need backpacking fixed blade suggestions

Politics and opinions aside, you would be remiss to not look at the RAT-3 D2, it is one awesome knife...check out Chestnut Ridge they have good prices from what I can tell.
 
Another option would be to pack along one of the small DMT diamond hones that folds up into its own handle. They weigh very little and would touch up the edge on that Wave in zero seconds flat.
 
Here is the awesome Pohl Force Hornet XL - licensed from a American custom design. Totally what you are craving for and not overly expensive but not really cheap either:

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I will soon make a little youtube review clip where I compare it to the equally lovely Spyderco Street Beat.

Otherwise, the Roselli Carpenter is a beautiful and very practical scandinavian knife.

And, I have done many a backpacking holiday with only my trusted Victorinox Rücksack in my pocket. Not a fixed blade but a very capable allrounder.
 
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i used to take a fixed blade backpacking, but that turned out to be so anathema to the whole philosophy of backpacking (minimalist philosophy) that i stopped bothering with the extra weight and the not-so-extra convienience.

basically, i like folders because they go into pockets and i always have pockets. when i was hiking and carried the fixed, i had it attached to my pack. so when ever we dropped for camp (or lunch or whatever...), i had to either reattach the knife to my person of just leave it on the pack and get it when i needed it--suffice it to say, i was often w/o immediate access to a serious blade as it pretty much stayed on my pack :)

now, i just carry a folder in my pocket and a small multitool (pliers and blade) in the pack.

yes, the knife knerd in me still wants to carry a kick as* fixed blade, but i know...i KNOW, it'll just be excess weight.

YMMV
 
Since you sound like you're wanting something easy to sharpen, I'd suggest a scandi grind knife. They're about as easy a knife to sharpen as you can get, even a novice can get them screaming sharp. If this is indeed the case, I second the Mora suggestion put forth above. If you're not demanding heavy use/borderline abuse from this knife, a Mora should do just fine. I'd recommend some kind of Clipper (their new Allaround knife is nice, it's basically a thicker, more refined Clipper), but if you're really worried about toughness, look at the Mora 2000, or the new Mora 2010. They have full length stick tangs, and should stand up to a moderate beating without batting an eye.
 
ExMachina said:
i used to take a fixed blade backpacking, but that turned out to be so anathema to the whole philosophy of backpacking (minimalist philosophy) that i stopped bothering with the extra weight and the not-so-extra convienience.

basically, i like folders because they go into pockets and i always have pockets. when i was hiking and carried the fixed, i had it attached to my pack. so when ever we dropped for camp (or lunch or whatever...), i had to either reattach the knife to my person of just leave it on the pack and get it when i needed it--suffice it to say, i was often w/o immediate access to a serious blade as it pretty much stayed on my pack :)

now, i just carry a folder in my pocket and a small multitool (pliers and blade) in the pack.

yes, the knife knerd in me still wants to carry a kick as* fixed blade, but i know...i KNOW, it'll just be excess weight.

YMMV
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Another reason I carry along a Mora: it's so darn light. I think my stainless Clipper weighs about 3 oz, but I'd have to pull it out to tell, and I'm feeling lazy tonight. I just toss it in with my cooking gear, mostly for food prep use, but it could pull other camp duties if needed. For just about everything I do on the trail, my Outrider is fully capable. But the Clipper is just too light and handy to not bring along.
 
On the weight-price-functionality scale it's really hard to beat a Mora 510. I have many a more expensive knife, and I enjoy them, but if the 510 is all I need, and it's by far the lightest of the bunch.
 
wow exmachina you are so on target about how a fixed blade knife contradicts one very important point of backpacking,-only bring absolute necesaties. and youre right its probable that knowone NEEDS a fixed blade backpacking, but there are some times when i would want one. i dont know if anyone is familiar with NOLS the national outdoor leadership school, thats the orginization that i took the month long bp trip mentioned above, i was thinking about doing one of their more intense courses in like patagonia or the yukon or something. for a trip like that i would consider a fixed blade thanks for the other recommendations guys there are so many options i hadnt even heard of!
 
You may want to look into the Benchmade Rant DPT. It's around $50 with a weight of about 6.0 oz.

Tom
 
hotfuzz said:
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
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The Cold Steel Bushman is light and tough enough for almost anything, you can baton wood with until the end of time. Also the Cold Steel Trail Hawk Tomahawk is light and a great chopper for its size.
 
Rat Cutlery is highly regarded.
There's something to be said for their field testing, which apparently involves gutting crocodiles and making toothpicks out of tree trunks.
 
I've been backpacking for over 20 years and have tried many, many knives - some quite expensive. Discovered Moras about 4 years ago. I'm done looking. Trust me, it's the perfect backpacker's knife. Now, the other three guys that I backpack with all carry the same knife.

Frosts Clipper 860. 3.5 oz including sheath. Stainless blade (it always seems to rain :rolleyes:). Very comfortable handle. Convenient clip-on sheath w/ drain hole. $13.00.

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anything rat cutlery, rc 3, rc 4, rc 5 is a bit big i wish id got the rc 4 but still a badass knife
 
ExMachina said:
i used to take a fixed blade backpacking, but that turned out to be so anathema to the whole philosophy of backpacking (minimalist philosophy) that i stopped bothering with the extra weight and the not-so-extra convenience.
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I mostly agree. There's a tendency around here to promote carrying big honking knives into the woods, but that only works when you're car camping or taking an ATV into the bush for hunting. Though the survival experiments are fun, splitting wood isn't a regular part of backpacking. Even in an emergency, there are many things that are more useful than a Big Ass Knife. Like a SAK with scissors and a lightweight saw. Or a GPS. Or a phone.

Of course, those things don't fit as well into the Man in the Wilderness ethos.

In fact, in many cases, what is described as "bushcraft" around here is mighty destructive -- the opposite of "leave no trace" ethics. I could happily live without another thread of someone bragging about cutting down a LIVE tree with their BAK. Whee-haw. Ugh.

Now, having said that, I have a small, light, thin-bladed Bark River mini skinner that is great to have along, and it's quite capable of heavier work than most folders. 2.5" blade, weighs about three ounces, and it's plenty. There are other light BRKTs that are tempting, too -- the EDC Saex, the ultra light bushcrafter, etc.

I ogle some larger blades, but for the most part, they would only get used around the house or yard.
 
^^
very well put.
all of it.
i wish i had said it.

(and by no means am i meaning to imply that the OP is wrong to want a fixed blade--they certainly have their place)
 
i think after reading everyone's responses and really thinking this over, im not going to start taking a fixed blade backpacking. im going to get one of those folding diamond sharpeners and stick with the leatherman. you guys are right, knowone really needs a fixed blade. i would never need it for splitting fire wood or doing any of the things that a fixed blade can do that a folder cant. i dont even make fires backpacking because it conflicts with what i learned about LNT principles. thanks for all the suggestions though i will get something for car camping instead
 
I backpack and try to stick to the LNT principles, too. I carry a Mora Craftline Allround in a kydex neck sheath and a Victorinox Huntsman in my pocket. I've found this is the best combo for me. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
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