looking for a light (but durable) fixed blade for backpacking

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mtwarden

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Sep 27, 2009
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Hi- looking for a light (~ 2 oz or lighter) fixed blade for backpacking- I'm moving to a small wood stove (from a canister stove) and will need something more sturdy than my current Swiss Army classic

at 2 oz I'm certainly not looking for axe sturdy :), but something that could handle some wood duty

thanks in advance
 
2 oz? Really? Sorry you won't find it. For your needs I suggest a 3.5 or 4" blade of 1/8" stock. I checked several of mine and they range from 5-6 oz. 2 Oz is less then neck knife territory. Its less than a SAK. You'll have to allow more weight than that.

On good 4", 1/8" blades. I recommend contacting Bryan Breeden about his CUB knife. JK about his Kephart. Or if you want to go lighter still, contact Koyote about a 4" 3/32" blade which will get you in the 4oz territory.

Production - I recommend RC-4 (6.5 oz blade only), Bark River EDC-Seax or Fox River models, Falkniven F1, Mora 2000.
 
I'm thinking more in the 2.5-3" range- small

the Falkniven WM1 is 2.5 oz so I'd certainly consider it- the women thing doesn't bother me :)

the RAT Izula is in the 2.0 oz-ish range

the Simonich Bitteroot is really small (just under 2"), but it could possibly be up to the duty??????

as far as cost, like most folks I'd rather not spend a ton, but I'd certainly entertain any quality knife that would fit the bill
 
mtwarden said:
I'm thinking more in the 2.5-3" range- small

the Falkniven WM1 is 2.5 oz so I'd certainly consider it- the women thing doesn't bother me :)

the RAT Izula is in the 2.0 oz-ish range

the Simonich Bitteroot is really small (just under 2"), but it could possibly be up to the duty??????

as far as cost, like most folks I'd rather not spend a ton, but I'd certainly entertain any quality knife that would fit the bill
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I got a Benchmade Rant which is 4.5", but is extremely light for it's size. I'd recommend checking it out in person if you can. I it much lighter than my RC4, half the weight maybe. I really like it. Weighs 6 ounces too, which isn't too much, but may be more than you'd like.
 
mtwarden said:
Hi- looking for a light (~ 2 oz or lighter) fixed blade for backpacking- I'm moving to a small wood stove (from a canister stove) and will need something more sturdy than my current Swiss Army classic

at 2 oz I'm certainly not looking for axe sturdy :), but something that could handle some wood duty

thanks in advance
Click to expand...

I believe the Kershaw Skyline weighs in at 2.3 ounces, about $35 (for the Sandvik 14C28N steel model), 3 1/8 blade, and it's made in the U.S.A.
 
Amaranth said:
I believe the Kershaw Skyline weighs in at 2.3 ounces, about $35 (for the Sandvik 14C28N steel model), 3 1/8 blade, and it's made in the U.S.A.
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He said fixed blade man.

What kind of things will you be doing with the knife?
 
the buck looks interesting, it's just under 2 oz

I'd really like to the keep the weight down if all possible

there are a few "trout and bird" knives that are in the 2 oz range, but I'm assuming that they might be a little less on the sturdy side (would be great for cleaning high mountain cutthroats though :)) ?????????????
 
Eazy_tom said:
He said fixed blade man.

What kind of things will you be doing with the knife?
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cutting small branches, probably some splitting (again smaller stuff), general utility and cleaning fish

I guess most of my concern is w/ the wood work end of things
 
I have a Mora #1 (laminated) and also Kolstal Mora 612 in high carbon that on my kitchen scales come in ~2oz with that dinky plastic sheath - although it's listed as 3oz. Very good steel and cheap enough that if you're unhappy with it it won't matter. It's a hidden tang design but you should be able to whittle and baton with it fine - just don't use it for prying.
 
Check out the AG Russell deer hunter (4", 3.4oz), bird & trout (3", 1.9oz), or hunter's scalpel (2-1/2", 0.5oz)

agrussellknives.com

AGBT-8A.jpg


bird & trout
 
Mora Clippers can take a fair amount of use for $10. Noss' test shows that under normal use, it will not fail you.
 
mtwarden said:
I'm thinking more in the 2.5-3" range- small

the Falkniven WM1 is 2.5 oz so I'd certainly consider it- the women thing doesn't bother me :)

the RAT Izula is in the 2.0 oz-ish range

the Simonich Bitteroot is really small (just under 2"), but it could possibly be up to the duty??????

as far as cost, like most folks I'd rather not spend a ton, but I'd certainly entertain any quality knife that would fit the bill
Click to expand...

the HEST is another RAT knife, 3 inch blade extremely low profile, allaround a nice small package. The Becker Necker is probably the most blade for the smallest amount of dough, and it's a small one too.
 
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