Desert Dwellers! What Knife Do You Use?

220-9er said:
The handle length on snake shot would be a better length.
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True, but, from a backpacker's perspective, heavy. A pistol might weigh half a day's ration of water...! One thing I've learned about the desert is that light weights really count, because there's absolutely nothing you can do to reduce the weight of your water carry. Water is #1 and all else is secondary in the desert. (Well, maybe a hat is not secondary, but you get my point.)
 
Here's mine. 5in blade in 1084. Cocobolo scales and only 5.5oz.

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I'm not a desert dweller, but I do travel to the desert SW of the USA to hike and backpack regularly. For me, the best desert knife is one that is easily cleaned. There is so much sand, dust, and grit in desert environments that gets everywhere, and especially for folding knives this is not good. I like open folding knives (frame locks, compression locks, etc) that make cleaning easy as possible. But better than that is a small, light fixed blade. Sand doesn't bother those nearly as much, although grit can get in your sheath and scratch up your blade.
 
:)I love watching deserts on TV , not interested in visiting any in person . (Same for swamps and all other extreme earthly environments and Mars etc ):eek:

It does always interest me to learn about the special requirements for gear for use in different environments .

Deserts are generally sandy ; dry except when they suddenly flood ; generally lots of sun with little shade or water ; extremely variable in temperature , day vs night .

Other than the sand , and maybe not as much need for stainless , I'm curious what might be different just for the desert ? :cool:
 
Did I mention the Smatchet yet? 😁
As a fixed blade: it'll be simple to maintain. The relative toughness of it would be tough to beat


And it's WAYYY... beyond cool!
 
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DocJD said:
:)I love watching deserts on TV , not interested in visiting any in person . (Same for swamps and all other extreme earthly environments and Mars etc ):eek:

It does always interest me to learn about the special requirements for gear for use in different environments .

Deserts are generally sandy ; dry except when they suddenly flood ; generally lots of sun with little shade or water ; extremely variable in temperature , day vs night .

Other than the sand , and maybe not as much need for stainless , I'm curious what might be different just for the desert ? :cool:
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Interestingly, I still prefer stainless in the desert. But I do tend to get into canyons with water in the bottoms (slot canyons can have deep pools) or find streams/rivers to cross or swim in often enough. And sweat builds up in clothes and on yourself, and can make a pocket a harsh place for a knife. Years back in the grand canyon while backpacking I had to wash my pants in the river because they had become so encrusted with salt from sweat they were chafing me badly.

I personally don't find much need for a large knife out in the desert. 3 inch blade is plenty. But I am not hunting or "bushcrafting" out there.
 
When I lived in Arizona, I carried a Buck 317, because a big Buck knife was the cool thing to have. I had my priorities, you know. I didn't know that I needed a tool specific to my environment.
 
qmether said:
Folks who have spent time in the desert, what is your go-to knife?
What kind if things is it used for?
What do you look for in a "desert knife"?
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I used to run a BK11 with an Azwelke scout carry rig. That thing was excellent.
 
LMayer said:
Benchmades are AMAZING....until an Omega spring craters on you.
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No problems yet but I've heard if them breaking. As far as desert use goes, I suspect it'd be one of the better locks as tolerances are more forgiving when sand gets in it.
LMayer said:
I used to run a BK11 with an Azwelke scout carry rig. That thing was excellent.
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Great choice! I love the knife but can't figure out the right carry system. Perhaps I need to take a look at Azwelke.
 
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