Knives necessary in the outdoors?

[Diomedes Industries]

I think when all goes right - in a freeze dried backpacking world - you have no want for a knife.

When the SHTF - you NEED a knife.

That is why I carry one.

TF

 

[fixer]

Its better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

bingo!

you're not likely to need a "Rambo" knife, but a SAK or Leatherman or other multi tool, or a decent locking folder or small to mid sized fixed blade of your choice can be a handy tool.

consider for a moment Aron Ralston who had to amputate his own arm after it was trapped under a boulder... and only had a cheap, dull, generic multitool. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston

it's not exactly like he could "run and go get a knife" after that happened.

 

[kgd]

For hiking people carry tools mostly for gear repairs or to open beer bottles. Small things like a SAK work fine. I've seen some guys with a naked razor blade to save weight. I'm a fan of nail files and scissors on a SAK classic. There just isn't that much to need a blade for that a small folder can't handle.

Big fixed blade knives are cool and all that. Then you realize you gotta carry around that 5+ oz piece of steel every day for a week/month/6months/whatever. I'd prefer having an extra half-pound of food instead tbh.

Cool, you just made hiking sound even crappier than I did in my sarcastic voice

5+ oz ???? LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chopchop]

If you car camp, or hike and camp on well marked, well traveled trails, you really don't *need* a knife... as long as nothing goes wrong.

and even when it does, if you are close enough to other people, you're likely to be ok even then.


That said, I carry a knife, and I think everyone should.

 

[hiwa]

Its better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

I live by that statement:thumbup:

I bring a knife anywhere I go , especially the woods. I make reasons to use them if I have to, because I like using my knives. Sometimes I just sit there and hold them. Sometimes I sharpen them ,even if they don't really need it, because I like to. I am here because I like knives. A lot. I'm never going anywhere without one . The time you don't have it on you is the time you'll need it the most.

 

[IRON HEAD]

Most likely the average person could skip every other breath an be fine , dosen't mean it's very smart . IMHO

 

[flipe8]

While I certainly don't have the experience of some forum members here, I've been heavily involved in outdoor activities since I was a child(now 38) and have spent a good portion of my free time in the bush/mountains/sea. Excluding mundane chores from food prep to cutting lines, I've yet to use my knives for anything major. I consider that a good thing, though, as it means I've done well to avoid putting myself into an emergency situation, while still pushing my personal limits. I hope I never need to use my knife for a real-deal emergency, just like I hope I never need to call the Fire Department. I still feel the need for the Fire Dept., just like I feel the need for my knife :thumbup:

 

[Rotte]

I've been on several trips where, after I got back home and was unpacking, I realized I never used my knife. As a result, I've come to think one could get by without a knife at all for weeks at a time. The exception of course being hunting or fishing trips where a knife is essential for game prep. But for just wandering around in the woods? Maybe not.

Like these other guys though, it is one of those things I just don't want to be caught without, like a compass or fire starting gear. Just way to useful not to take along. Hell, I usually have a compass, lighter, and knife when I run down to the local grocery store. Never needed any of those things, but life isn't always predictable. Be prepared.

Having said that, I do sometimes wonder if I really need more than a SAK Farmer or Leatherman. One can accomplish a whole lot of camping and surviving with a SAK.

 

[pitdog]

Chances of needing a knife are virtually nil....might as well send any knives ya have to me so I can carry them for the sake of it !!!:thumbup:


Message me for my addy so ya know where to send them !

 

[g123]

The more gear you carry (tarp, sleeping bag, clothes) the less tools you need. I just don't think a GB Mini, A.G. Russell Deer hunter and folding saw weight that much to make any difference. I would hate to be the guy that participated in this forum and died because he did not bring his knife. That thread would be brutal.

Geoff

 

[Mistwalker]

Hiking is that activity where you put your closet on your back, walk a big loop, put all your stuff in your trunk, drive home and return it to the closet right???

Seriously, asking why a knife is kind like, why hiking? I don't hike much just for the sake of beating my feet on the trail. Mind you, I used to. Then I decided I wanted to do other things, sometimes fishing often times photographing things, watching animals and trying to track them, screwing with primitive fire techniques, trying to identify trees and plants and learn their uses, whittling sticks.... Some things need a knife, others don't. My photography always needs a knife for perspective

I do agree with the OP. You can bring all your tools on your person, a knife not being one of them, and be fully prepared and safe. Then again, not bringing a knife would be severely restrictive of the things I can do. People do focus on their knives as symbols. That is fine and it is certainly worthwhile to be able to know what you could do with your knife should you need it. As for myself, if I have a knife and bootlaces, I can make fire. I'm happy with that even if its just for entertainment and not a survival thing.

In the end, I'll probably be more likely to have my knife and bootlaces with me than I will a full pack with all the other stuff. That and a camera so I can take pictures of my own demise. Don't worry, I'll have a shot of the knife in there for perspective

Plus 1

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[absolutindian]

The more gear you carry (tarp, sleeping bag, clothes) the less tools you need. I just don't think a GB Mini, A.G. Russell Deer hunter and folding saw weight that much to make any difference. I would hate to be the guy that participated in this forum and died because he did not bring his knife. That thread would be brutal.

Geoff

Second that.

 

[sitka]

If you factor in the mischief your animal companions can get into, you better have a knife. While walking on my own property with my wife and our pack of dogs, we had what could have been a serious encounter. I had our youngest dog on a longer than normal lead and allowed her to cross the swollen creek. I was trying to work off some of her excess energy we she became entangled in some fine wire that had been exposed from the recent rains and erosion of the creek. At this time she was on the other side of the water and near the top of the bank. After handing the lead to my wife, I trudged across the creek and reached for my knife. I honestly can't remember if I used my ever present police model or the cold steel SRK I sometimes carry at the creek, but I was able to cut/break the multiple strands she had stepped in and became entangled. All this within sight of my house. Without trying to up the drama, this could have been an ugly scene. Could I have freed her without the knife? Most likely, but I don't want to think of the injuries either of us would have sustained if things had gotten worse. Cheap insurance if you ask me.

 

[Maine1]

Wow...this makes me think. How often have i NOT Had a knife? Not very! recently on planes, and a while ago in Boot camp.

I honestly cannot fathom not using a knife every day. even when i lived in the city/suburbia, i used a knife all the time. I cannot imagine not having a blade or two on my person in the woods.

My father- a dairy farmer- FIRED a hired hand that was family because he did not consistenly carry a jacknife. And dad is NOT a knife guy.

I EDC a fixed blade, often two, and also conceal them in "town". I have used a fixed blade on the trail so many times i do not remember them all. Usually clearing parts of the trail that people with no knife are walking around.

I have not been everywhere and done everything, but when i do anything, i bring a frickin'g knife. God gave me a brain, oposable thumbs, and the ability to make tools. No claws, dull teeth. Gotta have a knife.

And, since when is a knife NOT one of the 10 essentials? was when i was growing up.

 

[beef]

To those who read the original post, thankyou for your responses.

To those who only read the title, or who were incapable of reading the entire post, I have some English Comprehension links I'd be happy to post that can help with reading skills.

 

[Flatsman007]

Seriously. With that said I prefer a 3" quality folder for many thing and would be naked without. A hatchet is a must for camping. The 5" fixed is for anything the 3" will not do, which is not much but it is there. Camping, hunting, fishing all require some sort of knife. Heck tell me you never use a knife at you house either and you do alot of the same things there that you do if on a multi day trip. Sorry man most men need a knife and those that don't are by far the excaption not the rule.

 

[TheGame]

Do we need a knife? Likely not on a day hike. However, I would not feel comfortable without a knife on me. A knife is something that makes things more enjoyable in the outdoors. We can do a lot with a knife relating to making things, even if to just pass time by. It is likely we would be able to do without if we had the essential gear, yes. However, even with it, I would still want to do something with the knife, as I like to play with my toys.

 

[beef]

camping, hunting, fishing all require some sort of knife. Heck tell me you never use a knife at you house either and you do alot of the same things there that you do if on a multi day trip. Sorry man most men need a knife and those that don't are by far the excaption not the rule.

Are you illiterate?

first i think i should specify that i mean when day hiking or multi day backpacking...

Obviously some outdoor activities like hunting and fishing do require a knife, so no chest beating thanks. This is referring to hiking.

 

[jimh0220]

Hi All,
I've been musing on whether a knife is really a necessity in the outdoors. First I think I should specify that I mean when day hiking or multi day backpacking.

Scenario1: I'm day hiking, stop for lunch, use my stove to make some tea, complete the walk with no problems. I always carry thermals/ fleece/ rain gear in a dry bag, plenty of water (up to 6L on a ridgetop walk) and esbit tabs/ stove.
Where's my need for a knife? If I couldn't get out that day, I'd be forced to put on my clothing, put on my rain gear, sit on my pack and wait out the night. If I was cold I'd stuff leaves in my jacket, find one of the innumerable caves on the side of the ridge protected from the wind. Or fire up the esbit.

Scenario 2: I'm on one of my multi day walks when I break a leg. I pull out my blue foam mat, hop in my sleeping bag and pull the tarp over the top if I can't set it up. If I'm solo with no mobile reception, I wait there till the TWO people I've told realise I'm overdue and alert the SES (State Emergency Service).
Use for a knife? Nada.

I think the cliche and romantic notions of having to use your knife to build a little shelter, kill an animal and live off the land are fantasy.
A lot of serious multi week trip backpackers don't even take one. Or if they do, it's a SAK classic to trim toenails.

If you don't carry the ten essentials, in particular insulative clothing and rain gear then maybe you will have a need to build shelter and make a big fire. But any experienced walker does. Noone would consciously think "I don't need to bring my fleece jacket, I've got my axe".

Consider the other much loved scenario of falling in a river and becoming soaked. Which is it easier to do, open a dry bag and put on your insulative clothing, or build a fire whilst shivering? If you're shivering, do you really want to be messing round with a knife anyway.

If you cut yourself due to poor fine motor skills, would you have the dexterity left to administer first aid to yourself?

Last scenario: The classic losing your pack situation. If I'm doing a serious trip, I do it with companions who are also experienced. If I miraculously lose my pack in a river crossing, they've still got their packs full of gear. We'd all have to simultaneously lose our packs for us to end up in the "use a knife to build a hut and weave clothing situation".

I love knives as much as anyone else on here. But I can't justify bringing one on a trip, other than my SAK with the scissors (useful) and tweezers (very useful for ticks and splinters).
But luckily I don't have to justify bringing my toys, I can pack whatever I want.

Obviously some outdoor activities like hunting and fishing do require a knife, so no chest beating thanks. This is referring to hiking.
I do bring my knives, spoon knife and saw on trips where my focus is wood carving.

It'd be great to hear other people's take on this topic.

Thanks for putting a thought that goes against the grain of the average poster here to get us all thinking!

You bring up a solid point, and have had some great responses, so thanks!


PS: To all the 'troller' accusers, screw y'all! Why not put a little thought into the question instead of your overused and pathetic attempt at an insult!

 

[tknife]

If you don't use it or see a need, then don't carry a knife I guess.