Camping/Canoeing folder

Q

Quy4n8

Joined
Nov 27, 2002
Messages
659
As the title says, what traditional would you like for a longer canoeing trip, say 10-14 days. Can be a slip joint or lockback. Already will have an axe/saw, so heavy woodwork isn't necessary. This will be in the north, Quetico Superior country in spring/summer. Thanks for your thoughts.

Q
 
I'd bring a large two blade trapper. That way you always have a back-up sharp blade in case you dull one. Or you could designate one blade for food prep, the other for utility, etc.
 
I love carbon steel but find stainless easier to deal with in wet backcountry conditions.

Not to be draconian, but I have a distant cousin who lost her young husband on a canoeing trip in Maine. They were using the canoe to ferry supplies across a river, the canoe flipped and he got fouled in some lines in fast water only a few feet deep. People on the scene said he attempted to reach for his Leatherman in a holster but couldn't deploy it. He drowned before they could get him free. As much as I love traditionals, I would give serious consideration to a one-hand opening or fixed blade PFD knife with a partially serrated blade.

Setting aside the doom and gloom....

If you anticipate carrying a pack during your trip, I find that a light knife that can be carried in the pocket is my preference. I would reach for a Buck Ecolite 112 (or maybe a less traditional) Bucklite Max.

If you can deal with a holster or sheath, lots of possibilities open up. Assuming weight is not a massive issue, the classic Buck 110 or 112 are safe durable bets. I prefer knives in this size range to deal with food prep better.

Actually, I would give serious consideration to carrying a light pocketable knife in my pockets and backing it up with a fixed blade with a 4" (or so) blade.
 
I would carry a canoe of course.:D
Since I don't have one though, I always carry a Stockman. I like having three blades when I'm going to be out for a while.
 
I'm gonna echo what comoha said and suggest something like a trapper or moose with two substantial, but not overbuilt blades. If you desire something with a bit more heft the Case TB Backpocket features a very nice handle and sports a larger blade.
 
A lot of good suggestions so far. Maybe think about something with a bail or hole so a lanyard / "dummy cord" can be attached. I'm sure you are more adept than me, but I'd be paranoid about "knife overboard".
Peace,
Fred
 
A small fixed blade in stainless would be my choice.
 
Had a friend almost drown when his waders filled up and he got pulled under. He was able to cut the straps off. One-handed or fixed is the way to go.
 
I typically carry a AG Russel large sodbuster with black micarta handles.

Stainless, very sturdy, easy to open even with wet cold hands, and best of all, cheap if lost. I keep it in the front life vest pocket, or in my front shirt velcro pocket or zipper pokcet depending on which shirt I am wearing.

I also tend to have a fixed blade in a kydex sheath on my belt. Tethered to the belt
with a gun lanyard from Black Hawk gun lanyard. Fast deployment and secure.

Yellow canoe is mine. This is an overnight trip with the scouts.

IMAG0210.jpg


One of the reasons we like this little canoe trip.
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. Great spots to pull out and for the scouts to jump off the dunes.
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Little catfish I caught on the first cast. One of the scouts actually cleaned, cooked, and ate it.

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(I am only wearing the jacket to stop the mosquitoes from eating me alive. Apparently the repellant I brought smelled like dinner to them).
 
Love traditionals, but I have to go with the guys speaking from experience here. H1, serrated sheepsfoot. Fixed or folding.

I hate to say this in the tradtional section, but its how I feel.

If staying traditional something stainless, sheepsfoot, fixed blade.

The reason I own both an atlantic salt and jumpmaster are for this reason.

I love traditionals for EDC, but not for an emergency/safety knife.
 
Another one I was thinking of was a banana trapper. It's a pretty versatile large knife and gives you the ability to clean fish better than some patterns.
001-10.jpg
 
Trapper.

Specifically my blue case trapper in stainless. Backed up by my 110 in my pack.
 
I would think the swiss army one handed trekker would be a great option. cheap, stainless, lots of useful tools. mine all get stupid sharp and hold a decent edge. if you lose it your only out 30 bucks.

sorry I just saw this post was in the traditional folders/fixed area so my advise is not what your looking for
 
richstag said:
I love traditionals for EDC, but not for an emergency/safety knife.
Click to expand...

Nod.

For canoeing, sailing and kayaking, I think there is good justification for packing 2 knives: a safety knife (just as you described) and a kitchen/utility knife.

Cliff Jacobson is a camping author I really like to read. Some very interesting points of view that don't always line up with the fast 'n light climbing/backpacking stuff I generally read. Jacaboson is primarily a canoe camper so his kits are a bit heavier than what I carry in the woods. He advocates a 2 knife approach to canoe camping: a folder like the old Schrade 6OT to be carried on your person at all times and a fixed blade for camp/cooking. I think this makes a lot of sense but if it were me on the water, I would want a real safety knife.
 
If you want a traditional, the just released forum knife would be an excellent choice.

Years ago I we had a family friend who drowned crossing a lake in Canada as a storm moved in. They were trying to get the last of their stuff accross before the storm hit. Be careful on these long trips.
 
Well... a fixed blade should fit the bill - but I wondered why nobody has recommended a Buck 110 or Buck 112. Both have very strong backlocks and the steels sharpens easy, even out in the field. In hand it´s tall and gives a good grip.

I can hardly recommend an american traditional fixed blade (I have not really one) - but my Otter Halfintegral in 440C is a great knife with great stag handles on a great prize.

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Here´s the fixed blade (for size comparison to the GEC #66 Serpentine Jack)

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Hope this helps :)
 
When it's nasty and you know it take H1 / clap clap
When it's nasty and you know it take H1 / clap clap
When it's nasty and you know and your blade will really show it
When it's nasty and you know it take H1 / clap clap

I grab my Dragonfly 2 in H1 when the weather look bad.
jwh
 
Thanks for all of the thoughts guys. I hadn't really thought about a knife for emergency use, something I'll now take. I'm thinking a fixed blade may be a better choice.

Q
 
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