Hiking with knives

TheMadIndian

TheMadIndian

Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
888
So I'm part of a hiking meetup group and this weekend I'm going out with some of the group on a backpacking overnighter, that I've never met. On the hikes I've never brought out anything bigger than the 17 but thanks to trailbum's sheath that hides in the front pocket and normally I have my 11 kit on my belt in a scout carry. I have never seen anything larger than a swiss army knife or some type of folder out of the day hikers. I've noticed these going backpacking all talking fire craft to some degree, collecting tinder and such on the way and destinations based on firewood abundance.

I want to bring my bk2/14/leatherman/flashlight/firesteel combo out with me but I'm worried about freaking people out (as I've freaked out some friends I've taken out, people that know me...) but I also don't want to be without it as I prefer this setup over a hatchet and a folder

So what would you do?
Show up and put it on with your pack deal with it? (current thought)
Leave it in your pack? (its with me but a pain to get to)
Ask the group beforehand how they feel about knives? (this is my least favorite option)
Joey... You like movies about gladiators?
 
attach it to your pack - at some point you'll hear "OK, lets see what you can do with that thing, Rambo" - and then you can show them. ;)
 
Since you don't know all of the group members, and you likely want to be accepted by the majority, keep the companion low vis. and none of those other tools should offend anyone.
 
Just fly your colors, man. I think Erik's right. I've experienced the same thing from people who know me as well - my sister freaks out every time I snap open a folder and she's in the room, for crying out loud - and I just say, "hey: it's a tool. I bet you have a couple in your kitchen that are at least this big". Of course, this does not work with the 4, the 9 or the 21. But still.....it's not like you're going to kill someone, right?


Right?


Or have you not been doing your yoga?


In all seriousness, strapped to the pack isn't really as threatening as on your belt or around your neck, IMO. And maybe you'll have some converts at hike's end.
 
Forget scaring your companions, thats a lot of steel to carry around on a hike or a backpacking trip.

Bring the Leatherman and a folding saw, that should handle fire prep and anything else while not looking threatening. I find I can do a lot with a Bahco Laplander and a small sharp knife.
 
1066vik said:
attach it to your pack - at some point you'll hear "OK, lets see what you can do with that thing, Rambo" - and then you can show them. ;)
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+1

I know it's a lot to carry but gear is half the fun - though it is a lot to carry.
 
If you want to bring a bk2 backpacking, then strap it to the outside of your pack with pride as had been suggested.

I gave up on large blades while backpacking. They aren't needed and are super heavy if you are covering miles with with weight on your back.

The fact that they might also freak out ppl you don't know but will spend the weekend with is also a consideration, but not the primary reason I wouldn't take a bk2 backpacking.

Just my, $0.02
 
Maybe it's just because I'm older and come from a rural background, but I never ever went camping/hiking without my tools needed for the excursion. ALL MY TOOLS. And everyone I went with did the same. 8 people ==>> 8 hatchets (no BK9s back then or there would have been 8 of those), 8 cook kits, 8 folding knives, 8 fixed blade knives, 8 compasses, 8 fire kits, 8 maps of the area. hell, 8 of everything. No one went out and about without carrying every any lost individual would need. Just the way we did things. If we wanted to carry something, we carried it.

So I say "Don't give a rat's patootie" about what THEY think about what you carry in the field. Carry what makes YOU feel comfortable.

But then, I'm one of those "experienced" individuals aspiring to be a curmudgeon. :D:D:D
 
zzyzzogeton said:
Maybe it's just because I'm older and come from a rural background, but I never ever went camping/hiking without my tools needed for the excursion. ALL MY TOOLS. And everyone I went with did the same. 8 people ==>> 8 hatchets (no BK9s back then or there would have been 8 of those), 8 cook kits, 8 folding knives, 8 fixed blade knives, 8 compasses, 8 fire kits, 8 maps of the area. hell, 8 of everything. No one went out and about without carrying every any lost individual would need. Just the way we did things. If we wanted to carry something, we carried it.

So I say "Don't give a rat's patootie" about what THEY think about what you carry in the field. Carry what makes YOU feel comfortable.

But then, I'm one of those "experienced" individuals aspiring to be a curmudgeon. :D:D:D
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this.
I've hiked with ultra-lighters who either didn't have all they needed and slept cold, or ran out of water in the middle of the second day of a 3-day hike because they were more hung up on weight than comfort and safety.
That same group was totally dumbfounded when I offered to share -- apparently that's not allowed in their circles?
carry and use what you like.
let the other person carry and use what they like.
If it's not endangering anyone or causing other kinds of damage, who cares?
 
I never give a crap what people think. If they don't want me carrying a large knife or a gun then I don't want to be friends with them anyway. Carry it and use it like you normally would and if anyone says anything try to have a calm intelligent discussion about it.

For what it's worth I've carried my BK9 and other large knives on many a church campout and no one seemed put off by it, even the folks who didn't have knives at all.
 
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The outdoors is the most natural and essential place to carry a knife(for me). I couldn't imagine anyone being scared of one on a trip into the outdoors. You like your knives, if these people are so against them do you really want them to be a part of your regular outings if you can't even enjoy it the way you want to?
Just doesn't make sense to me but maybe the demographics are just different where you are from? It's also the perfect situation to talk about and demonstrate the benefits of a quality knife.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
Maybe it's just because I'm older and come from a rural background, but I never ever went camping/hiking without my tools needed for the excursion. ALL MY TOOLS. And everyone I went with did the same. 8 people ==>> 8 hatchets (no BK9s back then or there would have been 8 of those), 8 cook kits, 8 folding knives, 8 fixed blade knives, 8 compasses, 8 fire kits, 8 maps of the area. hell, 8 of everything. No one went out and about without carrying every any lost individual would need. Just the way we did things. If we wanted to carry something, we carried it.

So I say "Don't give a rat's patootie" about what THEY think about what you carry in the field. Carry what makes YOU feel comfortable.

But then, I'm one of those "experienced" individuals aspiring to be a curmudgeon. :D:D:D
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I like your style
 
I want to bring my bk2/14/leatherman/flashlight/firesteel combo out with me but I'm worried about freaking people out (as I've freaked out some friends I've taken out, people that know me…) but I also don't want to be without it as I prefer this setup over a hatchet and a folder
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Time for new friends? ;)
 
I've hiked a lot with this setup its heavy but I don't have to worry about much with it and it carries amazingly well. I've done four hikes to the NJ border with it which is mostly rock scrambles and I'm no worse for wear then when I don't have it and that's 10 - 12 miles depending on if we go to surprise lake or not

I'll see how I can get it on the pack or maybe I'll wear a light long shirt to cover it, it will be 40s - 50s during the day
 
truth be told on the 10+ mile hikes with it the leg strap does get to be too tight. I can correct that with longer paracord or some webbing as has been suggested here

I do understand going lighter though I try to keep my kids packs light so they keep coming out with me :D
 
Just rock it man...

I went to a HammockForums winter hang in NJ a while back not knowing anyone there. Brought my BK12 on my belt. Most of the HammockForum folks are more the ultralight hiker type than the bushcrafty type, so I was a little concerned I might scare someone. Some guy spotted it that night, and said (loudly) "Hey look at that big-ass knife!" I was all ready to defend why I was carrying it, but it quickly turned into the 12 getting passed around 20+ people around the campfire while I was answering questions and offering knife advice.
 
What state are you hiking in? Something to take into consideration are the laws on blade length for open carry. You may not freak out your group but if you end up passing or sharing a trail with the wrong crowd who are eyeing for this sort of thing it might be something to think about. That's why a lot of people carry folders.
 
Just been thinking back - about the OP's title - Hiking with knives. I carried a 4 blade "scout" knife in my pocket, a 5" fixed blade on my belt and a Plumb BSA hatchet, a spare 4 blade knife and a spare 4" fixed blade in the pack. Everyone I went hiking/camping with in the "old days" carried a similar set of equipment. Probably because we were all taught by the same old-school Scoutmaster. I would also have a small file for sharpening the hatchet that did double duty as my "steel" for "flint and steel" fire starting as a back-up to the waxed matches in my match safe. "Ferro-rods" are for wimps. Try the old school "file and a rock" for making sparks if you want a challenge sometimes.

Extreme backpacking - my first trip to Philmont Scout Ranch out in New Mexico - 1967 IIRC. When my group of scouts kicked off, we all weighed our packs. The goal was to keep all packs to 60# or less. That's right 60# was the goal. I weighed 123# and was the smallest person in the group. My pack was just under the limit at 59#. Ended up being over 90# but that's another camping tale. :D

We didn't have all this "light weight" stuff that people use now - packs were canvas not nylon, tents were canvas not nylon-ish, all small stuff was cotton or manila hemp that STAYED wet when it got wet not polypropylene, tent stakes were metal not plastic, flash lights used D batteries not AAA. I could keep going, but that would be boring. :D

The thing is, we took what we needed and spread out the weight. One thing to clear up from my previous post - only 1 of the big stuff - 1 dutch oven, 1 full size axe, 1 bow saw, etc, not X of them.

I think back now and my attitude is, "Dang, if we'd'a had this light weight stuff, we could'a carried a whole lot more stuff". :D:D No one whined about how heavy things were, we complained about not having more stuff because we just couldn't cram any more stuff into or lash more onto the packs.
 
I would suggest that you carry at least a BK 21 along with several other knives. Tell them that your real name is Paul Bigley, Jr and you have extensive experience with sharp objects and trail hiking.

Seriously, I would not let group think influence what you carry. Do what you enjoy.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
Maybe it's just because I'm older and come from a rural background, but I never ever went camping/hiking without my tools needed for the excursion. ALL MY TOOLS. And everyone I went with did the same. 8 people ==>> 8 hatchets (no BK9s back then or there would have been 8 of those), 8 cook kits, 8 folding knives, 8 fixed blade knives, 8 compasses, 8 fire kits, 8 maps of the area. hell, 8 of everything. No one went out and about without carrying every any lost individual would need. Just the way we did things. If we wanted to carry something, we carried it.

So I say "Don't give a rat's patootie" about what THEY think about what you carry in the field. Carry what makes YOU feel comfortable.

But then, I'm one of those "experienced" individuals aspiring to be a curmudgeon. :D:D:D
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Amen brother! I can't deny today's sensitive types from pursuing their favorite hobby of "being offended," but that doesn't mean I have to give one toot about any of it. Not only do my clothes never match (oh my!) but few will ever notice the knife or knives I carry because they'll probably be distracted by the pistol I'm wearing. Not surprisingly though, many people are FAR from observant, and miss a lot of what they're looking directly at. I live in a rural area (not by coincidence) which gives me an advantage over more "civilized" areas, but if I lived in such an area the only thing I'd change would be my location, NOT the way I dress or the gear I use and carry.

So to answer the OP's question, I'd strap a large knife on the outside of my pack (strictly for comfort and load carrying) and have a smaller knife up front where it was handy.
 
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