Help me pick the perfect backpacking knife

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Jun 2, 2009
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I'm looking for the perfect backpacking knife. I own several (see below) but I have yet to find one that fit all my criteria. In order of importance:

1. One handed operation – one handed open, one handed close, and one handed safety lock engage/disengage
2. Light weight – 3 oz or less
3. Open Assist with safety lock – I love the open assist mechanisms, but I’ve had one open accidentally a couple times now. I want a safety lock on that thing so I don't end up with half my family jewels on the floor.:eek: (see post 43 for why I removed this feature)
4. Cost around $100 or less
5. I prefer a plain blade, but would settle for a combo if all other criteria are met

Any suggestions? Thanks!!!


Knives I own now, but aren't quite what I want:
CRKT M16-13Z – I love the Carson Flipper (the small knob sticking out of the base of the blade to help open). Easy one handed operation. A little overkill for backpacking (heavy @ 3.7 oz) They make a smaller/lighter version - if that knife had an open assist, it would be the perfect knife. (M16-01K - 2 oz, $79)

CRKT Tiny Tighe Breaker 1096K – Size and weight are great, and I really like the assisted open, but there is no lock to prevent unintentional openings. The first time it opened was in my backpack. It was a bummer, but I patched the hole. The second time it opened while in my pocket. I still have all my junk attached and fully functional, but that is way too close for comfort.

Kershaw 1640 Vapor – One handed use, but a little heavy and no easy way to open. It has a thumb stud, but I love the open assist or at least the Carson Flipper because it makes opening very fast/easy.
 
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get yourself a BM 550 Griptillian, its not assist but its faster than any other knife i own to be honest

Cheers!

the Colonel
 
Welcome to Bladeforums. :thumbup:

Seems like criterion #3 is going to be your most limiting factor, and there are others here who can speak to open-assist knives better than I can.

Could I ask why you prefer a folder? Does it have to do with weight (ultra-light backpacking)? Nothing wrong with a good folder, but for any situation where my life might depend on a knife, I adhere to the KISS principle and therefore prefer a fixed blade. No need for open assist when all you do is simply draw your knife from its sheath and it's ready to go. There are plenty of good fixed-blade knives in the under $100 range.
 
Kershaw Shallot in S110V if it has to be an assisted-opening, otherwise SE Spyderco Pacific Salt.
 
I'm with Guyon: the best backpacking knife is a fixed blade. A good fixed blade could actually be lighter than a reasonably robust folder.
 
elkins45 said:
I'm with Guyon: the best backpacking knife is a fixed blade. A good fixed blade could actually be lighter than a reasonably robust folder.
Click to expand...

While I agree with the latter idea, I do know that ultra-light backpackers count ounces worse than tournament bass fishermen. I can see how a zytel (plastic) handled blade like a Spyderco without metal liners could shave some ounces. Here, I'm thinking of a Delica or maybe one of the Salt series (already mentioned).

Assisted opening means more in the way of ounce-adding mechanisms, and as I implied in my last post, it's just one more thing that could fail. While the cool factor is there, I've never seen a Spyderco I couldn't get open quickly with one hand.

I looked up one very popular backpacking fixed blade, the Fallkniven F1, and it was listed at 150 grams (6 ounces), twice the weight in the OP's second criterion. That one has a pretty light synthetic/rubber handle, suggesting that a fixed blade may not be the lightest option. I did think about Mora knives, which are very light, extremely affordable, and are a favorite of many folks in the Wilderness & Survival forum here.
 
Well it doesn't have assist but but what about a waved Delica 4? Light, sturdy, and the wave is faster than the assisted opening (I think?). Plus you can also use it as a bottle opener (semi-lame perk but whatever...).
 
To me, an assisted opener spring is just another thing to foul up or break. A large thumbhole folder will be a cinch to open with or without an assist.

Or, as mentioned, you can open a waved folder as you withdraw it from the pocket--nothing faster!

My favorites are the Waved Delica 4, or the Mini Grip 555HG. Both are extremely lightweight, under $60.00, and have strong clips.

Plus the FRN and Noryl GTX handles are tough, durable, and won't be ice cold at night when you reach for it to prep some kindling or open an MRE or a freeze-dried backpacking meal.

If you decide to go fixed, the Fixed Griptilian is surprisingly light, especially for it's size. BRKT and Benchmade also make a lot of very nice small fixed blades.
 
You want a fixed blade, methinks. You just don't know it yet! :D
 
Carry both., Here's the lightest fixed/folder combo I carry for backpacking - modded BM Fixed Grip (4.6 oz) and SAK Farmer - redundant, functional and light:

SANY0001-14-1.jpg
 
I don't know about you, but when I used to backpack took all my own food, did not light fires and tried to leave no trace of my passage so that others could enjoy what I had enjoyed. I never needed more than an SAK. If you want a one-hand opener, I'd go with a Delica. It is very light, will cut anything that needs cutting, and opens fast. I agree with the comment about an AO just being one more thing to foul up. Adds weight, as well.
 
A Mora 510 will be perfect light,sharp,robust & affordable if you lost one buy another one :D
 
Rat Cutlery RC3, RC4, or Izula. (all for around 100 or less)

AO's are just another thing to break, and are really not necessary. A good SAK would do you well too.
 
I prefer a fixed blade for backpacking, and I prefer a dedicated folder to the knives in a multitool.

However, given the limited information about how you plan to use your knife, I'd go with a Leatherman Skeletool CX. It's a little on the heavy side, but not too much and it has pliers and screwdrivers and carabiner -- stuff that is important for backpacking. And it is light.

One hand opens and closes the knife, and the lock is OK. 154CM steel, which is decent.
 
I have done many backpacking trips with the classic Victorinox Rucksack.
Simply the bottle, corkscrew and can opener are very practical.
I think it's not yet out in a one-hand version, but I once saw a prototype picture.

Otherwise the recent one-hand Trekker is a good alternative. It trades the corkscrew for an Allen screwdriver:

4173B6GACVL._SS500_.jpg
 
Well, you have recieved a lot of recomendations that don't meet all your specifications. I will admit that I agree with some of the reasons why they chose to ignore one or another of them.

Still, if you do want a knife that completely matches your wish list, the only one I know off hand is the Kershaw Leek G-10 varient:

02e9_1.JPG

  • Assisted Opening with lock
  • S30V Stainless Steel Blade
  • Black textured G-10 handle
  • Blade Length: 3 in. (7.5 cm)
  • Closed Length: 4 in. (10.3 cm)
  • Weight: 2.3 oz.
The MSRP is $135 but I see them all the time for well under $100.
 
Since you want an assisted opener, i suggest the BM Mini Nitrous Stryker. I got mine a couple weeks ago and it will be my EDC for a long time. It takes a certain upward motion on the pin to fire it, so it would be highly unlikely to fire by itself. It does fire extremely hard though, and although I never used to like liner locks, this one locks up tight and STRONG. Did I mention I love this knife? :DHere are some pics.
DSCN0110.jpg

DSCN0109.jpg
 
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