what 3 knives would you bring on a long backpacking trip?

My three would be a Leatherman Wave, Wetterling 15" and a Mora (either the 510 or the 780).

If you don't have any plans on chopping or cutting, I agree that three is way overkill. A good multi-tool and a mora would cover all your bases.
 
First, I only backpack about ten percent of the time; I'm a cyclist and carry about 45 to 50 pounds in front and rear panniers and handlebar bag total. I carry Spyderco's Atlantic Salt (for emergency), a Delica 4, the D'Allara Drop Point, Leatherman Wave, and a Paula Largin (Kelgin) that I had custom for me by her. She has only made one like it.
Paula Largin (Kelgin)
length overall 9 1/2"
blade length 4 9/16"
cutting edge 4 9/16" mixed plain/serrated
blade steel 440-C stainless
blade thickness 7/32"
handle length 4 1/2",
7/16" steel butt juts past handle end as hammer
handle material Oosik,
weight 8 ounces
It replaces hammer, hatchet, trenching tool, signal mirror. So, with the Wave, I carry six blades; no, in the medic bag I carry a field surgery kit with a scalpel, so that makes seven or so. Two necessary items are fire and a blade.
 
I would carry a SAK of some kind, you choose, and call it good. If you are carrying your own fuel then chances are you will never use your knife at all. Of course if you are going to fish the knife is a must have item.

My choice is a locking blade SAK.
 
rorschah said:
What do you bring on your backpacking trips, and what 3 knives would you recommend for me?

For recommendations for me: emphasis on lightness and durability - and little emphasis on aesthetics. Backpacking trips for me are either 2-3 day affairs around SoCal, and the occasional 1-2 week trip in the high sierras. Lookin' at doin' the PCT, too. So lightness is very important. There's going to be no shelter-building and low levels of wood-chopping in any but the most extreme emergency scenario. I've got tent, camp stove, and most places around here you're limited to gathering wood - no chopping down trees. There are typically many, many trout to clean every day.

The trips are getting hard enough lately that I've gone from watching every ounce to watching every tenth of an ounce.

Right now I'm packing a leatherman, a spyderco salt I, and a Frosts Clippper mora thing, but am open to change.

Recommendations?

Thanks so much.

-thi
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm too bored here (on CQ). I would say 2 CV Case sodbusters, & 1 CV Case sodbuster. The 1st 2 go in your pants, & shirt pocket the 3rd go in your pack.
 
saint satin stain said:
First, I only backpack about ten percent of the time; I'm a cyclist and carry about 45 to 50 pounds in front and rear panniers and handlebar bag total. I carry Spyderco's Atlantic Salt (for emergency), a Delica 4, the D'Allara Drop Point, Leatherman Wave, and a Paula Largin (Kelgin) that I had custom for me by her. She has only made one like it.
Paula Largin (Kelgin)
length overall 9 1/2"
blade length 4 9/16"
cutting edge 4 9/16" mixed plain/serrated
blade steel 440-C stainless
blade thickness 7/32"
handle length 4 1/2",
7/16" steel butt juts past handle end as hammer
handle material Oosik,
weight 8 ounces
It replaces hammer, hatchet, trenching tool, signal mirror. So, with the Wave, I carry six blades; no, in the medic bag I carry a field surgery kit with a scalpel, so that makes seven or so. Two necessary items are fire and a blade.
Click to expand...

First, I only backpack about ten percent of the time; I'm a cyclist and carry about 45 to 50 pounds in front and rear panniers and handlebar bag total. I carry Spyderco's CoPilot, the D'Allara Drop Point (primary daily carry,even in the city), D'Allara Rescue, Leatherman Wave, Ladybug (in pocketsize Otter box emergency kit) and a Paula Largin (Kelgin knives) that I had custom made for me by her. She has only made one like it.
Paula Largin (Kelgin Knives;K.C.Largin) designed and made length overall 9 1/2", blade length 4 9/16",
cutting edge 4 9/16" mixed plain/serrated,
blade steel 440-C stainless, blade thickness 7/32",
handle length 4 1/2", 7/16" steel butt juts past handle end for use as hammer, handle material Oosik, weight 8 ounces,
It replaces hammer, hatchet, trenching tool, signal mirror. So, with the Wave, I carry six blades; no, in the medic bag I carry a field surgery kit with a scalpel, so that makes seven or so. Two necessary items are fire and a blade; they are the basic elements of civilization, along with a modicum of commonsense intelligence.

Since the first post here I gave the Salt to my wife; she's a sailor. Gave the Delica to a friend. It did not fit my hand and fits his. I replaced the Salt with the D'Allara Rescue as primary emergency. I carry a pocket size Otter box with fishing line, hooks, flint&steel, tinder, signal mirror, compass et cetera, and the Spyderco Ladybug.

I designed and had made a shoulder bag in which I carry daily when out and about on longer local errands all of the knives except for the Paula; included is also the Otter emergency and an Otter first aid kit. So I always the necessary basics, except for the Paula. The D'Allara Droppoint and Rescue are wonderful, utilitarian, and sturdy knives.
 
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Fallkniven F-1
SAK Fieldmaster
Spydie Delica
CRKT Falcon neck knife

MAybe a larger knife depending on season and purpose of trip.
 
If I had to take three knives, I would take my Vic Farmer, Buck Folding Fillet knife and the Kabar Camp Knife. That is if it's production knives. If not, My JK Camp Cook knife, My JK Hikers Back-up and still the Vic Farmer.
 
if it were me:

a good sak or leatherman (my preference is leatherman blast)
a 3.5-5 inch fixed blade (my preference is a Landi MPS or koster bushcraft)
either a folding saw or hatchet (my preference is a landscaper folding saw)
 
bravo-4014.jpg
 
I would replace the leatherman with something like a SAK Lumberjack. Or Woodsman. Thin, light and the Alox version is very strong. SwissBanico makes a 84mm Jumberjack that is so light I hardly notice it (I carry it daily). Scibeer makes a great Woodsman. Both have mainblade and woodsaw, the Lumberjack gives you a combo tool, the Woodsman from Scibeer gives you an Awl. (The original from SA was just the blade and saw). Or if you want larger but not as heavy as a OH Trekker, the 108mm Pathfinder Safari comes to mind. Of course finding one might be an issue.

My personaly three would be a Gossman PSKsr, a Woodsman and..... ? Probsably would just skip anything else, unless it was the original PSK.
 
My Randy Hicks custom fixed blade (4" blade) or Koyote bushcrafter, SAK Farmer, and Bark River PSK. Simple. :D
 
I carry more than three when backpacking, but here's my list, and you can pick and choose what works for you.

Bark River North Star - a light fixed blade is a must
Spyderco Para or UKPK
Queen #9 stockman
Victorinox Classic
Leatherman Squirt

I also like to carry a saw - an Opinel saw, a Victorinox Farmer with saw, or a Buck Alaskan Guide Crosslock with saw.
 
What you have is great. A Spyderco salt is a good knife

I would probably carry a Mora with a good sheath, SAK Farmer, Leathman Wave and a small sharpening stone
 
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My backpacking / hiking knife is an AG Russell Hunters Scalpel. 0.8 oz, hard locking sheath, lanyard.

On most trips I never use it, and if I forgot it at home I might not even notice. But "better safe than sorry," as they say. And a pocketknife is one of the recommended Ten Essentials!

In the past I've also used BuckLites and Opinels. Settled on the Hunters Scalpel after many years due to it's small size, light weight, and convenience.

The truth is, almost any knife will work as long it's of average quality, you don't abuse it, and it's sharp.

Probably more backpackers, and I've met thousands of them, carry a SAK than anything else. I'd prefer one of the locking models without a lot of unnecessary 'toys.' The tweezers, toothpick, and scissors could come in handy. But I can't foresee needing a saw, can opener, corkscrew, etc. on a backpacking trip.

Happy shopping!
 
Mora 911, Vic Outrider or Farmer, and if I really thought I'd need to collect some wood (only necessary for survival, or if I have a large group along and someone wants a fire) then I'll bring my Fiskars or more likely my Bahco Laplander folding saw. Never had a need for it in the backcountry though. Always got by with my SAK only. The mora is a new thing for me, but it seems to work better with food prep. If I have a saw or hatchet, I might replace the mora with an Opinel #8. Great for food prep.
 
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