Where do you go to use your knives?

pinnah said:
Before letting my kids "test" knives, I taught them how to handle them. I started them both off with Opinels because they lacked springs of any sort so less chance of accidental closure due to weak fingers and clumsiness. I then moved them both to slip joints of various sorts and later, to lock backs. They've also been taught how to handle knives in the kitchen regularly. We also keep a fire pit in the back yard, so they get regular practice with making kindling in support to the various camping trips we take. I also think whittling and small wood working skills are useful and I taught my kids the basics using back yard sticks. If we had no access to sticks, small wood working projects in the kitchen would have worked just fine.



I think there are several things going on here. Top of the list is that large knives aren't necessary for hiking and backpacking because fires aren't necessary. Seeing big knives hanging off of somebody's pack isn't uncommon because of law enforcement issues so much as it is simply not needed. In teaching my kids outdoor skills, I've taught them how to light and manage camping stoves. My daughter can light pretty much any white gas stove - my son most. Both know their way around canister stoves and both are comfortable with alcohol stoves. IMO, its a critical outdoor skill, just as tent/tarp craft is and just like managing modern clothing systems in foul weather. My kids both carry knives in the woods and both know how to light fires should the need arise, but as a matter of course, they don't rely on knives for fires because they don't rely on fires.

I'm a big knife fan and a fan of big knives. I'm also a big fan of firearms. But when on hiking trails on public lands, I see the open carry of large fixed blades in the same way as I see the open carry of firearms. It's massively unusual and, to my eyes, it's just a half-step away from provocation and brandishing. On maintained trails, there's just no need for having quick and regular access to a big knife, so my interpretation is that its there to send a message to me and other people. Obviously, if the trail is not maintained and there is a need for access to a cutting tool as a part of moving around, that's another story all together.

IME, the ecology of public lands varies dramatically across the country, as do the rates of usage. I give a lot of credence to the local regulations of a public land based on localized management goals of local managers. What works in west Texas and in central Maine will be different. A lot of public lands I've been to get so much use that land managers often discourage open fires and harvesting of wood. If you've ever seen a backcountry campsite stripped of undergrowth and pock-marked with poorly maintained and trashed fire rings, you can understand how and why these restrictions come into being. But I've also been to places that can sustain and allow for fires.



This isn't my experience at all. I always carry a knife in pubic forests. It's usually in my fanny pack or in my backpack. Size and type varies depending on trip ranging from a 3" folder to a 7" fixed blade. Once in camp or a rest stop, so long a my knife use fits within what is expected and legal in that area, nobody says boo about it. I regularly use fixed blades for making fires on public lands and it's easily tolerated. But hiking down the trail with Buck Reaper hanging from my pack straps -- there's just no need for that and people would have the right to be suspicious of me if I did.
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I don't consider a hiker camper sporting a big fixed blade as a threat.
 
I haven't had issues with big knives on me or firearms for that matter. Ive had a rifle on my back and law enforcement was patrolling the area. Next thing I know where talking about guns for 30 minutes. I guess it depends where you are. In az there is not much restrictions.
 
My boys' favorite hike is the Icehouse Trail around the base of Mt. Baldy in southern California. It's an established trail, well-traveled, and not terribly far from civilization. Lately I have been wearing a medium-sized kukri, basically to make walking sticks for the boys. I think I am going to swap back to a BK4 because the kukri steel is a little softer and it gets little dings and folds from knots. Nobody has even given me a second glance on the trail or looked uncomfortable to see me whittling away, and that includes the forest service workers and Rangers who wander by. I suppose I could use a folder or tiny fixed blade, but that isn't the best tool for what I want to do. Honestly, I don't really care what people think of my appearance, and most people on that trail would probably be better served by putting more thought in their choice of footwear and carrying some water.
 
Reading through this and some other recent threads ... I get that for some circumstances and for some people pack weight means alot .... but for some of us an extra 2 or 3lbs or even an extra 10 or 15lbs. are hardly noticacle ...

and what works for one doesn't for another ...

I have been all over this world in some beautiful places and in some harsh harsh conditions ... and what I want with me minialmilists would say you're crazy ... but it works for me and those that have been with me ...

and there have been times we were caught unexpectedly and had to make due on very little ...

so you might be surprised at how little you can get by with in a bad spot ... and how much you would be amazed at just how comfortable and sustainable things can be in the harshest conditions if you bring a few extras along to have what you need ...

I don't notice an added 10lbs in my pack at all no matter where I'm going ... but I'm a large man ... and from my experiences (in the outdoors) not on youtube ... I'll carry a bit extra and have what I need for any situation that comes up ... especially if I'm responsible for others too.

I carry and use my knives nearly everywhere I go ... I live in a rural area most of my time is spent outdoors ... and the occasion trip somewhere with ridiculous restrictions is the ONLY time you'll find me not carrying or using much ... and even there you can bet there is a knife or two on me and other very useful things.
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
Reading through this and some other recent threads ... I get that for some circumstances and for some people pack weight means alot .... but for some of us an extra 2 or 3lbs or even an extra 10 or 15lbs. are hardly noticacle ...

and what works for one doesn't for another ...

I have been all over this world in some beautiful places and in some harsh harsh conditions ... and what I want with me minialmilists would say you're crazy ... but it works for me and those that have been with me ...

and there have been times we were caught unexpectedly and had to make due on very little ...

so you might be surprised at how little you can get by with in a bad spot ... and how much you would be amazed at just how comfortable and sustainable things can be in the harshest conditions if you bring a few extras along to have what you need ...

I don't notice an added 10lbs in my pack at all no matter where I'm going ... but I'm a large man ... and from my experiences (in the outdoors) not on youtube ... I'll carry a bit extra and have what I need for any situation that comes up ... especially if I'm responsible for others too.

I carry and use my knives nearly everywhere I go ... I live in a rural area most of my time is spent outdoors ... and the occasion trip somewhere with ridiculous restrictions is the ONLY time you'll find me not carrying or using much ... and even there you can bet there is a knife or two on me and other very useful things.
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Fortune favors the prepared!
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
Reading through this and some other recent threads ... I get that for some circumstances and for some people pack weight means alot .... but for some of us an extra 2 or 3lbs or even an extra 10 or 15lbs. are hardly noticacle ...

and what works for one doesn't for another ...

I have been all over this world in some beautiful places and in some harsh harsh conditions ... and what I want with me minialmilists would say you're crazy ... but it works for me and those that have been with me ...

and there have been times we were caught unexpectedly and had to make due on very little ...

so you might be surprised at how little you can get by with in a bad spot ... and how much you would be amazed at just how comfortable and sustainable things can be in the harshest conditions if you bring a few extras along to have what you need ...

I don't notice an added 10lbs in my pack at all no matter where I'm going ... but I'm a large man ... and from my experiences (in the outdoors) not on youtube ... I'll carry a bit extra and have what I need for any situation that comes up ... especially if I'm responsible for others too.

I carry and use my knives nearly everywhere I go ... I live in a rural area most of my time is spent outdoors ... and the occasion trip somewhere with ridiculous restrictions is the ONLY time you'll find me not carrying or using much ... and even there you can bet there is a knife or two on me and other very useful things.
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All of this.
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
Reading through this and some other recent threads ... I get that for some circumstances and for some people pack weight means alot .... but for some of us an extra 2 or 3lbs or even an extra 10 or 15lbs. are hardly noticacle ...

and what works for one doesn't for another ...

I have been all over this world in some beautiful places and in some harsh harsh conditions ... and what I want with me minialmilists would say you're crazy ... but it works for me and those that have been with me ...

and there have been times we were caught unexpectedly and had to make due on very little ...

so you might be surprised at how little you can get by with in a bad spot ... and how much you would be amazed at just how comfortable and sustainable things can be in the harshest conditions if you bring a few extras along to have what you need ...

I don't notice an added 10lbs in my pack at all no matter where I'm going ... but I'm a large man ... and from my experiences (in the outdoors) not on youtube ... I'll carry a bit extra and have what I need for any situation that comes up ... especially if I'm responsible for others too.

I carry and use my knives nearly everywhere I go ... I live in a rural area most of my time is spent outdoors ... and the occasion trip somewhere with ridiculous restrictions is the ONLY time you'll find me not carrying or using much ... and even there you can bet there is a knife or two on me and other very useful things.
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Agreed completely. Even before I dropped 45lbs I would still carry what I wanted. I'd rather have tools I know will have no problems than ultralight stuff I know will fail if used in certain ways demanded by necessity. A couple lbs here or there means nothing to me.
 
I carry everything but the kitchen sink when I go into the woods. Hell, I even have a folding chair to sit by the campfire with. That's on top of my sleeping mat, sleeping bag, tent, footprint, tarp, extra clothes, knives, flashlights, headlamp,water filtration, food and first aid kit. My pack weighs on average around 35-40lbs and my wife and I can walk anywhere between 15-25 miles roundtrip for an extended backpacking trip.
 
My camera gear weighs more than I like to admit sometimes. I try to reduce the amount I carry based on my use expectations in the woods. My dominant tripod weights about 8 lbs with the head. I carry a minimal amount of emergency materials when I am out trying to take pictures, but I do carry some regardless. I'll carry a small tarp, cordage, first aid stuff, a jacket of some sort warm enough for normal seasonal night time temps if I am traveling light camera wise and going a fair distance on foot.

As to where I use my knives..... I just noticed that in the title of the thread and I doubt I answered that question. Most of my woods tromping these days are in State, or protected state lands in general, and National Parks with some tromping in National Forests. As the years pass, I become more wary of trespassing issue on private land although I will park and wander into the woods if I see something interesting from a photography point of view. I don't consciously go anywhere to use my knives. They are along for the ride. I am very respectful of lands I do not have any legal right to be wandering about on. So, no cutting unless it's absolutely necessary.
 
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91bravo said:
I carry everything but the kitchen sink when I go into the woods. Hell, I even have a folding chair to sit by the campfire with. That's on top of my sleeping mat, sleeping bag, tent, footprint, tarp, extra clothes, knives, flashlights, headlamp,water filtration, food and first aid kit. My pack weighs on average around 35-40lbs and my wife and I can walk anywhere between 15-25 miles roundtrip for an extended backpacking trip.
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You forgot those boat anchor firearms that are completely worthless out in the backcountry....
 
craytab said:
You forgot those boat anchor firearms that are completely worthless out in the backcountry....
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Yeah, that's usually in the lid of my backpack. We will rotate, I carry and sometimes will my wife will carry instead.
 
It's funny because I feel that the woods is the last place that I will ever need a firearm, unless I'm hunting of course. If we do meet folks, they are like-minded and very friendly.
 
91bravo said:
I carry everything but the kitchen sink when I go into the woods. Hell, I even have a folding chair to sit by the campfire with. That's on top of my sleeping mat, sleeping bag, tent, footprint, tarp, extra clothes, knives, flashlights, headlamp,water filtration, food and first aid kit. My pack weighs on average around 35-40lbs and my wife and I can walk anywhere between 15-25 miles roundtrip for an extended backpacking trip.
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I honestly have never weighed my pack ... but I carry everything I "might need" even on the longest or toughest of trips or places ... that always includes first aid and some food and water filtration and at minimum a couple options for making fire ... usually more ... extra clothes ... lights spare batteries ...

and I carry everything I "might want" or for comfort on trips like you mentioned ... a chair ... hammock ... cushion ... sometimes even a guitar ... and on these trips I may bring along 6 or 7 extra knives just to use more and enjoy ...

And I've yet to find a place those boat anchor firearms can't be of use ... sometimes more so before you get off the beaten path ... but always can be useful ...
 
When I was younger, I'd do some plinking if I'm just out wandering around the woods. Now.... not so much. I carry a gun about half the time I'm out in the woods. I generally like for other people to not be aware of where I'm at and shooting is a red flag for alerting someone unless it's an important use.
 
I dont generally carry in the woods for people - but the highly unlikely event that I run into an angry bear.
or the slightly more likely scenario that I get stuck out there for some reason and may need to secure food with it.

as for pack weight - I've lost 40 lbs this year, thats a good bit of gear that I can add on :)
 
Its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I've been in that situation and it's not good.
 
dsalazar said:
Its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I've been in that situation and it's not good.
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I agree as long as the choices are reasonable whether it be gear or a firearm. You can pile up a lot of weight quickly if you aren't careful. I don't particularly want to lug around 40 lbs of gear just wandering around the woods or on a day hike.
 
91bravo said:
It's funny because I feel that the woods is the last place that I will ever need a firearm, unless I'm hunting of course. If we do meet folks, they are like-minded and very friendly.
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Just last June we were way up in north pa, potter county. Middle of nowhere. My daughter and I were walking a trail and a massive buck bolted out of nowhere on the trail right in front of us, maybe 15 yards. Could have bolted right at us. I'm glad I had my glock at the ready. It's my ultralight hiking firearm of choice. :eek::D
 
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