Cool Backpacker Article

[heresay1]

This is my favorite post from the comments section:

A knive is ridiculous as a ten essential to backpackers as you carry your shelter and warmth and unless you need to slice cheese a knive is silly. Having said that, the 'knive' zealotry is so entrenched in otherwise smart people, that I'll bet everyone will disagree with me but I challenge you to tell me what you use a knife for when backpacking. I do believe in a heavy duty scissors tho. Cheers
Posted: Nov 06, 2010 Babettezz

I have encountered a few backpackers that do not carry knives. The areas they hike into and campsites are heavily used. They also carry just about everything on their back (all the gizmos and gimmick items). Their gear is specialized and not multi purpose oriented. Civilization is not too far away on these trails and as a result encounters with people on a daily basis is standard.

I imagine the scissors is for cutting mole skin, bandages, duct tape, plastic wrapping on salami rolls, the bags of Mountian House meals, etc...

 

[Cougar Allen]

 

[TreeChopper]

Their gear is specialized and not multi purpose oriented.

Multiple Use Gear

"Multiple Use" as applied to a piece of gear is a foundation principle of lightweight backpacking. This forum deals with the topic in greater depth.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/display_forum.html?forum=23

I'm not even close to being UL but I'm trying to get as light as my comfort and safety levels will accept. Still, I usually carry my 2.75 oz Izula which might be considered porky by UL standards, and sometimes only my Opinel goes for the ride. I've not used either of them on a hike.

 

[Shotgun]

I have encountered a few backpackers that do not carry knives. The areas they hike into and campsites are heavily used. They also carry just about everything on their back (all the gizmos and gimmick items). Their gear is specialized and not multi purpose oriented. Civilization is not too far away on these trails and as a result encounters with people on a daily basis is standard.

I imagine the scissors is for cutting mole skin, bandages, duct tape, plastic wrapping on salami rolls, the bags of Mountian House meals, etc...

Actually even with basic gear you really don't need a knife for anything when hiking/camping IMO. I'm a minimalist and don't carry much of any fancy gear and I've NEVER needed a blade of any kind when camping. Heck I don't even think scissors are all that necessary. (Duct tape before the blister is 1000X's better than mole skin after.)They have a point IMO.

However, the problem with their logic is that they don't account for emergencies which is what the whole 10 essentials idea is trying to address. It's gear that you should have if things go south. Which is also why I carry a knife and in most cases a hatchet/hawk EVERYTIME I go into the woods. Probably won't use it except out of convience or when I'm "playing" but they get carried all the same.

 

[Evolute]

NOTE: THIS IS NOT A "BASH ULTRALIGHTERS WHO DON'T BRING KNIVES" THREAD, AND IT WILL BE LOCKED IF IT GOES THAT WAY.

Joe, may I speak openly about your style of forum moderation, without risking getting dinged for sassing a moderator?

 

[will62]

Nice article, they are coming around some. I still read the magazine once in awhile.

Not a bad choice for the knife if you count ounces.