Knife selection bushcraft vs backpacking

Loki

Loki

Joined
Mar 23, 2000
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So a basic question... Is knife selection different for bushcrafting vs backpacking? I'm thinking bushcrafting is being in the bush/woods for week(s) at a time and backpacking more like 1-3 days. Your thoughts?
 
IMHO, knife selection should be more task oriented. If you do bushcraft while you backpack then....of course that opens up the whole "what is a bushcraft knife vs. other knife" discussion. Try not to get too caught up in any preconceived notions of what bushcraft is or isn't. Bushcraft is what I do in the woods. It is also probably what you do in the woods and what that other guy does in the woods. In other words, it is difficult to nail down a specific definition of the term in the context of today's outdoorsman. Just pick a solid, reliable tool that fits your needs.
 
Wooly about summed it up but if you're looking for a simpler answer; Yes they're different because most backpackers don't even need a knife and are generally a good deal more weight conscious. We're talking a Woodlore and a hatchet and maybe a saw and maybe a crook knife etc... vs a SAK Classic.
 
I would say they differ in that a backpacker carries what he needs in with him already. Therefore the backpacker only needs the knife to open the odd package and prepare food. The bushcrafter gets joy from rolling his own so to speak and improvising stuff using a knife. The bushcrafting knives tend to be on the robust side of things. Anyway dont let people tell you you need to buy a knife marketed specifically for bushcraft or whatever. Think what kinds of task you will do. Then get the right tools for the job.
 
When I think of a back packer knife, I think of a SAK and if I was very weight conscious but still like a blade a bit longer than a Vic Classic; the Vic Backpacker. (Essentially a gentlemans knife with a single blade.) As said, back packers tend to carry what they need with them. My next door neighbor does the AT thing. I asked what kind of a knife he carries and he said a very small one because he seldom used a knife backpacking. His uses are primarly for first aid, personal hygiene, rope/cordage and other similar kinds of things rather than cutting poles, stakes, and so forth.

With bushcraft, you intend to use the knife for more riguorous tasks and the knife is often more robust in design (as mentioned). A bushcraft knife and a survival knife are often the same thing.
 
If I may add my .02 cents. :-) If someone wants a knife suited for both backpacking and bushcrafting/or survival-esque stuff...well...why not a Bk-11 or Esee Izula? They are compact, tough-as-nails, can handle a range of tasks, and both have great warranties...plus they are very lightweight. All you would really have to do is change the edge/bevel to your own liking.
 
A SAK with a saw is probably more of a bushcraft tool than a small fixed blade, especially if it has an awl.

I just called it playing in the woods when I was a kid.

That being said, if I were serious about playing in the woods, the minimum I'd want is a good bow saw, couple extra blades, machete and a hand drill.

Since bushcraft means different things, I find it helps to be task specific, there's no magic tool that does everything and if there is, where can I buy it and how much does it weigh... And is it good enough to replace the other tools.

If I'm building a lean to, I want a saw if I'm building a cabin shaped shelter I want a saw, machete drill and knife, preferably with a partner.

If I'm going to sleep under an overhang I want a shovel.

Most walks I just carry my pocket knife and whittle sticks while my ears rest from the constant barrage of sound.
 
Most walks I just carry my pocket knife and whittle sticks while my ears rest from the constant barrage of sound.[/QUOTE]

I know how you feel. I can't stand large cities...too much noise. If it's not sirens, it's loud music, or people hollering.. lol.
 
Same thing always. I tried to differentiate and ended up with a bunch of knives that I didn't like or use, so I stick with the same pattern, blade style, materials, etc.
 
I personally think that the entire cottage industry of "bushcrafting" is just the latest fad. I'm still using the same knives for the last 30 years. I've added new ones, to be sure, but none with "bushcrafting" in mind. Just knives that I liked.
 
Davy Crockett had some tactical knives that kept Sioux at bay, but they never called it that. No problem there.

It really depends on the skill of said backpacker or woodsman. It depends on how much use they are going to get out of the blade. I know some packers who barely even bring a tiny SAK, where i'll bring a full blown machete just cause I'm used to it.
 
I do a good amount of backpacking. I have a SAK (Vic Huntsman) stashed in all my packs, but as a back-up... I always carry a fixed blade; usually an Off The Map Outfitters custom Bushcrafter, Busse BAD, Fallkniven F1, etc. After a short trip last weekend, I realized that the only time I used my knife in three days was to open a pouch of freeze-dried food! It made me think about the backpackers who say all they carry is a small SAK... I guess you can get away with it. But I just won't go into the woods without a decent fixed blade.

My interpretation of "bushcrafting" is using local materials to make shelter, tools, camp furniture, etc... primitive woodworking with a knife and available natural materials, whereas backpackers attempt to "leave no trace" and leave local materials untouched (uncarved, unchopped, unburned, etc. ;) )

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
desmobob said:
I do a good amount of backpacking. I have a SAK (Vic Huntsman) stashed in all my packs, but as a back-up... I always carry a fixed blade; usually an Off The Map Outfitters custom Bushcrafter, Busse BAD, Fallkniven F1, etc. After a short trip last weekend, I realized that the only time I used my knife in three days was to open a pouch of freeze-dried food! It made me think about the backpackers who say all they carry is a small SAK... I guess you can get away with it. But I just won't go into the woods without a decent fixed blade.

My interpretation of "bushcrafting" is using local materials to make shelter, tools, camp furniture, etc... primitive woodworking with a knife and available natural materials, whereas backpackers attempt to "leave no trace" and leave local materials untouched (uncarved, unchopped, unburned, etc. ;) )

Stay sharp,
desmobob
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Thanks for the better definition of bushcraft vs back packing. I agree on taking a fixed blade knife into the woods regardless of the time spent. For my purposes (no hardcore living off the land) I suspect a SAK/multitool and a Mora will do. Still there are some nice pricier knives I can lust after. :D
 
RescueRiley said:
I tend to use the same knives no matter what I'm doing
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I suspect that is true for most of us. I rotate fixed blades because I have not settled on one. None tend to be large unless I am just playing around. The SAK is pretty much there to stay, but I have been doing the slip joint thing lately and carrying a small SAK (Bantam) for the tooth pick and tweezers mostly.

Note; I do no major backpacking like people do on the AT. I mostly do day hikes, long days often, but still no overnighter and I carry things like wild flower books, larger DSLR, a couple lenses, and a tripod and firearm. I am not seriously weight conscious within reason. If I am trying to go light, I don't take the camera tripod and I usually regret it.

I seldom carry a machete unless I plan on doing a lot of chopping. Sometimes I do a little trail maintenance and the machete comes in handy for that.
 
Some great replies here with great explanation. For me, it depends on what's going on. If I'm off trail, i bring my axe and a 3.5-4" Scandi, no matter time or distance. But if its high summer, and I'm on trail in familiar territory, my Vic one handed Trekker, Wenger Soldier knife, or Baladeo 14 gram are enough., especially if I bring my Silky Zubat or axe.
 
I'm thinking bushcrafting is being in the bush/woods for week(s) at a time and backpacking more like 1-3 days. Your thoughts?

Some Bushcrafting is being in the bush/woods for a Sunday afternoon in which an overly large and excessively processed pile of wood is stacked to cook bannock, bacon and coffee. The climax of the outing is a display of 15 knives stuck in a log from largest to smallest. Toss in several 150 dollar axes and we have bushcraft.

Some backpacking might take 5 or 6 months to complete. I am just saying that there is no set rules for these things and to each their own. If I had to speculate based on my own experience with both hobbies is backpacking often covers more ground and this can lend to more extended time aka sleeping in the woods than Buchcraft which for me is more camp related but as stated there is no set rules, both are fun and can be combined into a heck of a good time. Overall a backpacker isn't going to strap a double bit axe to a daypack or carry other items that are excessively heavy as he/she will pay for it on the trail and after a full day of hiking I wouldn't have the time or energy to do many bushcrafty things that some of the larger tools are for. So for me more UL knives/tools for backpacking in general.
 
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