Knive for Southern Alberta and the surrounding area?

[rsco]

Hi,
I'm looking for a knive for a specific location, the badlands of Southern Alberta Canada and the surrounding area.
I have done research but turned up no threads or articles for a knive type best suited to Southern Alberta or the Badlands.
The reason why I ask is not only because I live in Southern Alberta, but it looks like I'll be spending a lot of time there; hiking and looking in the Alberta Badlands and surrounding area.

I do know some of the things I would like in a knive:
Fixed blade design - simplicity and strength
Blade length of 3.75 - 5.75 inches - The size I would like in a fixed blade
Carbon steel - I know how to keep corrosion at bay
Lightweight - Saves energy hiking for a whole day over challenging terrain and feel 4-9 ounces would be best
Non-coated blade - less friction, more sanitary and I enjoy a nicely finished blade
I won't be hunting - don't need a knive for skinning. I am open to having a guard or no guard.
I prefer natural handle materials to synthetic/man made but I am open to all types
It should primarily be in contact with wood, food and water to rinse then dry it after use.
The knive will eventually be in contact with all types of dirt, rock, mud and snow.
I do like convex blade grinds and edges but have no reasons for or against them, in this location.
This will primarily be a spring/summer/fall knive as I have a separate one for the dead of a real Canadian winter
Price is not a factor - I would like to have all options available.
I could have a custom knive made but have to know what I want, why it is beneficial and that it is not available elsewhere.

Blade shape, blade grind, handle type, guard or no guard and possibly what type of carbon steel seem to be the things I have not been able to decide on. I'm looking for something I can be proud of and enjoy for a long time. Maybe a specific knive is not necessary at all and a general knive would be just fine, I'm just looking to make an informed decision to be prepared for whatever comes my way, and enjoy a good tool!

If you could recommend some knives/design elements/factors (and hopefully educate me why that recommendation would be useful in the badlands) it would be greatly appreciated.

The badlands are different than other parts of Alberta as it is open (not densely wooded, or at least not where I will be), you typically walk on dirt, think of a canyon.
I have included a photo of what the badlands typically look like, if you are not familiar with this amazing landscape.

For more and better pictures of the badlands, please follow the link below for pictures from Robert Berdan, who has been able to capture some amazing badlands locations in different seasons:
http://www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/dinosaur.html

Thanks in advance!

 

[brooksknives]

I live in edmonton and i go to drumheller a couple times a year to camp and i have been using a becker bk10 for a few years it is a stout knife that has a strong point for drilling and digging the blade is thick enough to baton for fire wood and the end can hammer if need be.

I also carry a small folder in the pouch on the sheath for smaller chores this combo is a little heavy but it can take a beating and holds edge the coating on the blade stops rust and is food safe it is also a wide blade with a high flat grind so it is a heck of a slicer.

i have started to carry a custom made by rick hargis here on the forums and his knives are made to be used for a lifetime and they are priced really well his prices run around the 100-130 us range and they are worth every penny hope this helps

 

[Leadfoot2]

You're way over thinking this, buy a 4 or 5 in fixed blade in a decent sheath and carry on.


Leadfoot

PS I'm pretty sure that the same blade will do just as well anywhere,
as far as I know knives aren't geographically challenged.

 

[rsco]

Thanks both for the info! I didn't consider a 2nd blade due to weight but I do have a Victorinox Officer which I bought in swtizerland. It's light and I worth having to lug around more weight. I just never really considered 2 knives necessary and never have more than one with me. The responses let me know that the fixed blade I have for winter would be sufficient, a scrap yard S5LE, about 190 grams so it's light. I'll use that unless I find something better. I'm still open to suggestions anyone may have. Thanks!