Considering a New Backpacking Knife

I can't beleive that no one has mentioned the RAT series. They are great knives. I have the RAT3 in D2 and it is awesome. I also carry a Vic farmer and a RAT model one. The RAT3 usually stays in the truck around town but when I head out it tucks nicely into the front of my pants for righthand cross draw. With these three I would definatly not feel under knifed.
 
HoB said:
The general consensus on the Wetterlings seems to be that they can be terrific tools if you invest some time sharpening them properly. They come with a fairly steep edge grind which benefits from being a bit thinned and blended with a file and some basic sharpening.

It also seems that most prefer the large (20") hunting axe or the hatchet.
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alternatives

BRK

Knives of Alaska Hunter's Hatchet
 
Unsub said:
A mora and a firestone axe...
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Now you got me going on Firestone axes. I'm assuming you meant the Firestone Belt Axe, which looks like a real no-nonsense tool, but I'm an ultralight hiking freak and when I saw that little Pocket Axe, my eyeballs lit up like I found my own titanium mine :)

So I found one on-line (they seem to be discontinued) and it arrived today. As I expected, it's not so much an axe or hatchet as it is a cutting edge in a long handle. It doesn't have enough weight to really follow through like a chopping tool would, but I'm sure it would take off smaller branches and do some back country wood working if needed. Where I see it taking off is with a baton. The blade sticks oout the back of the handle about 3/32" and begs to be used with a baton. The handle becomes a good way of keeping your pinkies in good condition. Handle and blade shape allow choking up and doing more delicate work. I don't think I could clean a trout with it, but onions would fall to the side. It hit my digital scale at 7.1oz and the sheath is another ounce. It is a cruddy little sheath, but it works.

And I'm a long time fan of moras-- simple and good. Frosts should take a shot at something like a pocket axe.

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A Peltonen Ranger M95 Puukko, a Swiss Army Spirit Multitool, and a GB Widlife Hatchet cover my backpacking needs 95% of then time.

The other 5% gets covered with a Tramontina machete.
 
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