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

[Hurrul]

As both a lifelong backpacker and mountain climber, in both personal excursions and within the commercial outdoor world (guide and outdoor leadership instructor) I am a proponent of the "light is right" practice.

However, my experiences outside lead me to conclude, for knife use in the woods/mountains/deserts, that using a small handled pocket knife worked for cutting string, moleskin, tape, cord, and rope. But, sustained knife use was greatly benefited from having a larger handle. Which inherently lead me to fixed bladed edc's and neck knives.

In the outdoor guide/work setting, I describe this example: extended periods of food prep require a knife to cut, pierce, spread, and scrape. Throw into this common scenario: a late evening mountain thunderstorm, cold and wet temps, end of the day fatigue from hauling your 70lb guide pack around all day while keeping your clients healthy, safe and entertained means that in this case you end up also cooking by headlamp. Having a blade with a handle that fills the hand more than a SAK or Spyderco Lady bug (and is not as slippery as a SAK) and maybe has enough handle for you to keep your liner gloves on, is huge. It increases efficiency and safety during this example above, when one might be less mindful of their sloppy cold digits and minor dehydration headache....when you suddenly slip forward onto the blade and cut a finger, than not only are you trying to provide for others in a difficult environment but your also trying to not bleed into the pile of cheese for their burritos as you reach for the first aid kit.....

....and then, you have to manage that cut for the rest of the trip, because everyday you will be handling someones food and everyday outside means dirty hands and thus, a cut that needs maintenance.

I carried this on the job, for years - Fallkniven WM 1

Plus, fixed blades are easier to clean up, after all of the above.

I know this example is unique to a certain outdoor niche, but even now when I am just on personal trips, I cut weight everywhere else and bring a fixed blade. Usually two, because I like knives.

 

[cut it out]

Izula, spyderco native, or better yet the endura. Big enough to handle any task needed outdoors. Esee 3 also a good option or a sak and a mora. The Buck 110lt is a great option. Super light and still has a good size blade. I’d get the drop point as it spreads peanut butter better than a clip point. Love mine.

 

[cut it out]

That falkniven wm1 has been on my list for years. Really need to just buy one and try it myself. Have all the other models but this one. I’d even add the F1 as it’s very light and is very subtle in appearance. But can handle anything.

 

[CSG]

That falkniven wm1 has been on my list for years. Really need to just buy one and try it myself. Have all the other models but this one. I’d even add the F1 as it’s very light and is very subtle in appearance. But can handle anything.

While I have a few other fixed blade knives, I bought the Fallkniven F1 some years ago when they seemed to be all the rage. I liked it so well, I bought a second one to keep in another vehicle. To me, as a former pilot, I liked the fact it was, and apparently still is, the issue knife for Swedish air force pilots.

 

[JB in LV]

I carry a Victorinox Farmer Alox and CRK Professional Soldier on day hikes and extended backpacking. I want both a folder and a fixed.

 

[Hurrul]

That falkniven wm1 has been on my list for years. Really need to just buy one and try it myself. Have all the other models but this one. I’d even add the F1 as it’s very light and is very subtle in appearance. But can handle anything.

S1 was not a bad Fallkniven model, either. Although, I have always felt the handle could be a little bigger given the size of the blade. I had an F1, but gave it to a friend before I had ever used it. It seemed useful; more my style than the S1 and I liked the full height primary grind more than the partial height grind on the S1

To me, the F1 in VG10 is still a good price for what you get and I have thought about replacing the one I gave away on several occasions.

 

[Hurrul]

That appears to be a nice little blade. I am been getting into the small ones for the last year or two after about a 10 year hiatus.

I edc small fixed blades and Fiddleback Forge has a few nice options in the 7" or less OAL range.
The Esquire (lower left) is nice piece, as well as the red handled Pygmy and natural canvas EDC Karda. The lower right is a Bushboot and it's just a hair longer than 7", but the handle is one of my favorites out of any of my knives.

 

[22-rimfire]

As both a lifelong backpacker and mountain climber, in both personal excursions and within the commercial outdoor world (guide and outdoor leadership instructor) I am a proponent of the "light is right" practice.

However, my experiences outside lead me to conclude, for knife use in the woods/mountains/deserts, that using a small handled pocket knife worked for cutting string, moleskin, tape, cord, and rope. But, sustained knife use was greatly benefited from having a larger handle. Which inherently lead me to fixed bladed edc's and neck knives.

In the outdoor guide/work setting, I describe this example: extended periods of food prep require a knife to cut, pierce, spread, and scrape. Throw into this common scenario: a late evening mountain thunderstorm, cold and wet temps, end of the day fatigue from hauling your 70lb guide pack around all day while keeping your clients healthy, safe and entertained means that in this case you end up also cooking by headlamp. Having a blade with a handle that fills the hand more than a SAK or Spyderco Lady bug (and is not as slippery as a SAK) and maybe has enough handle for you to keep your liner gloves on, is huge. It increases efficiency and safety during this example above, when one might be less mindful of their sloppy cold digits and minor dehydration headache....when you suddenly slip forward onto the blade and cut a finger, than not only are you trying to provide for others in a difficult environment but your also trying to not bleed into the pile of cheese for their burritos as you reach for the first aid kit.....

....and then, you have to manage that cut for the rest of the trip, because everyday you will be handling someones food and everyday outside means dirty hands and thus, a cut that needs maintenance.

I carried this on the job, for years - Fallkniven WM 1

Plus, fixed blades are easier to clean up, after all of the above.

I know this example is unique to a certain outdoor niche, but even now when I am just on personal trips, I cut weight everywhere else and bring a fixed blade. Usually two, because I like knives.

I think that is a very good functional choice. Not really that unique when you consider field activities, potential mishaps, and carrying something you know you can depend on. Light is fine, but make it something that you like to use and are handy with it.

I am or was a big proponent of about a 5" fixed blade for outdoor carry and use. I consider the Kabar Becker Kephart and the Dozier ProGuide knives exceptional. I don't really use a knife in the outdoors that much and have been gradually down sizing to something I can edc and not even think about "which knife do I take" kind of considerations. I still really love the Kephart style knife quite a lot.

 

[halden.doerge]

I had to shed a bit of gear during a pretty brutal hike recently thru steep country. I just felt very restricted and over burdened and didn't think I was going to make it out. Something I just never would have thought possible as a younger man.

What is your lightest weight knife or knife combo to carry for deep hikes??

How do you mount or carry them?

I used to carry a lot more larger fixed blades as well, and have really stripped it down to some ultralight but capable small fixed blades and folders. Typically for me it's these:

Bradford Guardian3 is my fixed blade of choice, usually mounted on my pack strap vertically when hiking, put on the belt when around camp, scout carry style.

Benchmade Bugout is my ultralight folder, always in the pocket. Best amount of cutting edge you can get for under 2oz.

And then, inevitably I also alway have a Victorinox Cadet or Classic on me somewhere.

I've honestly never needed more than these for any of my cutting tasks in the backcountry.

 

[comis]

I think that is a very good functional choice. Not really that unique when you consider field activities, potential mishaps, and carrying something you know you can depend on. Light is fine, but make it something that you like to use and are handy with it.

I am or was a big proponent of about a 5" fixed blade for outdoor carry and use. I consider the Kabar Becker Kephart and the Dozier ProGuide knives exceptional. I don't really use a knife in the outdoors that much and have been gradually down sizing to something I can edc and not even think about "which knife do I take" kind of considerations. I still really love the Kephart style knife quite a lot.

Another big fan here for the BK62, it put a smile on me the very first time I picked it up. Full tang, perfect balance, lightweight for its length, usable length at 5+", and probably the best production Kephart that's as historically accurate as possible, my search for perfect 5" outdoor knife is basically over with this knife.

 

[cbach8tw]

If you are going a distance and for a few days, I think a good medium fixed blade (3.5 to 5 inches blade length) paired with a small folder is a good idea. I like the look of the Classic, but to me, it should be the Tinker or Alox Pioneer or Farmer, etc. If just around camp or hitting a trail for a couple of hours, then the aforementioned SA would do fine. To me, glamping more, but still not too far from somewhere to get help if you get injured. I like the advice from the guide (Hurrul) with a group that a good fixed blade will come in handy while using the smaller knife for lighter jobs/tasks. Some of the better advice I have heard mentioned here is know your equipment....how to use it, how well it works, their limitations, etc. Then with that you can work on improving your skill sets.

 

[NelsonIII]

If I had to choose a "real" knife, I would choose a Fallkniven U2 or Spyderco Dragonfly 2. I have absolutely no illusions of needing to chop anything down and build a shelter as I would have one with me.

 

[DMD08]

ESEE Izula with the extended TKC handles. It went from a novelty to my preferred backpacking knife with the addition of the extended scales.

 

[joeldworkin307]

I carried an ESEE Izula and Leatherman combo for years as my backpacking knives and, as long as I had pot grips, could make it with one or the other.

 

[ArchVV]

I've gotten tangled up in blackberry vines in thick vegetation while doing archaeological surveys and I doubt a vic classic would help much in that situation.

I can attest to that. And a machete is all but useless too. I've actually freed myself from briar and yaupon with a Delica haha. I may have ptsd from shovel testing in Texas/Louisiana

 

[NapalmCheese]

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?)

Most of the time I strike out in snow conditions, I can build a snow shelter without a knife.

I can build other shelters without a knife.

I don't plan on building a shelter if I need to bivy.

WWUSOMTD (What Would Ueli Steck Or Mark Twight Do?)

Admittedly I later started carrying a small leatherman since the pliers made it easier to fix my crampons or bindings if needed.

 

[CSG]

Then the Classic SD is the knife for you!

 

[BitingSarcasm]

I may have ptsd from shovel testing in Texas/Louisiana

Post Traumatic Shovel Disorder?

 

[Hurrul]

I used to carry a lot more larger fixed blades as well, and have really stripped it down to some ultralight but capable small fixed blades and folders. Typically for me it's these:

Bradford Guardian3 is my fixed blade of choice, usually mounted on my pack strap vertically when hiking, put on the belt when around camp, scout carry style.

Benchmade Bugout is my ultralight folder, always in the pocket. Best amount of cutting edge you can get for under 2oz.

And then, inevitably I also alway have a Victorinox Cadet or Classic on me somewhere.

I've honestly never needed more than these for any of my cutting tasks in the backcountry.

The Guardian 3 definitely appeals to me. I have not picked one up yet, but it looks like a good, sturdy small fixed option. Recently, I did grab a Rainier Knives Fastpak - it's a made by the brother of the guy who owns Bradford knives.

It's thinner steel stock than the Bradford and has a lot of steel removed from the tang - it was designed partly for ultra-light travelers.

 

[Hurrul]

I've warmed up to some folding knives and if I were to go out with a single fixed blade, I might also carry this combo:

Opinels are featherweights with the beachwood handles and my #8 Gardener is not the smallest model, so one could go even smaller and lighter. I recently picked up a Spyderco Chaparral and might take it on a day hike along with my usual carry.

Personally, whether I am carrying fixed or folded, I like to have a pair of small pliers for stove, zipper, sewing repairs...more than scissors, so the leatherman squirt is always in my kit, day hike or multi-day.