Choosing a Hiking and Every day Use Knife

Let us know how your choices worked for you, I agree with a lot of folks, it's is your skill set and if you have practiced them. Good idea. I once read Chuck Yeager's book (forgot which one) but in it he describes the annual treks he and a friend would take in the mountains, he said getting in shape before hand and getting your boots broke in were a must months before the trip. Some good advice for other skills you may need such as that stove and starting fires, etc. Congrwts on the Spyderco, and lastly, I have to add my opinion, get a Rat or ESEE 3 or that Mora. :thumbup:
 
Velitrius said:
You're right, hiker91... our lives could one day hinge on the 99 cent bic lighter in our pocket. :eek:

Still struck me as funny. :)

You're also right that $$$ doesn't equal dependable, and I hope you find the Endura a perfect fit for your needs.

Glad you are stoked about it. Knives should be enjoyable.
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Yes reading back over it it is kinda funny to me as well especially now that i keep equating my life's worth to $62.40...its the 40 cents that really makes me feel important. But yes SUPER STOKED bout my new knife...and now i really want that fixed blade.
 
Hacked said:
I've watched men fail to start a fire with a map gas torch. Trust me if you find yourself in a situation where your life depends on getting a fire going it won't be the bic or ferro rod you will need to lean on it will be your skills. A sleeping bag is a better example of were gear selection is more important than actual skills. Hiker good choice with the Endura, I always liked the looks of that knife.
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I 100% agree with you on skill sets being the most important.
 
leghog said:
Victorinox Pioneer or Farmer. You can get the Pioneer for $30 or less. With it and a Mora you'll be out $50 or less and will really never again need to buy another knife for your purposes.
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I've been on a long and winding road with respect to multi-tools. My wife got me a SOG Paratool and after carrying it on a lot of backpacking trips, determined that it was "bad weight". Just way too overkill and not enough stuff in my kit needed it. Replaced it with a Victorinox Classic, actually.

Later, I got a Leatherman Wave and carried it for winter trips. My thinking was that skis and crampons needed more tools to repair (they do) and the saw would be useful for firemaking. I actually used the tool to repair ski poles once on a day trip (not mine) but eventually replaced it with a rachetting T-driver with proper posi-drive bits (binding screw norm) and a drill bit (to drill out new binding holes). This leaves the question of what to do with pliers.

I also found the saw to be too small to be useful in the winter woods. It's perfect for yard work and in my shop, but in the woods, I want to cut larger wood, so it got replaced with a Silky folding saw.

For bike touring, where ounces count, I carry a cycling specific multi-tool (mostly hex keys) but not a pliers based tool. Instead, I carry the small needle nose Vice-grip type tool. This is useful for bike repairs but still too heavy for me for backpacking.

At this point, I can't give up small pliers for backpacking. There are two things I use them for. The first is zipper repairs. For me, zipper repairs typically require a small screw driver blade to pry and pliers to grab or reshape the zipper pull. The second, is driving a heavy needle through webbing and pack cloth.

I used to carry an Ulster BSA knife. I still have several. I don't carry bottle or cans into the backcountry, nor to do I have any leather, so I've no need for 3 of the 4 classic blades.

I consider often if an SAK pocket knife makes sense and for me, it just doesn't make the cut. I use all of the tools on a PS4 Squirt and most of the tools on SAKs aren't that useful for the way I camp. Obviously, it's a much loved tool and many people find them useful.
 
hiker91 said:
And Im actually liking the endura as well. My only concern is I've read it is not as heavy duty due to the thinness of the blade. Any opinion?
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It's not as heavy because there's less steel in it overal, making it a great backpacking knife. The blade is plenty thick for anything you'd want a folder to do—in fact, unless you're going to be felling trees or batoning logs or something, thicker blades are actually a detriment. The thinner the blade, the better the slicer, which is what makes the Opinel so great at its job.

The Endura is a good choice, but I'd actually recommend the Delica instead. I see a lot of people come looking for recommendations with the Endura on their shortlist, or (like you) a size range which the Endura fits, and so it gets recommended a lot by people who then admit that they personally carry a Delica. The longer blade really doesn't give you much, particularly since weight is a factor. Get it with ZDP-189 blade steel and you'll technically never have to buy another folder.

Backpacking methodologies usually give you a few grams/ounces to "splurge" based on personal preference, so that's where I'd (personally, being me, a knife nut) go with a multi-tool (swiss army knives included, here) and then evaluate what kind of fixed blade I'd want on that particular trip, depending on what I plan to do. Depending on the trip, that might mean a Skeletool CX, which gets you a 154CM blade and pliers/drivers for field repairs, and clips to your pack if you want.

EDIT: Sorry, I started my reply this morning and only just got back to this browser tab, so I didn't see that you'd bought the Endura. Enjoy it, it's still a great knife.
 
pinnah said:
For bike touring, where ounces count, I carry a cycling specific multi-tool (mostly hex keys) but not a pliers based tool. Instead, I carry the small needle nose Vice-grip type tool. This is useful for bike repairs but still too heavy for me for backpacking.
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I have a Leatherman Mako (one from that pocket tool company LM bought which hasn't yet been converted to a "bit kit" tool) zip-tied under my seat with the bits hidden in the taillight assembly, but still carry pliers.

At this point, I can't give up small pliers for backpacking. There are two things I use them for. The first is zipper repairs. For me, zipper repairs typically require a small screw driver blade to pry and pliers to grab or reshape the zipper pull. The second, is driving a heavy needle through webbing and pack cloth.
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This is one of the reasons I can't live without pliers. The other is that I just don't have a lot of grip in my hands (my wife opens jars for me), and I'm sometimes flummoxed by plastic tear-off tabs. Small ones like on the Style PS are enough for most things, but there's still a Surge + stripped-down bit kit on my day bag.

I used to carry an Ulster BSA knife. I still have several. I don't carry bottle or cans into the backcountry, nor to do I have any leather, so I've no need for 3 of the 4 classic blades.
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The awl (inline design) is probably the most used tool on my Pioneer, and hardly ever for leather. It's actually terrific for woodworking/bushcraft, striking ferro rods, and a ton of little things that you'd want a small but super-durable blade for. The other two blades are screwdrivers, though it's nice to know I'm prepared for an emergency ration of beer and spam.
 
Wonderful, hiker91... be sure and drop in and give your impressions.

There are many folks in your position, searching for a perfect knife for a specific use. Hiking, backpacking and exploring being just the start of those.

Your impressions will be very valuable to them, and us. So be sure and give your feedback.

I see many more productive posts in your future. :)
 
Nap said:
It's not as heavy because there's less steel in it overal, making it a great backpacking knife. The blade is plenty thick for anything you'd want a folder to do—in fact, unless you're going to be felling trees or batoning logs or something, thicker blades are actually a detriment. The thinner the blade, the better the slicer, which is what makes the Opinel so great at its job.

The Endura is a good choice, but I'd actually recommend the Delica instead. I see a lot of people come looking for recommendations with the Endura on their shortlist, or (like you) a size range which the Endura fits, and so it gets recommended a lot by people who then admit that they personally carry a Delica. The longer blade really doesn't give you much, particularly since weight is a factor. Get it with ZDP-189 blade steel and you'll technically never have to buy another folder.

Backpacking methodologies usually give you a few grams/ounces to "splurge" based on personal preference, so that's where I'd (personally, being me, a knife nut) go with a multi-tool (swiss army knives included, here) and then evaluate what kind of fixed blade I'd want on that particular trip, depending on what I plan to do. Depending on the trip, that might mean a Skeletool CX, which gets you a 154CM blade and pliers/drivers for field repairs, and clips to your pack if you want.

EDIT: Sorry, I started my reply this morning and only just got back to this browser tab, so I didn't see that you'd bought the Endura. Enjoy it, it's still a great knife.
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Thanks a ton for the info. I did go with the endura and i have a feeling i will like it, but i have heard a lot of great things about the delica too. In the future i plan to get a smaller folder as well so the delica is definitely still a consideration for me especially dud to all the positive feedback about it. Great info. Thank you.
 
Svord%20Farmer's%20Knife%20-%205%20Inch%20Blade%20Model%20FK2%20copy.jpg


Svord Farmers Knife
Length of Blade (inches) 5"
Over All Length (inches) 10 1/4"
Blade Shape Farmer
Handle Material Mahogony
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 2.2mm
Sheath 3mm triple layer PVC with brass rivets and sharpener holder
 
WARNING : this won't be very helpful but may tickle your funny bone.

We live on the edge of town in the county and back up against forest.
The Chef has taken to hiking alone when I can't go with her. Stress reduction so she can sleep better.
In our back yard we have had mountain lions, bear, eagles (or some extremely large freekin' hawks who stop in to carry off a rabbit now and then) not to mention roaming packs of coyotes early in the morning or dusk . . . and the eight point bucks hang out right there behind the house like it was a pub or something.

Chef says "I feel like carrying my pepper spray on the trail . . . do you suppose it would do anything ?
I said "Not to worry; for Christmas I will get you a Cold Steel Machete".
She just looked at me like I had been dropped on my head at birth.
She knows that I know that she is too kind hearted to go hacking at any attacking animals with a Machete.

Still you asked . . . just depends on the local wild life and your intended use I suppose.
 
Hello,

I know that you already bought a knife but I have a couple of suggestions too.

Folding knife - Buck 110.

Fixed blade knife - Buck Ranger Skinner #113.

Those knives have shorter blade lengths that you were looking for.

I personally carry the Buck #113 knife on a daily basis. I carry some other fixed blade knives on and off but some of them have a longer blade length.

Best wishes to you.

Cate
 
Nap said:
....The awl (inline design) is probably the most used tool on my Pioneer, and hardly ever for leather. It's actually terrific for woodworking/bushcraft, striking ferro rods, and a ton of little things that you'd want a small but super-durable blade for. The other two blades are screwdrivers, though it's nice to know I'm prepared for an emergency ration of beer and spam.
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This is my experience as well with the camper/utility/scout pattern. In fact, I probably sharpen the edge on the awl as much as I sharpen the main blade, it gets used that much. The old forked can opener on mine (wartime Camillus Army engineer's knife) gets used as a bluntish tool to clean out crevices and also to shave thin materials, (after I sharpened the inner edge on one of the forks). Also, it makes a great bail-lifter for hot things on a stove or fire.

Those knives may have been designed for the world circa 1880, but the tools have lots of uses today, even if we're no longer punching holes in horse harnesses.
 
hiker91 said:
Thanks everyone so much for the input. I will definitely be getting some of the blades you have mentioned because they are awesome suggestions. AS of now, my endura came in and i love it! The handle is a little bigger than I anticipated, but it is an awesome blade still. Now I can't wait to get my fixed blade!

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https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=3905af6f623059cf1512c4db3a942688&oe=56CE7AFB
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It is a very good knife at modest cost. The handle (and blade length) was why I lean toward the Delica which is just a little smaller version of the same knife design. I was digging though my field bag yesterday and discovered I have both of my Endura's in there (fully serrated version and plain edge).... not something I carry on my person however.
 
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