Pick a knife to live in my kit bag

DMG said:
I prefer the Phillips screwdriver, saw and scissors. The file would be nice too
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A Philips driver is nice and I'd definitely use it over any of the small implements on the back. While I can't say I never use a corkscrew, I can't remember the last time I needed one in the field.
 
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Chronovore said:
A Philips driver is nice and I'd definitely use it over any of the small implements on the back. While I can't say I never use a corkscrew, I can't remember the last time I needed one in the field.
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The corkscrew can hold a bunch of little attachments. Depending on what you want.

A gkasses screwdriver is handy. Even for sunglasses.

Otherwise while I was looking for a video of that. I found this.
 
Rupestris said:
That knife has taken the internet by storm and is being called the Wugout. The Walmart version of the Bugout.

Good luck finding one. They sold out in a NY minute.

Reviews on YouTube say it’s decent and that you definitely get more than $10 worth but it isn’t very tough. Very thin blade with a hollow grind. Not something I’d carry as a backup when in the woods.

What was the old saying about a $10 helmet for a $10 head?
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A reasonably thin blade with a hollow grind isn't usually a significant point of weakness, at least for average EDC cutting tasks. A reasonably thin blade with a hollow grind is usually great for cutting! While D2 isn't the toughest, it should be okay if not abused.

The more serious issues I've seen raised on this one have to do with soft hardware or overall construction, including the development of permanent blade play and lock rock. Using Chinese D2 at this price is gimmicky and even at Walmart scale, something had to give. The cheapest reasonable EDC knives in Chinese D2 tend to start around $25, not $10.

If someone wants a cheap but well-made knife in Chinese D2 (with a decent heat treatment too), check out the PF818 from Petrified Fish. It's like $28 depending on the version and where you buy it.
 
Chronovore said:
A reasonably thin blade with a hollow grind isn't usually a significant point of weakness, at least for average EDC cutting tasks. A reasonably thin blade with a hollow grind is usually great for cutting! While D2 isn't the toughest, it should be okay if not abused.

The more serious issues I've seen raised on this one have to do with soft hardware or overall construction, including the development of permanent blade play and lock rock. Using Chinese D2 at this price is gimmicky and even at Walmart scale, something had to give. The cheapest reasonable EDC knives in Chinese D2 tend to start around $25, not $10.

If someone wants a cheap but well-made knife in Chinese D2 (with a decent heat treatment too), check out the PF818 from Petrified Fish. It's like $28 depending on the version and where you buy it.
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One of my favorite knives for more than fifteen years has been the Spyderco Centofante III. Super thin and hollow ground VG-10. A fantastic knife. Just not one I’d put in a hiking kit.

If some day I’m wandering Walmart and they have the $10 knife in stock, I’ll probably buy three. One for my self and one for my son and one for the son-in-law. One does drywall and construction, the other does milling and machine work. If anyone can destroy a knife, those two can. I’d like to see just how much abuse they can handle.

Maybe I’ll change my tune but for now, I’d recommend something with multiple tools or something more robust. So far, the Medium size Honey badger knife I own has been a tough, affordable import. For a single blade, one hand opener I’d have no problem recommending one.
 
DMG said:
Yes. Usually a 3-4 inch folder. Sometimes a small fixed.
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In that case I agree, add a SAK to your bag. Light and super versatile. Start with the Fieldmaster you have, then buy 12 other models until you find the tool combo you like. It’s what most of us do, LOL! ;-)
 
BTW, here is a video talking about some of those hardware issues on the $10 Walmart knife...

 
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DMG said:
I frequently carry a HPG kit bag in the woods with a pistol, some very basic gear and usually my phone stuffed in there. I have a lighter, fire steel, a small flashlight and a lifestraw in there too. I want to add a knife. Here are my ideas but I would like to tap into the collective wisdom on this forum so the next time a lost dog or a bad shot on a deer causes me to spend an unplanned night in the woods, I have a spare knife.

As it will be a spare, I don’t want to spend a ton of money on it.

Skeletool. Does knife stuff ok but also has very basic tools

Buck Paklite. Cheap, simple, takes up no space and will be hard to break.

Bugout. I have one in the rotation but the Bailout and MC Deka get more pocket time.

SAK. Hard to argue with the utility.

Suggestions?
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I will get on the Mora & SAK bandwagon. My SAK choice would be the OHO Trekker (aka Soldier). Replace the scales with standard red and you'll have storage for toothpick and tweezers. For Mora, either the Robust Pro (truly indestructible) or the 510 (almost indestructible but super light).

Let us know what you choose!
 
A compact Mora of your choice would be my suggestion. Or any reliable fixed blade really.

EDIT: I also recommend packing two small flashlights since it’s a kit bag and not your jeans pockets, if you can. Because one is none and two is one. And a dead flashlight in the woods at night doesn’t sound fun.
 
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DangerZone98 said:
A compact Mora of your choice would be my suggestion. Or any reliable fixed blade really.

EDIT: I also recommend packing two small flashlights since it’s a kit bag and not your jeans pockets, if you can. Because one is none and two is one. And a dead flashlight in the woods at night doesn’t sound fun.
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I’ll have a good small led light in the kit bag, probably a Fenix E12 with an energizer lithium. I alway have a Reylight AA or olight or Fenix in my pocket, too.

Two is one and one is none.
 
DMG said:
I chose this

View attachment 2669812
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The scissors are indispensable. But then we start down the road to debating the modular, completely customizable SAK. A long wished for development.

Hopefully you won't have to have an unplanned night under the stars with just your kit bag, but it might be fun to try it out!
 
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DMG said:
I’ll have a good small led light in the kit bag, probably a Fenix E12 with an energizer lithium. I alway have a Reylight AA or olight or Fenix in my pocket, too.

Two is one and one is none.
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I have two theories on lights. Either it is for someone jumping out at me in the dark. And I want a trillion lumins and to be able to hit people with it.

Or it is for extended night time use and I want to use my hands so either a head lamp or a 90° lite.
 
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I vote for a Sak, it's the best wrong tool ever made. Need tweezers? Need a screwdriver? Need a cork screw? A decent Swiss Army Knife will get you through just about any minor issue with only a few curse words. I don't like them for daily carry, but it's a must have in my backpacking pack.
 
Drop bear said:
By the way. I use pliers, or more often a billy lifter for cooking with fire. Because it is highly likely I will burn myself.
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One day when my spikes came apart, the pliers on my Swisstool were all that allowed me to get up the mountain rather than having to stop and slide back down on my ass 🤣

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