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

If I'm not packing one of my own light weight backpacker creations, I'm fond my Randall model 5 with a 5" blade and micarta handle (weight is 6oz without sheath). It was good enough for Bradford Angier! ;)
 
You may like the Dozier knives. They are great, tough but not overbuilt, and comfortable to use.
 
Man, in a 4-5" knife, you've got so many choices, it isn't funny.

Just about any of the "bushcraft" knives, from the Skookum to the Koster, to any of the Scandinavian puukko-style knives are light and work well. If you want to go up in price, the RAT Cutlery RC-4 is a really nice blade, and probably has the most versatile sheath system out there.

The ones I take the most are the Himalayan Imports R-10:
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Or the BRKT Aurora:
AfricanBlackwoodSolid.jpg
 
Times when I got for multiday trips, (only a few times) I like having a capable knife, my BK7 came in there. I dont like toting an axe around with me and when I got over night, or for a quick canoo ride I would take my axe.
 
I recommend a Grohmann no. 1 or no. 4, in carbon steel. The no. 1 in particular combines a lightweight package with an excellent 4" blade.

Alternatively, you can't go wrong with a Mora-type blade. Kellam knives are quite nice.

All the best,

- Mike
 
I just got back from a trip where I was trying to pare down my weight. My cutting tools were a LM Wave, a machete, and a Mora 760. The Mora never got used, the others did several times each day. Realistically, I could have left the Mora, but for the couple onces it weighed, I was fine with taking it. Still, I don't think all three tools weighed a pound and a half together. That was a bit under 40 miles long, with temps in the mid to low 20s F at night, and snow in the day.
 
I like taking a Helle Futura, Dozier personal, or Busse GW in addition to a SAK. I've used a Randall Bird and Trout on a couple trips, but the stag handle seems fragile so I always feel I have to be gentle with it.
True, the GW is heavy for its size and doesn't reach the bottom of the PB jar, but it is a damn handy little knife you can depend on. I use a titanium spork to get the last of the PB out. ;)
 
Rotte, it reminds me of a story.

A guy on a diet walks into a burger joint, orders a double cheeseburger, supersize fries, and a diet Coke. When asked why he bought the diet drink he says: "Hey, you cut where you can!" :D

My 3 cutting tools were just under 10% of my base weight. :D :thumbup:

Oops, guess they were a little over 8%. Oh well, you get the idea.
 
Something light: Bark River Woodland, Roselli Carpenter, F1, Mora, small Dozier would be among my choices.
 
I keep seeing the Grohmann knives mentioned. Do any of the makers here make a similar style? I like the design but I want to buy my knives from the makers here. I don't want to hijack the thread but would like to know.
Thanks
 
i too have chronic back problems and like to backpack and hunt light. i use a Gerber Gator fixed blade that has served me very well. and for $40-$50 it is affordable.

Since i also have back problems i would be very inetrested to learn how you deal with it in the outdoors, maybe we can trade tips. if you wish, i would really appreciate you contacting me if you like.

thank you -----Eric
 
Here's a pic of the Koyote knife that I posted about yesterday.
 

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My dad was a prospector for years, and never had a fixed blade. He lived in the bush, and got supplies by helicopter every three weeks for about three years back in the sixties.

The first fixed blade he owned other than kitchen knives was a mora he bought in the seventies. He's mostly had moras since then, although I bought him a Grohmann for christmas last year.

My preference is an Aurora, but I think a lot of knives would do just as well, and my dad's years of bush experience lead me to believe that an SAK would probably be sufficient. We all like knives here, but if a guy can live in the bush for years on end without any fixed blade at all - or a gun after the first year, for that matter, he got sick of packing a rifle around the mountains all the time - then I would say we are mainly taking what we LIKE, not what we NEED.
 
protourist said:
I keep seeing the Grohmann knives mentioned. Do any of the makers here make a similar style? I like the design but I want to buy my knives from the makers here. I don't want to hijack the thread but would like to know.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Bryan Breeden makes a pattern that looks a bit like a Grohmann. It's called the Pathfinder. I saw another one that looked very close in the Maker's For Sale section a while back, I think it was made by GL Drew maybe??? There have probably been a few others but none come to my mind right now.
 
Well, I've been in the military since I was 17 so I haven't had a chance to do any of the long trails, I have done some long weekends though(30 + miles in a weekend) the lightest knife I own and would be comfortable taking is either my Mora or my Coldsteel Long Hunter. Of those I would go with the CS due to blade length, its super sharp and feather light
 
This is the most useful lightweight combo that I've been able to come up with.

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Jeff
 
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