Pocketknives in the wilderness, more specifically slipjoints in the wilderness

[jumpmonkey]

I'm going to try a zdp189 endura

I've been carrying a Delica 4 for around six years now. My bro. got me a new one, FFG in ZDP189 two years back. That stuff holds an edge, it's passably stainless. A week straight of pouring rain did see a few small spots, cleaned up easy enough and not really any problem before or since. If the Delica isn't enough for you the Endura in ZDP ought to be quite nice. (As an aside, you'll save a lot of weight on the FFG over the usual saber, if that matters to you.)

 

[RescueRiley]

I used to be a die hard mora guy...with a becker for the heavy stuff...now mostly i use an opinel 8. Or a sak trekker.. usuallt paired with a hatchet.

 

[popedandy]

I suppose it depends on your approach to the outdoors. Back in my backpacking days I carried a Buck 110 because that is what I owned and it was also my work knife, and since I normally headed out on a trip right after work, it was already on my belt. I used a white gas stove so I didn't need to do fire prep, and I used a tent so I didn't need to rig a shelter, and my meals were Ramen noodles and oatmeal, so I didn't need to do food prep. I was generally up in areas that saw very little use, so firewood was easy to come by and didn't need processing. Had I been more into the bushcraft approach I am sure my gear selection would have been different. To each his own.

 

[pinnah]

I know that a lot of you are strictly fixed blade users, and if you have a folder it's probably a SAK or a multitool, but I'm interested to hear which folding knives you depend on in the wilderness. Paired with a fixed blade, or by themselves.

It's an interesting question that depends entirely on where you go, what you're trying to do, what else you bring in terms of equipment and what techniques you use.

I've concluded that my minimum requirement for wilderness travel is a small pliers based tool like the Leatherman PS4. In most (but not quite all) conditions, I consider everything beyond that a fun luxury that I literally weigh against pack weight.

In a mountaineering context (which is a form of wilderness), cutting wood for warmth or shelter and eating off the land just aren't practical. So, one relies on tents or tarps, stoves, packed in food and sleep/clothing systems. Essentially, leave no trace backpacking and ultra light backpacking take the same basic approach only pared down to the bare minimum. Obviously, this may not be everybody's cup of tea, but it proves the point that one can safely move through the wilderness without harvesting plants and animals.

I typically carry a light folder, most often an Opinel. It's primarily for food prep.
Outdoor Carry by Pinnah, on Flickr

Occasionally I carry an Emberlit stove as a back up. I do this on light XC ski tours and on backpacking/hiking with larger groups. I'll carry a fixed blade, usually a Mora Companion, and sometimes a folding Silky saw.

 

[MaximIsayev]

I usually pair some kind of cheap and functional scandi like a Mora or a Marttiini with a SAK and a modern folder, usually either a Delica in VG10 or a RAT 1 in AUS-8.

 

[wfsltt]

I carried and used a 3.5" folder for so many years I feel silly if I carry a fixed blade knife in the woods. I even used that same knife to process deer from field to freezer. I never needed a knife of any type to start a fire, and while I understand the theory and have play with doing so in the back yard I'll likely never have need in the wild.

 

[22-rimfire]

I carried and used a 3.5" folder for so many years I feel silly if I carry a fixed blade knife in the woods. I even used that same knife to process deer from field to freezer. I never needed a knife of any type to start a fire, and while I understand the theory and have play with doing so in the back yard I'll likely never have need in the wild.

I have had similar feelings and experiences. But in theory, the fixed blade is certainly more practical in the woods. But even when I carry one, I seldom use it over a folder.

 

[Gossman Knives]

I carry a SAK Swisschamp and LM supertool daily. I prefer a small fixed blade in a pocket sheath for EDC. If I were to carry a pocket knife it would be a trapper. That's my favorite pattern. I like the Case trapper or Remington style large trapper. I did carry a Winchester stag large trapper pattern for years.
Scott

 

[BenHarris]

I did a fire lay with just this Peanut today. The striker served me in ignition.

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[fishiker]

If I'm in the woods I have a fixed blade and a folder. The majority of the time the folder is a Farmer or Lumberjack. If I am carrying a bag or pack I will have a multi-tool in it. I occasionally feel nostalgic and carry a slip joint, usually a USA made Schrade. My favorite folder for processing wild game is still my early model Cold Steel twistmaster with CarbonV blade.

 

[zakjak221]

Schrade 80OT or 34 OT for me---Super Carbon steel.
Work great for small food prep,utility,game prep from squirrels to whitetails--field dress that is.
I carry fixed blades too but always have a pocket knife for backup & detailed tasks.

 

[155440]

Not exactly in the wilderness per say, but I got a TON of use out of my Jim Dunlap back pocket trapper while camping and hiking for 20 days. Did everything I could ask of it in terms of food prep and some other detailed cutting tasks. The only thing I didn't use it for was fire prep. I would say a well made large slip joint can do you a lot of good if that's the knife you choose to rough it with. The only thing you wouldn't want to do with it is split/chop/baton.

It's the middle knife.

 

[kamagong]

I almost always carry a pocketknife, except for those occasions when I am prohibited from doing so. There's no need to change that just because I'm outdoors. In that case I carry two knives, one in my pocket and one in my pack or belt.

 

[SAK Guy]

Always carried a Vic Champion backpacking but at the deer camps, it was always my 8OT...It just seem right because everyone was packing Schrade, Buck or Western hunting knives.

Haven't been able to get out in ages because of my health but really want to try out this big German made Winchester. Really stout with a 440C blade, I think it would do fine around camp.

Had it out this morning for a pic with a fire kit.

 

[mdsmith]

I've really taken to a single sheeps foot type of knife for everyday use lately, so I've been carrying my Vic Gardener or my Stanley 10/049 small folding utility knife. If I were going out for a hike, or to practice fire making, I'd still have one of those two with me, and I'd grab my Mora 510 or cut down Ontario Machete. I honestly could probably do without either of the last two, since most of my fire making is just twig fires.

 

[PunchesInBunches]

The slip joint is my preference for all my survival and hunting needs, mainly because I have been using this type since childhood. Never had used a fixed blade. I also use locking folders for larger game. Spyderco endura or military being my preference for deer. My father is the same way. I have no need to chop wood because I use less energy just collecting deadfall. Not that chopping or batoning is a bad thing. Lol! It's the way I was brought up. That and I'm not going to purchase a fixed just to sit in the safe. A good leatherman is a common woods tool for me as well. I have come to like spydercos slip joints as well for outdoor use.

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[22-rimfire]

The slip joint is my preference for all my survival and hunting needs, mainly because I have been using this type since childhood. Never had used a fixed blade. I also use locking folders for larger game. Spyderco endura or military being my preference for deer. My father is the same way. I have no need to chop wood because I use less energy just collecting deadfall. Not that chopping or batoning is a bad thing. Lol! It's the way I was brought up. That and I'm not going to purchase a fixed just to sit in the safe. A good leatherman is a common woods tool for me as well. I have come to like spydercos slip joints as well for outdoor use.

I like a bit of practical honesty when it comes to what we really use and depend on in the woods. I feel pretty much the same way about fixed blades but I like them.

 

[Kiteman72]

I like a bit of practical honesty when it comes to what we really use and depend on in the woods. I feel pretty much the same way about fixed blades but I like them.

Well, a fixed blade would certainly be faster to deploy should you encounter an escaped Sasquatch or some such!

The knife I have in "the woods" depends entirely on what I'm dong there.

 

[Getahl]

I like SAKs and Opinels for outdoor use. I love the full flat grind and super thin blades, which are dreams to whittle with. Even if I only do make sticks into smaller, skinnier sticks.

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[will62]

For short hikes and rabbit and squirrel seasons normal woods carry is a Sodbuster jr. and an SAK . Deer season is about the only time I carry a fixed blade. Normally there is a multitool with a saw in the pack. I have swapped out the soddie for a trapper during dove season or fishing for smallmouth. That is what works for me