Hiking Requirements

gajinoz

gajinoz

Joined
Sep 2, 2003
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A friend of mine is getting heavily into the hiking, (or bushwalking as we would call it here in Oz), scene. He has asked me for a recommendation for a knife to carry during his trips. His major criterion is LIGHT. He mostly walks in mountainous areas and there is usually not much in the way of heavy bush to go through. He mostly just needs some sort of folder for general camp duties, food preparation and the like, no wood chopping.

I have suggested a Spyderco Delica.

Do any of you serious hiking/camping types have any better suggestions?

Remember, small, folder, light and strong.
 
You cannot go wrong with the Delica, but he might find a Victorinox Rucksack or Fieldmaster to be useful.


Good luck,
Allen.
 
I second the Delica and the Swiss Army knife recomendation, probably the best option. That or a Spydie Calypso Jr.
 
gajinoz said:
His major criterion is LIGHT
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I'm new here (first post!), so take what I say in the appropriate context. I've been looking for the same thing for myself. I haven't decided yet, but one thing I'm considering is a Becker Necker. A small (?) fixed blade. I haven't seen one of these in person, but people seem to like them when considering neck knives. I don't think I would wear it around my neck, but it looks like it might go well attached to a pack shoulder strap upside-down.
 
There is also a Beretta folder that has a saw built into it. AUS8 made in Japan, pretty inexpensive too. If weight is really the criteria it may be a little better than the SAK due to the blade material. IIRC both blades lock too.
 
If he wants a good tough and light bush knife I recomend a bolo machete.You'll have to change the handle though mine is a combo of spandex and paracord.It weighs next to nothing and it easy on the hands even after hacking through all types of brush.The new handle gives it a verry narrow profile so it'll fit easily in a backpack.
 
I used to carry SAK's with saws, but no more, as I never found a good use for 'em. Stuff small enough to saw through I could easily, and more quickly, break by hand, over my knee if necessary. Anything bigger was pretty laborious to saw through. Is there some application I'm missing?

Jack
 
First thing that comes to mind are:

Spyderco Calypso Jr
Benchmade mini-Griptilian
Kabar Dozier folding hunter

There are quite a few possibilities, a lot will come down to personal preference, how much he is willing to pay, and what his sharpening skills are.
 
lambertiana said:
There are quite a few possibilities, a lot will come down to personal preference, how much he is willing to pay, and what his sharpening skills are.
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Exactly. I've given him some pics of different knives to look at so I'll see where his preferences lie.

As for his sharpening skills, these will consist of giving me the knife every now and then and saying: "This bloody thing is blunt, can you fix it?" :)
 
JackJ said:
I used to carry SAK's with saws, but no more, as I never found a good use for 'em. Stuff small enough to saw through I could easily, and more quickly, break by hand, over my knee if necessary. Anything bigger was pretty laborious to saw through. Is there some application I'm missing?
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I don't think SAK saw is intended as 'big wood' saw, instead you can use for fine task like notching camp stakes , trap triggers and shelter construction if you want notches for crossbeams or binding rope, making whistle, etc. Also i prefere the spine on the SAK saw for sparking flint instead of knife spine. Useful for lightly scaling fish too although this is messy.
Back to original qustion- best wt to size ratio for cheap probably is Frosts mora fix blade, lighter then most folders.
 
If "bush walking" (and if allowed by the wizards in Oz which are not very gun/knife friendly) I would carry a Machete in a belt sheath. They are light weight but very functional for driving off the "winged- monkeys", etc.

Machetes take a little getting practice but can really clear brush, etc. with them once you get the knack of the swing. I keep a small stone to touch-up the blade as they will dull quickly when put to severe use.

Cold Steel makes a nice one but you can pick them up over here at any Army-Navy or Hardware store.
 
Gaj, when I go walkabout, the most useful tool I have found is my Leatherman Charge. The blade ( 154CM ) holds a good edge, the wirecutters on the pliers works well on fencing grade wire and barbed wire, the other gadjets, saw, diamond file, scissors, screw drivers ( and most impotantly, stubby opener ) all come in handy.
If your mates just after a light single bladed folder, this list is endless, but I am really impressed with my new mini RSK grip, the blade shape and edge geometry makes it a very utilitarian knife.
Personaly, I prefer a fixed blade when I go bush, they are easier to maintain and keep clean, more reliable and stronger.
 
IMO, the Endura is pretty light, and will serve better than a Delica. That and a SAK or a multi tool will be light enough.
 
one of my favorite hiking knives is the spyderco remote release. it's got a nice sized blade on it and it can be easily clipped to to a belt, backpack, whatever.
 
Fallkniven F1 with kydex sheath. Light and small for a fixed blade and definitely stronger than any folding knife.

If a folding knife is required, the Endura is an excellent choice.
 
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