Knife for the Backcountry Trip

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steelscout30

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Aug 1, 2006
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I'm a Boy Scout, and I'm heading out to their Philmont Scout Ranch, the largest privately owned hiking area in the world, on a 10-day, 80 to 90 mile trek in June. This is the second time I've gone, and the first time I took a Spyderco Military (a newer one with the S30V blade). This time I'd like to take a higher-end fixed blade with a synthetic sheath. The first thing that came to mind was a TOPS product. I particularly like the Pasayten Light Traveller with the 154CM blade. What are your opinions on that, and do you have any other suggestions? Thanks.:D God Bless America!
 
I am a big fan of Bob Dozier, so I know I sound like a Dozier comercial sometimes, but it is only because I really like the knives and not because I am a shill.

So.... I would suggest Bob Dozier. High-end user fixed blade? Synthetic sheath? He is the man on both accounts.

His knives are, IMO, the best users at any price. Great ergonomics. They don't just feel good, they become a part of you. No other knife I have used comes close. I literally sold off and gave away the rest of my knife collection. Everything else feels like crap compared to a Dozier in my hand.

And his Kydex sheaths are pretty much the undisputed best (fucntional) sheaths in the world. Period.

If a Dozier is out of your price range, Bark River or Ontario's RAT series would be my suggestion. I think the RAT-3 is of a very poor design (the handle), but the larger ones are okay.

Doziers can be had for a little under $200, or a little above $200 depending on the model. That is for standard models. Different options such as different grinds, steels, handle scales etc... will raise the cost.

www.DozierKnives.com (to order a custom Dozier)
www.AGRussell.com (to buy a standard Dozier that is ready to ship)
 
take a look at scrapyardknives.com, or try a M-6 from Swamprat. I highly recommend Busse knives, but availability can be iffy.
 
hmmmmmm try one of the bark rivers (North Star, fox river, scout, woodland, etc.) in A2. Your friends will be "envious".

And you can strop the blade on a barbers strop, or leather belt (strip, etc.) and keep it going in just a few "touch ups". they will not be like your typical high end. Actually "semi-custom".
 
SteelScout,

I have been to Philmont before, I have also been to Sea Base and Tinnerman high adventure bases. You do not need a knife over 5". I would suggest something like a Dozier Pro Guide with a wilderness sheath. The sheath will hang down past your pack waist strap. If a Dozier it to much $ I would suggest a Bark River. I would also suggest a multi tool with a saw. Good luck and I am sure you will have a great trip!!
 
What do you want to spend on that knife and how big (and heavy) do you want to go?

I recommend Camillus Becker, Ontario RAT, Scrapyard and Swamp Rat knives. Al fine for hard utility/outdoor use. Also consider a smaller fallkniven or the bark river knives (or even a simple Mora), as second knife for smaller work. Its just your taste and wallet size.

My personal preference is a BK7 and a wood handle Mora, or when travelling light my Howling Rat or Ontario TAK
 
Large sheath knives or fixed blades are frowned upon in the Boy Scouts.
You might want to re think your plans.

Have fun at Philmont. What a great place.
 
^^^ He never said it had to be large. The Pasayten Light Traveller is a ~5 inch blade, and that is hardly overly large. But I agree that he should be looking at 5 inches and lower, not bigger.

If the Boy Scouts don't let you carry an appropriate knife, quit.
 
Chris Adams is correct in that the Boy Scouts "discourage" fixed blade knives, but only a few camps have actually put a ban on them. I have run up against a couple of these in assisting my troop with their summer camp schedule. I've called the camp director and heard his side of the story which is "boys will cut things we don't want cut" and "too much liability". I told them my boys were bringing appropriate sheath knives, were well trained in using them, and counseled against using them inappropriately, and if they didn't want that to happen, I would be glad to move my troop to another camp. The camps get very nervous when they can't depend on a troops cash flow for their annual revenue. They caved. I would have raised the issue to the District or higher level to fight this mentality.
 
moxie- That is a link to a low-end knife with a leather sheath. I am sure it is a decent knife, but he asked for a high-end knife with a synthetic sheath.

bruce- I can understand the camp's POV, that a fixed blade may encourage kids to chop things they don't want chopped. But fixed blade doesn't mean "big chopper". I mainly use small fixed blades that are not much better than small folders for chopping. They are too light to chop effective and are basically just open small folders. A ban on large knives (fixed or folding) would be more sensible, but still the wrong approach. How about making sure the troop leaders don't let their scouts cut things for no reason? This is already a part of the scouts mentality.

I wouldn't have expected the "ban objects, not offenders" mentality to be so present on a camp site. Seems more fitting for a big liberal city.
 
As a former Eagle Scout with palms(Gold, silver and bronze), enjoy your trek! Scouts introduced me to knives, and now I am a knifemaker! Stick with it. If you want a knife made by a former scout, check out my website and contact me..id be happy to work with a scout on a design!
www.schottknives.com

(If this is considered advertising, i can edit and remove the link to my site or that can be done by a mod...not looking to push sales here, just sending out the offer)
 
made for the Boy Scouts. Stacked leather handle. Leather sheath. There was also a smaller ~3" version. I darkened the handle and sheath with 3-in-1 oil! I used that thing on countless hikes, camping trips, jamborees, hunting trips, etc., until I finally lost it on Sandia Peak in 1985. Easy to sharpen. I loved that knife. I suggested the CRKT Kilbuck because it's similar in concept, i.e., reasonably small, handy, inexpensive, in keeping with the idea of going to Philmont, a Boy Scout ranch.
 
Hair, I agree with you. My boys carried knives with blades no longer than 6 inches. Axes were made for chopping. All were taught how to use and care for knives properly and no incidents were ever reported.

...and now to completely derail this thread. THIS IS MY ONE THOUSANDTH POST ON bladeforums!
 
Hi. I worked at Philmont for ten years. Your primary knife criteria should be small size and light weight. The Ranger will "shake down" your pack before you hit the trail, 'discouraging' any unnecessary items or extra weight. I don't know for a fact that Philmont bans fixed blade personal knives, but it will be strongly discouraged.

Instead, look for a simple Swiss Army Knife, Scout knife, or small lockback. In the ten years that I worked there (most of that time was in the backcountry), I carried an Opinel, BuckLite, or nothing.

Opinel - the perfect knife for a Philmont trip.

If you are determined to carry a fixed blade knife to Philmont, get something in writing ahead of time saying that you'll be allowed to carry it on the trail.

P.S. I would not take a knife that cost more than $30 on a group trip. A lot of valuable items end up "missing".

Good Luck and have fun!
-Bob
 
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