Show us the tools you actually carry backpacking or camping, to alleviate delusions.

[stabman]

When my brother and I crossed the Detroit River to Peche Island in this...

we brought this:

to do this:

Or between 4 people in the woods, we had this:

to do this:

Of course, this...

Made this:

Bring whatever you want, and enjoy the outdoors!

 

[knarfeng]

The OP's question is rather open-ended. What you carry depends on what you intend to do. And how you intend to do it.

It's been a few decades since I last went backpacking (1970's). Back then, it was mostly on trails, but no campgrounds. Trip duration 3-4 days. The goal was to leave as little evidence of your passing as possible. For such a trek, a swiss army knife did everything I needed. And when treking miles every day weight does matter a lot. If I'd had an Opinel, I'd have gladly have carried that instead.

Anymore that paradigm seems to have changed.

 

[stabman]

The OP's question is rather open-ended. What you carry depends on what you intend to do. And how you intend to do it.

It's been a few decades since I last went backpacking (1970's). Back then, it was mostly on trails, but no campgrounds. Trip duration 3-4 days. The goal was to leave as little evidence of your passing as possible. For such a trek, a swiss army knife did everything I needed. And when treking miles every day weight does matter a lot. If I'd had an Opinel, I'd have gladly have carried that instead.

Anymore that paradigm seems to have changed.

Nah, there's still plenty of folks who go for that.

It'll also depends, of course, on where you're going; the type of environment has a huge impact on what sort of activities are possible or desirable.

 

[JSPOWERPUNCH]

It's worth noting that things you do probably make others cringe as well. Also, what you might or might not need has no bearing on what others might decide that they need. I have hiked many miles with a hatchet on my pack, and have used it when making camp. Odd, I was just fine then, and am still fine doing it now. I would recommend a more stringent calisthenics regimen for you if the thought of carrying a small hatchet makes you "cringe". :thumbup:

Welcome to Bladeforums.

Exactly. Everyone has their own system that works for them. My system is just different from some of the ones shown here. When I cringe at the sight of people carrying a hatchet or other large tools it is not because anything they are doing is wrong by any means. It is simply because I can never see myself needing such things that would add so much weight to my pack.

 

[B34NS]

Everyone has their own system that works for them while backpacking the backcountry. As such I do not like judging other peoples systems nor do I like people that do, but when I saw this thread I felt that I should add my personal input. However, I will admit that I cringe whenever I see someone backpacking with a hatchet. Part of what makes hatchets and other types of axes effective cutting tools is the weight of the axe head. Therefore a hatchet is an extremely heavy item that you must carry for miles strapped to your back that you do not need. If you rely on processing wood for debris shelters, food, or water then you are UNPREPARED for if weather conditions turn sour. Nothing can beat a good dependable camp stove, sturdy tent/hammock, and warm sleeping bag rated for the worst possible conditions you may face. You should never NEED to make a fire, and fire should only be used as a backup to those items. If you feel as though you simply must have a wood processing tool then a folding saw will do just fine. I also cringe whenever I see people carrying large heavy fixed blades down the trail. While I would love to take my bk2 along for the ride it simply is not practical and is once again unnecessary weight. I carry with me my leatherman charge tti (could be lighter :/) in my pocket, opinel no. 8 in my mess kit and maybe, but very very rarely my mora, and thats it, unless of course the journey requires a machete. I have been on extended backpacking trips where my knife never even left my pocket or pack. If you are well prepared going into the backcountry you shouldn't need a cutting tool however you should always have one, and a small lightweight backup.

John Muir wouldn't have approved of your camp stove either. Sounds like he went lighter weight than most still do on the trail bearing his namesake.

 

[RX-79G]

If you asked this question on a backpacking forum you'd really be "alleviating some delusions". Many long backpackers take no knives at all with them.

They don't need knives, they don't want the extra weight and they don't want to injure themselves several days hike from a doctor. Scissors work for any cutting they might do.

Contrast that with the multiple people on this thread already that carry multiple knives of nearly the same size.


I think labeling anyone on this board as delusional is probably a... delusion.



(I'm starting to really appreciate the folks that do the bushcraft living thing with just a Mora 511 and a change of socks.)

 

[jackknife]

I gave up delusions the first time I had to lug my gear up a mountain trail on the A.T. I found all I needed was a light folder for backpacking, with a light saw for any emergency that needed heavier cutting. Opinel's are light, and their saw eats wood like a beaver on crack.

For a heavier duty approach while canoe camping or motorcycle camping, I use an alox SAK in the pocket and small machete chopper in the pack.

 

[Shotgun]

Do you even lift bro?

I would recommend a more stringent calisthenics regimen for you if the thought of carrying a small hatchet makes you "cringe". :thumbup:

Welcome to Bladeforums.

Bone up on the UL philosophy. Being ABLE to carry the weight has nothing to do with it. If you think that the guys who lug around BK9's are in better shape than ULers who hike 100's of miles and don't carry a knife, then I don't know what to say. One group as a whole is clearly in better shape than the other.

 

[brancron]

Not backpacking, per se, but on day hikes I take an ESEE Izula and a Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife:

 

[craytab]

I like big knives. That is why I belong to a knife forum. I am also in phenomenal shape. :thumbup:

 

[Hacked]

For trips that involve hiking, or were weight is a concern I have this setup. It's right around a pound with the sheaths added in. For more serious backpacking I would likely ditch the hatchet depending on the terrain and duration of the trip, but most of my trips are weekend outings so the extra 13 Oz is worth the weight. I have three other normal sized hatchets to pick and chose from as well if I don't mind the additional weight over the pocket axe.

For sissy camping or car camping I have taken my boys axe in the past, though I just finished restoring a full sized double bit last night that may come with in the future. Not my preferred type of camping, but I do go with friends on trips like this from time to time. This picture was actually taken at Crabtree Falls Campgrounds on a recent trip. The boys axe was used to split down the quarter rounds sold for $.25 a peace to more manageable sizes and for kindling. We cooked everything on the fire so in that case it was worth it's weight by far. At the same time my sub 4" bladed Mora handled carving, general cutting, and camp kitchen duties with ease.

For saws I have a 1.5 Oz Pocket Serra saw, an a 4 Oz 7" Japanese made folding saw. I would lean toward the larger of the two for most trips, but the Pocket Serra Saw is great when weight is a real concern and a saw isn't going to be heavily depended upon.

Good tread, can't wait to see more responses from folks who like to spend time in the woods.

 

[Quiet]

Bone up on the UL philosophy. Being ABLE to carry the weight has nothing to do with it. If you think that the guys who lug around BK9's are in better shape than ULers who hike 100's of miles and don't carry a knife, then I don't know what to say. One group as a whole is clearly in better shape than the other.

I'm well aware of the UL philosophy, I just don't practice it. The only issue I take is when folks in the UL camp contend that their way is the best way (which I'm not saying is what's happening here). I would say that it's a case of personal preference. I'm a bigger, stronger guy. I'm 6'4, and north of 270. I've been hiking and camping in six different states, ever since my early days in BSA. Trust me when I say that I'm not going to be suddenly able to hike an additional 10 miles or whatever just because my pack weighs two lbs less. Now, I know there are folks who need to have a concrete use for every ounce, I'm not one of those guys. Now, my good friend? THAT guy is definitely an ultralite backpacker. But then, he's like 5'5 and weighs a buck thirty. So I understand that every pound he's not carrying is going to have a realworld result in how far he can go and how tired he's going to be when he gets there. Hell, the guy's got a down jacket, that weighs four ounces. Something like that. He also paid like $500 for it. Insane. I don't even know what my winter jacket weighs, it just doesn't matter to me (it damn sure didn't cost $500 either LOL).

In the end, carry what you think is best. Others will do the same. :thumbup:

 

[JSPOWERPUNCH]

I don't necessarily consider myself to be a UL backpacker. I've met people who cut extra straps and pockets off of their packs just to shave off the ounces. I do have a lightweight setup where I substituent my tent for a simple
sil nylon tarp, my stove for an alcohol stove made out of a soda can, carry just my mora and shave off as many ounces as possible to get my pack weight as close to the 15-20lb range as possible if not under that. I use this pack when planning days of 20+ miles because it allows me to move faster and further than I would with my regular pack, and going as light as possible when experiencing around 18,000 feet of elevation change makes a helluva difference. Now that being said in my regular pack i do carry some "luxury" items such as a lightweight backpacking chair and occasionally I strap my mandolin to my pack to entertain my students, but In all situations I carry a very minimal amount of cutting tools since the gear I carry makes me self sufficient and I don't have to rely on anything from the land other than water sources.

 

[Quiet]

I don't necessarily consider myself to be a UL backpacker. I've met people who cut extra straps and pockets off of their packs just to shave off the ounces. I do have a lightweight setup where I substituent my tent for a simple
sil nylon tarp, my stove for an alcohol stove made out of a soda can, carry just my mora and shave off as many ounces as possible to get my pack weight as close to the 15-20lb range as possible if not under that. I use this pack when planning days of 20+ miles because it allows me to move faster and further than I would with my regular pack, and going as light as possible when experiencing around 18,000 feet of elevation change makes a helluva difference. Now that being said in my regular pack i do carry some "luxury" items such as a lightweight backpacking chair and occasionally I strap my mandolin to my pack to entertain my students, but In all situations I carry a very minimal amount of cutting tools since the gear I carry makes me self sufficient and I don't have to rely on anything from the land other than water sources.

An interesting system. As for me, I HAVE to have edged steel with me. Part of my enjoyment of camping is firemaking. Pouring rain? Make a fire. Bright sunny day, 80 degrees? Make a fire. Night time? You know what you have to do. LOL

See, for me, I consider a small stove a luxury. I've cooked using primarily a fire, or coals pretty much my entire outdoor life. I recently bought one of those little rocket stoves, and it's neat enough. But give me a good bed of coals and I'll cook you up chicken potatoes and onions to die for.

 

[Hacked]

Bone up on the UL philosophy. Being ABLE to carry the weight has nothing to do with it. If you think that the guys who lug around BK9's are in better shape than ULers who hike 100's of miles and don't carry a knife, then I don't know what to say. One group as a whole is clearly in better shape than the other.

Not that I carry a BK9, but there is a difference between UL backpackers setting out to cover as much ground in as short of a time frame as possible and those who set out to enjoy some time in the great outdoors away from the busy crowded campgrounds. The second group doesn't mind carrying a little more if it will add to the experience. Granted a Hatchet or large knife is not needed 9 times out of 10 but you won't catch me without a knife no matter what anyone says.

I do hope to do some section hiking in the future and I'm sure I will select one single light weight knife for a trip like that. More than likely a Mora.

 

[JSPOWERPUNCH]

An interesting system. As for me, I HAVE to have edged steel with me. Part of my enjoyment of camping is firemaking. Pouring rain? Make a fire. Bright sunny day, 80 degrees? Make a fire. Night time? You know what you have to do. LOL

See, for me, I consider a small stove a luxury. I've cooked using primarily a fire, or coals pretty much my entire outdoor life. I recently bought one of those little rocket stoves, and it's neat enough. But give me a good bed of coals and I'll cook you up chicken potatoes and onions to die for.

I do quiet enjoy campfires and my inner pyromaniac always wants to have a campfire, unfortunately many of the areas that I hike in have regulations against campfires and while I'm confident in my fire building skills I don't like to put all my eggs in one basket. Even the best fire builders don't always succeed in extremely wet conditions and I prefer having a stove I know is always going to ignite. However, with a menu like that you sound like the right person to be hiking with.:thumbup:

 

[jackknife]

I'm well aware of the UL philosophy, I just don't practice it. The only issue I take is when folks in the UL camp contend that their way is the best way (which I'm not saying is what's happening here). I would say that it's a case of personal preference. I'm a bigger, stronger guy. I'm 6'4, and north of 270. I've been hiking and camping in six different states, ever since my early days in BSA. Trust me when I say that I'm not going to be suddenly able to hike an additional 10 miles or whatever just because my pack weighs two lbs less. Now, I know there are folks who need to have a concrete use for every ounce, I'm not one of those guys. Now, my good friend? THAT guy is definitely an ultralite backpacker. But then, he's like 5'5 and weighs a buck thirty. So I understand that every pound he's not carrying is going to have a realworld result in how far he can go and how tired he's going to be when he gets there. Hell, the guy's got a down jacket, that weighs four ounces. Something like that. He also paid like $500 for it. Insane. I don't even know what my winter jacket weighs, it just doesn't matter to me (it damn sure didn't cost $500 either LOL).

In the end, carry what you think is best. Others will do the same. :thumbup:

There's one more limiting factor other than size and mass. Age.

As my better half and Ihave progressed through senior citizen status, we've had to confront the simple fact that we can no longer do what we did 30 years ago. Unfortunately, that also means pack weight. We both love to get out in the woods and away from people. That means we hate camping in camp grounds close to the car camping sites where every idiot that has a generator wants to have his little TV or stereo going. Why the hell did they leave home?

But after the early 60's, we had to embrace the UL back packing if we ever wanted to see the peaceful woods again. That meant leaving home any object that we absolutely didn't need. That meant learning to split wood with a light weight saw instead of a heavy hatchet or large knife. Light weight knives that were good cutters, but in the 2 ounce range. Aluminum framed small revolver that was half the weight of the steel frame gun, and only one reload. Age steals everything from you eventually, so you have to learn to compensate as you go on. Add up ounces, and you get pounds. Sometimes we do without the fire, and have just a small alcohol stove. Gotta do what ya gotta do. Sometimes we've had a trip where the only cutlery we had was the Opinel in her pocket, and my Victorinox Farmer.

But canoe camping, I'll bring a hatchet or machete, and real camp stove. As long as it's sitting in a pack in the bottom of the boat and I don't have to carry it. May even have a small cooler with a couple steaks in it!

 

[Quiet]

I do quiet enjoy campfires and my inner pyromaniac always wants to have a campfire, unfortunately many of the areas that I hike in have regulations against campfires and while I'm confident in my fire building skills I don't like to put all my eggs in one basket. Even the best fire builders don't always succeed in extremely wet conditions and I prefer having a stove I know is always going to ignite. However, with a menu like that you sound like the right person to be hiking with.:thumbup:

Heck yeah, man. If we weren't going that far into the trees, I'd have my dutch oven with me and then dinner plans would REALLY become top shelf. Camping out on a cool night, with a hot meal in you can't be beat. That's what I enjoy about being outdoors, if I'm being honest. You aren't wrong about building a fire in the rain. I lived in Georgia for several years when I was younger, and every weekend during the summer it would rain. I got really good at getting out to the site, throwing up a tarp quickly, so I could get a small fire going out of tinder I'd brought, and logs that I chopped open with a hatchet to dig out the dry wood inside them. Once the fire was going, the tarp was removed, and then it was time to put on the pot for hot chocolate (and as I got older) coffee.

Scout Masters are worthless without coffee. Mine counted on me to get it done, so I had a lot of practice.

There's one more limiting factor other than size and mass. Age.

As my better half and Ihave progressed through senior citizen status, we've had to confront the simple fact that we can no longer do what we did 30 years ago. Unfortunately, that also means pack weight. We both love to get out in the woods and away from people. That means we hate camping in camp grounds close to the car camping sites where every idiot that has a generator wants to have his little TV or stereo going. Why the hell did they leave home?

But after the early 60's, we had to embrace the UL back packing if we ever wanted to see the peaceful woods again. That meant leaving home any object that we absolutely didn't need. That meant learning to split wood with a light weight saw instead of a heavy hatchet or large knife. Light weight knives that were good cutters, but in the 2 ounce range. Aluminum framed small revolver that was half the weight of the steel frame gun, and only one reload. Age steals everything from you eventually, so you have to learn to compensate as you go on. Add up ounces, and you get pounds. Sometimes we do without the fire, and have just a small alcohol stove. Gotta do what ya gotta do. Sometimes we've had a trip where the only cutlery we had was the Opinel in her pocket, and my Victorinox Farmer.

But canoe camping, I'll bring a hatchet or machete, and real camp stove. As long as it's sitting in a pack in the bottom of the boat and I don't have to carry it. May even have a small cooler with a couple steaks in it!

Just want to say that I have tremendous respect for you and your young bride, brother. Still getting out there as age advances? That's as awesome as can be. You also make a good point. Candidly, my post was made from the arrogance of being a large burly individual who has no issues with carrying a heavy pack, but I haven't really thought ahead to how that'll need to change as my ability to carry a 38lb pack all day diminishes. I'm 37 now, and I'll hike all day to get to a good site, with no major problem. Maybe I'll do some research and see what folks are doing to slimline their gear. I've already got a bad feeling that super lightweight gear will be spendy.

 

[Czechmate]

I like big knives. That is why I belong to a knife forum. I am also in phenomenal shape. :thumbup:

Nice! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

My gear from my last car camping trip; stranded for a whole week in one location LOL.

This was a first outing for the fixed blade and I could definitely see bringing it backpacking or on future trips as it's light for it's size. (5" blade for reference)

The axe has seen a poop tonne of work and owes me nothing at this point. Same for the folding shovel; old school bad assedness. :thumbup:

 

[jackknife]

Heck yeah, man. If we weren't going that far into the trees, I'd have my dutch oven with me and then dinner plans would REALLY become top shelf. Camping out on a cool night, with a hot meal in you can't be beat. That's what I enjoy about being outdoors, if I'm being honest. You aren't wrong about building a fire in the rain. I lived in Georgia for several years when I was younger, and every weekend during the summer it would rain. I got really good at getting out to the site, throwing up a tarp quickly, so I could get a small fire going out of tinder I'd brought, and logs that I chopped open with a hatchet to dig out the dry wood inside them. Once the fire was going, the tarp was removed, and then it was time to put on the pot for hot chocolate (and as I got older) coffee.

Scout Masters are worthless without coffee. Mine counted on me to get it done, so I had a lot of practice.



Just want to say that I have tremendous respect for you and your young bride, brother. Still getting out there as age advances? That's as awesome as can be. You also make a good point. Candidly, my post was made from the arrogance of being a large burly individual who has no issues with carrying a heavy pack, but I haven't really thought ahead to how that'll need to change as my ability to carry a 38lb pack all day diminishes. I'm 37 now, and I'll hike all day to get to a good site, with no major problem. Maybe I'll do some research and see what folks are doing to slimline their gear. I've already got a bad feeling that super lightweight gear will be spendy.

Yes, it is spendy, but sometimes life leaves us little or no choice. We just adjust our spending of the social security checks to deal with what we want to do in life. Niether of us is going to be ready for the assisted living anytime soon. I think Grandma Gatewood was an inspiration to both of us. Granny did the whole length of the A.T. when she was in her 60's, and did it again in her 70's I believe. She may have been the first wave of the ultra light because she really went minimal with just a gunny ask and a shower curtain for shelter. She called the backpackers with all the stuff "pantywaists." LOve the lady!!

I remember with depressing clarity when I used to be able to go up the A.T. with a 40 pound pack. Then it was a 35 pound pack. Then I found myself cutting every single ounce I could, and the better half was doing likewise. Karen was ready to quit, but I showed her an article on Granny Gatewood, and she got mobilized to go with the flow. Tools got smaller and lighter, food got more minimal, and we adapt. Got to point where we sold the Harleys, and now ride Vespa's. Gotta do what ya gotta do, or else admit defeat and curl up and die. Rather go backpacking with some bread and cheese to eat, and some ramen and a SAK in my pocket, than not at all. Like rather go down the road with the wind in my face on a Vespa, than sitting on a park bench reading a book. Remember Granny Gatewood!

Gotta do what ya gotta do. :thumbup: