Camping question, what are you taking with you?

Well, I choose to pack light and bring heavier blades, the most important tool I carry. I see no reason not to carry something like the FBM or NMFBM for wood processing when backpacking, in conjunction with another smaller knife for more delicate tasks. There is no perfect knife for all tasks, so take two!!! The smaller should be under 5 inches, plenty of options in that department.
 
I take a small axe (single bit) or hatchet, medium size knife (BBSHSH), and a folder. Well, thats only one out of three would be a Busse since there isn't a axe or a folder! I can't believe no one mentioned a axe, something that actually is made for chopping and pounding in stakes, nails, etc. I know alot of you baton knives thru wood, but why not just use an axe? :confused:


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For backpacking: I generally get less utility and more weight with a hatchet. I can use a large knife as a machete hybrid, for batoning, chopping, food prep, a clumsy skinner, and as a broad weapon. It has a slimmer profile and is less cumbersome and more likely to be on my person in an emergency than an axe or hatchet stuck in a tree or stump. Overall utility is one reason for long knives in wood processing, and for chopping they outperform many hatchets (not so much in the splitting department, they lack the overall geometry).:D
 
The NMSFNO in a drop leg sheath and a good multi-tool has been my go to lately.:thumbup:

I will say the Sar8 and BWM look to be about perfect for the task too.:cool:

Good luck and post pix when you get it figured out.:)
 
Thanks for all the fast responses. My plan backpacking is to carry one big knife for chopping and a smaller one for screwing around. The battle mistress looks like it would be too big to go 5-10 miles each day through terrain but I haven't completely ruled it out.

I'm considering a HOGFSH (didn't see that recommended) but will take a look for some SFNO's as well. It'll be a chopper for wood and whatever else is necessary. With the difference in opinions I might have to go the Busse way and buy them all...
 
The battle mistress looks like it would be too big to go 5-10 miles each day through terrain but I haven't completely ruled it out.
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My philosophy = The most important things you will carry are those knives and a firesteel. Lighten the rest of your load and take the BM.
 
Iboschi said:
My philosophy = The most important things you will carry are those knives and a firesteel. Lighten the rest of your load and take the BM.
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Piggybacking on your response to the previous poster, I will add my philosophy too...

If you can't carry an extra pound of knife, the you probably should hit the gym and get into better shape before you try the backpacking thing. Sorry, but it really should be no big deal, even when you aren't so young anymore. :)

BTW, no offense intended.
 
Congrats on improving your capacity to feed your vice! I strap a CGFBM onto my pack whenever I manage to get some time off in the sticks. It is unnoticeable to me. The SAR8 is even lighter and easier to pack if a few ounces matter to you. You should hang on a bit a see what Bushwhackers come along. :thumbup:
 
I don't want to beat a dead horse but I have at least one more log to throw on the fire. Ultra Light Backpacking or even Super Light Backpacking are both great! I say take less or take the kitchen sink!!! Just don't slow your companions down because you were cold from packing to little or you packed the kitchen sink and are getting tired. Many of America's finest pioneers and adventurers purportedly took only a knife and a wool blanket (maybe a firearm) with them on adventures and enjoyed themselves immensely. Most important gear not to skimp on = Knife. So, whats 5-20 extra ounces when it comes to your life? :D
 
Let me correct myself on the BM thing. It's the weight it's more the size. I haven't handled one, only seen size comparison pictures and it seems like it could be overly awkward. Strappin to the pack would definitely make it less so.

What do you guys think about the HOGFSH for this task?
 
I am a huge fan of the NMSFNO. It is my all around go-to blade. Fits nicely in a spec-ops sheath. Here is a shot of my well loved beauty on a recent hunting trip.

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on_the_edge said:
If you can't carry an extra pound of knife, the you probably should hit the gym and get into better shape before you try the backpacking thing.
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:rolleyes:

If you can't figure out how to do every task you need to do with a tool smaller than a broadsword, you should probably hit the books and get better knowledge before you try the backpacking thing.


See, I can make broad generalizations too. Pack weight is all about priorities. My priority is usually being able to move somewhat quickly, while protecting my knees and back. My summer full skin out weight is usually below 20-25 pounds - that's including everything on my person. At that low of a pack/clothing weight, I don't even need hiking boots, which cuts way down on the issues that plague many backpackers.

Compared to most I backpack with, they think I'm insane to carry something as large as the SoD. And they are 100% correct. A compact folding saw and 5" blade can accomplish every task the SoD can - perhaps not as quickly or without making you feel as manly, but it can be done. I carry a SoD because it's my tool of choice, but it's a huge sacrifice in pack weight to put something even that heavy in there. When I'm keeping up with kids whose full skin out weight is 15 pounds, that tradeoff starts to sound like a big deal. No way would I carry the extra weight of a battle mistress, for the small increase in utility. If you want a 40 pound base pack weight, be my guest, but fast and light works well enough for me.



When I've got the money to invest in some REALLY lightweight gear, I'll get my pack weight down even further, and depending on where I go, I might not even carry a fixed blade at all :eek: Choosing a smaller knife has a lot less to do with some macho nonsense about not being in good enough shape, and a lot more to do with your philosophy in gear.


I'd like to see you try to tell some of my ultrarunner friends, who backpack with 10 pound base weight, that they need to get back into the gym - probably happen right after they finish a 100k trail run. Just because someone has different priorities from you doesn't mean they are out of shape or weak. The whole macho "if you're not manly enough to handle the weight of a big knife" nonsense is dumb and it makes you look dumb. Sorry, I know that sounds harsh, but that's the way I see it.
 
The whole macho "if you're not manly enough to handle the weight of a big knife" nonsense is dumb and it makes you look dumb. Sorry, I know that sounds harsh, but that's the way I see it.
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I have to say: That seemed uncalled for in what appeared to be a fairly healthy and friendly discussion. Outright insults seem unnecessary and unproductive. I don't even believe I stated a personal preference except to say, the knife (primary tool you take) should be the only time you don't need to measure ounces or grams. It is the best tool you can take hands down (although, I like firesteels too). I pack under 26 lbs (food included) for 5 days out and I don't really have an interest in lowering my base weight any further. I have good solid gear and enjoy it for now. The UL philosophy is great and I think its good to keep your weight down for the body and over all enjoyment. However, many people clip tags off their gear in order to potentially scrape a gram out, and I think that is silly. People get to focused on the weight. Take what you need, trim the fat when it builds up and enjoy (Also, be kind to others). At any rate, I digress. Don't skimp on the knife and don't be afraid to take 2 knives, one big and one little, if you don't ever use em or they're not right, modify your gear.
 
Iboschi said:
I have to say: That seemed uncalled for in what appeared to be a fairly healthy and friendly discussion. Outright insults seem unnecessary and unproductive.
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My comment was not directed at you, but at the "if you can't carry a big knife you need to hit the gym" comment - which in my eyes, is a thinly veiled insult instead of an outright one, which is just as bad.


Some can't carry a big knife, and some choose not to carry a big knife because they think it's pointless. And some think my lowly SoD is a huge knife, and that carrying IT is pointless.


I certainly think strapping a Battle Mistress to your pack is ridiculous, unless you expect to be backpacking in the Fire Swamp and face off against Rodents of Unusual Size.
 
I'm also of the school of carry more knife and less beer gut. Some of the stuff I hike in involves following game trails through windfall-strewn forest. I find a big blade such as the CGFBM lops limbs off and clears undergrowth with ease. Also good medecine for zombies. The CGFBM was also my first INFI and I am forever loyal to that blade.:thumbup:
 
Well, that said. Everything is relative and each of us has our own taste in knives and what we need. I won't review my muliple knife philosophy again. I do think that I would rather have more knife than I need than the other way around. I'm excited to do some shelter building this winter and the SoD probably wouldn't do the trick for some serious wood processing. I know some people think knives over 5" are useless to begin with. I beg to differ. Something tells me there are plenty of hogs ready to stand in defense of the FBM family and shower the NMFBM with praise and user pics.

To speak to the "if you can't carry a big knife you need to hit the gym" comment. I think he meant to convey that the most important tool you carry should not be ounce or gram counted along with the rest, and less about actual masculinity.

We should all discuss this over a nice healthy fire up in the sierras with a bottle of some Islay scotch :D
 
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