Recommendation? hiking knife

metulburr said:
Today i went on a hike, and i used a sling pack to carry. I ended up adding more and more to the pack though. So it was kinda uncomfortably heavy for the thin strap around my neck. Plus there was no room for drinks, etc. So i switched it to a full fledged backpack a lot of extra space. Its my hunting pack, and has all the amenities (padded straps, padded back, quite fabric, etc.). So next time i will try that and see how it goes. However its quite large for hiking, but maybe...

I do wear suspenders, but only for hunting because i can hide them under my jacket. haha.
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I use the 5.11 MOAB 11L sling bag a good bit and certainly the straps don't dig into my shoulders. I find it quite useful when I just want something small to carry a few things. I tried a larger pack for light hiking and didn't care for it overall as it was "too much" and encouraged me to take too much stuff along. Backed off a bit and have a couple day packs now including a couple 5.11 ones in varying sizes.

I like the 5.11 stuff and use one of their messenger bags for my computer when I travel. The objective was to be able to carry all my "stuff" in one trip into the motel room from the vehicle on one and two day trips.

I have some suspenders but honestly have only worn them a couple times. Feel funny wearing them. I could probably get over that.
 
eh maybe thats why. My sling bag is smaller than the 5.11 MOAB 11L with no padding support. I think i got it at a military surplus store a while back. I plan on going out tomorrow again. Ill try my backpack out.

I sometimes have 4+ kids go with me so a full size backpack may come in handy for storage of general things for them as well, where a sling pack does not have any room. Bu i will try to keep some of those pockets empty lol.

If that still seems too much, i might buy that sling bag to try out.
 
Some folks use the MOAB 6 (11 L) sling pack/bag as an edc. I initially got it to use working when I have to crawl into rather cramped uncomfortable places with "tools". I lost or left behind a number of things in places like that and the little 5.11 was purchased specifically for that purpose where I can just zip it shut versus many of the tool bags you see at the home centers. I honestly take it along with me on most of my trips as a place to keep my more important things and it is also used for day hiking quite a bit. It is not an edc bag for me but frequently is in my vehicle.

One of your kids might enjoy carrying that little bag when you are carrying something larger.

Added: If I need to carry a man bag for some reason to hold stuff, I take this bag. I don't feel funny at all carrying it around. Have gotten compliments on it in the past. I bought it at Sportsman Warehouse where they carry a number of the 5.11 products. For me, it's a little expensive to just have and not use and I certainly don't want to leave it behind somewhere. I am always looking for something better but almost always more expensive and I doubt they would be any more functional.
 
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I like single shoulder bags for urban EDC, particularly when riding buses, subways and trains. The abiity to move the bag to the front to sit without taking off the bag is great. I've used traditional briefcases, a messenger bag, a sling bag and currently carry a Mountainsmith Tour fanny pack with a shoulder strap. My problem with all of them is that they hurt my shoulder if I walk far. The Mountainsmith Tour solves this as it carries as a great fanny pack on the odd time I have to walk far with it.

My other beef is that stuff in the 18l or under size range is no where near enough for day hiking for me. I'm 6'3" and where XL tops and my insulating layer alone won't fit into a small pack.

I prefer a daypack in the 30L range give or take as a minimum. I use a 40l pack when taking kids or in the winter.

I think the OutdoorGear packs are a good low budget option for people exploring things. I like Kelty as a mid tier brand.
 
Methinks this hiking deal is getting totally out of hand:

TNvwM5E.jpg


Now a guy can carry whatever knife he'd want.
 
22-rimfire said:
Me thinks you're right. Preparation is a great thing, but....
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Once upon a time we was camped in Little Whitney Meadow with Golden Trout creek flowing through. Along comes a back packer. He's hobbling bad. Hot day, dry and dusty on the trail. Obviously badly blistered feet. Find out he's a test pilot from Edwards AFB. "Looks like you could use a beer", I tell him. "You have beer????" he rasps. "We have a whole beer horse", I says. He camped over there aways and we had him over for steak too and another beer or three.
 
Horsewright said:
Once upon a time we was camped in Little Whitney Meadow with Golden Trout creek flowing through. Along comes a back packer. He's hobbling bad. Hot day, dry and dusty on the trail. Obviously badly blistered feet. Find out he's a test pilot from Edwards AFB. "Looks like you could use a beer", I tell him. "You have beer????" he rasps. "We have a whole beer horse", I says. He camped over there aways and we had him over for steak too and another beer or three.
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That was good of you guys! I've seen horses out of both Cottonwood Pass from Horseshoe Meadows, as well as on the High Trail out of Agnew Meadows, up near 1000 Island Lake. Everytime I see them I tell myself, "Next time I come here it's going to be on horseback"... But it never seems to come true. :(:D
 
BoulderTroll said:
That was good of you guys! I've seen horses out of both Cottonwood Pass from Horseshoe Meadows, as well as on the High Trail out of Agnew Meadows, up near 1000 Island Lake. Everytime I see them I tell myself, "Next time I come here it's going to be on horseback"... But it never seems to come true. :(:D
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Heck, might of been us. We leave the trailers there at Horseshoe.
 
Does anyone own the buck 110 aluminum. I dont think anyone mentioned that, unless i missed it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSU1YXE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A4897TWDBCWPL&psc=1

It appears to be about half the weight of the brass 110. They dont list it, but a review states
This knife weighs 117 grams compared to my older model which weighed in at 218 grams.
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I was wondering if anyone had this knife? does it compared to the original buck 110 with brass?

Ive researched a ton of knives since posting here. Its hard to choose a knife when you are just reading about them online and not in person. One i was looking at was the benchmade bugout 535, but after reading some reviews about how the locking mechanism broke, i decided i would rather stick with the weight of the buck 110 when hiking than have a knife break. Then i came across the aluminum version.

It seems even some of the pricier knives ($100-$200) have reviews stating of people legitimately using the knife, and them breaking. Where they state knives at 1/3 the prices are just as good or better. So im i am quite worries about spending more to get more when i know a $35 buck 110 from walmart will take a beating.
 
Buy a pair of shorts with belt loops. If you have a family it's passed time to leave Neverland and start dressing like a man.
 
And shorts with belt loops defines a man?

Im from upstate NY where the summers of east coast get humid and muggy. People from the west coast come over and say they would rather have 120 degrees dry heat than 95 degrees with east coast 100% humidity. The last thing you want when hiking is heavier shorts. String shorts are much lighter and loose fitting. Belted shorts are thicker; heavier. That may work on some days, but other days its just not plausible.
 
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So did you decide if a sling pack or other kind of light weight pack would meet your needs or does the search continue? Hope you find the right solution that helps carry a knife and still allows you the freedom of movement. I still think the Buck Slim or Slim Pro 110 or 112 would be a good light weight knife. Just how to carry one? :D Or at the very least, maybe Swiss Army knives, plenty of choices and tools to choose from, the Alox Pioneer I use often, and I like the Pioneer X with the scissors.
 
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Finding the right bag can be a trial and error thing. You might just consider a light pointy modern locking knife versus the 110 since your dominant focus is potential self defense applications hiking. Just clip the knife to your shorts. The 110 really isn't a good self defense knife or even hard use knife. I know... budget.... Hard to change sometimes.

You can get nylon shorts with belt loops and not wear a belt. Horsewright's little pouch would work with any version of the 110 and attach to the belt loop.

Don't have any experience with the light versions of thw 110.
 
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metulburr said:
Does anyone own the buck 110 aluminum. I dont think anyone mentioned that, unless i missed it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSU1YXE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A4897TWDBCWPL&psc=1

It appears to be about half the weight of the brass 110. They dont list it, but a review states


I was wondering if anyone had this knife? does it compared to the original buck 110 with brass?
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I have the Aluminum 110 from Copper and Clad, which has black micarta scales. Same basic price range as the ebony version you've found. It's become my most commonly carried knife since I got it for Christmas 2 years ago. I think it's a wonderful knife.

Couple of thoughts...
  • The Aluminum framed 110 is infinitely better than any plastic Buck I've owned, including the Ecolite. Every plastic Buck I've owned developed bad blade play in about a year. If you want a lightweight 110, I think this is a great option.
  • I remain leery of the new Slim 110. The one I handled had play, play has been reported by others, and if I recall correctly Buck has said they've addressed some manufacturing issues to get rid of it. I plan on waiting a few years to let things settle down before I try one.
  • The Aluminum 110 has a very different feel in terms of balance. The brass 110 is very handle heavy, particularly at the butt end. The Aluminum 110 is more balanced and much lighter; so much so, it didn't feel right in my hand for the first several months. After about 6 months, I found that I actually prefer the Aluminum 110 and at this point, I find traditional brass or nickel 110s just too heavy in the hand (and in the pocket). This is YMMV territory. You might hate the feel of the Aluminum 110 as it feels like an entirely different knife. I prefer it but that won't help you.
  • My Aluminum 110 weighs 4.3 oz on my scale. My stainless Mora Companion weighs 4.1 oz. If one makes the commitment to carry one's knife in the pack, I think the Mora Companion is a better hiking/backpacking knife than the Aluminum 110 in every possible way, save one... It's not a Buck 110. The Buck 110 is just so beautiful and so pleasing in the hand. The Companion is ugly. But the plastic sheath works stunningly well. The Companion's handle is, actually, better at just about everything. The Companion is a stronger knife just because it's a fixed blade. And it's a tick lighter. When I'm not counting ounces, I carry the Companion in my pack and leave my Aluminum 110 in the car.
  • If I'm counting ounces, I carry an Opinel #9 Inox. It's about 2 oz, is a much tougher knife than the Buck 110 (surprising, but true in my experience) but not as tough as the Companion.

Regarding shorts... stick by your guns. IMO, better to get your pack situation sorted out. I recommend a day pack with about 30L capacity for day hiking.
 
I think "It's not a 110" is the most significant part of the choice. Not a heavy duty knife to be sure. I was rather stubborn about the Schrade 250T in terms of change. Carried it a long time in the woods. I might even get an aluminum 110 after pinnah's summary based on his use. I have a medium sized day pack (couple actually) in the 30L size area. They work, just not as small as my sling bag. It really just becomes a trial and error thing with the bags. People like what they like and most only have limited experience with a couple bags/packs.
 
metulburr said:
I have problems when hiking when it is hot out. I have a T-shirt, shorts, socks, and sneakers. The knife i like to carry is my buck 110. However the weight of it in a shorts pocket while hiking pulls the shorts down (between that and my wallet). I wear pull string and tie shorts type. So there is no where to belt up a knife at. I like to have my knife quickly accessible if the need arise. So stuffing it in my shoe or something seems like i might as well leave it in the car.

I was wondering if there was some type of specialty sheath or rig that would hold a knife at the ankle or something that i am unaware of. But i cant imagine something that would be comfortable hiking either like that. Or maybe there is a lighter knife with the same size as the buck 110 and not junk? Or a necktie option?
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Some times you have to dress around what you wish to carry on you, and or, there's no lack of bags, etc designed for day hikes and such, or a simple fanny pack set up.
 
metulburr said:
Im not a big fanny pack person. It doesnt feel comfortable to me having something like that around my waist.

I live in upstate NY near the PA border. There are coyotes, boar, black bear, and rattlesnakes. I think that the worst fear is rabies. We have had encounters with rabid animals before. Though its obvious the best course of action would be to not be close at all and get out of there, I would like to put myself (with at least a knife) between my family and the rabid animal.
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Then I'd carry a good fixed blade, wearing good hiking shorts, good belt, and at least some quality pepper spray (Fox or Sabre Red) if I was serious about the matter. Fumbling around to open some little folder to fend a coyotes, boar, black bear, is bad idea. A good hiking stick is also a worth having as it has various uses, one of which is thwacking a snake etc and creating distance. Where ever possible, when hiking in areas where such animals exist, things that go bang are always preferred.
 
22-rimfire said:
I think "It's not a 110" is the most significant part of the choice. Not a heavy duty knife to be sure. I was rather stubborn about the Schrade 250T in terms of change. Carried it a long time in the woods.
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The Schrade 25OT was a classic. Carrying a classic is sometimes its own reward and often enough.

I have a medium sized day pack (couple actually) in the 30L size area. They work, just not as small as my sling bag. It really just becomes a trial and error thing with the bags. People like what they like and most only have limited experience with a couple bags/packs.
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I think my Mountainsmith Day (13L), which I use as my "man purse", is similar in use and utility to your sling bag. It can carry water bottles, 1st aid kit, chargers, tools. The weight is light enough that I can tolerate over the shoulder carry and it's super easy to deal with in and out of the car and buildings. For walks in the park, the hip belt makes it super comfortable. :thumbsup:

I think my local conditions here in New England are similar to Metalburr's. I find even on short day hikes in the summer I want to carry a) a rain jacket and b) an insulating layer. I'm a tall guy at 6'3" and wear XL tops and so my clothing is bulkier. This is what drives me to a 30L day pack. There's no way I can stuff and/or lash my fleece and rain shell to my fanny pack and make it work. The "suspension" is just too overloaded.

If one hikes in places where only a shell is needed as extra clothing, I could see getting down to something smaller.


Regarding the issue of OC spray... I'm moving to it after this last attack on the AT. But I'm investigating shoulder harness holster carry for ease of access with a pack on.
 
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