Knife for portage/backpacking

T

Thanasi

Joined
Feb 10, 2011
Messages
17
Hi all,

Checked out the other recent post regarding a knife for backpacking and it was helpful, but I'm a newbie and have some of my own questions.

I plan on spending a substantial amount of time in Algonquin park backcountry this year, this means lots of time on the water.

I am interested in purchasing a decently large knife 5+ inches in the blade, but nothing too too large. A sort of do it all knife. I also have very large hands, and really dislike small handled/ folder type knives. (Was using a crkt ABC for white water a few years back and still have it, very much like it but it isn't exactly going to help me chop any firewood up)

I was looking at the Fehrman last chance as an option, but I have read that the material it is made of does not take well to exposure to moisture... pitting?

Any thoughts on a strong all around fixed blade knife, I don't mind shelling out a bit of extra cash for a model in a quality steel..

I'm still a knife newbie, all thoughts are welcome <3

Thanks
 
The ESEE 5 or 6 along with some Becker models are good options, as is the frehman. There are a lot of knives in that size range. Make sure you get information on the sheaths they come with as well, as that can make or break the usability of the knife.

Carbon steels are very easy to live with, even around water, just keep it as dry as you can and let it air dry before re-sheathing and you'll be fine. Remember carbon steels were used for countless years before stainless entered the cutlery vocabulary.

I would suggest bringing a folding saw, and a normal stainless folder with you as well.
 
Hey, the esee 5/6 both look like good options. The 5 seems to have a larger handle.. ? I wonder if there is a dealer close to me. Will check it out

Also Eric, you make a great point.. I've been looking into knife steels, mainly using this link http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml , trying to familiarize myself with things. But I guess in the end we have gotten by for a very long time just by taking proper care of the tools that are we trust to take care of us.

Saw some knives in s30v recently but the brands like chris reeve stuff don't seem to hold up as well as I'd have expected. Don't really like the style of the strider knives range.

Also, the folding saws I've seen around my area all seem to be pretty crappy and have even had staff advise against buying the brands they carry.. Anything in particular you'd suggest that isn't liable to fall apart?
 
Let me be the first to mention (and show a gratuitous picture of) the Becker BK2.

20101215_ac_06e.jpg


---

Beckerhead #42
 
^ That picture never gets less Epic! lol crazy beckerheads :D

I'm fairly certain the 5 and 6 have the same handles. The 5 has a bowdrill pivot in the handle, which can be very handy given you have practice using and making a bowdrill :)

I've got a fiskars collapsible saw thats been going strong for years, its saw countless scouting trips and hasn't failed yet. Looks like they've done some improving over the years, they added a clip and have two sizes out a 6" and a 10".
Power-Tooth-R-Sliding-Pruning-Saw-10_product_main.jpg



Personally I wouldn't go with a stainless steel for a big knife, there are not many reasonably priced and very durable larger stainless fixed blades. You'll be able to practically beat the snot out of which ever ESEE or Becker you might end up with. The 5 in particular is one hell of a tough knife. Given your needs I'd highly recommend the 6 or bk9, either would serve you well but with the ESEE you'll look better doing it, proven fact. ;)
 
Last edited:
One of the ESEEs or Beckers would be a good fit. I would also suggest dropping $25-30 on a Cold Steel Pocket Bushman. It's a nice big folder designed for outdoor use which, with it's price point, you won't cry about if you lose.
 
Mora 2000

Mora2000.jpg


Yeah it's ugly. Yes, it's cheap. It's only sporting a 4.5 inch 12C27 Sandvik stainless steel blade that won't win any super steel contests or get you any style points for TEOTWAKI. The handle is hard and slightly rubbery and the sheath is plastic with a leather dangler.

And it totally rocks, especially for $30.00. The sheath is secure and drains well. It will take a dunking all day long and shrug it off. The knife is literally razor sharp from the factory and easy to keep that way. Best of all, it's a tough SOB that weighs in at between five and six ounces.

Used intelligently, it should be capable of coping with anything, or capable of helping you fashion an improvised tool that can handle what it cannot.
 
AHHH you can't go wrong with that mora !!! Oo 30 bucks? IT's soooo shiny... >< :P

I guess it comes down to price points too... let's say esee 6 vs last chance/first strike
(that boker is a mean hefty looking mother oO)

If I went fehrman either model it would cost around 400 dollars... plus another 40-60 to get a decent belt sheath from http://www.survivalsheath.com/sheaths/index.htm.

The esee 5/6 is less than half the price plus a sheath might cost about the same....


I love the picture of the mora and all (more so the background :P), but there is just something about that handle that would make me want to pick up a stone and use that instead of the knife oO >< ...

Performance wise is there much of a difference between the esee model and the fehrmans?

EDIT: Also, I'll definitely try out that fold-out saw!!
 
I'd suggest anything from the ESEE or Becker line.

The Beckers are, in my opinion, a more high-value line than the ESEEs. I have the ESEE 6, and I LOOOOVE it, but I'd have to say, the Beckers are where it's at for someone looking to get an amazing value for a small price.

Although, the ESEEs are amazing, and when you factor in a kydex sheath, and micarta handles for the Beckers (which come standard with the ESEEs), you wind up paying more for the same thing. And, the heat treat in an ESEE is hands-down the best 1095 heat treat I've ever even heard of.

So, in summation, I'd say an ESEE 6, or ESEE 5. Or BK2, or BK7. I just don't know. My personal favorite, in all of those, is the ESEE 6. It's big enough to handle some bigger things, but it's still easily able to flex into a fine work task.
 
Thanasi said:
Performance wise is there much of a difference between the esee model and the fehrmans?

EDIT: Also, I'll definitely try out that fold-out saw!!
Click to expand...

No, I don't think so. I mean, obviously, the Fehrman's going to be better. But 4x as good? I doubt it. I've yet to find a job my 6 can't handle. It's simply a beastly knife.

Also, I'd recommend you look into a Sawvivor. It's an AMAZING wood-processing tool. It's more of a conventional saw in the way it's set up, where you hold it vertically, and use push-pull maneuvers for cross-cutting. It's like a buzzsaw without electricity. Best backpacking saw I've ever used. I'd recommend the 18".
 
For stainless, you can take a look at Fallkniven S1 or Bark River Bravo-1 (A2 or CPM154). Both might be a little more pricey than you are looking for, but they can both handle anything you throw at them.

And for folding saws, take a look at Silky Saws - they are amazing.
 
If you got the dough you wouldn't be disappointed in the least with a Spyderco Woodlander or Dayhiker.
I have the biggest one in this line of four Hossom designed knives and it's a quality work tool.
Fits big hands, even gloved, very well.
The ergos of the handle contain the hand very solidly. It's quite hard to slip off of even if you try.
Great steel, well balanced (you want to work with it, right?) and a sheath that's high quality.

me - 2 cents
 
This topic comes up from time to time, along with "what is the best for a camping/survival knife".

Most people won't need such a large blade (5-6") unless they are doing some chopping or batoning. For general camp duties something along 3-4" would suffice. But since you have specified your blade length, I've got a few suggestions:

- Fallkniven F1/S1 (good bushcraft/survival knives)
- Bark River Canadian Special/Aurora
- SOG Seal Pup Elite (nice and handy)
- ESEE-5 (solid survival knife with great warranty)
- Becker (+1, and quite affordable and tough)
- Mora (+1, quite popular and usable)

Highly recommend getting a Fallkniven or Bark River so you can add your own custom handles (to your thickness so that it fits your hand). Not to mention they have full tangs and will handle a good outdoor workout. ;)

__________________
SOG Knives Collectors
Knife Collectors Org
Knife Rights
 
ESEE 5!? I suppose we all have different tastes and opinions but personally I can't fathom why anyone would go on a hike carrying a thick, incredibly heavy and short blade like the Esee 5? A military knife built to handle crowbar use with zero control for delicate buschcraft work. Why not wear walking boots of stone? Backpack of led while wearing mediaeval armor?

IMHO if you need a large knife for backpacking the ESEE 6 would be a much better choice because of its longer blade length. Even the Fallkniven A2 is 3 ounces lighter than the 5 while having almost 3 inch more blade. A much better chopper and more blade to baton.
 
kinskibrain said:
ESEE 5!? I suppose we all have different tastes and opinions but personally I can't fathom why anyone would go on a hike carrying a thick, incredibly heavy and short blade like the Esee 5? ...Why not wear walking boots of stone? Backpack of led while wearing mediaeval armor?

IMHO if you need a large knife for backpacking the ESEE 6 would be a much better choice because of its longer blade length. Even the Fallkniven A2 is 3 ounces lighter than the 5 while having almost 3 inch more blade. A much better chopper and more blade to baton.
Click to expand...
+1 :thumbup:
The Mora2000 is the most knife for your money for backpacking/portaging - stainless so it won't rust, surprisingly durable (Cliff Stamp used to have a website where he used and then beat knives, cutleryscience.com, and even he praised the knife), highly affordable, thin and very lightweight. However, for fear of breaking the knife through improper technique, and because a longer blade (5"+) is much more efficient for wood processing, etc. I'd recommend, as I did in the other thread, something along the lines of the Ratmandu, Scapper5, ESEE-6, Cattaraugus 225Q, Buck 119, or (and especially) the Fallkniven A1. I should mention that I do not own the A1, but multiple users I've talked to who own it + a couple other knives listed here all prefer the A1 - comfort, balance, stainless (go satin A1, not coated), durability... check out the Noss d-test for more on that.
I personally love my Cattaraugus 225Q, and the SwampRat Ratmandu is the most comfortable knife I've ever used, incredible design, but you need to purchase a sheath and may need to reprofile for better slicing performance (I did). Once reprofiled, expect to get very little practice in edge maintenance - that SR101 is the toughest stuff I've ever used, I need to hit rocks to dull it.
With any one of these knives listed above, you can forgo carrying a hatchet, hammer, shovel, etc. They fill all those roles and more.

The SOG Seal Pup Elite is also very light, stainless, but quite small and may not be as durable, overpriced. The BRKT Aurora, Canadian Special, & Bravo1 are all short knives, quite pretty and expensive, and task-specific. Be wary of the hype. Of the knives I own, my Bravo1 gets used least due to inferior performance. I do not own a Fallkniven F1 (bought a Jarvenpaa Aito, then a Bravo1, then an HRLM, F1 doesn't fit the budget right now:p), but I've read/heard only highest praise regarding the VG10 version - that said, I think it is too short for efficient wood processing.

I carry a Bahco folding-saw in my pack, and I make sure that at least one companion on my venture carries a back-up (a pocket-chainsaw is lightweight and ultra-compact, $20). I also carry a pliers+SAK or my Leatherman Charge (which includes a diamond-file for edge maintenance).

That's my $0.02.
 
Wow! I love this community, you guys are ultra helpful :D. Will be checking all the suggestions as soon as I have enough time to thoroughly follow up .

lol at the medi eval suit of armor suggestion :p Will be sure to post pictures of my new loadout after my first trip. Livht weight tarzan loincloth to boot
 
What is your price range?

If you are looking at Fherman's (great knives from all reports). I would suggest looking on the exchange for a Busse. Made from a proprietary steel called Infi, it is much more rust resistant than 1095, 3v, etc.

Go for a coated version, and even better.

I have never had any rust issues with my uncoated versions either, with a satin finish.

Super tough steel, great edge retention, and more importantly resistance to impact and shock. Rolls instead of chips out so it is much easier to re align the edge instead of re grinding the bevel.

They ave a long list of knives in that size range that should suit you perfectly. Plenty for sale here in the exchange (busse sub forum exchange).
 
The Fallkniven F-1 and A-1 are excellent blades saddled with cheap handles. Kraton breaks down too easily under a DEET assault.

Fortunately, Fallkniven is aware of that problem as they readily make blanks available to purchase by the public so that if one wishes, micarta or wood slabs can be put on them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top