Minimalist camping without a fixed blade

[Revolverrodger]

'I won't carry a knife since it might indispose people I meet on the trail'
Are you guys sure you are Americans ? Sounds like something they would say in the UK...

I aways bring a knife while hiking... it always comes in handy

 

[shinyedges]

'I won't carry a knife since it might indispose people I meet on the trail'
Are you guys sure you are Americans ? Sounds like something they would say in the UK...

I aways bring a knife while hiking... it always comes in handy

Agreed.

 

[Someonejo]

I when I was a kid always had a fixed blade on me. I have started carrying a fixed blade edc in the last 4 months on me I also have a ratmandu in my backpack. That being said, I wouldn't go with anything less!

 

[kalan850]

Very strong opinions I see... I'm a knife nut as well and enjoy both folders and fixed blades. My last camp trip i grabbed for my folder more often than the fixed blade even though I carried the fixed on my belt the entire time. might have been out of habit. But I did notice the smaller blade from the folder did better for fishing and all my detail work.That being said I think having a mora in my pack would be my best option. Small, light weight, comfortable, and convenient.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Quiet]

'I won't carry a knife since it might indispose people I meet on the trail'
Are you guys sure you are Americans ? Sounds like something they would say in the UK...

I aways bring a knife while hiking... it always comes in handy

Trust me, that's an actual thing that was said at one point...here on a forum dedicated to the discussion of knives.

 

[mec003]

When I was a kid I would usually have only a SAK or maybe a buck 110.
Now, I mostly take a fixed blade because I enjoy it. I'm not usually without one. I frequently edc an izula and I keep a mora in the car. Neither weigh that much. So I'm not sure why I wouldn't bring a fixed blade.

That said, I'm on the Maryland-Pennsylvania line and there isn't much that my endura or rat1 couldn't handle. Wood is pretty abundant and doesn't require a lot of processing.

I would personally rather carry the extra weight and have the fixed blade.

 

[supertac916]

I don't get out into the woods enough and have too many fixed blades laying around, so not bringing a few with me to play with would be a criminal act on my part

 

[supertac916]

'I won't carry a knife since it might indispose people I meet on the trail'
Are you guys sure you are Americans ? Sounds like something they would say in the UK...

I aways bring a knife while hiking... it always comes in handy

That's what I was thinking, but I live in California, so I rarely see fixed blades on hikers or backpackers. I always carry a either a GSO 4.1 or 5.1, along with a firearm on my hip. I usually keep the firearm concealed, so as not to indispose anyone, but fixed blades here must be carry exposed. I've never had any issues with people that I've noticed.

 

[BD_01]

When I camp, it's almost always backpacking, and I've carried a part serrated SOG Flash II for the last several years. Never needed more than that. This past year I decided to permanently keep a backup Delica in a small survival kit that always stays in my pack. Almost no weight penalty for that.

I'm forced to go light due to arthritis, so weight is a big deal for me. A fixed blade on my belt would probably interfere with my pack's hip straps too. Most places I go don't allow open fires in the backcountry, so fuel prep is not an issue.

 

[pinnah]

That guy shiny thinks a squirt and opinel can do everything under any circumstances, I was just setting him straight lol

Dude... I don't mind disagreement. I can live with vigorous disagreement.

But I would ask that you not make up things and then claim I said them. I never said a Squirt and Opinel can "do everything under any circumstances". Really.... Please stop making stuff up like this. If you want to disagree with me, fine. Then be honest enough to disagree with what I've actually written instead of erecting a strawman that I didn't say.

Just so you can shoot at the right target, what I've said repeatedly is that one doesn't need any more knife for safe travel in the backcountry than a Squirt or a Classic. I've repeatedly noted that my Opinel gets carried strictly as luxury item as I prefer it for food prep.


Can you describe a circumstance in which a fixed blade (or large folder) is truly needed?

As you consider your answer, remember we're talking about ultra light camping. Fires and shelter building are not needed when carrying common backpacking/camping gear, including in the shoulder seasons and in the winter. This is demonstrated routinely every winter as thousands and thousands of people head into places where fires are either forbidden or impractical. They often face unplanned challenges and work around them relying stoves, tents/tarps and clothing. One can travel safely in the backcountry without a fixed blade (or large folder), even in winter. It happens all the time.

For the record, I almost always carry at least my Opinel as a luxury item because I simply enjoy having it with me and that alone is good enough reason to carry it. If people want to carry their Busse broad sword, it's no skin off my nose so long as I don't have to deal with ravaged woods and don't have to deal with a rescue of a worn out hiker who carried too much weight.

And for the record, I sometimes carry a fixed blade when I'm going on a trip where I plan on making fires because it's both legal and reasonable to do so. My wife and I went out a few weeks ago and took the dog and I took a fixed blade and folding saw to maintain a fire. Still burning off old dead fall left behind from a hurricane that left lots of junk along the rivers.

If a fixed blade makes you happy, carry it.

 

[craytab]

Can you describe a circumstance in which a fixed blade (or large folder) is truly needed?

This is general knife discussion on a knife forum not an UL backpacking section of a hiking forum. We like to carry and use our knives here. If you want to keep arguing against carrying and using knives perhaps another venue would be better suited.

Just a friendly suggestion

 

[shinyedges]

Dude... I don't mind disagreement. I can live with vigorous disagreement.

But I would ask that you not make up things and then claim I said them. I never said a Squirt and Opinel can "do everything under any circumstances". Really.... Please stop making stuff up like this. If you want to disagree with me, fine. Then be honest enough to disagree with what I've actually written instead of erecting a strawman that I didn't say.

Just so you can shoot at the right target, what I've said repeatedly is that one doesn't need any more knife for safe travel in the backcountry than a Squirt or a Classic. I've repeatedly noted that my Opinel gets carried strictly as luxury item as I prefer it for food prep.


Can you describe a circumstance in which a fixed blade (or large folder) is truly needed?

As you consider your answer, remember we're talking about ultra light camping. Fires and shelter building are not needed when carrying common backpacking/camping gear, including in the shoulder seasons and in the winter. This is demonstrated routinely every winter as thousands and thousands of people head into places where fires are either forbidden or impractical. They often face unplanned challenges and work around them relying stoves, tents/tarps and clothing. One can travel safely in the backcountry without a fixed blade (or large folder), even in winter. It happens all the time.

For the record, I almost always carry at least my Opinel as a luxury item because I simply enjoy having it with me and that alone is good enough reason to carry it. If people want to carry their Busse broad sword, it's no skin off my nose so long as I don't have to deal with ravaged woods and don't have to deal with a rescue of a worn out hiker who carried too much weight.

And for the record, I sometimes carry a fixed blade when I'm going on a trip where I plan on making fires because it's both legal and reasonable to do so. My wife and I went out a few weeks ago and took the dog and I took a fixed blade and folding saw to maintain a fire. Still burning off old dead fall left behind from a hurricane that left lots of junk along the rivers.

If a fixed blade makes you happy, carry it.

We've been round and round this before. I never mentioned your name did I? Did I quote you? No I didn't. I have you on ignore so I don't even see your posts.

Your narrow minded opinions that you assert should apply to other people, are annoying and out of place on a knife forum.

You don't think people should carry large flashlights, knives, or basically anything else. Frankly I'm disgusted and confused at your irrational fear of everything.

Good luck with your squirt.

 

[Nixelplix]

If you really want to minimalist camp you will knap your own tools wherever you are camping.

 

[sampsa]

I take leuku on some other effective puukko with me when I´m going camping. Got my first puukko when I was 5 year old, my father bring it to me from Lapland which is cradle of leuku and puukko here in Finland. Still have that first one:love_heart:
Never going minimalist when it comes to knifes.

 

[pinnah]

This is general knife discussion on a knife forum not an UL backpacking section of a hiking forum. We like to carry and use our knives here. If you want to keep arguing against carrying and using knives perhaps another venue would be better suited.

Just a friendly suggestion

This is a thread that specifically asks about "Minimalist camping without a fixed blade".

A general forum includes ultra light multi tools and small folder, not just large fixed blades that suit your particular fancy.

If you or anybody else want to keep hijacking threads like this to discuss only knives they want to talk about, perhaps we should consult the mods.

Nobody, including me, is arguing against large fixed blades or fixed blades in general. I carry them in the backcountry when the mood suits me or when they are useful for a particular goal. I've said this repeatedly.

All I've said really is that fixed blades are optional. They are not needed. This is a General knife reality forum, not a knife fantasy echo chamber forum. To insist they are needed in the backcountry is fantasy. It's a choice. This doesn't denigrate the choice in any way. If you or anybody else gets happy by carrying one, go for it. I do sometimes too. But I don't need to self-justify a luxury choice as a need and I'm sure as shooting not going to tell the OP that they need one because that's simply not true.

The OP asked about "Minimalist camping without a fixed blade". If you feel the thread doesn't belong in the General forum, report it to the mods and ask them to move it the Outdoors forum. Otherwise, let the thread carry on without trying to hijack it.

 

[marcinek]

If people want to carry their Busse broad sword, it's no skin off my nose so long as I don't have to deal with ravaged woods and don't have to deal with a rescue of a worn out hiker who carried too much weight.

Anybody who has been here a while knows your response to just about any knife question is to post a dewy pic of your Opinel and Squirt placed on a pine tree. And while some might find that often annoying and off topic, it most certainly is your prerogative to do so. Its a free country.

But, your continuing thinly veiled implications that anyone who carries a fixed blade in the woods is, de facto, a bumbling clod tearing up the woods without "knowledge and judgement" waiting for you to save them is moving from opinion to insulting.

I said it before and will say it again...What blade or blades one carries in the woods has nothing to do with their skill set.

You keep saying the same thing....except with "...as long as it's the same setup as I carry." at the end. :thumbdn:

 

[herisson]

Even at home, I prefer a fixed blade over a folder, anytime. So... imagine in the woods ! I would have at least two : a necker or a fixed pocket knife and a substantial belt knife or small machete. Going out into nature without at least one knife makes me shake my head. Not that there is anything wrong about this... I can and do shake my head often. More and more often, actually.

 

[Skidoosh]

Most of the time when I camp I don't process wood so I have not found a fixed blade useful. I enjoy them, just don't have a need.

 

[pinnah]

But, your continuing thinly veiled implications that anyone who carries a fixed blade in the woods is, de facto, a bumbling clod tearing up the woods without "knowledge and judgement" waiting for you to save them is moving from opinion to insulting.

I've said no such thing. Please stop putting words in my mouth so you can argue against them. You're doing it intentionally (assuming you have basic reading comprehension skills).

I carry a fixed blade in the woods sometimes. Got it? I'm not against fixed blades in the woods. Got it?

If you want to disagree with me, let me make the statements very clear so you can disagree with me honestly based on what I've actually said.

Fixed blades are necessary for safe backcountry travel.

Harvesting wood and burning fires in places where it is illegal or unsustainable damages the backcountry for others.

If you want points to disagree with, you are free to voice your disagreement with those statements.

I said it before and will say it again...What blade or blades one carries in the woods has nothing to do with their skill set.

Nobody is arguing that point.

But, people who insist that fixed blades are required for safe backcountry travel are mistaken and display a lack of knowledge. Really, this is pretty basic knowledge.

You keep saying the same thing....except with "...as long as it's the same setup as I carry." at the end. :thumbdn:

Again, please stop putting words into my mouth. I've said repeatedly that people should carry what makes them happy. Yes, I've said what works for me. But nowhere have I ever said people should carry what I do. Not once. You can't find it because I've not written it. I assume you understand this, so why do you keep putting words in my mouth?

 

[marcinek]

All I've said really is that fixed blades are optional. They are not needed. This is a General knife reality forum, not a knife fantasy echo chamber forum. To insist they are needed in the backcountry is fantasy. It's a choice. This doesn't denigrate the choice in any way.

Precisely my point once again.

"They are optional." OK that's a opinion, and one that I happen to agree with....

"This is a General knife reality forum, not a knife fantasy echo chamber forum. To insist they are needed in the backcountry is fantasy." Any one of a different opinion is a mindless fantacist merely parroting others around him. Well no...that a little different.

"It's a choice." OK that's a opinion, and one that I happen to agree with....

You know, if you sandwich an insult between two opinions, it doesn't make the insult go away. (Just as carrying a small folder doesn't make one an outdoors expert.)

For Nessmuk's sakes if you think people who don't use the same set up as you are clueless, at least don't be disingenuous about it. That would be far less bothersome, IMO.