What knife do you carry backpacking?

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billygoat162

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Nov 2, 2012
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Many of us love big knives, but they really aren't practical for backpacking. Every now and then I'll throw a big knife in my pack for fun if I'm doing a short hike and plan to have a fire, but usually I'm cutting weight everywhere I can, which includes knives. For any serious backpacking trip (more than 10 miles/day usually, sometimes 20+), I carry a SAK Huntsman and sometimes a BK24, BK11, or a Mora. It seems like there are always threads popping up where someone asks what knife they should get for backpacking, and lots of people are pointing them towards 6"+ fixed blades. Sure, that's what I would carry if all I could have was a water bottle and one knife, but they seem silly when you are hiking all day with a 40lb survival kit on your back, shelter included.

For those of us who actually backpack, and don't just fantasize about surviving in the wilderness, what knife do you carry, for what mileage, and what do you use it for? I did a 250 mile through hike solo this past summer, averaging 17 miles/day, and carried only a SAK Huntsman and a BK24. It was high mountain terrain that varied from 4,000 feet to over 14,000 feet, the temps varied from 106 to ~15, it rained, it hailed, it snowed, and the wind blew it sideways. I never felt like I needed more knife. Honestly, I could have gotten away with only the SAK, but having a small fixed blade came in handy for cleaning fish and gave me some peace of mind for 'just in case' scenarios (although I did use it for occasional wood processing). I used the SAK's blade to open food packages, the scissors to trim bandages, the tweezers and tooth pick for first aid, the saw to notch branches before breaking them, and the screwdriver to open/close my bear canister. So, what do you carry into the wilderness, and why?

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I went on a great hike yesterday. Not super long, but somewhat difficult terrain. It included 8 rope climbs that were used as a way to decend and to ascend upon the return. It was a fantastic hike. The rope work was actually not super tough, but it was in fact VERY neccesary for the terrain. It is called "Gold Strike Hot Springs" hike. You can find it on Google. I carried my pack which is a 5.11 pack, super great pack. In it I had my trauma kit, an Israeli tourniquet, etc. my knives were a Bark River Aurora on my belt, a Spyderco M4 Millie in my pocket, and a Busse TGLB as my BIG knife in my pack. I used it to chop a branch into a hiking staff for Mrs. Vegas blade. :-)
 
My preference is this:

izula04.jpg


I find I don't need anything more except maybe a fillet knife if I plan to do some fishing. Most of my outdoorsy cutting chores are food prep and a little whittling for cooking sticks, pegs and whatnot. I don't need a knife to build a fire. A SAK or multitool can be handy for unexpected gear repair but if you make sure everything is in good working order before your trip, you might save yourself some trouble before it starts...

-Brett
 
My backpacking usually involves fly fishing so I carry a Gerber Pixie or a PAL 24 and a Case SS small Stockman. I also carry an Ecuadoran Collins 14" blade machete but it's use is more of a shovel for digging a cat hole, clearing ground around a fire-pit or place to sleep than a knife. If I'm big game hunting I carry more substantial knives.
 
For weekend hikes, I'll carry a Ritter Griptilian (it's seen a few hundred trail miles) and a fixed blade from my collection. I have bought quite a few similar general purpose fixed blades geared towards the outdoors over the years but usually grab a Falkniven F1 or a carbon Mora. It's been said thousands of times, but a $14 Mora cuts a good or better than any of my $150 fixed blades.
 
It's hard to beat a Mora for the price. They are great for cleaning fish and are lighter than a lot of neck knives even. I usually only carry one on shorter fishing trips, however--I just don't trust them to hold up as well as any of my full tang knives. My Benchmade Bone Collector Mini used to go in my pocket as a third knife, but I started leaving it at home for weight savings. I also stopped carrying my BK16 because I just don't process that much wood, but it worked beautifully when I did carry and use it.

Leave No Trace is a big deal in most places I go to--clearing out vegetation for a place to sleep is always either unnecessary or illegal for me. I must admit, it would be a fun way to use my BK9 though :)
 
Wow you do some serious backpacking! I couldnt imagine doing that, though id love to!

At most I hike 8-9 hours in one go.

I know I dont need a giant fixed blade, I just like to bring one.
also a scandi grind smaller fixed and about 2 folders.
 
Whenever I hike, or work out in woods always just carry my good ol' Mora Companion, or my Izula. Sometimes i will also carry my Victorinox Fieldmaster.
 
On day hikes I generally take a tactical folder like an El Patron or one of my Zt's, whatever I'm feeling at the time. I don't like wearing a belt. On an over night trip where I might be processing wood I have a BK2, I don't mind the weight, but I certainly don't need a blade of that size. I love that knife!
 
A small folder for quick simple tasks and tasks where I may need a bit of precision would be one and a more robust full tang fixed blade knife for more serious work would be another, ideally not more than say 6" if it is going to be a long trip but if I am just going out for a few days and not really pushing myself I am not too concerned with every ounce and may be okay with carrying something a little heavier, maybe about 8".

A Spyderco Drangonfly2 and a Becker BK16 is what I usually find myself carrying, with a Becker BK9 coming in handy for chopping when I am not counting every ounce.

I have been out for weeks with nothing but a sub 2" folder and never fond myself really needing more, though I often found something with a few more inches would have been a lot more convenient. These days however with my rather recently developed steel enthusiasm I would not miss the chance to carry and make use of some more substantial steel.

Folding saws tend to be very useful, like the Sven saw and the Bahco folding saw. I own both and it is surprising how fast these two can chew through logs. The Bahco folding saw and a Mora Companion (HD) I feel would be a very useful duo, relatively light and capable of many tasks.

The Izula II alone I feel could do anything you would need.

I do seriously recommend that most people not carry more than a 35lbs back and the lighter the better. All your gear should be chosen for its usefulness while keeping in mind you overall pack weight. I don't think it would be smart for most people to be carrying a fixed full tang .25" thick 8" long knife unless you know what you're doing. Mora knives are great and rather lightweight fixed blades. Depending on your style of outdoor adventure you may be walking all day and will want to optimize your kit to keep you comfortable as you are carrying your pack over mountains. However if you do spend significant amount of time in camp engaging in camp activities you of course would want to optimize your kit more towards that.

There are really a lot of choices, it is a great time to be alive.
 
I've carried a busse nmfbmle for about 30km over 2 days. Practical?no. Necessary? No. Heavy? Yes. Worth it? Definitely . would I do it again? You bet.
 
For a short day hike, I may carry an assortment of steel, just to play with. If my wife and I are doing multiple days and a lot of miles, I will often so a SAK, Leatherman, and a BHK Boattail Scandi. My wife usually has her Izula within reach and occasionally a larger blade like a BHK Bushcrafter. Variety is fun!
 
I carry a variety. For fixed blades, it is usually this light (4oz) 4" fixed blade from Ray Laconico


Folders vary a lot, mix of spyderco, buck, queen, GEC. This year my favorite was this one
 
For day hikes I just carry what's in the pocket for the day. In most cases a small slip joint. For overnight trips I will take a fixed blade and a sak hunter or multi tool. The fixed blade is around 3.5 to 4 inches but not more. Honestly I have never needed the fixed blade and would be fine with the sak. About 5 days is my max for trips so far :)
 
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