What knives do you carry while hiking?

I guess the Mora answer is a little redundant by now but it usually winds up in the bottom of my daypack as a lifeline. Over the last few years a few models stick out at me. The first, most frequent and most comfortable for me is the DPx HEST. This is because it's compact, incredibly durable and comfortable. I refer to it as a mini-ESEE 5 because its a knife that you can rely on 100% if TSHTF. When you're on a dayhike in the mountains, it gives you alot of piece of mind. Other common trial carry blades are my Victorinox Huntsman (Gives you a saw and a scissors all in the same package, probably among the most efficient outdoor tools in existence), Buck Paklite Skinner, and Kabar hunter slipjoint-it's basically a Buck 110 but made from high carbon steel and full convex-ground. I'll give my HB Forge Shawnee Hawk an honorable mention because more often than not it gets stuffed in the belt with the bit flat against my glut. Hawk, Huntsman and an aformentioned knife make for a fully capable, lightweight dayhike kit. If I were designated hiking only, I'd cut down, but often if I find the opportunity to practice skills along the way, I'll take it, and having tools on hand to practice with is nice.
 
This one right now~

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I like the Swamp Rat RMD or the Busse Boss Jack for day hikes. even take my ESEE 6 out now and then.
 
Pit, that blade has a nice prehistoric simplicity to it. Whoever made it executed the design well. A SERE-ish version would be fitting to that profile, I think.
 
Well if I don't plan on chopping down a forest, then a BenchMade gamer (10510) and Cold Steel Recon 1 Clip Point non-serrated (27TLC).

PS: if chopping is needed, a Ontario machete is with me!
 
PayetteRucker said:
Pit, that blade has a nice prehistoric simplicity to it. Whoever made it executed the design well. A SERE-ish version would be fitting to that profile, I think.
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I *think* it's a Breeden Razor....., but i could be wrong (heck, i usually am).
 
canadiantrailman said:
Completely agree Stewey. Environment is the key factor in many respects. Also, whether I am solo hiking our out with my wife and whether I am deep in the woods or just on a hike in a well traveled park with a lot of other people around. I also add a course cut carpenter saw if I go out solo into the wilderness where there may be greater risk in terms of survival. The saw adds minimal weight and cuts like no other knife or Axe, plus its safer to use when first aid is a long way away.

Happy New Year to all bladeforum members! :p
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Do you have a pic of your saw CTM ?, I'm interested. I have never really been hard core into ''survivalist'' gear. But because many of my interests\hobbies are outdoor related, it makes sense that I start taking this stuff a bit more seriously. The main scenario besides getting lost would be a broken leg. Or whatever, a guy never really knows. So... after years of looking at all this peripherally, I am starting to get a bit more serious and interested. These are the cutting tools that I currently have, along with a recent Condor Parang. I have used several combos outdoors for day trips. When multi day camping with the wife, I just used a full sized Axe.
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I noticed that my knife use could have used a bit more thought, pushing up with cutting edge toward me. Oh well, the bark came off fairly easily. Do differently next time. Click mouse on tree.
:D
 
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Actually I'm into it also. If it was just a teeny weeny bit thicker it would be ''the one''. I'll toss it into the box\bubble pack whatever, and you can play with that one also. It's marvelously light and almost unnoticeable while hip carrying, for a large blade.
 
sicily02 said:
Hi all,

I carry this every day no matter what. It is my neck belt and pocket gear and the contents of that stuff. Unless I am sleeping or taking a shower I have this stuff on.
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that is part of my hiking gear set up the other part is this. My bigger knife and then my pack.
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Bryan
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Thanks for that picture Bryan, I was looking for that one.

Nice Bladeforum Patch.
 
If I am not in a pyrotechnic mood, as in a day hike, a SAK Huntsman or Farmer is more than sufficient. If I am overnighting and a fire is desirable, I'll include a ~4" camp knife. If I want to feel like Paul Bunyon, my BK7 and a saw of some sort.
 
canadiantrailman said:
UpNorth, here is a pic of the saw I carry. It is not exactly a "hiker" or "wilderness" type of saw. I picked it up at Lowes. It cuts through a 2x4 in less than 30 seconds. Try doing that with a chopper (not even Cold Steel videos can do that). My pack is a Gregory Z55 and I tuck the saw into the water bladder slot right along the back part, fits perfectly. Anyway, if someone needs to build a shelter and drop a fair amount of small trees, this saw works very well due to its cutting blade style.

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Cool, thanks, I could live with that. :thumbup: I tossed a big honker of a rubberized Swiss army pack and now only have this bag. I like it because it stops me from packing TOO much stuff. That saw looks like a keeper for some spots that I go to.
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I used to apply that mentality but got so flamed for it by particular members on here... I guess you have to watch out how you say that kind of stuff. I still agree-if you have the volume and capability to carry it, and you're at all worried about the kind of conditions you're going to encounter, you'd be stupid not to maximize every cubic inch of volume you have. I like that foliage color. Upnorth, check out the Silky Mebae. It's a classy wood-handled bushcraft saw with a nice wooden sheath and a classy looking fox burned into the handle. It's a wood-eater for sure, very lightweight, low volume and easy to pack. Blade is replacable, too!
 
I bought this one just for hiking to replace my swamp rat and/or rat-7 to reduce weight.
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but it has been replaced by a Rat-3
I also carry an arborist hand saw and want badly to purchase a wetterlings 19" axe
I also carry an emerson SOCFK. I hope to replace the rat with a NWA scout.
 
Nothing fancy. Depends on what we're doing and how long we're staying. I have an SAK Camper, but the most-used blade on that is the saw (the steel on the other blades doesn't stay sharp long). Besides that, either a Kershaw OD-1 or Blackout ST. Mainly the OD-1....not a fan of Speedsafe, but I can see where it could come in handy. I find that it's easier to close my OD-1 than the Blackout.
 
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