Multi-day Backpackers: What fixed blade do you carry?

comoha

comoha

Joined
Jan 12, 2006
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This one is just for those who stay out on the trail for multiple days. A few years ago I came to the realization that a carrying just a lockback or just a SAK wasn't doing it for me. For food prep and misc. camp chores a small fixed blade (I prefer around 3-4" blade) can't be beat. Plus cleaning peanut butter and other food out of a folder is a pain. Since having back surgery some time ago I've been really trying to pare down my pack weight, so knife size/weight is a strong consideration for me. I've messed around with lots of choices. Busse GW's and AD's are cool, and built like tanks. Unfortunately they weigh as much as one. Great for end of the world scenarios, but carrying one 40 miles...:rolleyes: At one time I thought neckers were the way to go. For weight they really work. It's just the handle ergos that I didn't care for.

For those who are trying to be conscious of their pack weight, what do you carry and why? What are the specs of the blade and what jobs do you find yourself doing with it?

Also would love to hear from any who have done the long trails (Appalachian, Continental Divide, etc.)

Thanks!
 
Not sure how heavy duty you need the knife to be. I've hiked with folks who used the http://www.agrussell.com/a-g-russell-bird-and-trout-with-vg-10-blade/p/AGBThhhVG10/ as a camp chore type knife. 3 inch blade, vg10 steel (others available), and 1.9 oz. The sheath is servicable but I'd get Kydex myself.

ps. Never done any long trails. Most of my vacations are 1 week in length, so I'm usually 2 days in and then 2 days out.

edit: These might be a little more heavy duty..

http://www.agrussell.com/a-g-russell-deer-hunter-with-d2-blade/p/AGDHhhhD2/
 
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Well, I've backpacked the Pennines twice (that's a wimpy little 250 mile walk in the UK) and carried an Al Mar pathfinder (14" recurve double-edged heavy combat machete), a 6" basic sheath knife, a big SAK, folding saw and a geology pick/hammer.

Rucksack weighed in at around 70 pounds, before adding interesting rock samples.

And yes, the pathfinder did get used, for firewood, clearing a couple of impromptu campsites from waist-to-chest high undergrowth, and making me feel better when strange things came wandering around my tent at night (usually turned out to be sheep, but once it was cows!)
 
Always a SAK Huntsman Plus in the pocket.

For a fixed blade, a BRKT Snowy River with a bamboo handle: plenty of blade for anything needed, and light as a feather! :thumbup:
 
I usually carry my R-10 from HI. It is a 5 inch blade (reaches clear to the bottom of peanut butter jars) without being too heavy. I have a custom being made by Koyote knives that is more to my personal preferences which will be lighter. It is a modification of his wilderness no. 1 pattern. This size is about ideal even if I had to use it for shelter building etc.
 
For what it's worth, what I carry depends pretty much on my mood and where I'm going. Busse's Game Wardens are nice blades, but my puukkos and Fällkniven F1 and A1 get more carry time. And then there's the really large knives... I don't really mind the weight at all, but then, I've done a lot of walking in my life, and the army around here will teach you to not mind too much whether your knife weighs 100 grams or 600. But for an obvious choice in terms of being dirt cheap, easy to replace, decently durable in regular use, light of weight, a decent cutter and easy as they come to clean, why not try one of the stainless Moras.
 
On Thursday I returned from an 8-day backpack that started in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, southeast of Yosemite. I carried a 4" Dozier fixed blade with a clip point, in a kydex sheath. D2 steel, needless to say. Worked great for food prep, wood shavings, and general cutting chores. However, when I had to split some wood I would have preferred a slightly longer blade that was thicker all the way to the tip. I'd be more comfortable batoning it.

My folder was a SAK Rucksack. One of my partners had a Silky Pocketboy 170 saw.

DancesWithKnives
 
I used to take a RAT-3 on backpacking trips, but now I carry a 4" fixed blade. It weighs a little bit more, but the extra 1" is worth it to me.

sparky6.jpg
 
I carry a RAT RC-4. Enough blade to do anything you want in not heavy enough to notice in a pack but heavy enough to do small chopping jobs. They come with the best warrenty I have ever seen and only cost around $130. Check them out. On the Rat cuttlery Manufacturers forum.
 
I carry any of my fixed blades with between 3-5" blade. On my last trip I took my Maddog
DSC00544.jpg

A favorite is a lightweight Laconico
DSC00407.jpg

Or one of my NWA's
DSC00479.jpg
 
Carried my RAT Cutlery RC-3 on a 50-mile or so trip in the Beartooth mountains in August. It's a nice, light blade, and since we were above treeline most of the time it was plenty. It can handle some larger jobs fairly well, but were I below treeline my 6" Breeden Peacemaker would be with me. Bryan also makes some very nice smaller knives as well, if you like light knives.
 
If you're not planning on prying or doing any heavy batonning with the knife, then a Mora would be perfect. They are light as a feather, VERY easy to sharpen in the field, and cut like crazy. You can pick them up for about $10 so trying one out would definitely be worth it.

For something that is also light weight but it made much better, check out the Bark River Ultralight Bushcrafter, or have Koyote make you one like the one he made me (email me your address if you want a pic, I can't figure out how to post one here).
 
storl said:
I used to take a RAT-3 on backpacking trips, but now I carry a 4" fixed blade. It weighs a little bit more, but the extra 1" is worth it to me.

sparky6.jpg
Click to expand...


What type of knife is this? I'm especially curious about the handle. Is that a flashlight or something peeking out of the end?
 
Breeden Tyson bushcrafter would work for ya.:thumbup:

As would a JK hiker, Laconico HWK, an Aurora or Fox River, Fiddleback bushcrafter etc, Gossman PSK...:o

Dont discount the Game Warden totally. The .140 ones are Awesome, and lightweight. The PERFECT small FB for me. I just got a satin one that is .140 thick, and I love it. Its a great slicer, and fits my hand better then any other small fixed blade I have ever owned.:cool::thumbup::cool:

For me, The SAK Farmer, small fixed blade, is the ticket. I can handle the extra weight though. I do fine with a Game Warden, and Farmer.:thumbup:

I like the big knives too though, who doesnt?:D
 
I'm not a multi day hiker, but if you are looking for a lightweight hiking companion, I would suggest looking at the Scandi style knives. The stick tangs make for a much lighter knife whithout sacrificing strength. You can look at a lot of options at www.ragweedforge.com

For a cheap option to test them out try a Mora, for $10 you can't go wrong! If you like it then you can spend some more money on a really well built Scandi.
 
comoha said:
This one is just for those who stay out on the trail for multiple days. A few years ago I came to the realization that a carrying just a lockback or just a SAK wasn't doing it for me. For food prep and misc. camp chores a small fixed blade (I prefer around 3-4" blade) can't be beat. Plus cleaning peanut butter and other food out of a folder is a pain. Since having back surgery some time ago I've been really trying to pare down my pack weight, so knife size/weight is a strong consideration for me. I've messed around with lots of choices. Busse GW's and AD's are cool, and built like tanks. Unfortunately they weigh as much as one. Great for end of the world scenarios, but carrying one 40 miles...:rolleyes: At one time I thought neckers were the way to go. For weight they really work. It's just the handle ergos that I didn't care for.

For those who are trying to be conscious of their pack weight, what do you carry and why? What are the specs of the blade and what jobs do you find yourself doing with it?

Also would love to hear from any who have done the long trails (Appalachian, Continental Divide, etc.)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Mora 510, 9.5cm blade. Perfect knife for me, has completly replaced my F1. They can be picked-up from Rageweedforge for $10 (http://ragweedforge.com)

Also, Bryan Breeden has some *excellent* stuff, very reasonable prices to.
 
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