How much knife for hiking

[VorpelSword]

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.

Addendum: During this period in my life, I often cut off most of the handle on my toothbrush and trimmed the margins of the relevant USGS Topo map in my pocket.

Don't think I ever faced a situation where much of a bush knife was necessary. My experience was from thirty-forty years ago though, so my opinion is dated old-guy stuff. Go to YouTube and look for videos on what to take. Look for recommendations on how to pack for weeks at a time backpacking self-contained on The Pacific Crest Trail: Most minimize the need for a substantial bush knife. N o one suggests that multiple knives are a good idea.

 

[rhino]

agreed, but I think we would disagree on the mitigation.
I don't perceive that "more knife" is the mitigation for mortal risks on a hike.

Basic first aid kit, satellite phone and/or cell phone, space blanket, tarp, water, some kind of food, good hiking boots, and weather appropriate clothing would all make my list before the knife became a serious consideration. I'll tell everyone where I'm going and when I expect to be back. Give me an Opinel No 8 and those items and I'd feel very comfortable regarding my safety on a hike.

So when the OP asks how much knife is necessary for a hike? I wouldn't say anything but a dependable sharp knife would be necessary.

Ah, the conversation strayed from the path, as is normal for online forums. I'm not among those who asserted that more knife is the primary or only solution. I would put education, training, practice, planning, and mindset ahead of all of the tools.

But all else being equal, more knife is usually more better. Better tools afford more options and reduce the need for improvisation.

 

[Jsega51]

 

[scdub]

100/297,000,000 is a very small number (or 1/2,970,000). Your odds of getting struck by lightening in your lifetime are 1/15,300. According to the data, you're far more likely to drown in a national park, but I'm guessing you're not packing your swimmies, right? There's an obvious bias here on the forums as to the minimum appropriate knife for hiking. I'm fine with that, but there's a lot of pretending going on as to what's necessary and not a lot of acknowledgement about what's likely.

This was in response to my post, which stated, in part: “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!” (All caps added).

What was I pretending or not acknowledging?

You will notice that at this point I’m beyond knives and simply arguing for people to be prepared in the wilderness. That’s it.

You, for some reason, are arguing AGAINST people bringing tools or shelter into the woods, because of low probability that they’re going to need them.

I must strongly disagree with you here, as I have a dog in this fight.

If you are hiking (not walking in your backyard, or on the beach, or on a dirt road, or around dozens of other people that can help you if you need it), IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO NOT BE PREPARED.

This applies DOUBLE if you are with loved ones, and TRIPPLE if you happen to be the person in charge of safety on the hike.

Yes, it’s up to you if you decide you want to play the odds, (like MANY, MANY hikers do), and not prepare adequately.

It’s not illegal, and if you’re prepared to pay the consequences (whether that means watching a family member freeze to death, or just THINKING that you’re going to dye while freezing, lost and wet, waiting for someone like me to come rescue you).

I’ll defend your right to be unprepared, but I’m not going to give you a pass because you thought, “well I’m more likely to be struck by lightning than freeze in this park tonight, so I’m not bringing anything for shelter or fire-making” in a place where there was even a SLIM chance you might need it. That’s dumb. Period.

Again, I hate seeing people die for dumb reasons. I know I hate it because I’ve seen it several times.

Arguing AGAINST being prepared (which I understand you didn’t probably intend to do) in the woods is misguided at best, or at worst a realization/rationalization that you aren’t very prepared in the woods yourself.

 

[CVamberbonehead]

Well, I have never needed anything too crazy on a hike, even when one went bad, because I am not going out there in a loincloth with just a Rambo knife between my teeth. I pack little firestarters, maybe a tent, some food/water. Ya know, like normal people do. I think having a knife is good, so I carry 1 or 2 when I go out. I like Swiss Army Knives for hiking, but I always bring a belt knife too because it is easy to clean when making food and I like knives lol. I think there is a happy medium between cutting your toothbrush handle off to save .1 ounce and the other extreme side that brings a huge pack and a giant knife to smash through logs because, ya know, EXTREME SURVIVAL!

Day Hiking Checklist | REI Co-op

Our comprehensive checklist for day hikers features required and optional gear, clothing and accessories. Includes the Ten Essentials.

www.rei.com

You're welcome everyone. Carry the basics, adjust as needed.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Basic first aid kit, satellite phone and/or cell phone, space blanket, tarp, water, some kind of food, good hiking boots, and weather appropriate clothing would all make my list before the knife became a serious consideration. I'll tell everyone where I'm going and when I expect to be back. Give me an Opinel No 8 and those items and I'd feel very comfortable regarding my safety on a hike.

You, for some reason, are arguing AGAINST people bringing tools or shelter into the woods, because of low probability that they’re going to need them.

No, not at all, see above. I believe you don't need very much knife to be a safe hiker. Bring what you want, but I don't read a lot of stories about a dead guy under a few spruce boughs with a death grip on an insufficiently small SAK.

Arguing AGAINST being prepared (which I understand you didn’t probably intend to do) in the woods is misguided at best, or at worst a realization/rationalization that you aren’t very prepared in the woods yourself.

I really feel like you should be directing your passion at Lee D who obviously has no respect for the trail.
The guy doesn't even pack a honey dipper for tea time.

 

[Lee D]

I really feel like you should be directing your passion at Lee D who obviously has no respect for the trail.
The guy doesn't even pack a honey dipper for tea time.

I would, but after I stuff my pack full of fireworks and plastic straws there’s no room.

 

[jbmonkey]

Even a casual afternoon hike will involve a stop for a snack, usually crackers, cheese and summer sausage, so I bring a fixed blade because they’re easier to clean afterwards.

I hope ya wrapped that fixed blade handle in orange silicon tape aka Doc style. wouldn't want to not have a good grip.......

 

[Lee D]

I hope ya wrapped that fixed blade handle in orange silicon tape aka Doc style. wouldn't want to not have a good grip.......

I like my knives too much to ugly them all up like that. Next thing I know you’re gonna be telling me to put 17 zip ties on my spydercos so they wave open.

 

[GIRLYmann]

I could be wrong about this: but I think this one might be a bit too much for a long hike...

lol!
its almost a necessity to have a machete in some places.
but then again, just what are the chances of getting zapped
in a nasty storm whilst carrying
a "lightning rod" ?

 

[RugerNurse]

Ok, to change the direction of this thread further: ESEE 3 or Mora Garberg?
My last pennies allow for either. Anyone use one extensively? Seen any flaws?

 

[EngrSorenson]

Ok, to change the direction of this thread further: ESEE 3 or Mora Garberg?
My last pennies allow for either. Anyone use one extensively? Seen any flaws?

The ESEE 3 is a favorite of mine. My only gripe is the choil which I find next to useless. I prefer TKC after market extended scales. Also, if you can swing for the S35VN you won’t be sorry. The 1095 is good enough, however.

 

[Bob Denman]

lol!
its almost a necessity to have a machete in some places.
but then again, just what are the chances of getting zapped
in a nasty storm whilst carrying
a "lightning rod" ?

That's what weather apps are for.
Worst case scenario: bury it, and come back when the coast is clear...

 

[craytab]

I'm a knife nut so when I hike I carry what I like and what I think might be nice to have. That is usually a modern folder, a 4-5" fixed blade, SAK, and a MT, plus a pistol. Then again, I carry that stuff when not hiking a lot of the time too. I'm no weight weenie and I like gear, so I carry whatever I want. It really is that simple.

 

[craytab]

Ok, to change the direction of this thread further: ESEE 3 or Mora Garberg?
My last pennies allow for either. Anyone use one extensively? Seen any flaws?

Don't have much experience with Moras but it seems to me if you get into the cost of a garberg you are defeating the purpose of a mora. I do have lots of experience with Esee and have/had plenty of 3s. Great knives, a 1095 3 is strapped to a bag and I have separate sheath for when I want to EDC the thing. Also have another in s35vn kicking around for my daughter to use. I have TKC scales on most of my other Esee knives but I didn't feel I needed them on the 3. I think the 3 is better with the thinner, shorter, and lighter canvas micarta scales (prefered over the linen).

 

[bdmicarta]

My normal hiking and backpacking knife has been a Spyderco Tenacious. When I'm hiking or backpacking I might need to cut open a plastic package for one of my snacks.

 

[jackknife]

After wading through 8 pages of this, I'm very disappointed that nobody has recommended a number 10 Opinel and a Leatherman micra.

 

[Grosse318]

When I was hiking in the mountains outside of Las Vegas (2006 -2008), I carried a SOG Seal Pup in a Blackhawk airborne deluxe sheath. Those were usually several mile hikes. Today I hike mainly in a county run wildlife preserve with good trails here in Florida. For those hikes I carry a Victorinox Farmer and a small fixed blade like an Esee Izula 2 or Xancudo. If I go into mountains I generally still like to carry a 4-5 inch fixed blade.

 

[vinprom]

For me the most interesting are hikes with not so much traffic, if any - these with not well marked tracks where the possibility to veer of away enough to not be heard when shouting for help, or use a whistle, make the danger real. A sprained ankle will be a disaster. Having a knife will not bring a peace in mind if you get lost and know that nobody will pass nearby for many days or weeks. Of course, I will have a knife with me, because I like knives, but I don't think it's really important what kind of knife I will have.

 

[campandtravel]

I'm guessing that you're a day hiker, and I'm guessing you don't live in thick woods. You're asking how much knife to carry hiking so either you don't hike much or you have never needed a knife on a hike. Most people don't so maybe you don't either. I've hiked with girls wearing shorts and a tank top and sandals and nothing else, just a half full water bottle. Maybe a hat and sunglasses. Shockingly they make it back alive every time (so far). They don't have a knife or a lighter and wouldn't know how to start a fire anyway.

On a day hike, I carry either a little knife like an opinel #8 that I might use to forage or a machete if it's spring and I'll have to hack through bramble. If I'm in the field for any time I drop the machete and I'm planning to move to a small fixed blade and a small stout folder or maybe keep the opinel. Other than bushwacking I expect that to do everything I need.