Lightweight Backpacking Knife (Folder or Fixed)

[QUOTE="Bolstermanice] LW S...Manixis just 2.8 oz..../QUOTE]

And the Spyderco Pacífico Salt 2 is even ligther... And gives you as much Blade.

Mikel
 
Pilsner said:
OP, I reckon if what you are after is ultra-light then the Grip is very hard to beat, in all honesty. I do similar length walks in a day, but can’t recommend anything as light as the Grip. I happily take along a slightly more robust folder or fixed blade, but that’s just me. Given that you are shaving ounces, I would say just go for it. :thumbsup:
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I thought the Griptilian was a great idea. Great combination of light and strong. And now with standard s30v.

What would you take besides the Griptilian? And I ask as one who thinks 1-2 oz in knife weight makes no difference when looking for a strong cutter.

I think the Ultimate Hunter at 4.9 oz is an outstanding outdoor knife. And the Recon1 at 5.3 oz is "enough" knife for almost anything. But maybe those are too heavy for some. However, strength to weight ratio for those two knives is exceptional.
 
A mora companion is lightweight and will be all you ever need backpacking, even in the worst of situations.
 
Backpacking is a coin with two sides. If you plan the trip well and everything comes up heads (say, 90+% of the time?) you hardly need a knife at all. But if your planning, orienteering, weather, or luck comes up tails, as it does once in awhile, then suddenly you're in a survival situation and a knife can be as important as your shoes or your down jacket. In UL backpacking there is a phrase: "Don't be stupid light." On that note, a full-tang fixed blade is usually recommended over a folder. Most of the time I could do just fine with my Spyderco Bradley Air folder @ 1.4 oz with a 2.4" blade of CPM M4. But it's the times the coin lands tails that make me want a 3.5" fixed blade full tang. Currently I choose between a D2 D'Eskabar and a "naked" White River M1, but in the market for a 3.5" lightweight blade.

Bolster-Backpack-Knives.jpg
 
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Hultafors ok4. Is kind of a staunch mora.

Swiss Army knives are about the best food prep folder if you are concerned about keeping the knife clean.

And it doesn't rust much. So you can wash it and throw it back in your pocket.

I use the picnicker mostly and that has a large lock blade.
 
wacki said:
I'm looking for a lightweight knife (I don't care folder or fixed) that's great for long hikes. Think 20 miles a day carrying food & water.

I'm shaving ounces but don't want a wimpy blade that will break or is too small to be useful.

Current Carry:

Kershaw Blur
  • Weight: 3.9 oz.
  • Blade Length: 3.4 in. (8.6 cm)
  • Blade Steel: (I've got like 5 different steels of this model)

I'm eyeballing:

Benchmade 535 Bugout
  • Blade Steel: CPMS30V (58-60 HRC)
  • Blade Length: 3.24" (8.23cm)
  • Weight: 1.85oz. (52.45g)

That's 2 ounces lighter and almost the same blade length.

Any other suggestions? I can go fixed blade as well.
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20 miles a day are 'big miles' in the mountain, and if I were doing it myself, I'd seriously reconsider what I would bring and what do I need it for on a trip like that. Probably I will just bring Victorinox 84mm Bantam or Recruit, which both weights under 2oz, and have multiple functions to help fix gears/open cans/bottle etc. From reading online, I knew some of the most famous thru hikers sometimes would only bring a Victorinox classic to cut weight for a thru hike(literally hundreds, if not thousands of miles per trip).
 
For me, I’m plenty happy with my Cold Steel Recon Tanto. Not the lightest knife in this thread, but the weight-to-performance ratio is great.
 
wacki said:
Great knife but at 5.4 ounces sans sheath it's not a lightweight backpacker.
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I think "lightweight" is relative and depends on the user. Knives such as the F1 which use a synthetic handle material over a stick tang are inherently lighter than equivalents with a full tang and wood or micarta scales. For example the full tang 3G F1 with micarta weighs in at 6.9oz.
A Bark River Bravo-1 is 7.37oz. In fact my heaviest folder a Benchmade 275 Adamas is 7.7oz.
I consider that for that size/blade length fixed blade, the F1 is absolutely a "lightweight backpacker". And the rather simple zytel sheath it comes with weighs literally nothing.
 
The older I get, the less weight I want to carry.


Currently if I am living out of backpack I carry a White River Backpacker and a SAK. I like the simplicity of a fixed blade and the versatility of the SAK.
 
I dont usually reread old threads but some one liked my old post so I went back a reread all..
There are some excellent suggestions and lots of versatility too.. Choices abound!!
I think I would go will some kind of SAK and the Opinel No.8 I first posted.. Although a Mora is lite too so I might add one and subtract another!!??!!:p
John
 
My BK14 with the original grivory scales is 3,6oz or 103grams.

BK14weight.jpg

That knife will cut, slice, pry, butcher, whittle, baton without any complaints...
The blade length and the versatile blade shape are just very effective, while the scales are comfortable to work with it for a longer period of time without any hotspots.
It's made of the 1095 steel - easy to maintain even on a hike:)

I hike with bigger and heavier blades, (the 14 is still on me) but just because i like it, not because I need it...
 
Wasty said:
My BK14 with the original grivory scales is 3,6oz or 103grams....That knife will cut, slice, pry, butcher, whittle, baton without any complaints...It's made of the 1095 steel - easy to maintain even on a hike:)
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A compelling option. Question: do you prefer a non-stainless blade for a long hike, and if so, why? Do you carry sandpaper for sharpening or...?

I don't mind a skeletonized handle; on past trips I've just wrapped my bandana or cordage around a skeletonized handle for extended use.
 
Bolstermanic said:
A compelling option. Question: do you prefer a non-stainless blade for a long hike, and if so, why? Do you carry sandpaper for sharpening or...?

I don't mind a skeletonized handle; on past trips I've just wrapped my bandana or cordage around a skeletonized handle for extended use.
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Well, I have that small Victorinox sharpening stone with me, so it's easy to maintain the edge. However, in a pinch, you can use the edge of your car window or the sandpaper on a pack of matches... As the blade is used quite often, I don't need stainless.. After use I wipe it dry or if I have cut a salami, wipe it off and it's good to go.
When using it for longer (whittling or else) I like the extra hand fill the scales give me.
 
Couple years into this thread, and I still like the Bugout for a folder.

Fixed lately is a White River Knucklehead, actually lighter than the Bugout. Funky little unit, but awesome cutter.
 
Velitrius said:
Fixed lately is a White River Knucklehead, actually lighter than the Bugout. Funky little unit, but awesome cutter.
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This one is on my radar. Would love to hear more about it. How is it held? Ever tempted to grasp it without putting index finger in ring? Could index slide forward onto blade? Does bottle opener dig into a finger or is that last ring not for a finger? But 1.7oz, wow.

View: https://www.whiteriverknives.com/collections/knucklehead/products/knucklehead-ii
 
Bolstermanic said:
This one is on my radar. Would love to hear more about it. How is it held? Ever tempted to grasp it without putting index finger in ring? Could index slide forward onto blade? Does bottle opener dig into a finger or is that last ring not for a finger? But 1.7oz, wow.
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I have never been tempted to hold it without putting my index finger in the ring... but I tried it just now since you asked...

I'll just say no, I won't be tempted in the future either. The grip is just so natural and secure using the ring. Your index finger rests naturally in there, your middle finger drops into the little choil behind the ring and your thumb rests on the spine jimping with good grip without being annoyingly sharp or aggressive.

Your fingers aren't going anywhere near the blade once you are gripping it.

That last ring is a bottle opener, no fingers go in it. It makes the back of the knife fit nicely in the palm.

And it's a legit opener. I drink micro-brews exclusively and appreciate an opener that actually works.

I got the Knucklehead I which is chisel ground, which works excellent for mushrooming. If I get another one it will be the Knucklehead II which has a standard grind.

And yeah, the 1.7 ounce weight deserves a "wow". This thing disappears on you, and similarly when I put it in a Maxpedition gear pouch it doesn't take up any room and doesn't add any weight to the pouch.

It punches way above its weight, and it really isn't all that expensive. I say grab one!
 
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