What knives do you carry while hiking?

My current day hike setup includes a medium sized blade and a pocket folder - BK7 and Vantage Avid. The 7 for wood and chores and the Avid for food prep. I'll add a Wetterlings 18 inch hatchet if there's a strong chance of inclement weather:

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Very similar tastes! Although I don’t often pack an axe down in the Southeast, I more often carry a machete. My recent companion has been BHK’s excellent machete.

My main fixed blade is typically one of the following:
Martin Knives BT
Skookum Bushtool
BRKT Bravo-1
As to folders, I love the Emerson CQC-10 and often carry either a Spyderco Military or the smaller Para-Military (which I do more often select for backpacking). If my activities involve small game hunting or fishing, I’ll typically add my Fallkniven WM-1 which has proven to be a great small utility blade.
I t really depends on my mood, but I will typically choose between the Victorinox Spirit multi-tool or my preferred SAK model, the Outrider.

Lastly, a folding saw always comes in handy for several tasks, projects and anything needing a fast flush cut. If I’m going real light, it’s either the smallest Silky or Opinal folding saw; I also like the Laplander/Bahco or the very effective 14” Corona saw (not a folder).

ROCK6
 
canadiantrailman said:
I actually purchased a similar saw Payette and ended up returning it. I found the saw blade didn't have the heft, so to speak, and waffled back and forth. I know my choice of saw is somewhat unorthodox for its purpose but I pick items that work best and this one works with wet or dry wood without getting stuck.

The point on usage of the pack space for me sure makes good sense. I would rather pack in more than I need with a few extra pounds than be caught in a serious situation without the right stuff. Thanks for your comments.
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Understandable. I wore one of those Irwins while building a 4,000 square foot log lodge up in the mountains my first year in Idaho. It could zip a lodgepole just as fast as a sawzall or rotor saw. Very stout reliable tool. The Mebae's a great saw, the teeth protrude from the width of the sawblade so that the kerf is wider, thus it prevents binding. Fantastic design with it's revolver style grip, the reliability of a fixed blade and the overall profile and weight isn't much more than a typical folding saw. The blade is thin, but not so thin I feel it affects performance or utility. The sheath has alot of different mounting possibilities and allows for easy access, though the blade does rattle in the wooden sheath as a kydex sheath will. I tend to like thicker sawblades too-if I need to make a very fine small precision kerf I'll use my SAK saw.

If you're going someplace new or are unsure of weather conditions, I wouldn't fault anyone for packing extra kit. I grew up in the middle of Great Lakes country and know how fast a 85 degree summer day can turn into a 40 degree thunderstorm with 45-50 mph winds. The mountains are no different, and as soon as I grow complacent with them they lash out and teach me a lesson. I've also had daytrips turn into overnighters, overnighters turn into 3 day trips, etc. Seems to happen when you don't have all the extra crap along. If friends, family or a significant other are along, I tend to feel personally responsible for their safety, which also justifies packing more stuff.

I've been here long enough that I've done multiple trips to the same places now, and because I know more of what to expect as far as available natural resources and potential for extenuating conditions, I can ease up a bit. For example, I used to pack enough food for main courses for every day on high mountain fishing trips. Nowadays I know I can reliably catch breakfast, lunch and dinner with a pack rod and a wooly worm, and leave the blocks of summer sausage at home. Most modern packs will comfortably accommodate a wide range of volume, so as you gain more confidence you should be able to cut back without investing in a new pack.
 
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On a simple day hike where I am not being woodsie.

The real user knife is a 3 1/2" stockman in a pouch for all and every cutting job! (that is three blades all in one!)
Then a Waiter SAK that has a blade can/bottle opener and a corkscrew as my food/picnic knife.
And after that small 3 1/4" blade SS Mora Scout sheath knife with which I can do any bushcraft/emergency cutting

I also carry these in England when I am hill walking.
And also when I travel to the US, it covers my preparing food in a hotel room and going on a hike
I find they supply me all my real needs that I will be meeting.
What is also important to me as a traveller that they are neutral looking and do not warrant a second look by anyone.

I used to carry for long distance backpacking, a SAK, and an Opinel or Bucklite
 
This is what I had on myself on my last outing - Ruger MKII SS Target .22LR, JK Handmade Knives "LOBO" & my Vic. SAK Hiker. In my pocket I also had my Spyderco Endura4 Waved PE. -
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I don't really have a certian set that I take with me, I always mix it up & try out different combos:D
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or
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or
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or
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or
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or
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or
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....The list goes on, just thought I'de share a few of my favorite combo's
 
PayetteRucker said:
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 replaceable, too!
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:thumbup: I read with interest what you guys have to say. But my primary interest at this time of my life, and the last few years actually, has been metal detecting. And the spots that I go to are often wild\unpopulated. These places give me the personal freedom to carry any type of cutting tool I need or want, practical or just fun. I need to read what you guys have to say about many topics. I do not feel worried or afraid of being outdoors as I've been there, done that since say maybe 12 years old. But I absolutely do not know many things that would\could save my bacon out there. I'm getting older and don't have quite the physical jam that I did as a younger man. So I have to use my noggin a bit more out there now. I will look\learn and take whatever makes sense for my conditions. And any equipment tips are appreciated. In my lifetime I'd say that maybe 5% of my outdoor experience was in extreme absolute stone cold isolation with zero help near. I took that time super seriously although I was still buzzing with the environmental beauty. Damn it was SO nice !! About 45% of the time has been semi isolated and about half the time has been doinking around in the countryside or just out of town. I suppose that reflects my cutting tool choices and gear selection. Not much of my stuff is hard core, because I wasn't hard core. But that's not to say that I haven't been all over and in some really isolated doo doo now and then. I'm still learning\evolving and may always be so. Thanks for the tips.
:)
 
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jackknife said:
Depends on where I am.

Around in my home state of Maryland, I just carry whatever pocket knife I usually have on hand, and in the day pack will be a folding saw of some type. Either my sliding blade Gerber/Fiskars or Opinel. If I'm out in my canoe, a small hatchet will be in the boat bag.

If the better half and I are traveling out west, I'll have a compact sheath knife with a 4 inch blade in addition to the folding saws. I'm not into large choppers, and at my age I don't want to lug anymore weight than I have to. I'd rather have good fire making kits and extra food.
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For hiking in the summer I'll have my Izula 2 and a back up blade. Either a mora companion, Farmer custom(pic below), or a Gerber folding saw.
For bad weather I'll have the above plus a third wood processing blade. Either the saw or a modified CS Trail Hawk.

Of course this could change tomorrow. I already have a kuk I'm trying out in the hawk role.

Farmer knife. Nicknamed "Cowboy" by my girlfriend. :)
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On yesterday's hike, I had what I usually carry on hikes....one of my Victorinox Outdoorsman models that I modded with "plus" scales, paracord lanyard, with a cord lock compass.

Good time. Little windy....but super good time.

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Went on some nice dayhikes over break at my parents' in Wisconsin-this was my trail kit. All on established trails close to or inside of developed civilization, so most of it was for gear trial/bushcraft practice, but overall lightweight and capable tools for a worst case scenario.
 
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