How much knife for hiking

[000Robert]

I think Japanese knife laws are almost as strict as their gun laws. Not much knife is allowed for daily carry.

Another country that I'll never visit.

 

[EngrSorenson]

I think Japanese knife laws are almost as strict as their gun laws. Not much knife is allowed for daily carry.

As I'm told, a SAK falls within the bounds of acceptable carry. I think there's other mitigating circumstances too, like when fishing, hunting or camping. I get the impression from my friends that the laws are strict, but enforcement is pretty relaxed. I still think most of us would at least go for a SAK for such a journey.

I am good with a sharp chert flake.

Gesundheit

 

[Guy McVer]

i carry my Silky Gomtaro replacement blade, wrapped with some paracord..weighs 2.5oz / 70g and cuts so much better than the laplander. also has a much longer blade

Bless you, sir. I'm so glad you posted that. I have been looking for something exactly like this for a long time now.

As I'm told, a SAK falls within the bounds of acceptable carry. I think there's other mitigating circumstances too, like when fishing, hunting or camping. I get the impression from my friends that the laws are strict, but enforcement is pretty relaxed. I still think most of us would at least go for a SAK for such a journey.

I do not know the answer to this for certain, but in Japan I think only a small 58mm keychain SAK would be allowed for carry, such as a Classic SD, Tomo, Rambler, Mini Champ, etc. This is because of restrictions on the blade length. The blade must be shorter than 6 centimeters (2.36 inches) for you to be legally allowed to carry it without first getting special permission from the authorities.

Again, I don't know this for sure since I do not live in Japan and I am not familiar with their laws, so please don't mistake this as advice. It's not advice.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Again, I don't know this for sure since I do not live in Japan and I am not familiar with their laws, so please don't mistake this as advice. It's not advice.

Oh it's fine- it's off track anyway. I think even if all we could carry was a 58 mm SAK, we'd still choose to carry it.

 

[GAGL]

Bless you, sir. I'm so glad you posted that. I have been looking for something exactly like this for a long time now.


I do not know the answer to this for certain, but in Japan I think only a small 58mm keychain SAK would be allowed for carry, such as a Classic SD, Tomo, Rambler, Mini Champ, etc. This is because of restrictions on the blade length. The blade must be shorter than 6 centimeters (2.36 inches) for you to be legally allowed to carry it without first getting special permission from the authorities.

Again, I don't know this for sure since I do not live in Japan and I am not familiar with their laws, so please don't mistake this as advice. It's not advice.

they offer different lenghts too...also curved blades.glad i could help

 

[Guy McVer]

they offer different lenghts too...also curved blades.glad i could help

Yeah I'm looking the Zubat and trying to decide betwwen it or the Gomtaro. Currently leaning towards the Gomtaro, but I do like the idea of a curved saw (Zubat). Whichever one I decide on, I will definitely carry just the blade to save on weight exactly like you've done.

The great thing about the shape of these things is that they should theoretically also work as a decent snow saw.

 

[GAGL]

Yeah I'm looking the Zubat and trying to decide betwwen it or the Gomtaro. Currently leaning towards the Gomtaro, but I do like the idea of a curved saw (Zubat). Whichever one I decide on, I will definitely carry just the blade to save on weight exactly like you've done.

The great thing about the shape of these things is that they should theoretically also work as a decent snow saw.

curved blades are great for branches/trees on the ground. They also bite more into the wood.
got an ultra accel 240 with a curved blade.
I prefer straight blades for when i'm building stuff.

silky thread:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/silky-saws.1468513/

i wouldn't use them as snow saws as they can easily bend, especially if theres ice..they also rust fast.

get a dedicated snow saw, they are much better at sawing snow and ice.

i got the exped snow saw and am very happy with it

 

[Guy McVer]

i wouldn't use them as snow saws as they can easily bend, especially if theres ice..they also rust fast.

get a dedicated snow saw, they are much better at sawing snow and ice.

I'm just thinking about emergencies. It's better to have something you can at least use in a pinch even if that's not what it's primarily meant for. Something is better than nothing. And obviously I'm not going to be trying to saw through ice with it.

 

[Deathmage]

longer the hike, longer the blade.
I normally carry my Spyderco police (4" blade) in case of any mountain lions encounters (in hopes of minimal mauling), muggers or other animals.
long hikes would practically require a samurai sword .

 

[Guy McVer]

Okay, just pulled the trigger on a Gomtaro 210 (8.26 inches) blade. I wanted something a bit longer but didn't want the weight to go up. I couldn't find solid information about that. The Gomtaro 210 replacement blade by itself is either 70 or 90 grams. That's between 2.5 and 3.2 ounces. Not too terrible for an 8 and 1/4 inch saw that's pretty packable. Compare that to a Bahco Laplander which is 7 and 1/2 inches, weighs 181 grams (6.38 ounces), and is obviously much thicker.

I normally carry my Spyderco police (4" blade) in case of any mountain lions encounters (in hopes of minimal mauling), muggers or other animals.

I saw a video recently where a guy filmed himself being chased by an angry mountain lion. He finally scared it away by throwing a rock at it.

I guess that's why rock beats scissors.

 

[91bravo]

If I am going day hiking, I don’t need very much knife. Maybe a 3”- 4” fixed blade. If I’m overnight camping, then I would want more knife with me.

 

[GAGL]

Okay, just pulled the trigger on a Gomtaro 210 (8.26 inches) blade. I wanted something a bit longer but didn't want the weight to go up. I couldn't find solid information about that. The Gomtaro 210 replacement blade by itself is either 70 or 90 grams. That's between 2.5 and 3.2 ounces. Not too terrible for an 8 and 1/4 inch saw that's pretty packable. Compare that to a Bahco Laplander which is 7 and 1/2 inches, weighs 181 grams (6.38 ounces), and is obviously much thicker.




I saw a video recently where a guy filmed himself being chased by an angry mountain lion. He finally scared it away by throwing a rock at it.

I guess that's why rock beats scissors.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/best-silky-to-compete-with-laplander.1822246/post-20869815

 

[311climber]

Also, doesn't it force you to use 20 degrees? That's a good angle but sometimes I want more and sometimes I want less depending on the blade/use. If it was for camping it wouldn't work because I'd have my game knife at 15 degrees and my "kitchen" knife at 25 or even 30.

imagine being in the bush talking to bush people, so you prefer a 15 or 30 degree inclusive angle? comments about weekend warriors and you actually bring physical degrees into the conversation, too funny. im sure the people who live like you fantasize, would get a kick out of your barbershop talk. i had typed a few questions to your confusing babble, but realized im just going to get a hiking warrior wannabe response. most people in the bush, keep an angle they need for the job at hand, im sure those who live in the wild dont write up doctrines based on their sharpening discoveries. thats why we are more advanced than they are. if you want bush answers maybe go live with the people who do it best and keep from being mad that most of us on the internet, dont live like we have dirt floors.

 

[NeedItCheaper]

https://flic.kr/p/2mFokg2

i carry my Silky Gomtaro replacement blade, wrapped with some paracord..weighs 2.5oz / 70g and cuts so much better than the laplander. also has a much longer blade

I have a Silky F180. Will be testing it on my next trip. I'm surprised after all these years BahCo hasn't done a serious update. They've had enough feedback to make the handle lighter and upgrade the teeth. As much money bushcrafters/hikers spend needlessly, they could easily dominate the market with upgraded materials and design.

 

[Guy McVer]

I have a Silky F180. Will be testing it on my next trip. I'm surprised after all these years BahCo hasn't done a serious update. They've had enough feedback to make the handle lighter and upgrade the teeth. As much money bushcrafters/hikers spend needlessly, they could easily dominate the market with upgraded materials and design.

Why fix something that still sells well? If the sales drop off significantly, then you might see changes, or a different model being released. I say this without knowing anything about the actual sales numbers. I'm only guessing that they've been consistently good given how popular the Laplander appears to be.

 

[Henry Beige]

As long as anyone maintains even the remotest fantasy of using his blade for self-defense, there is only one rational choice: Cold Steel Bushman. Whenever I go on a car trip, I always throw a Bushman in the bottom of my bag. Then I chuckle to myself: “ I could make a spear out of this if I really needed to”. So far, I have never needed to.

On a hike, you wouldn’t want to stash it in the bottom of your pack, where your defensive tool is “just minutes away, when every second counts”. The obvious answer is to carry your spear already assembled. Let the shaft, broom handle, or artfully carved and scorched piece of black walnut, double as your hiking staff. Then your spear is right at hand, ready to fend off that mountain lion or wild pig.

In camp, you just take it apart to perform those more mundane camp chores, the ones that are too much for your SAK.

 

[The Grendels]

I have a Silky F180. Will be testing it on my next trip. I'm surprised after all these years BahCo hasn't done a serious update. They've had enough feedback to make the handle lighter and upgrade the teeth. As much money bushcrafters/hikers spend needlessly, they could easily dominate the market with upgraded materials and design.

I've used my Silky Saw Big Boy 360 around the woodlot yard a lot and it's earned it's spot in my backpack. A lot of people prefer the smaller Gomboy, but I just like a little bit more saw when I need it. I've also got the Pocket Boy 170 (for small horticulture jobs) and the Katana Boy 650: in case I ever decide to turn myself into a human sawmill or settle into a long term established camp in the woods. The Silky Saws are the first non powered saws that I've ever really liked.

 

[NeedItCheaper]

Why fix something that still sells well? If the sales drop off significantly, then you might see changes, or a different model being released. I say this without knowing anything about the actual sales numbers. I'm only guessing that they've been consistently good given how popular the Laplander appears to be.

An assumption on my part. Over the last 2-3 years I've listened to others rave about the Silky series. If sales haven't dropped off for them, then I'd agree.

 

[cbach8tw]

imagine being in the bush talking to bush people, so you prefer a 15 or 30 degree inclusive angle? comments about weekend warriors and you actually bring physical degrees into the conversation, too funny. im sure the people who live like you fantasize, would get a kick out of your barbershop talk. i had typed a few questions to your confusing babble, but realized im just going to get a hiking warrior wannabe response. most people in the bush, keep an angle they need for the job at hand, im sure those who live in the wild dont write up doctrines based on their sharpening discoveries. thats why we are more advanced than they are. if you want bush answers maybe go live with the people who do it best and keep from being mad that most of us on the internet, dont live like we have dirt floors.

sometimes I wonder if it would be a good idea to live with the locals, get back to basics, learn that the best knife is the one in your hand or readily available, and make use of it to its full potential. my Point is you can get buy with less, just glad we do Have choices, but I do not need a super expensive knife to go hiking or a short day trip. to each their own, I know I know…….I am impressed with what can be accomplished by locals with just a machete, the skills are what are important. Nuff said, drop mike.

 

[TC]

you don't understand, when he's hiking C&T packs like... half a tooth brush because a full tooth brush weighs too much, and baking soda instead of toothpaste to cut down on the water weight and minty fresh breath.
I'm not even exaggerating.

That gives me an idea for a new thread: How Much Knife for Yacht Racing? (Correct answer: The "air part" of the serration.)