Light weight knife for hiking - have to admit, it makes a difference.

KingMC said:
When weight isn't a worry (most of the time I'm in the woods) I carry a Becker BK20, when I really need to pare down my weight I'll carry my Fiddleback Forge Bushfinger, and when I'm really trying to grind out the miles and am not intending to spend any amount of time camping anywhere along the way I'll carry my Morakniv Eldris.

I'll almost always be carrying a slipjoint or lightweight folder like my Spyderco Native 5, but those are such lightweights that they don't even count towards my weight totals.

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"Ultra-light" Fiddleback Forge Pocket Ninja
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I've climbed many 14ers on well trodden as well as almost forgotten routes with nothing more than a Swiss Army Classic. I struck out for 2 and 3 day hike/climbs of said mountains with the same knife. It's light, it has scissors, it has tweezers.
 
The Classic along with all the small SAKs is a terrific *second* knife but to go into the back country without a good fixed or folder with enough blade to help you build a shelter, start a fire, etc. is foolish IMO.

WWWCS?

(what would Woodrow Call say?)
 
I love an opinel for lightweight. I have a SAK with some handy tools.

Im not an ultra light hiker.. of course im fat enough that even my birthday suit isn't lightweight!!
 
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My vote is for a Manix lightweight. Strong and reliable lock, simple design, and a large, somewhat "beefy" blade under 3oz.
 
Cold Steel Pendleton mini Hunter on my belt, edc keychain and gadgets in my side pocket. Generally all I need on hikes or an overnighter.
 
When the weight counts (for a 3 days hiking) I prefer the following ultra reliable combination:
1. FIXED BLADE = Terävä Jääkäripuukko 110, Carbon Steel - Weight: 175 g (w/o sheath) / 6.173 oz
2. FOLDER = One-Handed German Army Knife (OH GAK) 127g / 4.5 oz
Plus a BAHCO Laplander folding saw = 187g / 6.6 oz.
 
CSG said:
The Classic along with all the small SAKs is a terrific *second* knife but to go into the back country without a good fixed or folder with enough blade to help you build a shelter, start a fire, etc. is foolish IMO.

WWWCS?

(what would Woodrow Call say?)
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If you're going into the 'back country' with the ten essentials, you're already ahead of the game. With a very lightweight nylon or plastic tarp and a small ball of twine, you can make a way way better shelter in 10 minutes than any bg chopper you have will do in 2 hours. And of your backpacking, then its a moot point because you already have your shelter with you.

Look in the paint section of Walmart or Home Depot and they have plastic disposable drop cloths. One that is 19 foot by 9 foot is about the size and weight of a paperback novel. A ball of jute twine is about the size and weight of a tennis ball. You will have a shelter that you can ride out severe thunderstorms in perfectly dry and take only a few minutes to rig. A SAK classic cuts the twine. And no large chunk of steel weighing you down. Fire? Soda can alcohol stove. Way more efficient for making that cup of coffee.
 
I'd go with the SAK, whatever flavor you want. Probably I'd spring for a Trekker or a leatherman style PS. Tooth picks and tweezers are essential and scissors really help cut moleskin. I usually pack trauma sheers in the larger FAK.
 
SAK and a mora seem to stay in my day pack no matter what I buy to replace them. SAK in the pocket and mora in the pack with other emergency items.
 
jackknife said:
If you're going into the 'back country' with the ten essentials, you're already ahead of the game. With a very lightweight nylon or plastic tarp and a small ball of twine, you can make a way way better shelter in 10 minutes than any bg chopper you have will do in 2 hours. And of your backpacking, then its a moot point because you already have your shelter with you.

Look in the paint section of Walmart or Home Depot and they have plastic disposable drop cloths. One that is 19 foot by 9 foot is about the size and weight of a paperback novel. A ball of jute twine is about the size and weight of a tennis ball. You will have a shelter that you can ride out severe thunderstorms in perfectly dry and take only a few minutes to rig. A SAK classic cuts the twine. And no large chunk of steel weighing you down. Fire? Soda can alcohol stove. Way more efficient for making that cup of coffee.
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I am going to take a look at those drop cloths. If they are made of the really thin plastic, I won't like them and I don't particularly like them painting unless I am using one to cover furniture from speckles of paint from a roller. As far as emergencies go, I would much rather have that than nothing, but it isn't much better than nothing unless my memory of those "drop cloths" is incorrect.

Not fond of the Vic classic. But it is better than nuthin'.

The one handed Trekker at 4.6 oz is a better choice. Or choose one with a scissors. One handed because you might get into an injury situation and need a knife that is easier to open, but practical and versatile.
 
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22-rimfire said:
I am going to take a look at those drop cloths. If they are made of the really thin plastic, I won't like them and I don't particularly like them painting unless I am using one to cover furniture from speckles of paint from a roller. As far as emergencies go, I would much rather have that than nothing, but it isn't much better than nothing unless my memory of those "drop cloths" is incorrect.

Not fond of the Vic classic. But it is better than nuthin'.

The one handed Trekker at 4.6 oz is a better choice. Or choose one with a scissors. One handed because you might get into an injury situation and need a knife that is easier to open, but practical and versatile.
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This is where I'm at with it. All these mentions of the Classic, I absolutely could not conceive of going out in the woods with just a dinky little coin keychain knife. I've got hundreds of nights under the open sky and have camped and hiked for many, many years. I suppose it could be all you needed if you were in a situation where you were bringing absolutely everything you needed or might want with you. Packets of pre-prepared food, a small rocket stove, and such. But man, that's absolutely not for me. If I'm not getting out into the woods, building a shelter, and preparing a meal for myself using a campfire, it's not just not really camping to me.

I almost always have a Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, or a Recon 1 with me and a fixed blade, of which I have an excessive assortment. I'm a big guy, still fairly in my prime so ounces don't tend to matter much to me.
 
I always have a Vic Classic on my key chain, I love Swiss Army knives! BUT, a classic isnt enough knife for me. Thats a tiny blade! I use a Camper model when I go out, the keychain knives are too wimpy. You cant even really use them to whittle a hot dog stick, so whats the point?!?! Lol
 
CVamberbonehead said:
I always have a Vic Classic on my key chain, I love Swiss Army knives! BUT, a classic isnt enough knife for me. Thats a tiny blade! I use a Camper model when I go out, the keychain knives are too wimpy. You cant even really use them to whittle a hot dog stick, so whats the point?!?! Lol
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My "little" keychain "knife" is the Leatherman Ps4 Squirt. Even has a tiny scissors for you scissors fans.
 
Dozier Kephart in 3V is my goto outdoors knife. If I didn't use it around the camp kitchen I could probably go an inch shorter on the blade and handle.

But it all comes down to your environment and needs. Not a lot to chop around here and I tend to stick to established trails in the woods.
 
jackknife said:
If you're going into the 'back country' with the ten essentials, you're already ahead of the game. With a very lightweight nylon or plastic tarp and a small ball of twine, you can make a way way better shelter in 10 minutes than any bg chopper you have will do in 2 hours. And of your backpacking, then its a moot point because you already have your shelter with you.

Look in the paint section of Walmart or Home Depot and they have plastic disposable drop cloths. One that is 19 foot by 9 foot is about the size and weight of a paperback novel. A ball of jute twine is about the size and weight of a tennis ball. You will have a shelter that you can ride out severe thunderstorms in perfectly dry and take only a few minutes to rig. A SAK classic cuts the twine. And no large chunk of steel weighing you down. Fire? Soda can alcohol stove. Way more efficient for making that cup of coffee.
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Who said anything about not carrying the so-called "ten essentials"? You're still foolish to not take a proper knife (which is one of the ten essentials) says this former SAR deputy from Idaho.
 
CSG said:
Who said anything about not carrying the so-called "ten essentials"? You're still foolish to not take a proper knife (which is one of the ten essentials) says this former SAR deputy from Idaho.
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I am forced to agree (not a SAR guy here, though I AM an Eagle Scout LOL). Can you imagine? There you are, hiking along a trail whistling a jaunty tune, not paying attention and you completely wreck your ankle on some loose rocks you didn't see? I can't envision being able to quickly and capably make a crutch or cut and shape sticks of sufficient hardness to be able to be tied around the ankle to stabilize it using a Classic. I mean, I'm sure it would eventually be possible, but man, what a rough time that didn't have to happen.

Carrying an adequate knife isn't always because of planned use-cases.
 
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