Minimalist camping without a fixed blade

Camping is supposed to be fun. I packed a second bag, just for fixed blades. And fun.

fc1e735bd403f11ff74ef0c60daee995.jpg
 
Quality counts.
A quality folder like a Spyderco Military is more robust than a Mora. A quality small Survive Knives GSO is probably more robust still. Weight wise there really isn't enough in it for a big argument. A SAK is normally a back up and very capable but they do have limitations, I carry one most of the time.

It shouldn't be an either or argument.

An emergency whistle is worth its weight in gold, as is an old fashioned compass. Heck a proper water bottle and a cooking cup/pot goes a long way to worthy kit to carry. As does enough warm clothing and waterproofs or a tarp. My basic question when going off road is do I have enough for an unplanned night out?

I'm a huge fan of the Utility/combat knife, here are some I own:
IMGP7786.jpg


I do feel more confident when carry one but note how lighter built they are. Confident because it compliments the skills I have, without the skills why bother. Unless going deep into an adventure they are just not worth taking. In truth my tastes have changed and I am going for smaller and smaller. Some of that is because as I get older I am less adventurous. But also because more specialised tools are better, and a lot less work. I would never venture out without a good cutting tool, but it doesn't have to be big. As in previous posts specialisation is the key and big heavy, trying too hard, blades just don't do it for me.

For the big blade brigade tell me what a big blade can do that these can't:
IMGP7729.jpg

For a bit more robustness then these:
IMGP7747.jpg


Given time my SAK Huntsman can do it all too.
 
grogimus, you are missing a Skrama.
(Some nice blades in there picture, me thinks).

My dicking about in the woods pack:
IMGP7342.jpg
 
pinnah said:
Here's a list of essentials, without any listing of clothing, shelter, cooking or sleep system, which all are a part of the overall safety system.

I would invite critique

+ moleskin and nail clippers
Click to expand...

Nail clippers? You don't need those if you have a knife. ;)
Grams = ounces = pounds. :D
 
craytab said:
=tons!
Click to expand...

For sure!

But seriously, a bunch of things on his list are things I don't bother with, even though they could conceivably come in handy.
My first aid kit is some Band-Aids (for little nicks), some hand sanitizer, and a knife to cut parts of my shirt off if I need to make a splint or whatever.

My dad, on the other hand, brings a first aid kit that includes bandages meant for gunshot wounds and just about everything else...for a day-hike. :D
 
pinnah said:
Sure.

As a hiker/backpacker/skier, I see a knife as one part of a larger system. The system as a whole provides the safety, not just the knife on it's own.

Here's a list of essentials, without any listing of clothing, shelter, cooking or sleep system, which all are a part of the overall safety system.

I would invite critique and would invite others to post their approach to "minimalist camping without a fixed blade".

I have 3 organizing pouches that go on any trip in the woods, including day hikes, hunting and backpacking trips. I've tried, as much as possible to keep this kit to be the same regardless of season but not entirely. Some items are seasonal.

Here's my first aid kit.

1st Aid Kit by Pinnah, on Flickr

Contents:
+ toilet paper
+ moleskin and nail clippers
+ 1st aid cheat sheet, notebook and pen
+ wound kit
+ SAM splint
+ Imodium/antihistamine/rehydration salts/Lyme antibiotic

Here's my Emergency Kit. The brick. The Emberlit and saw only get carried on winter XC trips or on luxury camping trips where we plan on having a fire.
Emergency Kit by Pinnah, on Flickr

+ head lamp
+ tack cloth, spare lighter
+ compass
+ DMT sharpening stone
+ lighter fluid
+ spare PowerBar
+ cell phone & money clip
+ headnet (optional)
+ Emberlit stove (optional)
+ folding saw (optional)
+ Repair kit
- AAA batteries
- spare Svea fuel cap
- spare hip belt buckles
- duct tape
- heavy thread and straight needle
- fabric repair tape and curved upholstery needle



And here's my fanny pack, which I wear at the 12 o'clock position below my primary hip belt's buckle. Note the Squirt. Note also that the Mora Companion and Opinel 10 are roughly the same size. The knives are usually moved to a pack pocket and aren't carried in the fanny pack.

Fanny Pack by Pinnah, on Flickr
+ map
+ lighter
+ whistle
+ mini-tool
+ necklace light
+ sun screen
+ bug dope
+ ibuprofen
+ iodine
+ hand sanitizer
+ camera (optional)
+ knife
- Opinel #10 [2 oz]
- Mora [5 oz]
Click to expand...

Wow, my first aid gear is much greater than all of your gear combined.
 
pinnah said:
Sure.

As a hiker/backpacker/skier, I see a knife as one part of a larger system. The system as a whole provides the safety, not just the knife on it's own.

Here's a list of essentials, without any listing of clothing, shelter, cooking or sleep system, which all are a part of the overall safety system.

I would invite critique and would invite others to post their approach to "minimalist camping without a fixed blade".

I have 3 organizing pouches that go on any trip in the woods, including day hikes, hunting and backpacking trips. I've tried, as much as possible to keep this kit to be the same regardless of season but not entirely. Some items are seasonal.

Here's my first aid kit.

Contents:
+ toilet paper
+ moleskin and nail clippers
+ 1st aid cheat sheet, notebook and pen
+ wound kit
+ SAM splint
+ Imodium/antihistamine/rehydration salts/Lyme antibiotic

Here's my Emergency Kit. The brick. The Emberlit and saw only get carried on winter XC trips or on luxury camping trips where we plan on having a fire.

+ head lamp
+ tack cloth, spare lighter
+ compass
+ DMT sharpening stone
+ lighter fluid
+ spare PowerBar
+ cell phone & money clip
+ headnet (optional)
+ Emberlit stove (optional)
+ folding saw (optional)
+ Repair kit
- AAA batteries
- spare Svea fuel cap
- spare hip belt buckles
- duct tape
- heavy thread and straight needle
- fabric repair tape and curved upholstery needle



And here's my fanny pack, which I wear at the 12 o'clock position below my primary hip belt's buckle. Note the Squirt. Note also that the Mora Companion and Opinel 10 are roughly the same size. The knives are usually moved to a pack pocket and aren't carried in the fanny pack.

+ map
+ lighter
+ whistle
+ mini-tool
+ necklace light
+ sun screen
+ bug dope
+ ibuprofen
+ iodine
+ hand sanitizer
+ camera (optional)
+ knife
- Opinel #10 [2 oz]
- Mora [5 oz]
Click to expand...


Whao! :eek: Now just what in tarnation is this supposed to be, Pinnah? Care to explain yourself, sir?

TFoUsZ3.jpg


And kindly do tell why you need a fried computer hard drive when you're out in the sticks? (top right)
 
GREENJACKET said:
Quality counts.
A quality folder like a Spyderco Military is more robust than a Mora. A quality small Survive Knives GSO is probably more robust still. Weight wise there really isn't enough in it for a big argument. A SAK is normally a back up and very capable but they do have limitations, I carry one most of the time.

It shouldn't be an either or argument.

An emergency whistle is worth its weight in gold, as is an old fashioned compass. Heck a proper water bottle and a cooking cup/pot goes a long way to worthy kit to carry. As does enough warm clothing and waterproofs or a tarp. My basic question when going off road is do I have enough for an unplanned night out?

I'm a huge fan of the Utility/combat knife, here are some I own:
IMGP7786.jpg


I do feel more confident when carry one but note how lighter built they are. Confident because it compliments the skills I have, without the skills why bother. Unless going deep into an adventure they are just not worth taking. In truth my tastes have changed and I am going for smaller and smaller. Some of that is because as I get older I am less adventurous. But also because more specialised tools are better, and a lot less work. I would never venture out without a good cutting tool, but it doesn't have to be big. As in previous posts specialisation is the key and big heavy, trying too hard, blades just don't do it for me.

For the big blade brigade tell me what a big blade can do that these can't:
IMGP7729.jpg

For a bit more robustness then these:
IMGP7747.jpg


Given time my SAK Huntsman can do it all too.
Click to expand...

Do you have any data showing that a Spyderco is stronger than a Mora? That feels hard for me to believe. Moras are low price, but I wouldn't call them low quality. I just don't see how even a partial tang fixed blade could be weaker than a folder. I'm willing to learn/be wrong on this. I just haven't seen anyone else make this comment before, and figured I'd ask.

I'm not really part of the big blade brigade (I don't hike with one, but they can be useful car camping), but I think you may have hit on some of the reasons some people like them. A sak with a saw can do many tasks, but slower than a larger blade. In a "shelter building" situation, I imagine a machete/BK9 sized tool would chop ridgepoles/roofing material much faster. But, the SAK still can do it. Just takes more time. So... I think the answer is probably more along the lines of "there isn't anything that a big blade can do that a combination of smaller tools couldn't, it just will take more time/skill".

I think to answer the original question again, is "can" you camp without a fixed blade? Yes, of course you "can". In some areas that might be more reasonable to expect, while others it probably isn't super feasible. The whole other question is "should", which I can only answer for myself. I'll take the weight penalty that comes from carrying a Mora, over an Opinel most times I head out, because I know if push comes to shove, that I "can" make to do to make shelter, fire, tools, etc.
 
As mentioned, most of us camp for fun. We don't need to do it. So, we often will bring along knife toys we enjoy and that might be a fixed blade, a folding saw, folding knives, large chopper knives, machetes, and so forth. We do it because we WANT to and often not because we NEED to.
 
The less expensive Moras are let down by the handle material not being robust enough to hold the partial tang. I have and had a few Moras over the years. The blades are quite robust, but I've broken the handles off more than once. The short tang is a bind to fix a handle to once loose.
I've yet to break a Spyderco.

Part is mentality, as Moras are inexpensive I treat them badly. They are replaceable. Fine for around the homestead but I prefer something of a higher build quality when venturing further.

I do have a problem with the BK9, Junglas, large Busse class blades. The oversized slab knives. (What is the right term for these?). Two parts: one they are fine for the truck but too heavy for their own good for carrying distance on foot. Second: they really aren't particularly good being overbuilt the way they are. Poor at chopping compared to an axe. Not enough reach compared to a Machete. To heavy to slash for any length of time. Heavy so have no dexterity in the hand. To get that strong edge they are poor cutters even when sharp having little bite. On springy stuff they are horrid as they can't make the verlocity to catch the cut. Once committed to the chop hard to stop. A strong knife doesn't need to have that much metal.

I prefer the utility/combat class that at least is less compromised.
 
GREENJACKET said:
.

I do have a problem with the BK9, Junglas, large Busse class blades. The oversized slab knives. (What is the right term for these?). Two parts: one they are fine for the truck but too heavy for their own good for carrying distance on foot. Second: they really aren't particularly good being overbuilt the way they are. Poor at chopping compared to an axe. Not enough reach compared to a Machete. To heavy to slash for any length of time. Heavy so have no dexterity in the hand. To get that strong edge they are poor cutters even when sharp having little bite. On springy stuff they are horrid as they can't make the verlocity to catch the cut. Once committed to the chop hard to stop.
Click to expand...

Just measured the Junglas; 0.045" behind the edge, which ain't extremely thick.

I have no trouble carrying them for miles...certainly not a "truck knife", as I don't even own a car.

I find it cuts springy green vegetation quite easily, but that may just be testament to my greatness. ;)
I don't find stopping it during a committed chop to be difficult either...but that may just be further testament to my greatness. :D

I was able to use it for more than 7 hours of continuous work after requiring multiple muscle relaxers to even become able to stand upright (the joys of back spasms that bend you in half; yay!), so I can't see how it is too heavy to slash with for an extended period of time (unless I just have superhuman strength...I could accept that verdict :) ).

Wasn't too heavy to be used dextrously enough that I didn't even use my pocket knife on some occasions.
That could be due to my Hulk-like status that was just established though, who knows. ;)

So yeah, either I have latent super-powers that only pertain to the use of knives, or the Junglas at least is not embodying the characteristics you ascribe to it.
 
Maybe the Junglas is a medium blade in your hands. Its too much of a good thing for most people. It may well get the job done but not in the most efficient way.
At 2.2lbs with kydex sheath thats a specialised tool not a belt knife. Equal to a GB Small Forest Axe. That weight there are a lot of other things you could carry, lot of other cutting tools.
 
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