Long distance backpacking......

[misanthropist]

Yeah, the whole ultralight thing seems to really polarize people!

I don't see the need to get worked up over the internet any more, so I must be getting old.

I consider UL hiking more of a "sport" than wilderness survival...I would be hesitant to go on big UL trips across uncharted wild lands for instance. But then most people go "heavy backpacking" on well-travelled trails where you could probably get by with an SAK classic, or nothing.

But I think that bothers a lot of people who like to feel like they need the gear because a) they paid for it and b) if you admit you don't need the gear then you also have to admit what you're doing isn't very hardcore.

On the other hand it's also true that if you head off on your own, the potential is always there for a survival situation, in which you would be happier if you had a solid knife.

So like everything else in the world, the real answer to the question, "who is right? the ultralighters or the heavyweighters?" is actually yes, if...and no, but...

 

[DutchV]

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.

Joe - got a link for that blade you mentioned? I can't find anything on it.

Thanks, Dutch

 

[misanthropist]

h ttp://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=105

I'm thinking this is the knife he is referring to?

 

[Bob W]

I read the first two pages of comments at that backpacking forum, and they seem to have the same variety of opinions as a decent "backpacking knife" post at BladeForums.

Opinels, great. SAKs, great. Small fixed blades, great. Small folder, great.

See, it's all good. :thumbup:

Like one of the posters at the other forum mentioned, I rarely ever use a knife when outdoors except to open food packs, pick splinters, and cut string. Still, it's one of the Ten Essentials for a reason.

And here's what I carry outdoors, fits me into the "ultralight fixed blade" fan club:

Runsalone, I didn't get a chance to watch your videos yet (I'm on DSL - Damn Slow Line), but I wonder if you've considered this knife before.

 

[Runsalone]

Im more of a scandi-grind fan myself, but that ag russel looks like it would work great! Lightweight fixed blade fan club? Ha youre the president with that thing Looks likes like it weighs about an ounce!:thumbup:

 

[Runsalone]

BTW the thread over at that "other forum" gets better, and weirder and then funnier.

 

[Bob W]

Looks likes like it weighs about an ounce!

Humph... not hardly. It's 0.8 oz.

 

[DutchV]

http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=105

I'm thinking this is the knife he is referring to?

Okay, that makes sense. That's a nice blade, and sort of a departure for TOPS. Of course, at that price, there's lots of options. I'd be talking to one of the custom makers on this board.

 

[misanthropist]

On that score I agree with you, Dutch! It's nice enough but at that price...there are plenty of nice options to consider.