Knife for Appalachian Trail

xanderzuk said:
Price is also an issue, as I just graduated from college, and there is the cost of all my other gear. I cannot afford a Randall (actually had a less than stellar experience with them when I went to their factory this week - have to tell you about it later).
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These are the Moras I like the most. Good grip and great blades

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Mora 711 Carbon

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Mora 911 Carbon

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Frost Mora Clipper (Sandvik Stainless or Carbon)

All of them around 4"

Here's my provider:

http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Categories?category=Knives%3AMORA+of+SWEDEN
 
The Becker(KA-BAR) Companion (not Champion) is also a tried and true model - http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=45894

Becker Champion BK2
Ka-Bar Knives

From Ka-Bar, the Becker Companion Plain Edge Fixed Blade. 5" black plain edge blade of 1/4" thick stock. Full tang construction. 10 1/2" overall. Black hard sheath. Knife made in USA
 
I know everyone here is a "knife guy" so this may take some slack. I've done a ton of AT hiking in the last couple of years and i can tell you you don't need/want a knife that big. Pick yourself the lightest smallest swiss army you can find, MAYBE a leatherman if you feel you need the pliers.

16 oz is double whaty ou want for a knife. Those micro-ounces add up REALLY QUICK!

Cheers
 
Guy's and gals, simply put, you are amazing! Never have I had such a warm reception, with so many thoughtful replies.

It appears as though I may have posted a bit prematurely, as my dad gave me a special edition Buck Vanguard in S30V with a rubber handle tonight. It's a smaller knife than I was intending on purchasing, but it is nonetheless substantial. As a few others have pointed out, perhaps going a little smaller might be a wise decision.

Combined with the Leatherman BLAST that I got for Christmas from my family for the trip, and the Kershaw collapsable saw I've been looking at, I think I'll probably be ok :).

Would anyone be interested in me doing a review of these tools as I hike the AT??

Also, what is the best way to sharpen my blade and take care of the S30V?

I'm sorry if I wasted anyone's time, I've already seen a lot of beautiful knives that I would love to own at some point. I think some of the larger blades would be nice for shorter, off trail trips I intend to take in the future.

Thank you all so much for such a great welcome, I think I'm going to like it around here! Again sorry if I wasted anyones time:(
 
By all means take lots of photos and provide us with a review and travelogue when you are finished. We are actually just as much interested in your trip as how your gear performed. That means, go get pictures of campfires, sunsets and sunrises, wildlife, friendly hiker visitors and more. Have a great time. The vanguard is a great little knife.

Sharpening S30V is rather tricky. You will be better off getting a small portable diamond stone like the credit card sized ones offered by DMT or the diafold system. Practice sharpening a cheap kitchen blade until you get the hang of it, then start on your knife. You don't want to learn to sharpen on S30V :)
 
A mora would meet all of your needs: light weight, cheap, good quality. You can find them on ebay new for $10 - $20 including shipping for the carbon steel models, around $30 for the stainless models.
 
xanderzuk said:
Guy's and gals, simply put, you are amazing! Never have I had such a warm reception, with so many thoughtful replies.

It appears as though I may have posted a bit prematurely, as my dad gave me a special edition Buck Vanguard in S30V with a rubber handle tonight. It's a smaller knife than I was intending on purchasing, but it is nonetheless substantial. As a few others have pointed out, perhaps going a little smaller might be a wise decision.

Combined with the Leatherman BLAST that I got for Christmas from my family for the trip, and the Kershaw collapsable saw I've been looking at, I think I'll probably be ok :).

Would anyone be interested in me doing a review of these tools as I hike the AT??

Also, what is the best way to sharpen my blade and take care of the S30V?

I'm sorry if I wasted anyone's time, I've already seen a lot of beautiful knives that I would love to own at some point. I think some of the larger blades would be nice for shorter, off trail trips I intend to take in the future.

Thank you all so much for such a great welcome, I think I'm going to like it around here! Again sorry if I wasted anyones time:(
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Sounds like you are going to be well equipped with the Buck and Leatherman. And far from wasting anyone's time, I think we are all happy to help with whatever knowledge we might have. Again, good luck!
 
PG5768 said:
Sounds like you are going to be well equipped with the Buck and Leatherman. And far from wasting anyone's time, I think we are all happy to help with whatever knowledge we might have. Again, good luck!
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Totally agree.
Have a great trip and keep us posted.

Good luck
 
Most AT thru hikers don't carry knives, and if they do, its a small SAK.

I'd go for a Mora Clipper and a SAK farmer. You have all your bases covered, both are cheap, and both are excellent knives for the money.
 
One of my friends did the AT in 2007 and 2008. He did the whole trail in two parts. The first time he went he took a Gerber Gator. It got stolen at one of the shelters in less than 3 days. The next time he went I gave him a Kershaw Chive as he said the Gator was too big and heavy. That also got stolen within a week or so. He traveled very light and hung out with others when he had the chance. He ended up carrying a $3 gas station Chinese folder that no one wanted to steal. Do not lend your knife out or let it out of your sight when at the shelters. He told me that people stole stuff at the shelters all the time. He ended up traveling very light as his tent and hiking poles got swiped too. It was probably his own fault as he said that many at the shelters were just there to party in the woods.
 
Of the suggestions above, I would recommend the Mora 2000 ($30), a light folding saw, and a multitool of the Leatherman genre to fix things. Your only need for a big knife on the Trail would be, as Bill Bryson says in "A Walk in the Woods," for "killing bears and hillbillies." For that, you might want to pack a snubnose .38 ($200-$400). Really, if you want to save money and weight the Mora knives can be had for less than $10 and weigh almost nothing.
 
I have a dream of hiking the AT thru.I plan to hike it in spring 2011.2 years to get into shape and get the $$ in order.I do a lot of hiking locally sometimes for a week at at time but 7 months is something else.
As per blades.I'd never take mine off.I practice that now when I hike locally.use a length of para chord to attach the knife to your belt.Just tuck the length into your belt when not needed.harder to steal if it's attached to you.
 
You might be able to go without the saw, unless you use the one that comes in a Trekker SAK. The AT is really well-travelled, so a lot of traditional bushcraft stuff just isn't appropriate. Firewood and kindling will be scarce.
 
Will you have to cut your own firewood?

What kind of stove are you taking?



Any reviews you can pass on would be greatly appreciated.
It is my dream to do the PCT. To be in the woods for that long is a dream.

Good luck
 
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Damn ! Thats a lot of trail. You will be a tick infested, chigger eaten mess when you get through that.
 
according to factory specs 7'' KABAR weighs .68 #. too heavy for our intrepid hiker me thinks too. but i think he knows that .good advice from good people. excuse me while i " hike " over to the coffee pot......:D
 
I have walked more than 1/2 the Appalacian Trail.
I used:

An small Opinel for cooking or woodsy stuff
And small SAK for its can openers, and minor stuff.
A SAK Classic in a sealed sterile bag for First Aid

You will be suprised how little you actually need to carry
 
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