Newbie to blades. Camping in Wilderness.

[offgrid_owl]

I looked around on the forums, but I couldn't quite find the answer I was looking for. So, I finally decided to make my own post.
My friend and I are going to be traveling from Georgia to Arizona by bicycle within the next couple of months. Along the way we do plan on camping in the wilderness. I have been looking up a lot of information on knives and I'm not completely sure as to what we should get. I was thinking that each of us could get a Mora knife and a more expensive knife as well. I was also planning on getting an axe/hatchet and/or a machete.

As far as the more expensive knives I'm wanting to spend around $40-$100. I would like knives that are fairly easy to learn how to sharpen and take care of properly. I'm not too concerned on the looks, just want something that is reliable. I also want them to be fix blades with a blade length of 3-4 inches or so. I don't have giant hands, but they are large, so I don't want something with a really small handle. I think that about sums it up. If any of you think I need something that is outside my requirements, definitely give me the suggestion.

I'm not sure about a price range for an axe or machete though, not knowledgeable in that area at all.

My friend doesn't know much about this stuff and is concerned that two knives for each of us is overboard. I don't think it is, I just like to play it safe. Anyway, thanks in advanced.

 

[CWL]

First figure out what you may need to perform, then get tools to perform them. Not the other way around.

Why do you think you will need an axe or machete on a bicycle ride? I doubt you will be able to get into any real "wilderness" if your means of transport will be bicycles. Consider the weight.

You will probable do better sticking to Moras, a Swiss Army One-handed Trekker knife and a MultiTool.

 

[chiral.grolim]

What wilderness camping do you intend?

My younger brother biked around much of the continental united states one year (from Saint Paul to Boston to Fort Lauderdale to Houston to Salt Lake City to Seattle to Saint Paul again). He carried only a stout folding knife.

If you are really planning on "wilderness" camping (i.e. where you have to gather and process your own firewood to cook food), it would be handy to have a mid-sized fixed blade (e.g. RatManDu, Mora2000 - any smaller would be overly redundant and add no advantages) and a lightweight folding saw to share besides the folders or multitools (e.g. leatherman, Gerber) each carry. But that is all and that is playing it safe. Weight and space are premium on bicycle trips. Instead carry more food, water, medical supplies, bicycle-specific tools/hardware. What would an axe and machete be for? Not only are they heavy or over-sized, they also attract attention.

Words of caution - Hurricane season is beginning down there, none to friendly to bicyclists.
Also, blown desert sand is a b!tch to pedal through, make sure you've got good goggles and full face-masks.

Another off-topic recommendation: depending on how long you intend to take, schedule your trip so that your nights have maximum amounts of moonlight - it's way easier (and cooler) to travel long distances at night. Praised be the moon! :thumbup:

 

[offgrid_owl]

Apparently my wits ran away from me. Can't believe that I didn't think of the folding saw instead of going overboard with an axe and machete. Thanks for catching that one lol. We're actually going to do some real wilderness camping. We'll have to leave our bikes locked up when we do. I'll definitely stick with the Mora's then. That was my first instinct. But, I started thinking too much and looking at all the pretty knives and got a bit lost lol. I have all the other bases covered, as far as the food, watter, medical supplies, and all that. Will definitely be getting some goggles, don't want to sandblast my eyes.

I really do appreciate the info, it really helped to get my head straight on the knife issue and all. We are planning on this being a long trip so biking in the moonlight would be perfect. What do ya'll recommend me to get to sharpen the Mora's with?