Recommendation? hiking knife

[colin.p]

Interesting thread. That got me thinking about Cold Steel's walking sticks. I like the idea of the short Irish shillelagh for car carry, and the longer version for walking or hiking. Very easy to explain to a nosy cop.

My brother has a real blackthorn one that our grandfather had with a date of 1867. Loved to play with that thing when I was a kid.

 

[adnj]

I would suggest taking look at the Merc Harness. They are bullet-proof and about $10. If it has sheath with holes, the Merc Harness will carry it.

I prefer shoulder carry when it's hot. I typically carry a big knife and some essentials with a webbed shoulder rig on tropical mountain trails.

Edit: and if not suggested previously, you can certain buy or make a kydex sheath for your Buck 110 that will work with the Merc Harness.

 

[cbach8tw]

Really interesting as this goes along, maybe getting off topic, the knife is a given what's he likes, I guess it is a matter of different carry options? @metalburr, would you consider some different carry options if it does not include a pack or pouch?

 

[Stelth]

Look at Moras.

 

[adnj]

Pics of the Merc Harness from the web.

 

[DB_Cruiser]

I think the Opinel No. 9 mentioned above is a good option. Super cheap. The blade is little smaller than the Buck (by 1/4 inch), similar blade shape and around 5oz lighter. Stainless or Carbon. Can be had for around 25 clams to your door.

 

[metulburr]

Not to mention I've been bitten a number of times by dogs (GSD's, Mals, and Pits), and defending myself against them is not something I worry about.

That is another one i forgot about. Dogs. And i dont mean wild ones either. There are a lot of people in and around Elmira even that have very aggressive dogs that if they go loose from their car/leash would turn ugly. My dad and i use to deliver legal papers back in the 90's and was attacked by people's dogs all the time. Sometimes they would even sick their dog on you. The divorce legal papers were the worst. A knife is not the ideal weapon, but it packs a punch for the size. We use to carry pepper spray and a large flashlight if they advanced further. But i dont want to carry around a 1 and 1/2 foot flashlight filled with D batteries. I do keep one in my car ever since though. It has a good legal reason to be in the car, and can come in handy when attacked by someone's loose aggressive dog. Defending myself against dogs is something always on my mind when in or near town.

Using a knife against animals, even rabid ones, is a poor choice. Carry a handgun.

That is the obvious choice. I would much rather carry a handgun. However NY state is very anti-gun friendly and you have better chances to be struck by lightening than get a pistol permit in my county and state. Ive tried. I have decided its not worth putting more money into it or footing the bill for a lawyer (which everyone seems to need here).

Do you use a walking stick? They are obviously great for protection but you can use it to carry your knife too.

I still have a walking stick I made in Boy Scouts 30 years ago. That is a self contained survival kit. Including a 6 inch fixed blade.

I never thought about a walking stick. That is an interesting idea.

--

I know a knife is not ideal against an animal (especially if rabid). But i would rather have that than nothing. And usually nothing happens anyways. A knife has multiple uses and comes in handy all the time. I might try a shoulder sling pack instead or a walking stick. Those are great ideas.

EDIT:
I forgot to mention before one of the things i really like about the buck 110 is the handle style. The thickness and shape of the handle is the only one i have found that feels like a perfect fit. I have large(r) hands so small handles feels awkward.

 

[JParanee]

Get new shorts with belt loops and all your problems are solved you can carry your buck in a belt sheath and keep your pants up

 

[pinnah]

I know a knife is not ideal against an animal (especially if rabid). But i would rather have that than nothing. And usually nothing happens anyways. A knife has multiple uses and comes in handy all the time. I might try a shoulder sling pack instead or a walking stick. Those are great ideas.

I've found that for the most part, stupid humans and stupid "domesticated" dogs owed by stupid people are generally only a problem within a mile of the parking area (the recent knife murder on the AT not-withstanding). IMO, the best protection for both is good situational awareness, which given your prior work, I suspect you already have. Best back up for both IMO is OC spray.

You can easily find sling packs online for under $40 and that would be a good way to try the idea out without breaking the bank.

You might consider looking for one with a "cell phone" pocket on the shoulder strap, as that is an ideal place to carry OC spray.

I have XL hands and agree with you about the 110, which is why it's my primary EDC knife.

 

[Horsewright]

Folding knife pouch/Buckaroo pouch:

Back threads onto a belt loop so you would still need shorts with belt loops.

Handy doesn't get in the way of other stuff:

Yet provides easy access, just pull on the thong, and security. Knife doesn't fall out of your pocket.

Or if ya go as Joe suggested with a belt problem solved there too:

Edit to add:

This thread brings up some similar topics and might be worth a read.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/handgun-carry-in-the-woods.1463630/

 

[aleforme]

With the limitations and criteria you have mentioned, the Benchmade Bugout is probably you're best option for a folder. Much better knife that the LW 110 IMO and is a featherweight but still tough enough.

I carry it quite often when wearing gym shorts on shorter hike and walks when I don't have a backpack. I just clip it onto the waistband. Just have to find the right position so it's doesn't dig into you side. Works great.

 

[Henry Beige]

Heck, if you have a walking stick, stick a Cold Steel Bushman on the end and have a walking stick/spear.

 

[Cosmodragoon]

Im one of those people that do not like to put more than 50 to a knife. Mainly in case i lose it...

I understand that. Beyond loss, I see knives as tools. When I have a fancy one, there are jobs I might not want to use it for. I need to be okay with it getting dinged up or dirty. That said, there are a bunch of lightweight options out there that'll have an easier ride in your pocket. The slim versions of the 110 have already been mentioned. The Ka-Bar Dozier is similar enough while being decent, light, and wonderfully cheap.

Bringing up defense, especially against animals, any folding knife is going to have serious limitations. You might be a little faster with a different type of action but still, folding knives just aren't great for self defense. Since firearms are off the table, consider a fixed blade and/or take up the recommendation for a good walking stick.

 

[metulburr]

Yeah but a fixed blade makes it much larger and bulkier. The one thing i like about the folder is it is able to be concealed easily.

 

[katanas]

Heck, if you have a walking stick, stick a Cold Steel Bushman on the end and have a walking stick/spear.

I use a Cold Steel long assegai, great walking stick and it always goes into a cave (I'm going to explore) first. It can also double as a knife.

 

[22-rimfire]

Heck, if you have a walking stick, stick a Cold Steel Bushman on the end and have a walking stick/spear.

Great idea. Condor I believe makes something similar. That said, I wonder what kind of looks a person would get along a public trail carrying a spear? I use trekking poles; usually one and use it like a walking stick as my other hand often has a camera in it. Doubt fixing a knife to it would work very well.

 

[pinnah]

Given what recently happened on the AT, hiking while brandishing a spear might be frowned upon. And based on the responses from the "sheepdog" types on a gun forum I follow, might be a good way to get yourself shot by a nervous hiker.

 

[sgt1372]

What's the world coming to? Can't go to church, school, a movie or hiking w/o worrying about getting shot or hacked to death. It's just crazy!!!

As for a hiking knife, I'd just carry a Ontario Rat 1 in the blade steel of your choice which is lighter, more versatile and more disposable IMO than a Buck 110.

 

[lonestar1979]

Get fixed blade ,cold steel srk in sk5 can be had for dirt cheap and is pretty good knife ,also buck 118 personal or 119 also are good knives at good price point.

 

[Pilsner]

OP, as L lonestar1979 says, consider a fixed blade, perhaps?

I’ve just taken delivery of a Fastpac by Rainier Knives, which you can Google. It is a small fixed blade in Elmax steel, the knife itself weighs 1.34 Oz. Add a paracord wrap - 1.63 Oz - and the small, belt loop/neck knife Kydex sheath and the weight is still minute at 2.25 Oz [66g].

It is a very decent knife. Manufacturer’s photo: