How much knife for hiking

RugerNurse said:
..., how many people head out into the woods with a folding knife? I’m expecting a Buck 112 slim to try out soon on some small hikes...
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length and type of blade should suit or at least be able to deal with the kinds of plantlife prevalent
within the said hiking environment.
short is fine if you don't foresee
any issues dealing with sudden emergencies in mind....
 
If your choice in knife saves your life on a hike, you’ve probably made a whole slew of other risky/poor choices leading up to that point.

The odds that the singular choice in knife will make the difference in life-and-death are insignificant. I apologize to any of you (in advance) who’s final thoughts will be something like, “If only it had a full tang…”.
 
When I’m hiking, I’m usually day hiking, and it’s usually with the aim to complete a trail up to fifteen miles long and with 3,000 feet of elevation.

Weight is very important! I like to wear light runners’ shorts, an athletic shirt, and as I’m the pack mule of the family, I carry water bottles in a pack.

I could never do a folder in my pocket or a fixed blade on my belt on a serious hike. It would add weight to my legs and hips, throw off my stride, rub to no end, and end up feeling like ten pounds by the end of the day.

Maybe I could go with a light folder in the pack (BM Bugout would be great for this) but one of the only items I could imagine using it for would be to cut my own hand off should an unfortunate accident occur, and I have better alternatives.

I.E. four cellphones in the group, and a satellite beacon in pack for no-service situations.
 
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The national parks in 2021 had 297 million visitors. If we used the parks as a data-based guide, you have roughly a 0.00005% chance of dying in a national park. If you do die in a national park, you’re most likely to drown. National parks aren’t exactly the same as a walk in the woods, but I think it’s some solid data to sit on.
 
On just a day hike outing I won’t need as much as camping for a few days or fishing or hunting. Environment, weather and activity is going to dictate what my needs are.
In my neck of the woods/ prairie there’s hardly any trees, mostly brush. Usually a Buck 110 and a small stockman is sufficient.

If I’m going to do a camp fire lunch cooking I’ll take a fixed blade either a 104 compadre or 105 pathfinder. The less I have to carry the better and I won’t be that far from shelter or a vehicle anyway.
 
EngrSorenson said:
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The national parks in 2021 had 297 million visitors. If we used the parks as a data-based guide, you have roughly a 0.00005% chance of dying in a national park. If you do die in a national park, you’re most likely to drown. National parks aren’t exactly the same as a walk in the woods, but I think it’s some solid data to sit on.
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Enough already! Real-world data is all well and good, until it gets in the way of the fantasy scenarios I've invented to justify my gear choices. Just stop. :cool:
 
I would think just a minimum is truly necessary on a short hike, as mentioned before things like a Swiss Army, a short 4-5 inch fixed blade in a pack, and maybe a multi tool. What I got from this thread is that the most important tool is knowledge, like the Scout motto “Be prepared.” This does not mean you have to be prepared for the an apocalypse, but know what area you are in, how far, what the weather is like, clothes and shoes, and how much water you have, etc. and let others know where you will be. There has been a lot of good discussion In this thread. I also like the quote of M. Kochanski above.
 
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Smithhammer said:
Enough already! Real-world data is all well and good, until it gets in the way of the fantasy scenarios I've invented to justify my gear choices. Just stop. :cool:
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Now that you mention it… there’s that “Unspecified/other” category for death… so… ;)
 
When I was "into" backpacking many years ago (1970s), weight was a major issue. Trekking on the Appalachian Trail or day hiking in the Rickys did not require a serious knife. I carried a little folder from an easting kit at times. At other times I brought along a small Old Hickory y brand fixed blade bought at the grocery store. Both were under 3'. Both were under 2 oz in weight.

Today, I might think about a multi tool, but would a screwdriver be necessary? In any case, the emphasis would still be on weight. when deciding.

If I were going off the grid for weeks at a time in the Andies I might re-think that and go for a more substantial fixed blade . . .but weight would be the ultimate metric informing my choice.
 
First and foremost.. I am a KNIFE GUY.. I LIKE knives.. I carry knives.. And sometime they get used.. Soo.. :cool:
I have been an avid day hiker for the past 13yrs.. 5-15 mile days..
In my pack ALWAYS is a Wenger Evo-Grip 18..
On my belt is a fixed blade.. 1 1/2 to 6in blade..
RFP is a Case slip joint of some configuration..
LFP is another SAK.. Hiker, Camper, Farmer etc..
In all honesty I know I will probably never use most of what I carry.. BUT... Refer to the first sentence!!!;)
John:)
 
EngrSorenson said:
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The national parks in 2021 had 297 million visitors. If we used the parks as a data-based guide, you have roughly a 0.00005% chance of dying in a national park. If you do die in a national park, you’re most likely to drown. National parks aren’t exactly the same as a walk in the woods, but I think it’s some solid data to sit on.
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Interesting and thanks for the data.

There’ve been a couple of accidents at Yellowstone in the last two years with people taking selfies in front of a Bison :) ... A knife wouldn’t have helped.

Then again, it’s good to have a knife in a car accident and if only to cut somebody else loose.
 
My usual carry for hiking is a CPK DEK1, a small fixed blade of some sort, and a folder. If I anticipate processing wood, I'll bring a folding saw. I don't feel like chopping wood with a knife or lugging around a hatchet.
 
EngrSorenson said:
If your choice in knife saves your life on a hike, you’ve probably made a whole slew of other risky/poor choices leading up to that point.

The odds that the singular choice in knife will make the difference in life-and-death are insignificant. I apologize to any of you (in advance) who’s final thoughts will be something like, “If only it had a full tang…”.
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"Uh-Oh , I shoulda brought more ammo !" = Probable last thought for many and why I always carry extra . :eek:

"I shoulda brought a smaller / weaker knife " = Probably nobody , ever's last . :rolleyes: And why I always carry more knife than I expect to need .:cool::thumbsup:
 
Leo Greer said:
When I’m hiking, I’m usually day hiking, and it’s usually with the aim to complete a trail up to fifteen miles long and with 3,000 feet of elevation.

Weight is very important! I like to wear light runners’ shorts, an athletic shirt, and as I’m the pack mule of the family, I carry water bottles in a pack.

I could never do a folder in my pocket or a fixed blade on my belt on a serious hike. It would add weight to my legs and hips, throw off my stride, rub to no end, and end up feeling like ten pounds by the end of the day.

Maybe I could go with a light folder in the pack (BM Bugout would be great for this) but one of the only items I could imagine using it for would be to cut my own hand off should an unfortunate accident occur, and I have better alternatives.

I.E. four cellphones in the group, and a satellite beacon in pack for no-service situations.
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The more weight you carry , the more work you must perform and the more efficient is your exercise time .

It's science ! ;)
 
I get that opinions vary based on the type, size, and number of knives someone will carry for any given situation. What I can't grasp emotionally and psychologically is the active choice to go anywhere with no knife at all, especially into the woods. It makes my brain hurt!
 
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Yay - data!!

Ok so it looks like ONLY around 40-50 people died of cold or heat exposure over the course of 4 years (just in National Parks - not all of them…).

Some folks may look at that and say “See!!! It’s so unlikely to happen to me I don’t need to worry about it!”

Other folks like myself see that SAME DATA and think “Jeez!! That many people died from exposure! I wonder how I can keep myself from becoming one of those statistics??? Maybe bring a shelter or some tools to make a shelter?? Yes by Jove! I think that’s it!” ;)
 
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