My best friend is climbing Longs Peak again. Only this time he's doing it in the winter. Been friends for damn near 15 years and I want to make sure he's got a good blade to go up with, ensuring that he comes down OK.
He's satisifed with the $20 for 5 Chinese crap knives for work but because of his interest in Japanese blades respects quality and understands WHY I keep bugging him to get a good blade. Around the warehouse those bargain knives are OK, but out in the wilds he should have something better. Well its Christmas time and he's getting a good knife wether he wants it or not. The peak is not considered a climbing course per se, but an ice axe, crampons, and a saftey line are reccomended for all hikers. The trails are narrow and will be snow and ice over rock.
He will be wearing gloves the entire time, the knife needs to open, not slip, and close with gloves on. The sheath or clip must be able to secure to a pack or cold weather outerwear. Weight is also a concern, the lighter the better.
I'm assuming this knife will be used to prepare/eat meals, cut rope, and cut bandages. The climb is mostly above the treeline and they're using stoves, so a woodland knife may not be the best choice. The knife might see use as an emergenxy spike or handhold, hopefully not, but its better to overbuy than die. I'm shooting for a fixed blade under 9" OAL or a folder no larger than 6" closed, those are the top limits.
Right now I'm thinking of these knives:
CRKT Hammond ABC - desinged for divers and rafters, similar grip conditions, colder climates
CRKT Ryan Plan B - No finger holes to deal with, many sheath mounting options
CRKT Polkowski/Kasper Companion - everything except lousy grip. It'll slip if its damp or gets snow/ice on it.
Maybe a Cold Steel lockback, they should hold the weight and a lockback is more operable with gloves on
Spyderco - the Spyderhole and lockback are a plus with gloves.
Comments? Suggestions? Please tell me if I'm making too many/too few assumptions about the conditions. Of course I'm trying to pry this info outta my friend in such a way that he won't figure out I'm getting him a knife. Your help is appreciated.
He's satisifed with the $20 for 5 Chinese crap knives for work but because of his interest in Japanese blades respects quality and understands WHY I keep bugging him to get a good blade. Around the warehouse those bargain knives are OK, but out in the wilds he should have something better. Well its Christmas time and he's getting a good knife wether he wants it or not. The peak is not considered a climbing course per se, but an ice axe, crampons, and a saftey line are reccomended for all hikers. The trails are narrow and will be snow and ice over rock.
He will be wearing gloves the entire time, the knife needs to open, not slip, and close with gloves on. The sheath or clip must be able to secure to a pack or cold weather outerwear. Weight is also a concern, the lighter the better.
I'm assuming this knife will be used to prepare/eat meals, cut rope, and cut bandages. The climb is mostly above the treeline and they're using stoves, so a woodland knife may not be the best choice. The knife might see use as an emergenxy spike or handhold, hopefully not, but its better to overbuy than die. I'm shooting for a fixed blade under 9" OAL or a folder no larger than 6" closed, those are the top limits.
Right now I'm thinking of these knives:
CRKT Hammond ABC - desinged for divers and rafters, similar grip conditions, colder climates
CRKT Ryan Plan B - No finger holes to deal with, many sheath mounting options
CRKT Polkowski/Kasper Companion - everything except lousy grip. It'll slip if its damp or gets snow/ice on it.
Maybe a Cold Steel lockback, they should hold the weight and a lockback is more operable with gloves on
Spyderco - the Spyderhole and lockback are a plus with gloves.
Comments? Suggestions? Please tell me if I'm making too many/too few assumptions about the conditions. Of course I'm trying to pry this info outta my friend in such a way that he won't figure out I'm getting him a knife. Your help is appreciated.