I may have issues... Confessions of a hiker

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basb

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Apr 27, 2010
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I haven't been visiting this place for years for several reasons, probably for the best.
tl.dr version: I got myself a Fälkniven F1 and it's my 11th(!) knife.

Long version:
I am an avid (ultra-light)hiker more than anything else and just hiked 200-ish kilometers in the mountains of Jämtland, Sweden. The hike was great and i carried a carbon steel Mora. I like the knife a lot for it's simplicity and it's weight(big factor). The last afternoon of the last day had a lot of rain and mist(about 5 hours non-stop) besides damp conditions the entire week. Back at my friend's house I found my mora rusting a bit, it was fine the morning before. This made me think, maybe a carbon steel knife is not the best for this type of use: It sits on the outside of my pack at all times, no matter what. I use it a few times a day and don't go drying and babying it every time it has rained.

This got me thinking. A knife for me is not just a tool for everyday chores but i need to be able to depend on it if i find myself in an adverse situation, since i'm usually far from civilisation. It has to be light but tough. I used carbon steel knives on hikes before, mainly the Izula, and it never rusted because it's usualy in a trouser pocket which is protected by rain trousers if the rain keeps going and in all fairness i have been extremely lucky with the weather the last few years...
The ESEE4 is one of my all time favorite woodsknives but it's on the heavy and large side for a companion hiking knife and it is carbon steel.

Since i always wanted a F1, i ordered one. It ticks a few important boxes: Acceptable weight and length, easy to sharpen and it will probably stand up to a lot more abuse than the Mora. Besides, it just looks good :).
In the process i went over all my knives and realised it has become quite a collection:
ESEE/Ontario RTAK-II
ESEE4
ESEE Izula(2x)
Blind Horse Woodscrafter
BRKT Bravo-1
Mora Companion
ESEE HEST/F
CRK lg Sebenza
Buck 110

The F1 will be the 11th knife, never thought i would get to this point.
Perhaps I will get a ESEE3 as another hiker companion later.... Where can i sign up for Knife-a-holics Anonymous?
 
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Happened to me too. I've been in the outdoors ever since I could first hold a knife, and therefore grew up with them...always one or another in my pocket or on my belt. Even carried folders to school for God's sake. Between that and motorcycling I suddenly realized I had way too many knives. Several years ago I pulled them together from all over the house, saddlebags and property and realized I was a collector. My interest grew from there and, of course, I started buying even more.

And, this IS Knifeholics Anonymous. You have arrived.
 
I love hiking! Used to go every day off, but got a pup and waiting for her to be old enough.

I bring knives on my hikes, but I'll confess, all they get is a photo shoot. Never needed a knife on a hike in my life.
 
I got the Mora Robust, worry about rust so also got a Mora BC Black, but the F1 looks even better.
 
"Where can i sign up for Knife-a-holics Anonymous?"

Welcome. You're in the right place.

Let us know how you like that new F1...:thumbup:
 
Welcome aboard :).

Oh, and you may try out forcing a patina on those carbon steel blades. I've never had one rust on me once it had a good patina on it (cutting edges occasionally, but never the rest of it).

Good luck :).
 
Hope the F1 does it for you. Even stainless will rust if not attended to,once and awhile. Lightly oiled once and awhile for safe measure. I agree with the patina idea on the carbon knives if you still take it on your hikes. One may not need a knife for most travels, but boy, you will miss it if the chance comes up you do. Light weight is important to you, and I know there are ways you can incorporate it in your daily needs, depends on the person and what experience they have. Let us know how the F1 does for you. Sounds like you have alotmof fun exploring new places. I also got an f1 to try for camping, and a wm1 for small emergency type or EDC carry. Still have to use them, I do not remember when all I had was 11 knives, too long ago.
 
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Nice. You should look at the newly re-released Spyderco aqua salt. Like you I have a hobby that is demanding on my knife blades (kayak fishing) and I use the Spyderco H1 knives exclusively for that. Not only will they never get any surface rust, you will not see the degradation of the edge that normal stainless knives will suffer in corrosive environments. The steel is extremely tough...lightweight too.
 
I always wipe my knives with tuff-cloth after handling them at home but i guess carbon steel showed it's downside. I still love 1095 steel but it's not the right use for it i guess. Having good hopes for the F1, it's probably one of my most thought through purchases so far.

I have never had to be heavy on my knives yet on a hike, usual daily chores are very mild and can be done with an UL knife like the one from trail designs but even making kindling for the occasional fire is not really what i'd want to use it for.
IMG_3872.jpg


There's been a lot of talk about knives in the ultra-light hiking community, since a lot of people weigh everything and every ounce and gram is counted and most people, myself included, take only one or two luxury items. In general you don't really need a real knife, a pair of scissors or replaceable straight razer in a small case and one side covered with plastic can do all daily chores. Most long distance hikers walk till early evening, pitch tent, eat, sleep at 21:30-ish, get up at 06:00-ish and be gone within an hour so there's not much to do for a knife. If things go bad we have our shelter and waterproof packed warm camp/sleep clothes and sleeping bag in our pack.
I guess a real knife is my luxury item :)

The Aqua salt looks nice, a bit long for my purpose though. The Robust looks very good too and for that price i probably get it anyway :) Told you i'd better steer clear of this place!
 
If price isn't a huge obstacle, and you appreciate fine quality craftsmanship, one of boye's dendritic cobalt Knives might be something worth looking at, like the spyderco salt series in H1 steel, the cobalt flat will not rust... Not as light as a mora, but the knife's listed weight is the same as an F1 at 6 oz. (sheath adds a few more oz. not sure about the F1's sheath weight).
 
The F1 is a great knife especially if you buy a version that does not have the plastic handles.
 
I did some lightweight stuff in my younger days. Even cut the handle off my toothbrush, but I always had a real knife with me. Nothing fancy or big, usually a Victorinox or Leatherman, but a "real blade" none the less.

People get injured, packs get lost, people get separated and I was not ever willing to head out without a minimum of survival gear, including a blade.

I would not be willing now to head out with just a Victorinox. These days I would insist on atleast a 4" fixed blade, probably a Mora.
 
I always carried a small fixed blade knife while hiking as a kid. Usually a cheap buck knife. Then I started getting more into knives and I carried a Kabar usmc, which is overkill for what I needed. Now I carry a Mora #2 or 510 while hiking and camping and it's still overkill for what I need but more practical. I don't see a need for a big knife if you have a saw with you.
 
I'm also an avid hiker, and have done most of the NE hikes. I've only ever needed a knife for fireprep/kindling gathering. My days of UL hiking are past though, now a days I just suck up the extra weight for the added convenience, heck I even bring a whole tube of toothpaste with me these days. I throw my Blackjack 125 in my big pack for multi day outings, for just going out though I stick my RC3 (now esee 3) next to my nalgene and head out. Never saw the point of the 4, its too thick and having seen the abuse my 3 can take there is no way I'd take the 4. I carried an SAK through scouts, but never used 80% of the tools. A small leatherman with a diamond file for emergency rush sharpening jobs can be nice.

The ESEE/RC 3 combined with a folding saw, or cable saw is about all you'll need. Use the saw to cut wood to length, then shape a wood wedge with the 3 to split the bigger rounds and you're golden.

Of course Mora's are also great, and more sheeple friendly if thats a concern.
 
yeah I got a few 1095 carbon steel blades patina really works. let it oxodize a little and then I lightly sand them with 1500 gsi paper. mine seems as if they never rust anymore.I think they look pretty nice after they get a patina.I have tried forced patina.but it is best in my opinion to have it occur naturally.Fwiw.
 
I've used carbon steel blades under wettish conditions. You just keep them oiled when not being used. If one is used for food prep, wash it clean before use, then wipe down with food-grade mineral oil afterward.

Knives (and swords and pikes and muskets and rifles and...) that rust have all been used under wet conditions for ages and ages. You do have to maintain them, however.

But if you're looking for a good reason to get a stainless blade, go ahead! No excuses needed!
 
The F1 arrived and it looks sweet, subtle but tough as nails. It came sharp but i couldn't resist passing it over 1K sandpaper and a black and green coumpound strop :cool:
So far i really like it, it feels very good in hand and the sleek zytel sheath adds to the low profile. I feel comfortable wearing it as edc on my belt in even in town. It doesn't really stand out against my black trousers with a shirt covering half the knife. Don't want to try that with my ESEE4 with bells and whistles.

Gonna carry it around a while and see how i like it.
The sheath is bit of a mixed bag though, the knife has a bit of play inside.


EricV said:
I'm also an avid hiker, and have done most of the NE hikes. I've only ever needed a knife for fireprep/kindling gathering. My days of UL hiking are past though, now a days I just suck up the extra weight for the added convenience, heck I even bring a whole tube of toothpaste with me these days.
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:eek: That should get your UL-hiking license revoked for sure :p

I throw my Blackjack 125 in my big pack for multi day outings, for just going out though I stick my RC3 (now esee 3) next to my nalgene and head out. Never saw the point of the 4, its too thick and having seen the abuse my 3 can take there is no way I'd take the 4. I carried an SAK through scouts, but never used 80% of the tools. A small leatherman with a diamond file for emergency rush sharpening jobs can be nice.

The ESEE/RC 3 combined with a folding saw, or cable saw is about all you'll need. Use the saw to cut wood to length, then shape a wood wedge with the 3 to split the bigger rounds and you're golden.

Of course Mora's are also great, and more sheeple friendly if thats a concern.
Click to expand...

Love the 4 for in the woods but not really sheeple friendly, i agree. The appeal of the 3 is apparent.
I checked out the Fällkniven A1 and S1, they look wonderful but i have no real use for them though.
 
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