do i need a knife? or just want one?

No you don't need it. None of the avid outdoorsman I've talked to(excluding this knife knut site:D) even consider carrying a fixed blade. SAK classic being the most common. They tend to focus on the more important things like good clothing, good tents, and good sleeping bags. Then again fixed blades are cool. ;)
 
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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"Won't likely fail on me"...

This guy needs to get his head out of where the sun dont shine!

I can't help but laugh when I see people like this.... they've obviously never handled a folding blade worth a good amount of money...

Try a Hinderer Xm -18 or 24 for size... thats every bit as strong as an equally sized fixed blade Imo..

Now when you talk about tasks you need to get done with your knife... sure tasks will differ between a folder/fixed blade naturally... but those who talk as if a folder isn't worth a dam just makes me laugh..

Ive been using folders and fixed blade all my life thus far and never had one fail of me no matter what role they were put into...

That includes hunting/camping not just opening packages...
 
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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Really depends what you intend on using the knife for...

If your not going to use it to baton firewood or something like that... then you could just get yourself a quality folder...

It'll save you space and weight..

Sak classic is good but to depend on it as your only knife for 2 weeks.. I dono how i'd feel about that..

If It was me in your shoes... I'd be taking 2 quality folders with me... something like a strider or hinderer... and of course my trusty vic. Cadet SAK ;)

Whatever you decide have fun my man!
 
sgt244 said:
Sak classic is good but to depend on it as your only knife for 2 weeks.. I dono how i'd feel about that..
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That's basically what my point was. You have people who spend more time in the outdoors then most of the people posting in this thread combined who don't depend on a knife at all. It's a different way of camping is all. I carry all manner of cutting tools when out but I recognize that if I set myself up right that the cutting tools are more of a luxury item used to pass the time then something that I'll die without. Need is a relative term.
 
sgt244 said:
"Won't likely fail on me"...

This guy needs to get his head out of where the sun dont shine!

I can't help but laugh when I see people like this.... they've obviously never handled a folding blade worth a good amount of money...

Try a Hinderer Xm -18 or 24 for size... thats every bit as strong as an equally sized fixed blade Imo..

Now when you talk about tasks you need to get done with your knife... sure tasks will differ between a folder/fixed blade naturally... but those who talk as if a folder isn't worth a dam just makes me laugh..

Ive been using folders and fixed blade all my life thus far and never had one fail of me no matter what role they were put into...

That includes hunting/camping not just opening packages...
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Oh stfu please. You don't know me and you have no idea what knives I've handled. I don't have a hinderer simply because they do not appeal to me at all. I do have a Manix 2 xl, is that good enough for you? I too have never had a lock.fail on me either and I doubt I will. A fixed blade is safer and more reliable than a folder. That was and is my point.
 
Shotgun said:
That's basically what my point was. You have people who spend more time in the outdoors then most of the people posting in this thread combined who don't depend on a knife at all. It's a different way of camping is all. I carry all manner of cutting tools when out but I recognize that if I set myself up right that the cutting tools are more of a luxury item used to pass the time then something that I'll die without. Need is a relative term.
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Yup. How much knife you bring with you depends on how you do your camping. If you pack your shelter and cook so you don't need an open fire you'll mostly be opening food packages, cutting food, or cutting cordage. In the backpackers handbook chris townsend recommends a victorinox classic.

The question is, will you be building a camp fire? If the answer is yes then perhaps you need an efficient way of processing wood. The answer is not automatically a big knife btw. There are many ways to skin a cat. I have seen saws, hatchets, knives and combinations of these three used to great effect.

Wire saw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pKk--LaKzY

Bow saw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEdCN0lwieM

Splitting wood with a saw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSOXU0rrqOM

Axes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5W6r5U7yBE
 
If you have 2 SAK's between the two I think your good. Personally I would carry more but that's because it's me, it be my ka-bar dozier in my front pocket for easy use (lightweight, good grip, strong pocket clip, makes it my ideal choice out of what I own) and my Vic Huntsman II in my pack as it's far bigger and bulkier than what I prefer to carry on myself as it's the most practical thing I own in an outdoor situation.

But as someone else mentioned if your processing wood, something like a hachet, saw, knives can be used. Personally I op for the first 2 if I had to choose. Just remember what you bring you have to carry and weight adds up FAST. An ounce here a few ounces here adds up to pounds and keep going before you know it.

Beyond that have fun on your vacation.
 
Well in this scenario if you are going on an outdoor trip use this as a justification of needing a knife so you can buy it. You may also want it too and that is just an extra bonus.
 
I like the SA knife, as I seriously doubt on this kind of trip, you will batoning and building shelter, general cutting chores you will be fine. That said, I still like the idea of a small fixed blade like was mentioned Izula or Becker. Just don't over do it if you know what kind of outing and chores you will be doing. Learn what best works for you.
 
izula 2 covers everything from little chores to camping to backpacking. you don't need another knife at that point and you don't have to worry about knife failure like if you bought a folder.
 
Let me put it this way. I would not step into the woods/wilderness/outdoors without a fixed blade and a back up blade.
 
I'd want a fixed blade for food prep. Slicing vegetables, blocks of cheese, etc. Unless you're going to carry freeze dried meals the entire time, and even so I'd want a few onions to spruce it up a bit.

Going to fish or hunt on the trip? I'd definitely want a fixed blade for that. Fish goo stuck in the joints of a SAK that can't be taken apart for cleaning... blechhh!

A small paring knife, Mora, or even a small custom would all be excellent choices. :thumbup:

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun!
 
Sonnydaze said:
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'll bite. As a Marine that was still serving in 2003 striders are broken knives.

To answer the op, if you are going camping get yourself a fixed blade. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have 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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What a great trip this will be. I'm so envious. And with a girlfriend, that is frosting on the cake.

I would bring a small folding saw for cutting firewood. You can get them for around $10 at any hardware store. I have found them to be more useful than a fixed blade.

Perhaps bring a small filet knife if you plan on doing any fishing with a small portable spinning rod and some lures. I would have a lure trolling behind my canoe if I were on a two week trip.

http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/recreational_activites/fishing-in-algonquin-park.php
 
Come to think of it, seeing as it's a canoe trip you can probably bring a full size axe and full size saw if you wanted to. The canoe won't mind the extra weight.

I agree that fixed blades are more hygienic for cleaning fish and involved food prep tasks. I often times pack a pairing knife from the kitchen just for that.
 
Pairing knives can baton and whittle just fine, as ive experimented with edge bevels and sharpening. Its so thin it glides through wood without damage.
 
Thanks for all your responses guys. Would a heavy duty folder do the job if I needed it too? Something like to ZT0350? Could I baton with it if I needed too? Just wondering cause my parents and gf would probably be more comfortable with me getting a folding knife than a fixed blade. Btw I have a SAK fireman (bigger than the classic, with a saw), and my girlfriend has the camper (classic with a saw), and we would also probably bring a Laplander folding saw.
 
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