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

RX-79G said:
If you asked this question on a backpacking forum you'd really be "alleviating some delusions".
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On a backpacking forum they'd laugh at me...I got my backpack at Costco for $30. ;)

I'm a knife enthusiast who posts about knives on a forum devoted to the love of all things knifey.
The surprising thing would be if I didn't take every opportunity to carry and use a bunch of knives.

One of my friends is a lifelong artist; when he goes backpacking, he brings art supplies.
The "backpacking purists" probably wouldn't see the sense in that either...
 
In my youngercday back packing, and camper were something I did for fun. Later in life I was a Professional Camper, and Back Packer who job title was MARINE.


Now I want a clean room, hot shower, soft bed, with good pillows. Plus a few beers before lights out.


I am not soft, I just realize I am almost 70, not 12 years old working on being an Eagle Scout.
 
jackknife said:
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.

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.

Gotta do what ya gotta do. :thumbup:
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Exactly.

I'm doing what I can, while I can.

Things change; I had worked my way up to doing 1000 pond leg press (one rep max...I was never Superman!).
After stupid back spasms and other issues, I cannot do leg press anymore.
Squats went away too.

So I adapted to reality.

But I'll still drag myself out there while I can; in the picture where I built the shelter? I started that day unable to stand upright at all.
I lost track of how many painkillers and muscle relaxers it took to remain mobile, but I'll be damned if I'm going to waste away before my time. I'll drag myself kicking and screaming through the world if I must, because there's still adventure to be had out there.

There's a whole world to see out there...and I'll be bringing some knives along while I see it.:thumbup:
 
Quiet said:
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:
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Yup everyone should do what they like and no disrespect meant. I hate it when someone just says "get stronger" when a ULer says they don't bother with knives and hatchets. As if it's a life and death emergency to carry a hatchet. But it bugs me too when a ULer spouts dogma as if their way is the only. I don't care for that either. I have to say though that my back hurts looking at some backpackers on the trail which is what I think the OP was saying. I never say anything as it's their hike but I wouldn't trade packs with them either.:D

I'm no ULer either but I do go as light as possible. For me it's not about going further. It's about going the same distance only with more energy and less soreness at the end.
 
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[/url]DSCN0048 by exploregon87, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
stabman said:
On a backpacking forum they'd laugh at me...I got my backpack at Costco for $30. ;)

I'm a knife enthusiast who posts about knives on a forum devoted to the love of all things knifey.
The surprising thing would be if I didn't take every opportunity to carry and use a bunch of knives.

One of my friends is a lifelong artist; when he goes backpacking, he brings art supplies.
The "backpacking purists" probably wouldn't see the sense in that either...
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Which is why the thread topic is so ridiculous. The knife people lecturing the other knife people about having too many or the wrong knives is ludicrous. The correct number of knives is somewhere between zero and being unable to stand.
 
stabman said:
Exactly.

I'm doing what I can, while I can.

Things change; I had worked my way up to doing 1000 pond leg press (one rep max...I was never Superman!).
After stupid back spasms and other issues, I cannot do leg press anymore.
Squats went away too.

So I adapted to reality.

But I'll still drag myself out there while I can; in the picture where I built the shelter? I started that day unable to stand upright at all.
I lost track of how many painkillers and muscle relaxers it took to remain mobile, but I'll be damned if I'm going to waste away before my time. I'll drag myself kicking and screaming through the world if I must, because there's still adventure to be had out there.

There's a whole world to see out there...and I'll be bringing some knives along while I see it.:thumbup:
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That is an awesome post. Totally awesome. I applaud your attitude. Much respect!
 
RX-79G said:
The correct number of knives is somewhere between zero and being unable to stand.
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Between one and not being able to stand. ;)

Zero knives...I don't even go to the library with zero knives. :D
 
Yep, carry what you will if it works.

Kershaw Leek and Kabar Dozier - EDC, food and urban uses, extra knives that get dumped in the bag
Esee4 - Woods knife, small woods processing, food, main knife
Woodings Verona hatchet - medium woods processing, hammer (tentpoles, etc)
Never been on a trip that needed more
ShowandTell.jpg
 
I have done a lot of backpacking and the largest knife I typically carried was a Gerber LST. I find very little need to cut anything when I'm backpacking.
 
I probably wouldn't suggest the Kershaw Leek for anything other than very light work, because.... the tip can break off pretty easily ^
 
I have not done true lightweight backpacking in many years. Back then I carried a Leatherman PST and never felt under knifed. Now that I am a certified knife nut I don't think I could do that again.

If I was going now I wouldn't hit the trail without my Mora no 1 and Vic Farmer. I just wouldn't feel comfortable heading out without a solid knife and the Mora is light enough to disappear on a neck lanyard.
 
Rasco said:
I probably wouldn't suggest the Kershaw Leek for anything other than very light work, because.... the tip can break off pretty easily ^
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Of course, just edc the leek so it comes along anyways. Both the dozier and leek stay in the bag or are handed out to friends without a knife. (southern California, not many outdoorsy people here)
 
I live in Connecticut. When I go hiking, I'll bring my Mora Bushcraft Black, and my SAK Fieldmaster. Ill also have a husqvarna carpenters axe strapped to my pack.

If I'm going camping, I'll carry my kabar Becker bk10, Ontario rat 1, a folding saw, and ny husqvarna axe unless someone else brings one.
 
To answer the op' s ? I usually carry a roselli ax, a Fallkniven volcano and Lone Wolf lobo. Also for Backup a COLD STEEL outdoorsman & Buck 110. Because that's what I like and enjoy using. Sorry no photos, my phone went for a swirly and really don't miss it & am probably just gonna get a crap phone that is just a phone not all the other bs.
 
My hiking trips have never called for any tools, and any camping has been little more than a couple hundred yards from our car, so no serious backpacking. However, for camping, I use a Condor Multi Knife II and a Coast FX350. Yep, pretty exotic stuff!

BiqjRS5.jpg


K1Nkbuv.jpg


I usually have a SAK and/or Leatherman in a pocket in addition to the above knives, and depending on where we're going, I'll substitute a SOG Team Seal Survivor TL-02 in place of the Condor. A hatchet usually waits at the campsite.
 
I enjoy my larger knives and hatchet but would never take them backpacking because I would never use them. I have an Opinel slim No10 as my go-to camping knife, which stays in my mess kit.

I also bring a small folder for pocket carry; usually a BM530, which I had to replace after losing it on my last backpacking fiasco.

Having lost a knife before, I add a at least one backup knife. Something a bit sturdier than the Opinel that is comfortable for whittling but still light. Usually a Mora 510 (4" blade) or a Cold Steel Outdoorsman (6" blade) or a Kellam wolverine (3" blade). Sometimes a SAK.

It is more amusing than cringe-inducing to see people carry large axes or knives/big DSLR cameras/guns/coffee makers/canned food on the trail. Go outside, have fun, see how little of the "civilized" world you can bring with you.

ETA: pics :D
knife.jpg
 
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