need to spend that much.

I’ve been steered toward Benchmade as a brand by a local outdoor store salesman and I have to say that his arguments seemed sound. It was his personal choice. I’m most interested in a folder so that I might be able to carry it everyday, but I’m open to suggestions otherwise. Thanks.
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The other post's mention some excelent choices in knives,but if your main intrest is in a folder/utility /security the BM griptillion may be one to think about, fills the bill as a lite weight sturdy knife. it can also be carried every day clipped to your pocket. I hope we were able to help you out.
 
For the past several years I have carried a Fallkniven F1 and a Victorinox Trekker.

Just recently discovered Moras & Helle knives. My next trip I will be taking my new Helle Fjellkniven. I am also seriously looking at the Mora 2000.
 
Fastfwd said:
I don’t know anything about knives to be honest. I am here for your advice on what would be a great backpacking knife and I am new to backpacking as well so I can’t really define just what that will mean to me. Security would play a role to be honest even if it were only psychological. I have decided to spend as much as $100 on a knife, but I don’t necessarily need to spend that much.

I’ve been steered toward Benchmade as a brand by a local outdoor store salesman and I have to say that his arguments seemed sound. It was his personal choice. I’m most interested in a folder so that I might be able to carry it everyday, but I’m open to suggestions otherwise. Thanks.[/QUOT

If you are new to knives, I would suggest getting away from the high dollar blades until you know what you actually like in a knife, which isn't how it looks. I know that looks will play a part, it always does, but the blades functionality, ergonomics, steel, ease of care and other factors go into how we decide what we like and need in our knives. What I would recommend to anyone looking to get their first outdoors knife are these two.

The Eriksson Mora 2000 and the Frost Mora 760. The Clipper is popular as well.
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I would also suggest pairing your fixed blade with a handy-dandy Victorinox SAK, like I've done here.
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I agree with those that said find out what you really want in a knife before you spend the big bucks. There have been some good suggestions and I would find it hard to disagree with any of them.
You may want to add to the list of possible choices a buck 110 (folder) or a buck 119 (if you want the intimidating factor)
A good SAK or multitool is essential IMHO
 
For sure, a sak or multitool should be with you and what ever fixed blade yoy choose.
 
I have always used a SAK as my primary Backpacking knife until a few years ago when I decided to go with a 4 1/2 inch fixed blade knife.If I were to do a long distance hike though, I probably would revert to the SAK Camper. Or the Spartan.
 
I hitch-hiked over a large chunk of Australia with this as my only knife for most of it

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Its not an awesome scary weapon type knife , but its been an honnest reliable knife for a long time and a lot of miles .

It cost me $5 to buy in 79 and is still an occasional EDC and my favorite carving knife , it handles native hardwoods well .

You get close enough to it from ragweedforge or ebay easy enough .

having a knife for defence purposes is a BIG deal . Think it through hard before you decide to go this road . If you face a high school geek , waving a knife at him might make him uneasy and want to go , but if you face Mr Street Punk who wants your cash for his next hit ... waving a knife at him is like inviting him to a death match and he will take you on with no hesitation .

By all means carry your knife use it for self defence , but for gods sake , get some training in at least the basics of defence . Piper , Kravmaga , or even systema comes to mind as being kinda useful stuff .

This is just my opinion tho . Your mileage may vary
 
Wow! Thanks for all of the replies. I looked at a few knives yesterday – mostly the Benchmade dealer and I am strongly leaning toward the Benchmade Griptilian. I might even pick up a SAK to carry in addition to it on backpacking trips.

I’m not sure that I would find a need for a fixed blade, but I appreciate all of the advice concerning the ‘Mora’ fixed blades. I’ll keep those in mind if a fixed blade becomes more of a consideration.

Thanks again for all of the input. I appreciate everyone who took the time to share your opinion.
 
I think your dealer did you a favor by pointing you towards Benchmade. There are a lot of good knives out there from a lot of different companies, but Benchmade gives you a number of good choices.

In a folder, I'd go with a Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian. Check the prices on-line against the store prices. I got my wife's mini-Grip for $61 including shipping. I prefer the non-serrated version, but that's just a personal preference.

In the Benchmade fixed blade, a couple of good choices would be the Griptilian and the BM-190 Drop Point Hunter.

You'll get a lot of folks telling you to carry a SAK. I'll be the contrarian. One of these days I'm going to buy a nice one to see if I can figure out why people think they are essential to a good outdoor experience, but I've been camping, hiking, and canoeing for 30 years and have never felt like I needed anything more than a sharp blade. Ahh, that reminds me. Take something with you to sharpen your knife in the field. If you aren't going to do that, then you probably should carry a SAK.

And my apologies to any SAK enthusiasts I have offended. I know zillions of folks love them, so they must have a lot to offer.

Dave
 
I went with the Mini Griptilian in stainless…. Thanks to everyone who gave their suggestions.
 
popedandy said:
You'll get a lot of folks telling you to carry a SAK. I'll be the contrarian. One of these days I'm going to buy a nice one to see if I can figure out why people think they are essential to a good outdoor experience, but I've been camping, hiking, and canoeing for 30 years and have never felt like I needed anything more than a sharp blade. Ahh, that reminds me. Take something with you to sharpen your knife in the field. If you aren't going to do that, then you probably should carry a SAK.

And my apologies to any SAK enthusiasts I have offended. I know zillions of folks love them, so they must have a lot to offer.

Dave
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I am a big-time SAK fan, but I don't feel insulted in the least.:) If what you carry works for you, that is all that matters. I agree that some sort of sharpening device should be carried no matter what kind of knife is used.

Peace.
Out.
Fred
 
I recently started carrying a d-2 griptilian a SAK farmer on my hiking trips they are a pretty light weight pair. On longer trips I add a fixed blade or a small fixed blade and a hatchet depending on the terrain.
 
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