Which Backpacking Knife?

OK the deed is done, I just ordered the RAT RC-4 with molle back sheath. I am very excited and cant wait to lay my hands on it. I think the biggest reason I went for this knife versus several others was the price and the sheath. All of the knives i looked at had blades that would have been fine. I managed to hold an RCS-4 and it felt good in my hands.

I think the ideal knife would have been the Fallkniven S1 (right length, steel, thickness, shape, weight) with contoured micarta scales similar to the Chris Reeve Green Beret tucked inside a fully sewn leather sheath with a fire steel loop and tie down eyelets similar to the deluxe leather sheath that comes with the Bravo-1. If I ever build a knife, this is what I will build first.

I saw many custom S1's but they were way outside my price range. I had my eye on a Bravo-1 too. I darn near bought it but it was just a bit more expensive than I could do. I also need to get a new sleeping bag and day pack - probably a Maxpedition, so I needed to be careful with the knife purchase this time. Plus the RAT will look nice on the Maxpedition. :D

I am certain I will be very happy with the RAT. It is certainly going to get a work out. Thanks for the help, everyone!
 
RC-4 feels good. I had an, in hand picture of it, for the RC-4 article in SWAT Magazine Aug. 08', but they used the sheath picture instead. It feels good in the hand!
-RB
 
One of my requirements for a backwoods knife; it must have a guard or half guard.
Slicing a finger tendon a far distance from a hospital will ruin a nice weekend.
I suppose a pronounced index finger recess works pretty well too. Or my Busse S. Jack has a 'nub' that's serves as a sort of guard.
I'm always really careful, but nearly sliced my thumb tip off with my Barkie Northstar...it's scary sharp and the handle tapers toward the blade for fine work, but it can be an issue with wet hands.

Or do I just worry like a grandmother?
-Brian
 
In the end, it makes very little difference what kind of knife you choose. The main thing is knowing what to do with it when you need to.
 
Frosts Mora Clipper 860. 12C27 stainless blade. Super comfortable handle. Clip on sheath. Knife and sheath total weight: 3.5 oz. Price: $13.00

Trust me, I have looked for years and all things considered, I think this is the best fixed blade backpacking knife on the market.

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I was going to say Mora, too, but carbon blade. I think for backpacking weight is imperative, and these are very light, but tough. And sharpen like an eagle's claw!

But I have an S1 and a BRKT Canadian Special that might be with me instead.
 
The good thing with Mora knives, whatever style and material, is that is expendable. You can do things you would never think of doing with a more expensive knife. Not heavy prying and chopping and stuff, but if you need to scrape off mortar from a brick or weed between the patio stones, chop a cable or whatever would totally destroy another knife. A Mora is the best workmans knife there is. We were issued Mora 2000 when sent on mission with SFOR in Bosnia. Why send out the guys with a cheap 10 bucks knife? Because they had buckets full of them and they didnt bother get them back when the mission was over. Only those who left theirs behind for personal knives ever returned their unused M2Ks to the supply depot. If they ever did break or you had to report it lost, the cost for the military would be like a buck or two.
Get two or three Moras. Get them in different colours so you keep them apart. Use one for woodcraft stuff and keep one for food prep. They weigh so little that it doesnt matter.
 
Chewy1 said:
I think for backpacking weight is imperative
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Without a doubt. I own and love my Fallkniven F1 and a CRK Mountaineer 1, but in my opinion, they are still too heavy for backpacking. They're okay for short trips (3-4 miles), but the Mora is super when weight is a concern.
 
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