survival knife for john muir trail

I would suggest a RC-3 and a SAK. I am a big fan of Jeff Randall's products(I own several models),excellent blade and the RC-3 can take some punishment if needed and a SAK for light duty activities....
 
Hope your trip is eventful. I backpack in this area often and you'll actually be pretty close to my cabin when you stop off at Muir Trail Ranch for resupply.(I'm guessing you will) Anyway, I have been served well by my Para-Military(Spyderco) and a Leatherman Squirt. I prefer the G-10 handles, lightweight and durable, cause all mornings are cold in the Sierra and cold tools are a pain to use. The tiny leatherman is perfect for removing flies from brookie's mouths and is useful for many other things. Take note you will be in some prime trout territory.

Weight is key my friend the air gets really thin up there. ;)
 
I just wanted to add something.
There is a reason I carry a 3-4inch fixed blade and a small folder with me when I go backpacking.

For several years now I have carried an ultralight daypack in addition to my regular pack. When I get to my campsite and get everything set up, I often go peak bagging and exploring.
In my daypack I keep my raingear, first aid kit, a small survival kit and my 'big' knife, [a fixed 4 incher]. That is when I want a bigger knife with me.

I might get lost while away from my gear, [it hasn't happened yet but who knows?]. I might get back to camp and find a bear has decided to check things out and now I have only shreds of tent/sleeping bag left.:grumpy: I might return to camp to find that somebody liked my gear more than theirs and everything is gone. So, NOW I need something more than a SAK.

That is why I carry a larger knife when I go backpacking, but, it almost never gets used.

I carry a small knife also. For the daily chores around camp and on the trail my small Kershaw Chive stays clipped inside my pocket. It gets used constantly. I don't have to dig out my sheath knife for every little chore.

By the way, I still have a light pack. I've got the weight down to 35lbs. This includes a real tent, ultralight tarp cook shelter, i-pod, PDA, camera, binoculars and my S&W Ultralight .44 Magnum, [I live in bear country]. You can have a light pack and still carry a little bit bigger knife if you want to.
 
You know, I think after the thousands of words we've exchanged over four or five excellent knife forums over the subject of 'survival' knives or knives for the wilderness or long treks, I just decided I'm going to start a thread ( no hijack intended, just a spin-off) that talks about what REALLY matters on long treks with a pack- BOOTS! Truth be told, your gear can be Gold plated and it's really your boots that get you there.
 
well , Its not that I want one its that I already have it and thought I could get some use out of it , is there any reason why serrations are a bad idea ?
 
Bushcraft often demands cutting saplings and branches with the part of the blade closest to the hilt of the knife. Serrations don't work as well for this. This is why most survival specific knives don't have partial serrations.
 
My opinion on serrations is that they compensate somewhat if the knife gets dull. A bread knife can be quite dull and still cut bread. Serrations might be useful on "mission specific" knives (belt cutters, kayak egress knives etc) but not on allround knives.
You can sharpen a regular knife (even convex grind) with quite basic tools but you can not sharpen the serrations without special tools.

"Combat" survival knives often have serrations (Gerber LMF II) but "outdoor" survival knives (FK F1) dont. Getting lost in the forest does not contain any "combat" part so leave the serrations at home. Also leave the knife with a huge choil at home.

BEARCUT explained it well why ONE knife is not enough. You might drop your gear in the river or you could have cut some ill tasting stuff with it before dinner (tar tasting sausage is not a success) :(

Also make sure that everyone in the group have enough knives so you dont end up borrowing knives back and forth. (feel with hand) "I have my knife in my sheath" is better than "who borrowed my knife and where is it now?" Your knife in your sheath is better than ten lost in the woods.
 
Blade Tech prohunter a RC 3 and a Vic Farmer or Leatherman Charge Ti. That is what I would take and try to lighten the rest of my gear. That way you could have a knife for 90 percent of situations.
 
Thread Update:
I did the JMT last Summer (2010). I regularly used my SAK Recruit to open food packages and clean trout. The traditional Mora went along just for fun. I used it just to use it, but it was not actually needed.

The small SAK did everything well.
 
Erasmus said:
Thread Update:
I did the JMT last Summer (2010). I regularly used my SAK Recruit to open food packages and clean trout. The traditional Mora went along just for fun. I used it just to use it, but it was not actually needed.

The small SAK did everything well.
Click to expand...

Awesome. Thanks for the update! Always good to hear about knives being used.
 
Holy hell! I'm shocked to see my old thread emerge from the grave.

I have to say the SAK advise was the best for me. I brought a BM 710 along with when I did the trip and ended up mailing it back home when I got off the trail at one point. It became surprisingly heavy.
 
Shoulda checked the date of the first post -- didn't realize how old this thread was.
 
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