need backpacking fixed blade suggestions

H

hotfuzz

Joined
Oct 13, 2009
Messages
56
hey guys im looking for a fixed blade to take backpacking. something lightweight, compact, and economical, but tough enough to handle some serious usage

thanks for your suggestions
dan
 
You'd probably get more responses to a question like this in the Wilderness & Survival Skills section of the forum. Good camping and backpacking knives are a common topic of discussion there.

That said, the RAT3 and RAT4 (3 and 4 inches, respectivly) are very well regarded carbon steel knives. They cost around $120 (not sure it you consider that economical or not), but are very good knives for the money.

Another good choice is the Fallkniven F1 (3.8 inches) with laminated stainless steel. These come in several different handle materials, with the least expensive running around $100 or a bit less.

Hope that helps!
 
The RAT RC-4 with a kydex sheath is slim and surprisingly light for such a sturdy knife.
 
Could you let us know size preferences,steel type and or price limits please?

So many companies offer good knives,but there are differences...Bark River could be considered but there are a lot of others.
 
something with a blade length no longer than five inches, lightweight, preferably under 100 or so would be great
 
KaBar USMC, not exactly the lightest knife but it will take a lot of abuse. That's not to say you should go pound it through a cinder block or anything, but it will take quite a bit of very hard use.
 
RAT Izula if you want to go really lightweight, 2.88 inch blade, skeletonized handle, runs for about $50 on retail sites; or there is the RC3 or 4, as people have mentioned before. If you're looking for a smaller knife, I would definitely commend the Izula, it is tough as hell.
 
When I backpacked, I wanted everything to weigh as little as possible. I mostly carried a Swiss Army knife and never found myself on the trail wanting more.

But if you want a fixed blade for backpacking, you want a light one.
Rat Izula would be OK at about $50.
Becker BK 11 at about $36.
A Mora would also work. You can find a suitable Mora for less than $15.
 
Rat Cutlery RC-4

DSCF1398.jpg
 
For serious, hard core backpacking adventures where every ounce counts, a fixed blade knife is often seen as an unnecessary luxury. That being said, a moderately sized Beta-Ti fixed blade from Mission Knives performs almost all trail tasks well, short of wood chopping, and adds almost nothing to your loadout weight.
 
Just get a Mora knife and be done with it. You can find one for $10-$15 from somewhere like Ragweed's Forge, with a high quality, high carbon (or stainless, or laminated, your choice :) ) blade.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good, high quality knife from great companies like Rat Cutlery (I have their RC3 MIL, and love it). But just get a great Mora knife for pennies on the dollar until you figure out what you might want differently.

Here are mine, the #840 Clipper, and the #711 which has the larger, rubber grip.
DSC_0106.jpg

Both sheaths are chintzy, #840 has a slightly friendlier sheath, but I prefer the #711 knife much more overall. They might not get you internet tacticool points, but they're good blades.

Compared to my RC 3 (great knife, better feel, yaddayadda, oh and cost almost 9 times as much :D )
DSC_0086.jpg
 
As per my sig-line, I agree with the RatCutlery recommendations. An RC-3 is a great companion. The Izula is lighter but the RC-3 is a better knife.

Other contenders - Falkniven F1 (mentioned before), Bark River (mini CDN, woodland special, highland special, bumble bee, gunny), Mora2000 or Mora #1, Jarvanapa Pukku, Helle, Kellam pukku.

Custom makers - Koyote Knives (he has several smaller, 3/32 fixed blades that are killer), Bryan Breeden CUB, JK-kit knife, Gossman PSK - he now has a little warncliff version that is very cool.
 
The Spyderco Hossom Dayhiker is on clearance at several internet retailers in the 80-85 dollar range. Super knife, but the recurve might be a little difficult to touch up in the field.
 
i know that a fixed blade seems unneccesary for backpacking but last summer i went for a month in the big horns in wyoming. all i brought for a blade was my leatherman wave. i made sure it was razor sharp when i left and it was fine for the first two weeks but by the last ten or so days the straight edge i was using to gut fish was so dull i would have been better off biting those fish heads off haha and i really didnt want to use the serrated blade because that is what i was using for food prep and i didnt have a good way to effectively clean it. im sure i would be fine with a quality folding knife like mabye a sog trident because they are solid and actually really light but i dont think anything beats a fixed blade for comfort in heavy use
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top