Outdoor tool selection

[Fieldtestornothing]

I know, I know, the same old thread. Well I thought I would share some of my thoughts and maybe you all can offer some advice. First the tools that I love and will not leave at home....

The Kurk has been undergoing changes since I bought it for the incredibly expensive price of 65 bucks. I sanded down the handle, gave the edge a zero convex bevel and the thing cuts awesome. The only thing that slowed it down was a nail in one of the tree's I was cutting down. I cut through the nail twice before I noticed a few chips in the edge. Oh well. What ya gonna do. Since shiny things kind of don't go with my persona I gave the blade a really light blueing. I love it and no matter what it delivers the goods.

The SRKW gen 1 howler...well what's not to like. It has become my favorite fixed blade ever and it is awesome!! Can't highly recommend one more to anybody. If you can get one. Do it.

These tools are uncompromised. I carry them everywhere in the outdoors. Now for the advice. Recently I had a experience in the outdoors where I was forced to draw a knife under stress and very tired. EDC for me is a waved strider, before that was a waved emerson, before that were knives that I was modifying to wave. When I run I carry a waved delica. Needless to say the motion is very ingrained in me. So under stress, with NO folder in my pocket and the howler on my side I reached for my folder. What a suprise. It cost me valuable seconds and I should have been thinking about what I was doing. However it made me think. Either this is a detriment and is something that needs to be trained around, or I should just keep a waved delica in my pocket for such situations.

So I am looking for a best carry senario for the outdoors. I am a KISS guy and really don't like to carry unnecessary things. I have never been a believer in carrying 20 knives for different purposes. So from the following tools, based on ability and weight what would you all take in addition to the ones above?

Tools: Leatherman TI, Leatherman squirt p4, SAK OHT, Gerber Saw, Waved delica

I am leaning towards a squirt, saw and delica. The combination weighs very little and seems to me to be more than enough. Is the squirt enough as far as tools go? Any experiences so far? I am waiting on the OHT in the mail. All you guys inspired me to give one a try. (After removing the saw teeth of course.) Comments sugestions?

 

[sodak]

I would go with a multi tool such as the squirt, but I like the micra better. Between those two blades, there shouldn't be much you can't cut or chop! Nice choices!

 

[tknife]

I don't know about others here, but I don't care how many times people post pics of their wilderness knives, I love it. I like knife porn, but there's something even more special about seeing hard used knives. Especially when I'm stuck here at work dreaming about being outside!
I had a Howler at one time and I really did like it. If it had Micarta scales, it would have been perfect for me.

 

[GibsonFan]

...Either this is a detriment and is something that needs to be trained around, or I should just keep a waved delica in my pocket for such situations...

I carry folder and a leatherman Blast everyday. Planned trips, BOB etc. involve adding to that base. I think your idea to include a multi, saw and your fave folder is an excellent one.

Dang nice knives you got there, by the way! I fully agree with your big/small combo.

 

[Any Cal.]

It is my opinion that if a knife is good enough to EDC, you should not put it away when you go out in the boonies. That means the Delica would go. The other toss up items are the saw and the Squirt. I would take the squirt, to me the 2oz are negligeable, and there is no substitute for screwdrivers or pliers. I would not necessarily take the saw though, as it seems you already have a chopper. Others would take the saw and skip the Squirt. That howler sure looks handy.

 

[penls]

squirt = good pliers and an awl are really good for nasty tasks you wouldn't use your knives for, and the thing is tiny .

o yeah, and thanks for the knife porn

 

[Fieldtestornothing]

Thanks guys!! Great minds think alike!!