Knives for the boundary waters

Maverick299

Maverick299

Joined
Apr 12, 2014
Messages
798
Hi all,

I'm taking my first trip to the boundary waters this year in the Gunflint trail area of Minnesota. I have no place else to turn then here because people look at me like I am stupid when I tell them that I have obsessed for hours and lost sleep over what knives to take with me. I am experienced in the way of canoe/kayak camping, as a matter of fact I just got home from a 2 day kayak trip. What my problem is that when I go in my kayak I have plenty of space and I only have to carry it to the water and then back out. So I have a Wetterlings small forest axe, a folding bucksaw, a large heavy quartermaster knife for clearing bush, and a traditional folder on me like a #15 boys knife.

I can't carry that much weight when we will be portaging canoes several times a day. The folding saw is going with, and I am trying to narrow the knife selection down. Anyone been up there before and can tell me what knife you used or wish you had used? I imagine it will be mostly used for small tasks like cutting fishing line, digging out splinters, and opening packages of food.

My thoughts at this point are a 93mm SAK backed up with a locking folder in the 4" - 5" blade range. But I will probably change my mind on that decision 10 more times. I want a big fixed blade incase I need to baton or something, but don't want the weight.

Thanks!
 
As my suggestion to solve your issue is not a traditional knife I sent you a PM instead of violating the rules, I hope that is ok for you ;)
 
Over the years ive done lots of canoe trips and my knife selection has also changed many times. But ive found myself only bring 3 knives in the past few years though. A filleting knife for fishing, My leatherman TTi which is always on me and a 4" or so fixed blade knife. In the past its been the Fallkniven F1, Helle Temagami and this year it will be my GSO 4.1.

With that said I still always bring my silky saw and a small axe.
 
Let me be the first to say that Mewolf1, who lives there and has been on those waterways for years, will likely tell you "Mora" for a knife. I've never been there but I do canoe a lot and I carry three knives most times, a small belt knife (Sharpfinger), a pocketknife (sometimes a small stockman, often a camp utility knife) and a small lightweight partially serrated lockback in my PFD mesh pocket (Schrade SP3 Lightweight), for emergency use cutting lines and ropes in entanglements. All three weigh next to nothing together.

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I've spent quite a bit of time in the "North Woods" over the years, although mostly hiking and fishing rather than canoeing or kayaking. In fact, my brother and wife (with whom I do most of my hiking) are each going on canoeing/camping trips in the Boundary Waters at various times this summer, and turn to me for gear suggestions. In my opinion, how you carry a knife when not using it is almost as important as how well it works when you are using it. When trying to move around in the confines of a boat or over/under/around obstacles on a trail, putting faith in a pocket (or pocket clip) is asking for trouble, so any folding knife I carry needs to have a sheath or holster attaching firmly to a belt or backpack. For a fixed blade knife, especially a larger one that necessitates a belt sheath, I don't want anything that is going to be bouncing around against my leg as I walk or get caught on things in a boat or tent. Again, it must be capable of being secured.

Here are a few I think are worth mentioning . . .

Folding: Benchmade Adamas or Ka-Bar Mule. Materials and price are pretty far apart on these two, but are big folders with sheaths capable of numerous carry positions. With size comes weight, so maybe they are pushing the limits of what you want to carry with you, but I would trust either one for some hard use. That said, the knife I usually have on my belt for fishing and hiking is a Gerber Gator; the sheath isn't quite as versatile, but it is sufficient at the very least, and the rubber handle is great in wet conditions.

Fixed - small: I like the Mora Scout but lost mine after a trip, but I also have a Mora Companion to fill the role of a small fixed blade capable of finer cutting tasks. Either of these would weigh less than the folders I mentioned previously, but the typical Mora plastic sheath is hard to get excited about. Another (relatively) small fixed blade I like is the Camillus Barbarian. It's heftier than a Mora for sure, but with a narrower blade and overall profile than the comparable ESEE or Ontario/RAT models, plus it includes a nice Kydex sheath with a Tek-Lok mount capable of horizontal belt carry. Sort of an unconventional suggestion, but worth looking into I think.

Fixed - large: If you're limited by space and weight, I think there is some sense in trying to combine functions. New for my upcoming adventures are a Condor Multi Knife II and SOG Team Leader Survivor TL-02. I bought the Condor as a combination knife/hatchet, and although 420HC isn't usually the steel of choice for hard use, I am not likely to be up against conditions that justify a big knife AND a dedicated hatchet. The SOG is a nice enough knife on its own, but also has an honest-to-goodness saw on the spine (not all Team Leader models do) in the unlikely event that I need one. Both have leather sheaths that are really only suitable for belt carry unless you get creative lashing them to a pack, but the utility value is there.
 
Leatherman Wave
Fallkniven F1
Fiskars hatchet.....yes, there are much better hatchets to be had, but it's lightweight and easily sharpened.

I personally like a knife/hatchet combo. Not going to baton a knife unless I really, absolutely have to. YMMV.
 
I go into the boundary waters every year and my blades usually stay the same...
Folding saw
4"-6" fixed blade for main knife
3" stainless folder for foodprep and backup
fillet knife (if fishing)

This will cover just about anything and everything you should ever come across. Weight-weenies will think what I take is overkill, which perhaps it is. I like to have backups and all knives (other than the one on my belt) go into different packs just in case. I also have a couple of razor blades in the first-aid kit as a last resort type of thing.

The blades I'm taking into the BWCA this year are (more than likely anyhow)
Corona folding saw
Survive GSO-6
Spyderco Delica
Kershaw fillet knife

edit: I just realised there's a blade on my leatherman ps4 too... maybe I am bringing in too many blades!:p
 
All good answers above. :thumbup:

IMO, the axe, saw, fillet knife, and a pocket knife will do anything needed; however, I love fixed blades and carry one of those too.:)
What month are you going?
 
Going on a canoe trip in the Boreal forest a good fixed blade belt knife, and good folder preferably on the belt. I prefer belt carry, its with you always and while tipping a canoe is a remote possibility, the knives will be with you should it happen. In addition a machete or a buck saw for cutting firewood. Don't forget the insect repellant, the biting flies become very friendly during June and July and into the first part of August.
 
I live near by, and have been up there often. Not much use for a bush chopper, as they don't like cutting of live stuff, and the portages and camp sites are clear of brush. I like a saw for fire wood, axe is heavy and more dangerous, but nice for splitting. A fillet knife for fish, a multi tool is handy for everything. Taking stuff off the fire, fixing your pack, ect… and a smallish belt knife. Maybe leave the axe/hatchet and baton your fire wood.

Lost of Deet! Have fun. Ice is just comming of the lakes now! Most of the small lakes where open for Walleye opener last weekend, but several of the big lakes where not. I'm sure someone was ice fishing just to be a wise Guy.
 
Cody Hofsommer said:
Lost of Deet! Have fun. Ice is just comming of the lakes now! Most of the small lakes where open for Walleye opener last weekend, but several of the big lakes where not. I'm sure someone was ice fishing just to be a wise Guy.
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I was told that there is still plenty of snow on the ground north of Duluth. Best time of year to be up there in my opinion!
 
I love going to the BW and I love knives. Over time I figured out that I really don't need a knife as much as I thought I did. You can't cut down green wood only harvest stuff already dead/down so a folding saw, small hatchet/axe to split it open and a fixed blade of your choice should do you fine. I now bring a Gerber Big Rock on my belt (really need an upgrade here but I treat it like crap and it still works fine), a Cold Steel Mini Hunter attached to my PFD, a Swiss Army Forester folder, and a Gerber folding saw. On many trips I find all I needed a knife for was to cut para-cord or fillet a fish. Have a great trip.
 
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I've been to the Boundary Waters with the Boy Scouts (Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base). I highly recommend the Spyderco Pacific Salt. The H1 steel is completely rust proof and the knife is extremely light weight while being solid as a rock.

TedP
 
Thanks for all the responses.

I'm heading up there the first week of September so hopefully the bugs won't be so bad. But it also means any downed wood will have already been gathered and burned that is close to camp so fire might be at a minimum. I think I'm leaving the axe at home strictly because it's too heavy.

I'll definitely be adding a multi-tool, I'm thinking a Leatherman Skeletool. Mostly to be used as a pair of light weight pliers to remove hooks from the mouths of pike.

So, I'll have a folding saw, multi-tool, fillet knife, and trying to decide on a small folder and a lightweight belt knife. I have been eye-balling the Spyderco Pacific line for awhile now. This might be a good excuse to pick one up.
 
Maverick299 said:
Thanks for all the responses.

I'm heading up there the first week of September so hopefully the bugs won't be so bad. But it also means any downed wood will have already been gathered and burned that is close to camp so fire might be at a minimum. I think I'm leaving the axe at home strictly because it's too heavy.

I'll definitely be adding a multi-tool, I'm thinking a Leatherman Skeletool. Mostly to be used as a pair of light weight pliers to remove hooks from the mouths of pike.

So, I'll have a folding saw, multi-tool, fillet knife, and trying to decide on a small folder and a lightweight belt knife. I have been eye-balling the Spyderco Pacific line for awhile now. This might be a good excuse to pick one up.
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Firewood: If your main use of fire will be for cooking, you might consider using and Emberlit twig stove. The small dross others pass by for their large campfires is perfect for the Emberlit. No chopping required. On the river I frequent the larger dry downed wood on gravel bars dissapears by mid year while the smaller stuff is still easily found year round.

For the lightweight folder, since you suggest weight is a consideration on portages, look at the old Gerber LST, the Schrade SP-3 and the Buck Bucklite. Any of these will fit handily in a PFD pocket and weigh about the same as a Bic lighter.
 
Wood is usually available, but you might have to get away from the campsites. Check that there isn't a fire ban before yôu go. There was a wind came through maybe ten years ago and wiped out huge areas of trees. Ever since they have been worried about fire. You might not be in the blow down, but it would change how hour would pack if you couldn't have an open fire. Ask about bears too, it's not much if a danger, but they sure can be camp raiders. They suggest bear barrels of just hanging your food packs. I usually bring a pistol, it's fine too, just declare it. I have never fired a shot up there, but I feel more comfortable with one, to scare bears more then to shoot them. But that's up to you.
It's sure it beautiful up there, if you look into it, there are some Indian pictographs around, I enjoy seeing them. I'm not to familiar with the Gunflint end, I usually go through the Ely end, so I don't know if and where there would be any, bit might be worth looking into!
 
I just got the email about the Bark River Boone being released again. I'm having a really hard time not making one of those my "boundary water knife". Someone talk me off the ledge!!!!!
 
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