Stout backpacking knife

[pinnah]

We all pack what is important to us for a given visit with nature. I wonder how large the drone is?

Was chatting with a thru hiker at a recent Wilderness First Aid class and we were comparing packing lists. She said she was told and believed that our packs reveal what we are most afraid of. This was in the context of how pack weights tend to drop dramatically as people gain experience.

I'm not sure that covers everything but it's close.

 

[ostanley99]

I'm in a dilemma, I'm looking for a stout backpacking knife, something I can chop with, fire prep, shelter building, whatever is needed. I'm looking at either a busse basic, 9-11, or possibly a scrapyard 911. Something relatively light. And I think I narrowed it down to these. Any suggestions. The trips I do are wilderness trips, extended stay. So something really durable is needed.

If you're backpacking, it has to be something that isn't too heavy but can hold up. Take a look at the Benchmade fixed blade Adamas. It's all tang and you can wrap paracord for an easier time gripping it

 

[Cobalt]

Was chatting with a thru hiker at a recent Wilderness First Aid class and we were comparing packing lists. She said she was told and believed that our packs reveal what we are most afraid of. This was in the context of how pack weights tend to drop dramatically as people gain experience.

I'm not sure that covers everything but it's close.

So this guy must be afraid of EVERYTHING

 

[22-rimfire]

Was chatting with a thru hiker at a recent Wilderness First Aid class and we were comparing packing lists. She said she was told and believed that our packs reveal what we are most afraid of. This was in the context of how pack weights tend to drop dramatically as people gain experience.

I'm not sure that covers everything but it's close.

Interesting comment that we pack things relative to what we are most afraid of. I pack rain gear because I hate to get soaked. I might get completely soaked with sweat, but that is sweat. I seldom pack a gun hiking, but many do. I do during walks in the woods however.

I am afraid of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Have come very close a couple of times, hence I pack drinking water and usually more than is necessary.

From a knife point of view, one might pack or carry a large knife for self defense or for wood prep when I have never particularly had a problem with either.

 

[leghog]

Was chatting with a thru hiker at a recent Wilderness First Aid class and we were comparing packing lists. She said she was told and believed that our packs reveal what we are most afraid of. This was in the context of how pack weights tend to drop dramatically as people gain experience.

I'm not sure that covers everything but it's close.

Yup..

 

[pinnah]

I blame the Victorians, who didn't have enough work to do so started thinking up "sports". Safaris, Mountaineering, Skiing, messing around with boats, and for the children: the Scouts. You name it they started it. A couple of wars later and the hippies suddenly thought they had found something "new" called nature, but conveniently forgot how unloving nature is. Then the 80's fitness fanatics went all high tech and thought up new speed sports and started labelling everything so they could sell it. Package it up and sell the kit, so the urbanites might venture beyond their metropolis's. Its got to the stage where there is a car park at the beginning of the trail, and a gift shop at the end. And don't leave the trail as you might hurt yourself.

Once upon a time climbing over mountains, or trekking across hills, was to get out of the valley because the girls in your valley were your sisters.

This is the best post in this thread and one of the best posts I've read on Bladeforums on the subject. Outdoor recreation is a construct of the romantic period, to be sure. All we do in terms of sport has an air of artificiality to it, so we can't really judge each other beyond damage done to others.

22, I don't think the fear comment covers things that are brought for the sheer fun of it. Booze. Books. Big knives. Bongs (not my thing). I would say that when completion of an objective takes over as the organizing principle of a trip as it often does in backpacking, bike touring or mountain climbing, the achievement of the goal has a way of winnowing away extraneous junk, leaving you only with what is needed, which is the fear comment made by an AT thru hiker.

But before we take that too seriously, Greenjacket correctly reminds us that even the objective is choose out of fun/recreation/fulfillment/achievement/what-have-you.

Artificial or not, I want my kids to have the same opportunity. Trashed wild places suck.

 

[GREENJACKET]

Mount Everest base camps have huge piles of junk that have accumulated over the years. Now that there are several hundred people trying to climb it every year, the junk pile gets increasingly bigger. I believe there is a charity specifically set up to try and clear some of this mess up.

In the UK our National Parks get some heavy use. Thousands of banana skins get thrown on the trails every year to the point the added nutrients are changing the flora along the paths. The paths themselves are eroding and cutting deeply into the mountain sides from the thousands of feet. People who carry a stone to the top to deposit it there are making huge piles that have no place and changing the landscape. There are now signs (which I hate with a passion) to inform people not to do it.

Sure its nothing compared to industry be that forestry of mineral extraction but the small things do add up. I scuba dive and where too many divers have been the coral has been bashed and chipped by every passing flipper.
All I'm saying is the little things do add up. So if you want to leave something for the next generation tread softly whatever you are doing. Thankfully nature, given the opportunity, can mend pretty quickly.

Non of us would be on this forum if we didn't like "a good knife" though. What knife varies with individuals taste, and who is to say if someone taste is better than any others? I do like to question some of the blade offerings and the hype behind them, usually by targeting quite how practical and useful a particular style is. All because its part of the hobby. Others have interest in the steel, heat treatment and construction. It all makes it more interesting.
Lastly, its meant to be fun.

 

[cbach8tw]

Not too many snakes in Europe, even fewer at altitude. In truth I like them so leave them alone.
I can never get over the amount of tarantulas and scorpions you have in the States.

A to B, C to D, at speed, camping light, is trekking in the UK. I think its depends where you are and the local language or term used. Does it matter? Who needs an excuse to get outside and do stuff?

My son backpacking around the world, was half the time too hungover and crashed to get up early... unless he had a plane, train, bus, or boat to catch. He also took a cricket bat to play cricket and make friends with. In the UK backpacking is travelling with a backpack.

Here we go:
Is it a daysac, day pack, trail pack, knapsack, rucksack, backpack, climbing pack, large pack, bergen, or load carrying system?

I hate to say this, a European shoulder bag!!! And like another post said, the diversion on the topic just happens!!

 

[GREENJACKET]

Is that to carry your pipe tobacco; modernists it would be a charger for their electric cigarette.

Anyone try and light a cigarette with a ferro rod? I can tell you its a lot more difficult than in the manuel, and if your knife can't fire a spark well that knife is useless. Is that a skill to practice at home first?
And while on the subject did you know you can start a fire with an electric cigarette! Just buy a dodgy one from China and it does it all by itself when charging!! Laptops (Apple) can do it too, as a good friend found out when his estate office went up in smoke one night a few years back.

 

[cbach8tw]

Is that to carry your pipe tobacco; modernists it would be a charger for their electric cigarette.

Anyone try and light a cigarette with a ferro rod? I can tell you its a lot more difficult than in the manuel, and if your knife can't fire a spark well that knife is useless. Is that a skill to practice at home first?
And while on the subject did you know you can start a fire with an electric cigarette! Just buy a dodgy one from China and it does it all by itself when charging!! Laptops (Apple) can do it too, as a good friend found out when his estate office went up in smoke one night a few years back.

That is so funny. I have always thought, do not know if smart, when I have seen someone start a fire with a 9 volt battery and some steel wool or brillo pad. That also may leave too much trash.
As far as the backpacking chopper thing goes, it is really up to each individual choice, but to me it makes sense to have a good size knife if I were camping where I not far off the path or at a campground. Hiking to me just means heading out not too far from camp. That being said, the big tool would stay at camp and a smaller fixed blade on my belt, 3-5 inches. My needs are different than someone else, and I can see everyone else's point about a big knife or just something light, they choose the equipment based on their needs or wants. I am not a serious "backpacker," that term to me means someone who goes for some distance where weight is a concern, and it does make sense for lighter carry. I have toted a Becker 2 on my hip just for fun but noticed quickly that it got heavy and I did not use it much and my shorts were starting to become an advertisement for plumbers crack (needed a good belt). That was my scenario, so I quickly learned that my equipment choice may need to be adjusted based on the kind of experience and place where I am going. Experience does teach you things, I still like a big blade, but I do not think I would take it on hikes I consider very long, where I only need to cut a few things. My needs may be different but experience has taught me a few things.

 

[jazub]

OP, good call on the MMD. Haven't handled one but it looks like a great tool. :thumbup:

With regard to your original question, I think that the 911 is on the cusp of appropriate for a single blade option where you're going to want chopping capability in a backpacking knife. One Fall overnighter, I threw a 711 in my bag instead of a 911 and unexpectedly ended up needed to process some fuel for a fire. The nearest deadfall I could find was about 1/8 mi. away and I had to chop it into manageable sections to carry back to our camp spot in intermittent rain. The 711 managed but it was a lot more work with the smaller knife, as it doesn't have much forward weight. Still, the ladies and gentlemen in our group appreciated the big warm riverside fire when the temps dropped. It went great with our mushrooms and whiskey and kept the animals away.

I have been more careful to always pack a bigger blade since then. Plus, big knives rule.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

I have been more careful to always pack a bigger blade since then. Plus, big knives rule.

I am tempted to make my new RMJ Little Bird a one tool option. Not a knife but it handles and slices at lot like a few others I own. Should be fun!

 

[jazub]

I am tempted to make my new RMJ Little Bird a one tool option. Not a knife but it handles and slices at lot like a few others I own. Should be fun!

I haven't ever tried a tomahawk in place of a knife but that looks like a sweet spot size to pack around and a lot of fun to use. Nice!

 

[rodriguez7]

I am tempted to make my new RMJ Little Bird a one tool option. Not a knife but it handles and slices at lot like a few others I own. Should be fun!

I have taken my Jenny wren a few times, and I really like it paired with a good folder. I think it would do almost anything needed. And it is lighter than a big knife. It's all just in fun, trying different things. The swamp mmd is a little heavy to carry on a 30 mile trip, I bought it more due to the price.

 

[savage99]

Was chatting with a thru hiker at a recent Wilderness First Aid class and we were comparing packing lists. She said she was told and believed that our packs reveal what we are most afraid of. This was in the context of how pack weights tend to drop dramatically as people gain experience.

I'm not sure that covers everything but it's close.

Man that's pretty profound, I guess I'm afraid of running out of food cuz I always bring way to much.

 

[GREENJACKET]

Come full circle again and I'll recommend a Skrama to compliment any small fixed or folder:

Still think a Silky Saw is the way to go to cut logs.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

Still think a Silky Saw is the way to go to cut logs.

Without a doubt, of the 5 silky saws I own, I always have at least one when I have to do work in the woods. On some lands here in the US, I try to leave the trails better than I found them so the occasional trail maintenance is fun. Overgrown trails with fallen trees and branches are rarely fun for the casual hiker so i always try to pack something small and efficient like a Silky for the impromptu trail clearing. Only where I am allowed to do so, of course.

Now for around a base camp type place this new Little Bird hawk should work well. It slices fruit, chops and splits wood, and the 'other end' works for all those times I don't want to grab wood with my hands. It even has a prying end on the handle which come in handy at some point I bet. Would I use it for through hiking or anything more than a weekend trip? Nope, I enjoy going light and fast for anything more than 2-3 days out.

 

[pinnah]

On some lands here in the US, I try to leave the trails better than I found them so the occasional trail maintenance is fun. Overgrown trails with fallen trees and branches are rarely fun for the casual hiker so i always try to pack something small and efficient like a Silky for the impromptu trail clearing. Only where I am allowed to do so, of course.

This is key.

Nothing wrong lending a hand to trail maintenance, provided you're clear on the management plan.

One area I frequent was declared officially as a Wilderness Area 15 or 20 years ago and since then, we've been watching things change in accordance with the minimal maintenance plan to minimize the visible footprint of human domestication.

The first big change was the removal of a suspension bridge over a large river - a move that definitely altered a lot of long standing routes. The second change was the dismantling of shelters and campsites.

My son and I experienced the 3rd, longer developing change a few weeks ago on a trip though - that of reduced trail maintenance. I was on sweeper duty bringing up the rear of the group and let him hike out ahead of me on a long descent to catch the rest of the party ahead of us. Blazes more or less disappeared and logs were over the trail regularly. Stream crossings were particularly challenging as it wasn't clear where the trail was on the other bank. It became clear to me what was going on when I hit a recent blow down in which some logs had been cleared by chainsaw (trail crew work) and others right next to them hadn't been. Logs were being left across the trail intentionally.

Of course, this was a good 10 miles from any trailhead and a good 4 miles into the official Wilderness Area boundary.

A ski party nearly died 3 years skiing through the Wilderness Area just a short distance away and one of the contributing factors was their inability to stay on the trail because they couldn't find it. My son and I compared notes about which one of us was more concerned for his ability to stay on trail. He did fine but I definitely have more respect (and appreciation, really) minimally maintained trails. Definitely wilder and that's a result from the management program.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

This is key.

Nothing wrong lending a hand to trail maintenance, provided you're clear on the management plan.

One area I frequent was declared officially as a Wilderness Area 15 or 20 years ago and since then, we've been watching things change in accordance with the minimal maintenance plan to minimize the visible footprint of human domestication.

Almost all Wilderness Areas these days have that nearly minimal to no impact set of rules. Last time I was in some designated wilderness areas, I was out west near Yellowstone and Glacier National park. Long hikes with just water and food on a 15-20 mile day.

Here in MASS I have agreements with my local conservation officials that if I see something, I do something about it in local areas. Having some friends in local government is helpful.

Trails in what national parks/forests or wilderness areas I have been in are almost always clear and in zones where fires of any sort are not permitted. BLM land however, in places Utah and Colorado, are far easier to enjoy freedom when backpacking. So many good memories along the Burr Trail/Escalante area of Utah!

 

[rodriguez7]

Update, sold the mmd, and bought a busse basic 11. 16 ounces, plus the sheath, not to bad. I'll be doing a 35 mile pack trip in a couple weeks.