ultralight knives?

K

kenai

Joined
Jan 12, 2005
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hi everyone. first post here. im desprately in search of the lightest possible knife for hiking. the more ultralight the better. i just cut my tent weight from 4 lbs, to 15oz, and would like to do similar with my knife. i was looking at the shcrade simon, but saw on searches here that it wasnt a good option. here are the MUST have items on the knife:
-must be a folder
-a blade at least 2", 2.5"prefered
-blade must lock
-must be able to attatch to a keychain, rope etc.
-would like it to be under 30 bucks as i am moving to alaska and my expenses on other items like sleeping bags etc have put me kind of in the hole.
-and as mentioned, the lighter the better, but i would like the knife to be stable.

thanks all for your help. and if anyone has something similar for sale, i would consider buying used if in good shape.

thanks again
-wez
 
slightly more expensive but an excellent knife is the spyderco calypso jr. or the benchmade mini pika
 
Kenai,

If you're looking to shave off every possible fraction of an ounce for your backpacking excursions, the Beretta Airlight, at 1 oz., is the lightest folder I can think of that matches your specs (locking blade, lanyard hole, 2.4" blade, etc.). It's $5 above your budget, but that's close (and you might find it cheaper elsewhere than the link below...).

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/bestknives/bersmalair.html

However, for .9 ounces more, I'd go with s0rce's suggestion of the Spydie Calypso Jr. Lightweight. Its ergos are superb, and the blade prolly more useful. You can also remove the clip to shave off another .15 ounce... ;)

Good luck and safe packin'!

-- JFrame
 
If this is to be your only knife I would suggest one of the locking blade swiss army knives. Specifically I would suggest the SAK Trailmaster. This is a great camping/backpacking tool. Not only does it have a very good locking main blade, but it has a great saw, can opener, locking screw driver, and philips screw driver. I would think this would help save wieght because you could leave some of that stuff behind.

If you give up the locking feature I would recomend the SAK Soldier or Farmer.

All the above can be found for less than $30.00.

The Calypso Jr. and Kabar Dozier are also great knives, but they do not have the useful tools found on the SAK's. Me personally, I never can carry just one knife, so maybe one of each.....

Tom
 
Tom Krein said:
Specifically I would suggest the SAK Trailmaster. This is a great camping/backpacking tool. Not only does it have a very good locking main blade, but it has a great saw, can opener, locking screw driver, and philips screw driver. I would think this would help save wieght because you could leave some of that stuff behind.
Tom
Click to expand...

I'd rather have a tinker and a dozier. The serrated trailmaster blade is not easy to sharpen in the field and the lock is not the greatest out there (at least on the couple of one handed trailmasters that I have seen)
 
I would recomend against the one handed trailmaster for the reason you stated. I really don't like the serrated blade either. The regular trailmaster has a plain edge. Much better for a general utility knife. The locks on the 3-4 I have seen were pretty good.

Tom
 
I'm a big fan of the AG Russell Hunter's Scalpel. It doesn't fold, but it locks securely into a quick-release sheath. Very small and lightweight, 0.8 oz. Would be perfect for backpacking. $20. The blade is only 1-3/4" though. It can be used with the incluyded laynard or clip to wear around your neck, attach to your pack, etc.

I backpack also, and the only knife I carry is an Opinel. $8 - $10 depending on the size, available in a variety of sizes and wood handle choices, and a very secure locking ring. Heavier than the Hunter Scalpel though, and you'd have to drill your own lanyard hole.

Best Luck in your search,
Bob
 
You might consider a small FB such as the Bark River Woodland. Much stronger than a folder, only weighs a few ounces, and is sturdy enough for serious work.
 
I'd go with an Opinel. The knife is lightweight, the lock is strong, the blade is SHARP, and the price is under $10. I also like the looks and simple design. It's been the knife of outdoorsmen in the Alps for over 100 years!
 
There are a lot of great suggestions already mentioned but I think that a small SAK would be the way to go for a hiker.
 
well, the opinel and the A.G. Russell featherlite look like some good choices so far. all the others looked good too, tho some were way to expensive, and some were hard to find.
and let me say it again, it must be a folder.
now the ag featherlite is a bit expensive, but it looks real sweet.
i really like the looks of the opinel, but im not sure the differences in the models. all of the websites show them completely open, and its hard to tell which ones fold, or if they all fold, and what the weights are.
 
hmm yeah. didnt quite notice that one. what are the advantages of the 4 models? seems like a good price. im only getting one.

ohh and regarding multi tool knives, they are really too heavy. i only need a knife. i have no use for screwdrivers etc.
 
I like thumb studs - so I would get either the clip point if you need a pointy tip for any reason - or the drop point if you don't (you get more blade for your $ :) ) Maybe get the opening hole version if you are going to be wearing gloves.

Either makes a very nice slicer, the lockup is very positive and the price can't be beat (16.99 or so on the auction site or 20 on ag)
 
Opinels all fold and they're very light. The handle is just wood (and lightweight wood at that) and the blade is thin ... I don't think you're going to find anything lighter than an Opinel. :cool:
 
Here is another vote for the Ka-Bar Dozier. Light weight and a real hard worker that's right in your price range.
 
Opinel #8 is a good choice. Thin enough (like all Opinels) to be an excellent slicer. Thick enough to handle a more serious workload without concern than the smaller models. Secure locking ring. Easy to sharpen and cuts well even when somewhat dull. Low price tag. I am fairly sure that all the Opinels, other than the fixed blade kitchen paring knife, are folders. You will still need to drill a lanyard hole though kenai.

If, however, you are going to be around the water a lot, I would suggest one of the other excellent choices mentioned by others that are stainless steel and easier to open than the Opinel when wet. Moisture can be a real problem with the Opinel. An INOX (stainless) Opinel of around the same size as the #8 would prevent the rust problem but not the moisture in the handle problem. Have fun up there and good luck.
 
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