do i need a knife? or just want one?

J

J1427

Joined
Sep 2, 2013
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Hey guys, have been wondering this for a while. I'm planning a two week long canoe trip in algonquin park (ontario) and was wondering if I need a fixed blade knife? My girlfriend and I each have a swiss army knife. Do we need anything more? If I did get one it would be the bk16
 
the bk16 sounds like a great choice.
i would even think of going for a 2 week outdoor trip without a fixed blade.
technically you wouldn't need one if you are using stoves and bring fuel, not fishing etc.
assuming they don't fail when you need them.

if you are concerned about size and weight, you could get a esee izula, becker necker/eskabar, etc instead.
 
A folding knife is a broken knife. If you can afford it without issue, then I say ho for it. Sure you won't spontaneously combust without one but if it were me I would feel more confident knowing my main tool won't likely fail on me.
 
HardTripper said:
A folding knife is a broken knife. If you can afford it without issue, then I say ho for it. Sure you won't spontaneously combust without one but if it were me I would feel more confident knowing my main tool won't likely fail on me.
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All right, I am going to step in here. Heard enough of this "folding knife is a broken knife" crud! That phrase is a bunch of nonsense that I believe, but could be mistaken, was coined by a member of some US Military Special Operations outfit. a) I doubt he was entirely correct even in the Spec Ops context, b) a canoe trip in Algonquin park is a far cry from a military special operation.

Folding knives, are, and have been, the primary cutting tool of America in almost the entire 20th century and so far here in the 21st century.

Under no circumstance is a folding knife a broken knife. That's a buzz word quote...repeated ad nauseum because it sounds...Spec Ops...or something. It's balderdash.

With all that said, I own more fixed knives than folders. I think a nice stainless steel Mora or any number of their different configurations would suit you very wall as an adjunct to you swiss army knife.
 
Well said. He should ask a Marine if his Strider SMF/NSN is a broken knife.
The Strider SMF/NSN is a framelock folding knife that was rigorously designed for, tested and developed for Detachment 1, the first SOCOM unit of the United States Marine Corps, in 2003. When their equipment was being chosen, they decided not to use the traditional Marine Ka-Bar.
(Thanx to Wiki)

Of course, there are always cheaper fixed blade alternatives available, but please don't perpetuate a myth.
 
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I agree with what's been said about the statement "a folding knife's a broken knife"...

I also agree that the BK16 will serve you very well. I would seriously consider picking your girlfriend up a mora companion in addition, they're about $12-14 here in the US, I imagine you can still pick one up under $20CAN.
 
HoosierQ said:
All right, I am going to step in here. Heard enough of this "folding knife is a broken knife" crud! That phrase is a bunch of nonsense that I believe, but could be mistaken, was coined by a member of some US Military Special Operations outfit. a) I doubt he was entirely correct even in the Spec Ops context, b) a canoe trip in Algonquin park is a far cry from a military special operation.

Folding knives, are, and have been, the primary cutting tool of America in almost the entire 20th century and so far here in the 21st century.

Under no circumstance is a folding knife a broken knife. That's a buzz word quote...repeated ad nauseum because it sounds...Spec Ops...or something. It's balderdash.

With all that said, I own more fixed knives than folders. I think a nice stainless steel Mora or any number of their different configurations would suit you very wall as an adjunct to you swiss army knife.
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*sniffle* thank you sir, it's rare I read something on hear that makes me smile. :)
 
Better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it. ;) Bring a fixed blade just in case, although I highly doubt you will be in a situation where you seriously need one, it's always nice to have a backup.
 
Yeah, fair enough. I am just repeating it without giving it the consideration that some of you obviously have. All I meant is, in my experience, when I'm deep in the woods and far from help, I would prefer a more simple one piece design for my tool kit. I carry folders, I usr them daily because they are practical and easy to carry but also they lead to less furled eyebrows. In the backcountry I carry fixed blades because space and weight are limited and I only want one tool to do all and not fail.
 
You always need another knife :D ...LOL But seriously, It's a good idea to have a good size camp knife if size and weight are possible.
I can't imagine trying to batton firewood with a SAK. Granted the SAK will do most of what you need, you still want something for wood processing, and the Becker's are exceptional knives.
Hope you enjoy your trip.
 
I would go with a Mora stainless, and you have a SAK already for backup. Check out the Mora lineup.
 
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Your choice of knife will not make or break your trip. It is handy to have a knife and the skills to use it but people can and do camp out without any knife at all. If your survival comes down to processing large amounts of wood for a fire, hunting and preparing small game, and building shelters with your knife your have done something very wrong in your trip prep. Your sleeping system, clothing system, and food and water system will be much more important for how enjoyable the trip is. Oh and don't forget the load bearing system to keep it all dry and portable.
 
sideways said:
Your choice of knife will not make or break your trip. It is handy to have a knife and the skills to use it but people can and do camp out without any knife at all. If your survival comes down to processing large amounts of wood for a fire, hunting and preparing small game, and building shelters with your knife your have done something very wrong in your trip prep. Your sleeping system, clothing system, and food and water system will be much more important for how enjoyable the trip is. Oh and don't forget the load bearing system to keep it all dry and portable.
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Nothing like a good cozy fire though. :p
 
You just want one. The 16 is cool, no doubt.

Get a stainless Mora. If you process much wood, get a Coughlan's saw (inexpensive) too. The two should run between $20 - $30, including shipping if you buy them together.
 
You both may need your SAKs. If you have those, you really, probably don't need the Becker.

But you want it. Get it.
 
J1427 said:
Hey guys, have been wondering this for a while. I'm planning a two week long canoe trip in algonquin park (ontario) and was wondering if I need a fixed blade knife? My girlfriend and I each have a swiss army knife. Do we need anything more? If I did get one it would be the bk16
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No, you don't need anything more. But as others have said, if you want a fixed blade, it's a good excuse to get one. The BK-16 is a good knife.

-Brett
 
You could probably fare with a butterknife. I think sak should be fine.

However youre on a knife forum, we bring knives not because we need them, but because we're addicted.
 
No one "needs" anything, until they do. And when you do "need" it, chances are, you REALLY NEED IT, especially out in the wilderness.

A two week trip through the wilderness is not a quick trip to the local grocery store, and I don't know what kind of cell phone reception you will get in Algonquin park to call for help if needed. Many unexpected things can happen when we venture out into the wild, and it has nothing to do with whether or not we made any mistakes. Weather can change suddenly and dramatically (weather forecasts are not always accurate), people can get injured from a fall, slipping on a rock, stepping in an unseen gopher hole, getting dumped out of a canoe and hitting rocks, etc, etc. Bottom line, when you are out in the wild there is always the chance you might find yourself in an emergency situation, and you might have no one but yourself to depend on for your survival.

How will you start a fire if everything is wet? Often times wood (tree branches) will be wet on the outside but dry on the inside. How will you access the dry wood without something to split it open?

And what if it becomes necessary to build a temporary shelter because of dropping temperatures, wind, rain? Hypothermia kills quickly. There are no hardware stores around. And you can't count on there being a convenient pile of tree branches around to use for building material. You might need to CHOP some tree branches off.

And of course, a knife can get lost, especially if you get dumped out of your canoe and your knife isn't tethered. Heck, some people on this forum lose their folders in their own homes or vehicles, so it's certainly possible to lose one out in the wilderness. If you are carrying only one knife, and if you should lose that one knife, then you will have NO knife.

Emergency wilderness survival situations are rare, but they do happen, and people don't always survive them. When I used to go camping ("rough" camping, not RV camping), I always brought a certain amount of emergency survival gear, like first aid supplies, fire starting supplies in a waterproof container, pocket flashlights, mini flare gun, signal mirror, water purification tablets, and a few other things (all of which fit in a small pouch on my belt). I also carried more than one knife (two folders, one fixed-blade). A fixed-blade of reasonable size is a very easy thing to carry, even when paddling a canoe.

Like I said, you might not need it, but if you do, you're REALLY going to need it. No one ever plans to experience an emergency survival situation, but I think it's very easy, and prudent, to be somewhat prepared for one.
 
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