Long distance backpacking......

Runsalone

Runsalone

Joined
Oct 22, 2003
Messages
1,150
....What knife do you need. Answer:not much! A few videos about long hiking trips and the tools needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpHCpR-U9Tk&feature=channel_page



Note this is a series about a specific tool use. Ultralite backpacking, not bushcraft or survival type uses. The set of tools I would choose for a hunting, backpacking, or survival type outing vary widely. Of course each individual must find what works for them and what level of confidence in their ability to do what needs done with the tools theyve chosen.

In long distance backpacking, ounces and pounds can be ultimate monkeys for some. Extra pounds can lead to injury and can limit your experience of the trip to a tireless slog , instead of a challenging adventure.


More to come in this series.;)
 
So far only watched the knife vid...do you have one on what you should carry knife-wise?
 
Rockywolf said:
I am enjoying watching your experiences. Thanks for taking the time to share them!
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Thanks for watching. all this video\picture stuff is a little weird and new for me, but my wife cant hear another knife/gun/hunting/fishing/hiking story.:D

Hopefully ill learn in the process to be more concise and entertaining. :o
 
I can't view vids at home or work but wanted to say agree with you 100% on counting ounces and the negative effect of weight over a distance.
 
Someday I'll learn, but until then I've shaving ounces elsewhere to accomodate carrying my 4-5" fixed blade.

You know me, I'm the guy with the Chopweiler who's using it to cut the handles off his toothbrushes to save those .2 ounces. lol

I'm with you on the paramilitary though. Fantastic knife and nice weight.
 
P.S. I posted these up on a backpacking forum and it seems to be sparking all sorts of whineyness.

It seems discussion on these internet forums is like interrogating a retard.... You might get some useful information but mostly its just crying and drool...

It seems less so here!:thumbup::D
 
Runsalone said:
P.S. I posted these up on a backpacking forum and it seems to be sparking all sorts of whineyness.

It seems discussion on these internet forums is like interrogating a retard.... You might get some useful information but mostly its just crying and drool...

It seems less so here!:thumbup::D
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Good stuff, Runsalone.

We were backpacking before backpacking was very popular here in the U.S. Back then (the 60's), one could carry a decent-sized fixed-blade on the trail (or around town) without attracting any notice whatsoever. Outdoor folks simply carried larger knives - simple enough (most of the large folders were not around in those days). Over the years as equipment and trail foods became more compact, lighter weight, and instant, basic survival tools just followed the trend since the 'need' versus the ounces and pounds became more disproportionate and obvious. At least this is one logical common view (or argument) on the subject with long-distance backpackers and hikers.

We have completed many of the longer trails (thousands of miles) around the globe with nothing but the smallest of cutlery (SAK's or the ilk). I can't honestly say that I ever 'needed' a fixed-blade knife on the longer trails since everything was pre-cut, pre-packaged, and ready to go. If fires were allowed in certain areas, we kept them small so a fixed-bladed knife was never needed there either. Though we ultra-light backpack these days, I find myself carrying a light weight fixed-blade more and more. On our last trip on the PCT, I carried a light weight "survival" knife that I was testing for a maker. The knife provided me with hours of entertainment, so the small extra burden was worth the trade-off in fun.

Yep, it is rare to see anything other than small folders or pocket knives on the long-distance, thru-hiker trails. And, most of these folks are not "knife people" or "knife enthusiasts". So I am aware of some of the responses or replies one might get on a backpacker forum. I didn't discuss cutlery at all on those forums when I participated knowing how trendy and stylish many of the backpackers have become. Many modern backpackers believe that equipment technology has replaced the need to possess solid, basic outdoor skills and its required tools. I don't buy into that, of course. :)
 
yeah, I love to backpack, but that is my grip, no one on the trails carry a decent fixed blade mainly because they don't know how to use one.
have you seen the tops pasayatan? It is the perfect large fixed blade for packing.
 
I like to carry a little bigger fixed blade (Bravo 1ish size and weight) for camping but no so much for need but because I enjoy playing with it. More for entertainment factor. I also think it would hold out well in a survivor situation which is a nice bonus:).

Overall though, with long trips of hiking, saving weight makes for a better trip:)
 
Thalestin said:
I like to carry a little bigger fixed blade (Bravo 1ish size and weight) for camping but no so much for need but because I enjoy playing with it. More for entertainment factor. I also think it would hold out well in a survivor situation which is a nice bonus:).

Overall though, with long trips of hiking, saving weight makes for a better trip:)
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Hard to argue with that:D
 
Beyond anything else you need to trust it. Theres nothing wrong with going light, but make sure you feel confident in it. The best knife for the job is the one that is able to do the job and your not afraid to use.
 
Can we get a link to the backpacking forum you posted on, I would like to see the whining.
 
Thats actually a pretty good forum for anyone interested in hiking. Theres just a couple of topics that tend to degenerate into pointlessness there and this is usually one of them.
 
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